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Resolved Question

Upgrading a Dell

by Feb 24, 2014 10:59PM PST

My brother's PC is on the old and slow side. Can play most recent games (for certain values of "playable") but want to upgrade it so we can play together without him having to run everything on minimum. Wondering what would give the best bang for buck.

Dell Optiplex 745
3.2 GHz Pentium D dual core
ATI HD 5450 1GB
4GB DDR3 RAM
280W power supply

Any upgrades would have to be within the current case, I can swap out the odd component but not really up to building a computer from scratch :/

CPU and RAM are probably okay, not many games uses more than 2 cores and 4GB, so I'm thinking the way to go would a new graphics card.

Any thoughts?

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AIex_C has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
5 Posts
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Re: upgrade
by Forum moderator Feb 24, 2014 11:06PM PST

Indeed, a new graphic card (we recommend the lists on tomshardware.com to find one you like) is needed, but this also needs a new power supply.

Kees

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Answer
Final XP support goes away in 6 weeks
by Feb 24, 2014 11:17PM PST
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Answer
Dell
by Feb 25, 2014 12:03AM PST

The FIRST thing that needs replaced is the PSU, 280W isn't going to cut it you'd want to go to 500 or thereabouts. Then there is OS consideration as another poster mentioned.

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Answer
Re:upgrade
by Feb 25, 2014 1:10AM PST

Right, so new graphics card and PSU. Already running Windows 7.

Thinking GTX 650 or HD 7770 but a bit worried about dimensions, I've tried my own GTX 560 ti (EVGA Superclocked) in the case and lengthwise its over by 2-3 cm.

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Right track
by pgc3 Feb 25, 2014 1:29PM PST

It sounds as if you are on the right track it just sounds as though you just need to get a card that physically fits, they are out there. Good luck and have fun!!

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