From slim to normal tower

C

Cerpin_Taxt

New Member
With Diablo 3 around the corner, I'm looking to update my computer (which I bought with the intent to use it only for work...) so that I can use it for gaming. I haven't gamed on the PC for a while so I'm a little out of touch. I have the Quad Core Dell Inspiron 560s which runs very smoothly but since it's a slim tower, I can't put a high end video card in it. I was thinking about moving all the components into a normal size tower and upgrading my video card and power supply which is pretty weak (250W). Is going from a slim tower to a regular tower complicated? Here's what is in my computer right now:

-Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33Ghz
-Intel G43
-6GB 1066 Mhz DDR3 DIMM
-ATI Radeon HD 5450
-Integrated audio

A link to the complete specs http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/insp560st/en/cs/cs_en.pdf

I'm looking to add the Radeon HD 6870 (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1006280&CatId=3669), a new power supply (something like http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=422166&CatId=5432) and possibly upgrade to 8GB of RAM in a normal tower (I'm looking at the Zalman Z9 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7166024&CatId=1509). I also have a good Sound blaster sound card on my old machine that I could add in there.

So would this work and how good a gaming machine would this be?

Thanks!
 
Yep everything should fine for you. The 6870 is a good choice of graphics card as far as price to performance goes, and the CX600 should easily be able to power it.

I would also make the upgrade to 8GB of RAM, because of you're currently running on 6GB of RAM via 3x2GB sticks, you're not in dual-channel, but 8GB via 2x4GB or 4x2GB would be in dual-channel. RAM is cheap these days, may as well max it out.
 
FuryRosewood said:
Six gig = 2x2 + 1+1 = 6, still in dual channel
Click to expand...
Yeah I know it is but I didn't realise that that machine was using that setup.

azeem40 said:
How is having 2 sticks in slots 1 and 3 and one stick in slot 2/4 dual channel?
Click to expand...
Because all of the RAM bays are filled. Even two sticks in banks 1 and 3 or 2 and 4 would be dual-channel too, but it varies between each motherboard.
 
Thanks guys! I got a great deal on NCIX today and got all the parts I mentioned (Z9 Case, HD 6870, OCZ 550W) plus an extra 2 GB stick (to bring the RAM total to 8 GB) and an extra case fan for 340$ shipping included (290$ after mail in rebates). So I'm pretty happy with that!

Now I've never built a computer but since I'm basically only adding a video card and changing the power supply, I'm guessing this shouldn't be too complicated? Any advice for a beginner?

Thanks again!
 
Make sure you ground before you do anything!!

Plug the PC into power, make sure the power is turned OFF at the wall, touch a part of the case that is bare shiny metal (a screw usually works) and then you are done. Try not to move around too much as you will build up charge again. To ground yourself again, just touch the same screw or bare metal part of the chassis you touched before. The earth is always active regardless of power switch on wall or PC.

Other than that it's pretty straight forward. Make sure you route the cables behind the motherboard tray so your case looks neat and tidy inside, and to maximise cooling and airflow within your case. :)

Sounds like you got a pretty good deal too! Well done.
 
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