1. #1

    Upgrading HP Desktop for Gaming

    I'm looking to upgrade my HP desktop to better suit game. I have no problem running WoW on high graphics, but I realy want to get the most out of all my games. (Arma2, The Witcher, Tera, etc) I have $150 saved up right now and was wondering what would be a good place to start at. I did a bit of research and came up with the main parts to look at would be the video card and the RAM. I would really like to get a couple opinions and tips on this.

    The computer I'm wanting to upgrade is a HP Pavilion Magnesium Gray Edition p6674y PC.

  2. #2
    It's this one right? http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...riesId=4269976
    The GPU definitely caught my eye the most (Integrated graphics using ATI Radeon 4200), as that is very ancient and you could really do with a new one - an upgrade would give a huge performance boost.

    But first, do you know what Power Supply are you currently using? Can you see a sticker or anything to the side of it, that shows some numbers in a table, like '12V = 25A'?

  3. #3
    Yes that one! Since I'm new to this website I can't link things. I checked out around my computer and the only sticker is the serial number.
    Last edited by Garthor; 2013-01-01 at 09:18 PM.

  4. #4
    if you could wing an extra $20 this should do you quite nicely I believe. You'll get the 20 back in a mail in rebate.
    http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vlnz

  5. #5
    I opened the side up and found a chart thing. INPUT: 100-120V ~ /6A 50/60 Hz

  6. #6
    I just checked the manufacturer's product page again, and it states that your PSU is 250W. That might be a problem, since your processor also tends to be quite power hungry, as it is based on an old architecture. I doubt your power supply has got a 6pin PCI-E power connector to power it up too - you'll most likely need to use the included adapter bundled with your new GPU if so.

    I was going to recommend the GTX 650 or the HD7750, but I'm a little bit skeptical, as your power supply might be cutting too close for comfort. The 650TI and HD7700 would obviously be even better, but I'd personally not risk it, since most of them also come pre-overclocked, which increases their power draw even further. Some people will argue that it's not that much of a power consumption increase, but with a PSU like this, I wouldn't recommend it.

    Either of these cards should work fine, and will be a huge step-up from your HD4200 of course.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130827
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102969
    Last edited by Drakoes; 2013-01-01 at 09:58 PM.

  7. #7
    Thank you! I'm currently running on 5.75 gigs of useable ram. I'm guessing I wouldn't really need to upgrade that?

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Garthor View Post
    Thank you! I'm currently running on 5.75 gigs of useable ram. I'm guessing I wouldn't really need to upgrade that?
    That's enough, yes. I wouldn't bother getting more RAM, as it will make little to no difference during gaming. Even if you were to upgrade to some faster memory, it would still make little difference.

    As long as you have over 4GB, and you're running a 64bit OS, than WoW's own 64bit client is already benefiting from the memory you have.
    Last edited by Drakoes; 2013-01-01 at 10:23 PM.

  9. #9
    avoid the 2 cards mentioned above they are ok but the nvidia gtx 550ti is better than both of those http://www.hwcompare.com/11741/gefor...adeon-hd-7750/

    you should be fine with the ram you have i would just get a new psu and the nvidia gtx550

    gtx 550ti $104 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121630
    antec 450w psu $39 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371045

  10. #10
    Sweet. Now I just have to decide which one to buy. Hahah, it's a tough decision! I appreciate the help.

  11. #11
    The older GTX 550TI isn't that much better, at the cost of much higher power consumption. Here's a rough comparison from anandtech: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/541?vs=681

    You could obviously replace the power supply and go with this, but I'm going to assume that will be more hassle for you. This is because you'll need to reconnect a lot of your system. If you don't mind doing that, or you're able to get someone to do it for you, then you could go definitely go down this route.

  12. #12
    Im pretty sure this case (and the PSU) are not standard ATX. So you will need to change your case as well or get a PSU with the same form factor as your (probably SFX), but they are usually all low wattage PSU ... at this point, maybe you should save some more and get a new PC (that you will assemble youself )

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by mnm View Post
    Im pretty sure this case (and the PSU) are not standard ATX. So you will need to change your case as well or get a PSU with the same form factor as your (probably SFX), but they are usually all low wattage PSU ... at this point, maybe you should save some more and get a new tower (that you will assemble youself )
    That's what I thought initially, yeah.

    Perhaps save up a bit more money and replace the PSU, Case and GPU. It should serve you a lot better in the long run.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by mnm View Post
    Im pretty sure this case (and the PSU) are not standard ATX. So you will need to change your case as well or get a PSU with the same form factor as your (probably SFX), but they are usually all low wattage PSU ... at this point, maybe you should save some more and get a new PC (that you will assemble youself )
    I was thinking the same thing. I could just save up and customize a computer myself and get it for a bit cheaper than I would at BestBuy or somewhere else.

  15. #15
    That would be more a safer option, yep.
    I'd say once you get manage to save up to like $250, you could probably even get a more mid-range video card (such as a HD7850) to go with a new case and PSU, which you shouldn't need to overspend with.

  16. #16
    The case is standard Micro ATX just flipped upside down. The power supply is on the top and the top of the motherboard is towards the bottom of the case.

    I would upgrade the PSU... the PSU is 250W and even if the GPU is a lower card like a 650 or 7750, you're still cutting it very close, as you're not adding in the factor of aging of the capacitors, not to mention a lot of the PSU's used in HPs are made by Bestec IIRC, and those are absolute garbage.

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by prankstar View Post
    avoid the 2 cards mentioned above they are ok but the nvidia gtx 550ti is better than both of those http://www.hwcompare.com/11741/gefor...adeon-hd-7750/

    you should be fine with the ram you have i would just get a new psu and the nvidia gtx550

    gtx 550ti $104 after rebate http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121630
    antec 450w psu $39 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371045
    if you're looking at the 550ti, just drop that thought and get a used 5850 and a 500Watt PSU.
    "Marketing is what you do when your product is no good."

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by Keller View Post
    if you're looking at the 550ti, just drop that thought and get a used 5850 and a 500Watt PSU.
    the reason the 5850 was not mentioned is because of the budget that and i would never tell someone to get a second hand part

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