Want to improve my desktop

[Takeva]

Hey all been a while. I was actually here before wanting to buy laptop but was given the advice that building a desktop would be way better and cheaper. I wound up buying an already built one made by someone in my area. It's pretty good but the video card installed not great. So I'm looking around for video cards and they are expensive! D: Anyone know any good prices on video cards that can get me up to max settings.

I also want to know if there is anything else I should upgrade on this desktop. Thanks.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/31/2013, 14:08:53
       Machine name: W7-PC
   Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
       System Model: GA-78LMT-S2P
               BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: AMD FX(tm)-6100 Six-Core Processor              (6 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
             Memory: 16384MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 15854MB RAM
          Page File: 4648MB used, 27057MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1
CPU
AMD FX-6100
Zambezi 32nm Technology
RAM
16.0 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 644MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. GA-78LMT-S2P (Socket M2)
Graphics
COMPAQ FS7600 (1280x1024@60Hz)
ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics (Gigabyte)
Hard Drives
932GB Western Digital WDC WD10EADS-65L5B1 ATA Device (SATA)
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GH22NS30 ATA Device
Audio
High Definition Audio Device

Ugh forgot I also have to buy a new monitor. Budget is $300 >_< Possibly less lol

Thanks again!

[Zorac]

Well if you want a good card that will not break your wallet look at the nvidia gtx 650 or 660. They are mid lvl cards and should play the game with no problems on mid settings, on high you'll be alright except in high population areas and big events or WvW.

One thing you might also try is look into the previous generation of cards, while they are a year or two old they still work fine and if you can find somewhere (usually online) that still has them in stock you can get them pretty cheap and for the most part work just as well as the current generation of cards.

As for a monitor I would recomend just buying a TV lol. LCD TVs are basically the same as monitors anymore and cheaper for the size. Many times you won't even have to buy an adabter for the cable (if you do they are only 5-10 $) I use a 40 inch LCD for my pc, bought it 4 years ago and it still runs great and only paid $350 for it and prices are gone down slightly on them since then or stayed about the same depending on brand.

Sales are your friend. So shop around and see whats out there. If you are in the US the next big sale (other than Vday lol) is going to be President's Day 02/18 usually some decent deals around then.

[skidawgz]

A last generation card is a good suggestion. GeForce 560Ti or perhaps an HD 7770 (current gen card) The 560Ti is the more powerful of the two. Those are Amazon links but you can buy them anywhere, and it does not have to be the manufacturers I linked.

As long as the TV you use is 1080p it can be a decent monitor. If you want to save money, scour ebay or sales for 1920X1080 (1080p) monitors.

You will be processor bound with this game because it is CPU heavy, however no worries, with a graphics card it will be much smoother than how you play now.

[Takeva]

Thank you guys so much for the advice! Helps a bunch

[skidawgz]

I forgot a few important things, hopefully you see this....

I don't think you actually have a video card from what you have listed there, just the on-chip graphics.
What is your power supply make and model?
You should learn to overclock, as you will benefit GREATLY as a gamer. You will need good cooling and some knowledge on how to start. Your processor will be able to handle the game easier. So consider a CPU cooler (such as the Cooler Master 212+ or 212 Evo) in your budget. Overclocking should be done around when you get the graphics card.

[Takeva]

You might be right. Not sure what an on-clip graphics is. I'm going to have to open it and see. I never look in it. The person who owned it before me used it as a workstation for a little while.

I don't know much about computers so I'm a little lost at what you mean by overclocking?

[Zerk]

Monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236079
Video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202011
Better video card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202004
Power supply that you will more than likely need but mabey not. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371030
It's up to you to make sure they fit and your FX6100 will limite how the PC performs in this game.

[skidawgz]

You might be right. Not sure what an on-clip graphics is. I'm going to have to open it and see. I never look in it. The person who owned it before me used it as a workstation for a little while.

I don't know much about computers so I'm a little lost at what you mean by overclocking?

On chip graphics refers to the video capabilities you get from your CPU. They typically use system memory as their video ram. They are not very powerful but can do the trick for many applications, as you have already seen. When you buy a graphics card it has its own processing unit and its own dedicated RAM. However, with these benefits comes increased power usage. So your power supply must be able to support a) the connection required b) the power draw of whichever card you choose.

You should try to find out what power supply is in your PC. Its the box the electric cord is plugged into in the back.

Overclocking is changing the settings of certain PC items so that you can get them to run faster than stock clock speeds. So if you have a 3.3ghz processor, an overclock may get it to safely run at 3.8ghz. This will allow the processor to perform everything better. It is easy to do and safe when you read up on it. It is performed by messing with the BIOS settings on your Gigabyte Motherboard. You just need to read up on overclocking. I highly suggest it for you.

[Takeva]

Ok so I think I found the power supply. Not sure what to tell you so I just took a picture.

Here

[skidawgz]

OK thanks. You need to add a PSU to the list, not only is that one kinda poopy, but it has no PCI-E connector to power an external video card. Buying a better one would allow your to safely OC later, and support a decent video card. Otherwise it would hamper you to only certain video cards that in my opinion are not worth the money.

Newegg Link to your PSU

This PSU would work, notice the 80 PLUS certification Also, it's cheap

If this is pushing you overbudget, just buy a monitor later.