[TheRealBoydo]

Hi all,

I was hoping someone could offer a bit of advice on upgrading an old PC if possible?

I'm running SWTOR at low > mid settings - it's a little laggy but not too bad, but was looking at a new MMO coming out where the min spec is a bit higher so figured it was time for an upgrade.

The system I have just now;

• Dell XPS 630
  
• Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Processor Q6600 (2.40Ghz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB cache)
  
• 4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]
  
• SINGLE 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GT graphics card
  
• Windows Vista

As I understand it, upgrading the graphics card would probably give me the best bang for my buck? But there are limitations on what card can be used due to space and power supply? Also, is it possible to run dual graphics cards on the XPS 630 and do they need to be same model (or can I just buy 1 decent new one to supplement the existing one)?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Scott

[LiveBrianD]

Since you didn't say, I'm assuming you have the stock 750W power supply, which is plenty.

The problem is that the Core 2 Quad is starting to become a bottleneck in modern machines. Your motherboard has 2 PCIe x16 slots and supports SLI and Crossfire, but keep in mind that those have little microstuttering issues (some people notice it more than others), and you might have trouble buying a 8800GT now. (unless you're willing to buy used) Yes, the cards need to be same model. I suppose a 560ti or 7850 might be a good choice.

[coastie65]

Hi and welcome to the forums. To clarify a bit. You could go to a newer card, but even with upgrading the processor, you are going to be bottlenecked to some degree. The DDR2 RAM is not going to be a help either and another bottleneck in all probability. The reason the processor is becoming a bottelneck is because of the Video cards that are and have been coming out. The over al bandwidth is much lower with those, so can't handle as much data in the pipe(s).

[brewski13]

Have you considered upgrading to Windows 7 which would use less of your resources making any upgrades more noticeable?

[TheRealBoydo]

Hi thanks for the replies,

@LiveBrianD - not 100% on the power supply (will check when I get home from work), but haven't changed it so I'm assuming it's the same as come as standard with the model. Thanks for the clarification on the graphics cards.

@coastie65 - I'm still a little confused - are you saying that the processor, graphics card and RAM are all basically too dated and upgrading any one on its own wouldn't get the best from the upgrade because the others are holding it back?

@brewski13 - I've been looking at it as an option - just trying to figure out the best route to take just now.

Scott

[LiveBrianD]

Yeah, if you haven't changed it then it's most certainly the stock one.

About the bottlenecks: Yes, your CPU and RAM will bottleneck a good card, like a 560ti, but that doesn't mean you won't gain anything from it. I wouldn't bother with a card much better than a 560 though on that machine.

Also, I doubt Win7 will make too big of a difference for games.

[waldojim]

TheRealBoydo, on 28 May 2012 - 12:57 AM, said:

Hi thanks for the replies,

@LiveBrianD - not 100% on the power supply (will check when I get home from work), but haven't changed it so I'm assuming it's the same as come as standard with the model. Thanks for the clarification on the graphics cards.

@coastie65 - I'm still a little confused - are you saying that the processor, graphics card and RAM are all basically too dated and upgrading any one on its own wouldn't get the best from the upgrade because the others are holding it back?

@brewski13 - I've been looking at it as an option - just trying to figure out the best route to take just now.

Scott

Ok, hang on here. Your machine won't bottleneck the cards. At all. I used a Core2Duo for a LONG time using 2x8800GT's not ONCE did the system hold back the cards. What you are likely to see is that the game engine is held back by the CPU and RAM. If you were able to OC slightly (to just over 3 Ghz), and bump your ram speeds to 1066Mhz or so, then you could easily play any game on the market - just don't expect to get all of they Physics effects cranked up.

EDIT: This is assuming you still upgrade your video card, of course.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 28 May 2012 - 08:51 PM

[TheRealBoydo]

Thanks for the help folks - really useful!
Scott