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Question

Help with Vostro 200 MT

Jul 8, 2013 6:37AM PDT

Hi, I'm clueless when it comes to hardware and computer building.
Recently I began using my old Dell Vostro 200 to play some games on Steam. However, multiple games require Shader Model 3.0+, and one recommends at least having Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 or better.

I need to upgrade my graphics card and PSU, and right now I'm looking at the EVGA GeForce GTX 650 and the Corsair CX 430 Watt.
Do I need to upgrade anything else as well, such as CPU or mobo?
Is the power supply enough or should I get the 500W? Also, should I add cooling fans or anything?
The computer has a PCIe x16 and PCIe x1 ports, so would the GTX 650 fit, or would the PCIe version be an issue?
Also, how can I check whether the PSU will fit (physically check?)

Dell Vostro 200 Mini Tower
OS: Windows 9 Pro 32-bit
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 @ 2.53GHz Wolfdale 45nm Technology
RAM: 8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (6-6-6-1Cool
Mobo: Dell Inc. 0CU409 (Socket 775)
Graphics Card: Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family (Dell)

I don't think I'll be playing any graphic-intensive AAA games, so I don't plan on getting some crazy gaming rig, just attempting to get the computer to play some games that I can't on a stupid Macbook.

Sorry for having so many questions...

Discussion is locked

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Answer
As to power.
Jul 8, 2013 6:45AM PDT

Never go near the minimums. Add 100 to be safe and get a single rail +12V PSU if you are not conversant about Amperes per rail.

-> Given this is a MINI TOWER no fan I know will suffice. I would leave the cover off.
-> Does it fit? Mock up a cardboard prototype using the dimensions of the card to see.

What would I do? I would not do this in any mini-tower. HOWEVER I would pop in some 1GB ATI 5450 you find for well under 50 bucks to give the machine a last hurrah best performance boost.
Bob

PS. There is no Windows 9 Pro 32 bit yet. Are you posting from the future where time travel is possible but was banned after the Clipper incident of 2023?

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Just the graphics card then
Jul 8, 2013 6:58AM PDT

Thanks for the quick reply. Hahaha oops I typed Windows 9, I meant 8 Silly

Expected as much, not much I can do to upgrade this old thing without any experience.
Instead of trying to get something fancy I'll just take you up on your advice and get a ATI 5450. I guess only upgrading the graphics card will do.

Also, if I were to try to build a cheap, low-en computer that could run most games on Steam, what kind of price range would it take?

P.S. I'm from the future

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Your PC with the ATI 5450 1GB should run games on Steam.
Jul 8, 2013 7:06AM PDT

As to a cheap PC, the office picked up a Toshiba AMD A10 powered laptop and well the gaming is pretty good. Here's a notebookcheck review.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Toshiba-Satellite-S855D-S5256-Notebook.83168.0.html

"The performance of the GPU, on the other hand (which we'll cover in much more detail later in our review) is impressive. It's powerful enough to handle most games fluidly on medium (many even high) settings, and will please most users who plan to game on the go and don't want to sacrifice the battery life associated with heavier-duty, power-hungry gaming notebooks. In terms of integrated graphics, it effortlessly sets a new standard."

The office picked it off woot.com for 399.
Bob