Help re Upgrading or starting from scratch.

[Toddler]

Hi I could do with some advice on my current set up.

Windows 2.6.0.6001 (Service Pack 1)
CPU Type: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
CPU Speed (GHz): 2.42
System Memory (GB): 1.998
Video Card Model: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Video Card Driver: nvd3dum.dll
Desktop Resolution: 1680x1050
Hard Disk Size (GB): 931.284

Basicially I have the above set up.

I think in order to upgrade my graphics card at all my current PSU does not cut it. Does 350w sound likelyas to what I have at the moment? I know a Ram upgrade should be a first step but the Version of vista I am currently supporting will only take advatage of 3.5 gb of ram I am told.


As far as I can see I have seen on net the Q6600 responds well to overclocking but my machine sounds like a jet engine already at times so I may need to upgrade the fan to ensure cooling.

TLDR
4GB Ram upgrade (only 3 will be used due to system architecture)
New PSU
New Graphics Card
Risky Overclocking by a muppet
New Fan


This could be expensive and wondering if I may get better result by getting new machine or building my own from scratch. Suggestions tips would be appreciated.

[jim]

Is it a bought PC? Like a Dell or something?

[Toddler]

Aye Packard Bell shop bought

[kalniel]

I think you just need a graphics card. No need to increase RAM or anything else. If you go for an efficient card then you won't even need to upgrade the PSU, unless you don't have a spare PCI-E connector or pair of Molex connectors.

Something like an AMD 5770 or 5750 would do nicely.

[jim]

Overclocking will probably be impossible then, so don't worry about it.

Check the PSU, see what it says on it in terms of wattage (and possibly manufacturer). You'll have to look physically, won't be able to see in Windows.

I agree with Kalniel tbh, graphics card only will be fine. Just need to make sure the PSU is up to the task first.

[Toddler]

Would an 5770 need much more power then the NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT I thought it would whiuch is where the concern re my PSU came from.

Edit: sorry posted before Jims comment. Looks like ill venture into the jungle of my machine to see whats what. in the event its 350-400w would a PSU upgrade be neccesary and to overclock would i need to upgrade anything other than that and the cooling?

[kalniel]

Would an 5770 need much more power then the NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT I thought it would whiuch is where the concern re my PSU came from.

Yup it does need more (at full load only - on idle it actually uses much less than a 8500), but there could be spare capacity so that's why you check

Edit: sorry posted before Jims comment. Looks like ill venture into the jungle of my machine to see whats what. in the event its 350-400w would a PSU upgrade be neccesary and to overclock would i need to upgrade anything other than that and the cooling?

350W-400W is fine for both, at stock speeds. Don't overclock - you don't gain enough for it to be worth the increase in power consumption/heat.

If you are having a look, post the wattage and importantly amps for the different volts.

[Toddler]

Really can not thank you both enough for the advice

[Pob255]

The main problem with trying to overclock prebuilt pc's is that generally the motherboard BIOS lacks any options for it.

I've just been setting up an new HP at work an e5400 on a g43 chipset motherboard with ddr3 so in theory there should be tons of scope for overclocking , however there's absolutely no options in the BIOS to let you, cannot even change the ram divider or timings.

I think Windows 2.6.0.6001 = Vista 64bit so more memory would be good, but again you'll need to look inside to see how many memory slots you have and if any are empty.

Noise level just might be an issue from dust buildup, you just may need to give your pc a good clean out for now.
A vacuum cleaner is ok just as long as you're careful and don't directly suck on any fans and spin them (and when it's off and unpluged of course)
A cocktail stick through the blades of a fan and wedged into the heat sink fins behind is a simple way of making sure a fan is immoblised and cannot spin.
I'd also advise a clean dry paint brush as well, as it's a very good way to losen any dust build ups.

Can the PSU cope? will not know untill you can give us some deatils on it.
Look for the 12v numbers, brand/manufactures name and model, if it's got a UL number then that can be used to find the true manufacture of a PSU.

That's a UL number, symbol looks the LR backwards, if it has that on it then it should have a number starting with an E normally near the symbol

Put the number in here http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/t.../gfilenbr.html

Even if you your psu is a bit weak for a 5770 there are some other options, such as a 9800gt eco version, not as powerfull but much better than a 8500gt (which was rather pants) and still very low power demands.

PS which Packard Bell was it? look for a model number.
Is it a normal sized case or a slim case? that's going to effect a replacement PSU and maybe the card you can get as well.

[cub1061]

Case wise, there are good cases with decent PSU's from Coolermaster or Antec.

I have a Antec NSK4480B which came with an Earthwatt 380w psu. This use to run a Q9450, Asus mobo, 320gb Hd and an 8800gt.

Something like this: Coolermaster Elite 330 Case with 620W PSU. Ebuyer at £50

[Toddler]

Right. Have checked the PSU
FSP250-60HEN
115W not to exceed 250W

Afraid I could not see a UL number

I think thats a definate call for a new PSU. Am I right ?

Case I beleive is the
Packard Bell iXtreme X2711 It seems pretty wide

Mother Board is Foxconn N15235

I can up grade to 4GB Ram with the slot I have I beleive but am running Vista 32 Bit.

So the question seems to me do I get a new case and PSU and transfer Mother board et al. (not that confident in my ability to do that) or just try to replace the current PSU

[scaryjim]

I'd need to see a picture of the PSU to be sure, but from a quick google it looks like it's a standard ATX PSU, in which case you can just buy a new PSU. How much power your new PSU needs will depend on what graphics card you go for, but if you take the general advice to go for a 5750 / 5770 then this Corsair CX 400W from ebuyer would be a very good choice @ £35.

[jim]

Yeah, see that's always the problem. Personally I wouldn't want to put such a low-rated PSU to its limits and see what happens - you can if you want to though.

You can probably just get a cheap PSU like the one scaryjim linked to and swap it straight in. If it's nonstandard size/mounts, then you'd need a new case as well, but again it isn't horrendously expensive.

[Toddler]

One think Im thinking of is future proofing. This experince has definately lead me in the direction of building my own machine for my next upgrade. What are people thoughts on me getting say a 650w for my machine now that I can cannibalise in couple of years?

[scaryjim]

400W is actually enough for most rigs. It's only if you're using a top end CPU and GPU, and then overclocking them, that you'll struggle with a 400W. For instance, Hexus's test system - i7 965 extreme, 6GB DDR3, "kitchen sink" motherboard, all the bells and whistles etc. - pulls less than 400W when playing Crysis through a GTX480! You need to put unusually high loads (e.g. Furmark) through that rig before it tops 400W.

On the other hand, modern PSUs are surprisingly efficient even at low loads (it used to be that running a PSU at anywhere less than about 50% load had a terrible efficiency drop off!) AND it's sensible to have some headroom in your PSU for unusual peak power spikes etc. If you get a decent brand there's no reason not to go for a higher power PSU. Be aware, however, that if you are looking at 650W+ PSUs you'll want to spend *at least* £60 to get something half decent...

[Toddler]

Ok Jims suggestion for PSU sounds good
Right going with 5770 but am now confused aboiut the difece between
Assus 5770 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190974
and
HIS 5770 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191864

the HIS has more ram? but worse quality is that the dif?