upgrading desktop

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swimfann21

New Member
I hope this is in the right thread.
Im new to upgrading/ building a computer and need some help.
Ill be adding onto an already built desktop.
The desktop is a Dell XPS (its probably 4 years old maybe) the processor is an Intel core i5- 2300 CPU @ 2.80 GHz, memory 6.00 GB, it just has a standard VGA graphics adapter on it, it runs windows 7 and is a 64 bit operating system and the monitor is a believe a 32" Aoc.
Im looking at making it more of a gaming computer then anything- and was wondering what all I needed in order to play games like mine craft, runescape, starcraft 2, command and conquer and other games like these.
Please help and if I need to get more information about the computer you will have to tell me how to get it.
Thanks for reading and commenting
 
Also I meant to mention that I also have a macbook pro laptop that is not even a year old yet and was wondering which one would be better to play games on some people I know say that the macbook is the better option but you have to do the bootcamp and some people say dont do the bootcamp because they did and they got all these viruses on there macbook ???
 
The MacBook would definitely be the better option here if you can get Bootcamp working. Viruses acquired on Windows in Bootcamp won't spread over to OS X.
 
But is it even worth getting bootcamp if it will give you a virus (you say it wont affect the os x system, but if it is on the computer for a while wont it eventually corrupt the entire system) and if you get the bootcamp can you even get virus protection - I havent seen any virus protection for the macbook
 
Nope. It would have to be a very powerful virus to corrupt both partitions. And if you are careful, viruses are not a big problem. If you just install steam and thats all you use, you dont have to worry about viruses at all. Anyways, i would upgtade your desktop, as the macbook isnt going to be very good at gaming at all. Get a CX 500 for a new PSU (a new PSU is a MUST for adding other new compinents too a oem desktop), and them get a HD7770, HD 7850, GTX 660 Ti, or GTX 670 depending on your budget.
 
here is what I think. You should upgrade your desktop (there is no way it is 4 years old with that processor. 2013-4=2009. It would need to be a i5-**0 to be that old., but not important.) because it will far outperform the macbook by a large amount. Don't start with being fanboy either, simple fact is your desktop will have a far stronger processor (due to macbook having power limited mobile processors), and the ability to upgrade GPUs to anything basically. You could stick a titan in your desktop (not that it is needed for gaming), but your macbook is stuck with what it has. Likely something around GT630/HD6850 performance at most.

what I would upgrade to would depend on the budget, and if you need it to do anythnig other than gaming.
CX500 is fine. You could (probably should) go for a full modular PSU though. Keeps the case cleaner.

GPU wise, 7850 or above, GTX660ti or above for new. If you are trying to go used, then 470 is a good $$/frame performer, as is the 480, 570, and 560ti. AMD, look at 6950 unlocked or strait 6970s, or possibly 5870 depending on price.
 
I really dont have a budget.
Ill have to buy a piece at a time when I get paid.
I would not like to pay more then 400 dollars on one item- but other then that I dont have a budget.
If you guys replying could place links or something so I dont have to look all over for the items you are talking about- Im not really a computer building person and know a little of what you are talking about but not that much.
 
Brands, that is open to discussion. As long as you stay with the reference design (better for quite a few reasons), then they are all built by AMD so it does not matter. You are only paying for the name there. It is much the same as low end motherboards. Once you get down to reference Intel/AMD, they are all the same, minus custom BIOSs.

For 7770, look at these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127664 (MSI non reference)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202011 (sapphire Non reference cooler, reference PCB)

7850,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131482 (reference cooler and board)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125451 (reference board, but not cooler)

7870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025 (non reference)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127722 (non reference cooler. PCB unknown)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125418 (reference board, cooler is not)


Out of these, the 7870 is the best performing. The 7850 would be the lowest to go if you plan on doing any serious gaming.
 
I meant to saw that I would like the desktop to do everything i.e. internet, Microsoft works, gaming and whatever else Ill need it for but I would like it mainly for gaming but I will be doing other things on the computer as will
 
answer this and it will narrow GPU by a bit. Are you planning on using directcompute applications (FAH, BIONIC, Photoshop, etc.)? Are you needing physx or cuda performance?

If none of teh above apply, then gaming is all your GPU will be doing as everything else will rely on the CPU.
 
Im sorry im not to sure what those are - if it has something to do with editing video and photos - then no I will not be using that on my desktop not sure what the physx and cuda performance is though?
 
don't normally do this, but I am going to link you some research material to read. It will help you determine what you need/want.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/physx (physx)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhysX (physx without the Nvidia upsell)

http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_home_new.html (Cuda)
https://developer.nvidia.com/what-cuda (cuda 101)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CUDA (again, cuda without the Nvidia upsell)

Cuda does a lot more than just photo and video editing. Physx also is used outside of games, but it is used in games also.

As for the Direct Compute, you can read more about that below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributed_computing
Well there are more direct compute applications, but that is the most common use for beginners.
 
ok after reading some of the stuff I dont think Im going to go that route - I just what a easy system that I know how to work (lol) and with the games Ill be playing I dont think Ill need it - I just wait something that will be fast, great graphics and no lagging
 
either system will work fine. Cuda is used in game no matter what. it is the architecture of the GPU. Physx will not make a great deal of difference.

Just pick what you want and go with it. Look at GTX660ti (go to newegg, computer components, video cards, desktop cards, scroll down to GTX600, then gtx 660ti.) or HD7870 (already linked). Either will be fine for you.
 
If you are going to upgrade with a GPU, chances are you will need a new PSU. Dell uses the bare minimum crap PSU in their builds. FYI.
 
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