Upgrading Basic PC to Gaming PC on a Budget

[Sanji Himura]

Please bear with me. I have a Dell Inspiron 590 desktop. Here are the specs in case anyone is interested:

CPU: Intel Celeron D 2.2GHz

RAM: 2GB DDR3, but can support 32GB by my calculation(three empty slots)

GPU: Intel on board graphics, atm.

OS: Windows 7, 64 Bit SP1

HDD: 320GB SATA.

I do have a general idea on what to do to upgrade the PC, and I have acquired a ATI Radion 5850 video card, and I need to beef my memory, power supply, and get a slave HDD.

 

[John2k4]

A computer is only as fast as its slowest component.

In this case, that would definitely be the onboard graphics.
I'd say that a slave HDD should be the last thing you get.

 

[Sanji Himura]

I would have to upgrade the power supply first so that it can support the new graphics card that I got(because a 160 watt PSU would not cut it compared to a 900 watt PSU that I will need), and from there I can do any number of things. I do have another 320GB SATA HDD that I can use as a slave, but I would rather go with, and you are right about it, a TB or more as a slave.

 

[greenblattsam]

I would have to upgrade the power supply first so that it can support the new graphics card that I got(because a 160 watt PSU would not cut it compared to a 900 watt PSU that I will need), and from there I can do any number of things. I do have another 320GB SATA HDD that I can use as a slave, but I would rather go with, and you are right about it, a TB or more as a slave.

There is no way that you would need over 500W-700W for the setup that you are talking about. I would also make sure that you have a PCI-E x16 slot to even support that card.

 

[bearsfan092]

Your computer sounds really old to be honest. If it's running a Celeron, chances are you should just start a new machine from scratch. You'll probably have a smoother transition that way.

 

[John2k4]

Celeron D isn't *that* old, but you should definitely look into a new motherboard.

900W PSU is so overkill for just about anything except bleeding edge. I have a GTX280 that needs both an 8 and 6pin power connection. The PSU is only 650W, I believe, and works perfectly.

What gfx card are you looking at getting?

 

[greenblattsam]

Celeron D isn't *that* old, but you should definitely look into a new motherboard.

900W PSU is so overkill for just about anything except bleeding edge. I have a GTX280 that needs both an 8 and 6pin power connection. The PSU is only 650W, I believe, and works perfectly.

What gfx card are you looking at getting?

He has a 5850 currently. I just doubt that a computer that old would have the appropriate slot for the card.

 

[Sanji Himura]

There is no way that you would need over 500W-700W for the setup that you are talking about. I would also make sure that you have a PCI-E x16 slot to even support that card.

I do have 2 PCI-E slots in the motherboard and a single PCI slot.

 

[greenblattsam]

I do have 2 PCI-E slots in the motherboard and a single PCI slot.

Ya a 500W-700W power supply would be fine for that card.

 

[Avalancer]

If you're going to buy a new processor, make sure to check what kind of socket you have. I'm guessing you have a LGA775, which newer budget processors like G860 and i3 don't match. Like greenblatt said, 500W is more than enough for most rigs. If you're not sure, calculate it here: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp