Pc upgrade...

[gameo53]

OK guys, I haven't been on in a while but i'm back with a question...
What should my next PC upgrade be? What are my bottlenecks...?


Operating System
MS Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP1


CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 50 °C
Kentsfield 65nm Technology


RAM
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz 6-6-6-18


Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0FM586 (Socket 775)


Graphics
DELL E207WFP @ 1680x1050
ATI Radeon HD 4770 (XFX Pine Group) 53 °C


Hard Drives
488.39GB Hitachi Hitachi HDP725050GLA360 ATA Device (IDE) 41 °C


Optical Drives
TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H653F ATA Device


Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

 

[Proarcher]

Why do you feel one is required? In what way are you wanting performance improved? General processing? Graphical prowess?
You say you want to upgrade but asking our opinion without giving us any particular focus and we may as well tell you to scrap your whole PC until we're satisfied with our own personal taste of PC.

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Your bottleneck is the graphics card, what are you trying to upgrade for?
As in what applications/games do you intend to run?

Edit: You have a major issue holding you back though, the system's a Dell. So when you're thinking of upgrading that GPU your power supply will have to be taken into consideration.

 

[gameo53]

Why do you feel one is required? In what way are you wanting performance improved? General processing? Graphical prowess?
You say you want to upgrade but asking our opinion without giving us any particular focus and we may as well tell you to scrap your whole PC until we're satisfied with our own personal taste of PC.

Ooops... I had that written...in my head.
Ok im looking to improve so I can play max/near max settings on MW2 and the like and record fraps without watching a slideshow. Also 'm not sure if this is a hardware problem but Adobe Flash encoder (for justin.tv brodcasting) is very laggy... I assume it is a CPU issue but I dont know.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

An IDE HDD? Possibly that, but not for the sake of gaming. I suppose it's the GFX card, but I don't know enough about ATI nomenclature.

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Ooops... I had that written...in my head.
Ok im looking to improve so I can play max/near max settings on MW2 and the like and record fraps without watching a slideshow. Also 'm not sure if this is a hardware problem but Adobe Flash encoder (for justin.tv brodcasting) is very laggy... I assume it is a CPU issue but I dont know.

No idea what justin.tv is but encoding is pretty cpu intensive, you've got a decent one already though so I'd not bother upgrading that. Has it been fine in the past or was it always laggy?

MW2's not very graphically intensive, are you getting large FPS drops on the 4770?

 

[gameo53]

Well, I usually get around 49FPS with out fraps, and I assume the drops with fraps are CPU related but I could be wrong.
2nd, It has always been laggy... that could also be my capture device causing that though...

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Well upgrading your GPU will give you a boost in gaming performance, what kind of budget do you have for a new one?
Also you'll need to find out a bit of info on your Dell powersupply, what model computer is it?

I'm not sure if the Dell bios have any options for overclocking (greatly doubt it) but even a small one goes a long way with the Q6600, so that'd be a good option for boosting overall performance.

 

[gameo53]

Oh wow, Just read y'alls post and noticed you asked about my PSU Its a 530 watt. so I think i'm ok there.

 

[-IT-]

The bottleneck(s) would be the graphics card, PSU (doubt the quality will be any good), memory (it's pretty slow) and your motherboard (its one from dell probably completely locked down, so you can't overclock or tweak you system).

I don't think it's very sensible to upgrade this system, you'll be better off saving the cash for a custom system which will give you way more upgrading / tweaking potential.

 

[flaming_squirrel]

The bottleneck would be the graphics card, PSU (doubt the quality will be any good), memory (it's pretty slow) and your motherboard (its one from dell probably completely locked down, so you can't overclock or tweak you system).

I don't think it's very sensible to upgrade this system, you'll be better off saving the cash for a custom system which will give you way more upgrading / tweaking potential.

The quality in Dell PSU's has gone up greatly in recent years, unless he's planning on upgrading to a top 5000 series card or one of the 400's it shouldnt be a problem.
Also memory wont be an issue, manufacturers greatly over exagerate the importance of RAM speed, in actual use the noticable difference is between shit all and very little (same with DDR2 compared to DDR3, only major benefit is energy consumption).


All depends on the budget really.

 

[gameo53]

Yeah, and in all honesty I don't really know what do do about anything...

 

[gameo53]

Wait, Would it be worth getting a new monitor?

 

[flaming_squirrel]

Can only help if you say how much you're willing to spend on a new graphics card.

A new monitor will not increase your computers performance in any way, it will however let you (potentially) use higher screen resolutions and possibly give you more enjoyment out of watching films and playing games. How big is your current one?

 

[gameo53]

17"
it only goes to 1680/1050

 

[Jack and Calumon]

GET MOAR POWAH!

Ahem...

Yeah, Dell usually give out powerpacks that can just about do it, and having a better Powerpack is always nice. Why, my 550w is looking a little slippy. Does 850w sound good? No... 1000w does.

Calumon: And yet you have no money...

 

[flaming_squirrel]

17"
it only goes to 1680/1050

That is quite small, but I'll ask again, making it even more obvious if that's possible:

Can only help if you say how much you're willing to spend
Without knowing I cannot possibly give you advice on what to buy

GET MOAR POWAH!

Ahem...

Yeah, Dell usually give out powerpacks that can just about do it, and having a better Powerpack is always nice. Why, my 550w is looking a little slippy. Does 850w sound good? No... 1000w does.

Calumon: And yet you have no money...

What the hell is a powerpack?

Unless you're running two or more high end cards on sli/crossfire 850-1000w's is a complete waste of money.

 

[gameo53]

well Ima be honest. I get $600 over the course of the summer.
i'll have $225 by the end of June. What I should do I have no idea.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

GET MOAR POWAH!

Ahem...

Yeah, Dell usually give out powerpacks that can just about do it, and having a better Powerpack is always nice. Why, my 550w is looking a little slippy. Does 850w sound good? No... 1000w does.

Calumon: And yet you have no money...

What the hell is a powerpack? Like the Power Supply. They can also be called Power Packs but people usually go with PSU, I find that boring.

Unless you're running two or more high end cards on sli/crossfire 850-1000w's is a complete waste of money. So much Tech info. I'll just go with a 700w.

Calumon: I say we need new fans, it gets kinda hot in there.

 

[Malyc]

Dell graphics cards have always been subpar, and i think that since they solder them to the motherboard, at least in laptops, that you are unable to repace them easily.

OT, anyone able to recommend me a good gaming laptop that is under $800?