Looking for some upgrades to my dinosaur, any ideas? - Hardware & Software

I'll let the specs do the talking. [img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/system_specs1.png[/img] My goal is a nice, cheap upgrade in lieu of a new build entirely, if possible. My estranged dad is being an utter prick and isn't willing to fund a completely new build, so I figure upgrading this hunk 'o junk might be more economical. Problem is, I can't really judge whether it's worth scrapping or salvaging. It's a Dell XPS 410(yeah, I know) from 2007, so it's not exactly top of the line. I'd say the price window to avoid is over 600 USD, but it'd be very, very nice to get it sub 500.

Quite honestly, 600 is possibly enough for an entry level gaming build US or Canada?

US.

If you were to get an entirely new computer, would you need an OS? [editline] 7th november 2010[/editline] meh, I tried case: haf 912 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233[/url] HDD: 500GB spinpoint f3 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181[/url] motherboard: ASUS 780L [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131619[/url] GPU: GTX 460 1GB cyclone [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127510[/url] PSU: Thermaltake 600w [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153114[/url] RAM: 4GB DDR3 1333 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253[/url] CPU: Athlon II x4 640 3.0 GHz [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871[/url] Grand total w/ shipping $606.69 I didn't include DVD drive because you can reuse it you can also swap out the GPU for something cheaper to save some money as well you can also reuse your HDD as well

Doesn't look all that bad, graphics card could use a upgrade.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;25933562]Doesn't look all that bad, graphics card could use a upgrade.[/QUOTE] For 600$ that's a pretty damn good graphics card. And what would you suggest?

Depends on what he wants to use the computer for.

I'd suggest a new computer, prebuilds are not that kind to being upgraded and your GPU seems to be dieing according to those temperatures.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;25934020]Depends on what he wants to use the computer for.[/QUOTE] Well, what GPU would you recommend then, if it were to be used for gaming, as most build asked for here is supposed to be.

OS isn't a concern, I already have a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium. The computer would be used for gaming and light school work (typing, occasional power points).

[QUOTE=poopsicle;25933562]Doesn't look all that bad, graphics card could use a upgrade.[/QUOTE] I use a single GTX 460 Cyclone 1gb. It maxes any Source game at 200+ fps and Crysis at some really playable framerate with no visible slowdown. I see no reason to get anything more for a $600 build.

[QUOTE=GoDong-DK;25934393]Well, what GPU would you recommend then, if it were to be used for gaming, as most build asked for here is supposed to be.[/QUOTE] He asked for an upgrade, I didn't know he was talking about a whole new computer.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;25950820]He asked for an upgrade, I didn't know he was talking about a whole new computer.[/QUOTE] You don't really make any sense.

[QUOTE=poopsicle;25950820]He asked for an upgrade, I didn't know he was talking about a whole new computer.[/QUOTE] What else can he do with something like this? No matter what he upgrades, he's bottlenecking something. Better to just start over.

A little over budget but this is a good solid build. [url]http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=16019926[/url]