Upgrading My Comp

[Durand]

So I recently bought a new computer and I've built up a little bit of spending money so I'm wondering what I should upgrade from it first. I know I should have built one in the first place, but it would have cost more than I had so I bought one straight from the store but that is besides the point. Here's the computer:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-...&skuId=1757565

I'm thinking that I should probably get a graphics card next seeing how I don't have an actual card in the computer, just integrated graphics
I can spend about $200 - $300 on any combination of upgrades right now.
-Thanks

[trickster0306]

its an ok computer not exactly for gaming, but if you had 700 why wouldn't you have built a 700 dollar comp, rather then buying that.
if i was you though i would definitely get a new graphics card

[Chickensoup23]

First off, you have integrated graphics. Your power supply is probably around 300-350w max, and you probably don't have the 6/8 pin connectors to plug in a higher-end graphics card, so you'll need a graphics card that is powered by the PCI-E slot alone.

I reccommend the Radeon HD 5670, it's a very good card, will not bottleneck your system, cheap, looks good, it's probably the best you can go unless you want to buy a whole new power supply.

2nd of all, I don't know what kind of motherboard you have, but your processor is weak. You can maybe upgrade it, depending on the socket. Others will tell you if you can give us the name and number of your motherboard.

Good luck, message me if anything!
Chicken

[Durand]

Yeah I've been harassed by a friend because of my processor, so that will most likely be next. How do I go about telling you what mobo I without taking the comp apart or is that the only way?

[Samskeyti]

Download CPU-Z from http://www.cpuid.com/, your model number will be listed under the Mainboard tab.

[Durand]

Ok thanks on my iPod right now but I will do that as soon as I can

[Chickensoup23]

You have no graphics card, it will have the biggest impact in games. Even if it's bad. See my post above.

[grymgroeth]

According to http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/e...u-99041500.htm the cpu is an e5800 which means you've got a Socket 775 mobo and somewhat limited upgrade options. That said, you're probably going to need to drop a 750w psu in it to get a good vidcard. I'd say grab http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...822&CatId=2534 while it's on sale and http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=E145-0550 while it's on sale as well. Gets you both of your most critical upgrades for under $300 when the smoke clears.

[Deleted]

According to http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/e...u-99041500.htm the cpu is an e5800 which means you've got a Socket 775 mobo and somewhat limited upgrade options. That said, you're probably going to need to drop a 750w psu in it to get a good vidcard. I'd say grab http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...822&CatId=2534 while it's on sale and http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=E145-0550 while it's on sale as well. Gets you both of your most critical upgrades for under $300 when the smoke clears.

He does not need anywhere close to 750 PSU for a single card setup=.=

[grymgroeth]

If I'm going to recommend a card that needs an adapter, I'm going to recommend a psu that I don't have to guess will handle it. Simply put, anything below a 750 is more likely than not to have insufficient push on the 12v rails to guarantee a card will work without pita research that the average person in this forum is incapable of doing and I'm unwilling to do in most cases. I simply skip all the headaches and go the path of overkill to guarantee everything works the first time.

[Durand]

I was talking with a friend and would the power supply mention be able to handle SLI or would it require a higher wattage?
Never mind just read its details, it can.

[grymgroeth]

Oh yes, the one I recommended will handle SLI easily. I also happened to recommend an SLI capable video card Another reason I go for overkill on the initial recommendations, I expect folks will want further upgrades down the line and skimping on the PSU is just pissing money away imo. An extra $30 now or another $120 down the road .... the choice is easy for me.

[Durand]

A friend has been trying to convince me to get http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...960&CatId=3585 instead of http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=E145-0550, is it that much better?

[llDemonll]

Yeah I've been harassed by a friend because of my processor, so that will most likely be next. How do I go about telling you what mobo I without taking the comp apart or is that the only way?

No it won't, because you bough a store-bought computer. You can't just drop whatever new pieces into it that you want, you can only drop pieces that are manufacturer-approved because of the BIOS and proprietary hardware in the computer.

Would have been better off building your own in the first place, and you would have got something much better than that for $700

[Durand]

I realize that I can't just drop components willy nilly into the computer, and when I got the computer it was $450 so building a computer for that much wouldn't have been fun. With what I have now though wouldn't it be possible to upgrade the processor if I upgraded my motherboard before attempting that?

[Auralian]

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/C..._Configurator/ you would have had a better start with something like this, at least it's design is around budget gaming. $485 and a hell of a lot more options right at the start.

You can upgrade all you want, in the end you will have spent way more money and got much less. I'd send it back and get a refund if possible, if you goal is gaming that is not the way to start out. It is kind of like starting to build a race car from a Ford Fiesta and wondering why your getting blown off the road.

[grymgroeth]

A friend has been trying to convince me to get http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...960&CatId=3585 instead of http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=E145-0550, is it that much better?

For the cost difference, it most certainly is not that much better unless you just desperately want Crysis 2 and can't find it for less than $80. As for upgrading the CPU/mobo, you might come out better just buying an i3 or i5 barebones kit and swapping your hard drive(s) and video card over. Socket 775 mobo isn't going to have much else you'll want/be able to transfer to a new board anyway.

[Durand]

So far its looking like a no go on returning the computer I'm still looking into it though

---------- Post added 2011-05-19 at 01:21 AM ----------

Didn't even realize the other one came with Crysis 2 haha just thought it was made to be able to play it meant to put this one instead of it
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...683&CatId=3669