Upgrading a cheap desktop

Upgrading the processor may be an issue if the BIOS is locked and does not allow a different processor to be installed, but you can upgrade the video card and power supply quite easily.

I'd grab a Radeon 6850 and a Corsair CX 600 power supply and then be done with it. :) Before you buy anything though, can you measure in inches how long the case is from the rear of the case to where the hard drive caddies at the front are? That will tell us what graphics card you can have as some are longer than others.
 
I am not sure if the CPU would bottleneck a 6850 or not but I think it might.

@FiveSeven can you give us more specs on the motherboard? Your CPU is on socket 1155 so there is a chance that you can upgrade to a better processor but it is a bit more tricky for OEM desktops.
 
When I measured it had about 8" of space where a graphics card could go. With a dual core at 2.6 ghz would upgrading graphics even be worthwhile?
 
vistakid10 said:
Upgrading the processor may be an issue if the BIOS is locked and does not allow a different processor to be installed, but you can upgrade the video card and power supply quite easily.

I'd grab a Radeon 6850 and a Corsair CX 600 power supply and then be done with it. :) Before you buy anything though, can you measure in inches how long the case is from the rear of the case to where the hard drive caddies at the front are? That will tell us what graphics card you can have as some are longer than others.
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this, although with 300 budget you could pull a bit better for the gpu, the sapphire 6950 on newegg runs 200 sometimes, saw it higher a couple days ago but back down yesterday or the day before. But it being 2GB makes it great for high res, although your processor might not be great, it should do the job in most games, and you could upgrade it later on
 
FiveSeven said:
When I measured it had about 8" of space where a graphics card could go. With a dual core at 2.6 ghz would upgrading graphics even be worthwhile?
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With only 8" you're a bit limited, reckon you can squeeze a 9" or 10" card in there?
 
Look at the markings on the motherboard and let us know the motherboard model. I cannot find any info on a CPU upgrade.
 
MyCattMaxx said:
It will upgrade to an I3 and I5 from what I found.
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I will just try to go off of that for now. So my current plan is

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104098

This is based on one thing as well. There is a plug from my current power supply to MOBO (I can't take pictures right now because for some reason if I unscrew the hand screws to take the side off I get electric jolts o.o) that goes right where my 8th 9th and 10th inch of available GPU space is. There is an identical open plugin spot about 3 inches lower than it on my motherboard. Should I be able to just plug it into that one?
 
get the 2500k, that is a newer model and i almost guarantee they don't have a bios update so it can support it.

no point in spending that much for a gold certified, and that isn't a great brand, try this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703036

this one's also good if you would like to save some

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

if you want gold, this is pure overkill power wise but a good deal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

and this one is platinum, most efficient out there

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371055
 
FiveSeven said:
I will just try to go off of that for now. So my current plan is

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104098

This is based on one thing as well. There is a plug from my current power supply to MOBO (I can't take pictures right now because for some reason if I unscrew the hand screws to take the side off I get electric jolts o.o) that goes right where my 8th 9th and 10th inch of available GPU space is. There is an identical open plugin spot about 3 inches lower than it on my motherboard. Should I be able to just plug it into that one?
Click to expand...

Some CPUs won't work in OEM motherboards. You may waste your money. Do some more research and maybe contact lenovo.

Jonny, no point in the 2500k since his BIOS is locked.
 
claptonman said:
Some CPUs won't work in OEM motherboards. You may waste your money. Do some more research and maybe contact lenovo.

Jonny, no point in the 2500k since his BIOS is locked.
Click to expand...

Yeah I mentioned earlier that the BIOS may be locked, thus preventing him from upgrading his CPU.

A 6950 would not fit in your case because your case has only has 8" of space didn't you say and that processor you've currently got would bottleneck the 6950 like hell so you'd never see its full potential.
 
Well these guys know what they're talking about. If 600W is enough for you, you could go for this one. As for the CPU and Graphics Card, listen to what the other guys are saying.
 
600W will power a 670 just fine, but I'd go for a 650-750W PSU just to be on the safe side.
 
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