Upgrading my current pc

[sneapy]

Hi,

Im looking to upgrade my current pc, so i am able to play some more modern games. im not looking to run games on ultra settings, just so i have better graphics and dont lagg, also i havent got a very big budget i would give you a budget, but im not sure how much things cost.

Thanks for your help

my current specs are:
Model: Dell Inspiron 560
Power Supply: 300W MAX - (i think thats what you need, if not just ask)
Processor: Intel Core2 Quad Q8300 @ 2.50GHz 2.50 GHz
RAM: 6GB
System: Windows 7 64-bit
Video Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 310 (525 MB)

 

[sneapy]

yeah im happy to upgrade my psu, around £150 max

 

[sneapy]

I entirely disagree with this. For £150 he could get a decent 500w psu and a 7850. Sure, his cpu is a bit old now but it can still be used to play any modern game.

If I were in your position i'd get a second hand 6850 or something along those lines as the cpu shouldn't really bottleneck a slightly older card yet will give you the ability to play new games.

yeah i got this from another user, thought it was quite good but wanted to know what you lot say?

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18542297

 

[sneapy]

Sorry if i was dismissive in the first post as i had searched for his model and the images pointed towards a slim line Dell model and thats why i suggested that the upgrade wouldnt be worth while.

Sneapy, my advice (if your case is the slimline) would be to try and sell your PC to raise some money, you should get 100 or so for it and perhaps save for a little longer. Then put that towards building yourself a custom system as for 400 or so you should be able to get yourself a much better setup.

My case did look a bit like what you found but double the size it's not the slimline design, but I feel that my CPU is good as it runs fast never had a problen and it rated 7.2 out of 7.9 on the windows rating.
The problem I have with buying a new gaming pc for around £400 is that I wanted a new console as well, that's why I wanted to just upgrade a bit.

But for around £400 could I get a good gaming pc if I build myself? Could I still use the same processor but upgrade the rest or would that be no point, and if I did sell my current pc would I get more money if I sell bit by bit? I just want to remind you, that i dont want to run on ultra, incase anyone forgot

 

[sneapy]

This would be my choice a little over 400.

Its a fantastic system and you can then put a graphics card into it a later date when funds allow, it will also last you a long time and you can be confident with the graphics card that you will have a system that will see out the life span of the current consoles.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £197.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £84.95
1 x Corsair Carbide 200R Compact ATX Case - Black £47.95
1 x Gigabyte H81M-DS2 Intel H81 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £43.99
1 x Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CML4GX3M2A1600C9) £39.95
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £39.95
Total : £467.38 (includes shipping : £10.50).



If you cant quite afford that much then this would be good too.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-4330 3.50GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £113.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £84.95
1 x Corsair Carbide 200R Compact ATX Case - Black £47.95
1 x Gigabyte H81M-DS2 Intel H81 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £43.99
1 x Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CML4GX3M2A1600C9) £39.95
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £39.95
Total : £383.38 (includes shipping : £10.50).



The difference between the two systems is the first one has a Quad Core i5 and the second has a Dual Core i3, both chips have the same integrated HD 4600 graphics.

Awesome, I really appreciate your help. Since I already have a terribyte hard drive could I carry that over? But I would reset it as it's full of junk.
Would I be better off selling my pc off in separate bits or just flog the whole thing.
And the first basket you put together how well will that run games, also in response to your other question, I run my games at 1098 x 10?? Something like that, that includes my settings all on low otherwise it will not run, but I can run games on 19??x???? something like that, I don't know I'm out at the moment...

Plus I'm not too sure about this processor and graphics card in one, what else is an option I would prefer to get them separately or is it actually quite good, I don't mind pushing it up too £550

 

[sneapy]

No problem at all I am glad that I can help.

Well in the system I have specced I have included 120GB SSD which you should use as your boot drive and to install your applications, this gives a MASSIVE performance boost over standard mechanical drives. You should see boot up times between 10 and 20 seconds. I would then use your 1TB drive for all your Music, Videos, Photos etc. and to install your steam games onto.

Ok so sound like you are running at 1920 x 1080 which is good.

The reason I left a graphics card out was to keep closer to your budget leaving you time to save to buy one at a later date. Just a note the integrated graphics on the CPU is very good and would be a lot better than what you have currently but no substitute for a modern separate card.

I would recommend either of these two cards if you are planning on extending your budget:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-052-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=411

£125.99

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-191-MS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=411

£125.99

You will also get a choice of two free games with those graphics cards so you can choose from the silver section in the below image.

I would recommend Hitman, Deus Ex, Sleeping Dogs and Far Cry 3 as the top four.

As far as your current PC is concerned I would try and sell it as a complete unit on eBay or Gumtree, you may well get £120-200 for it.

Awesome thank you so much I will proberly be buying this in the next week or so, but one more thing, since im selling my pc i take it i will have to buy windows again wont i? also i might message you on here if I have any other questions thank you very much again.