Graphics card upgrade

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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member -  
FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   -
Hello,
I got a Packard Bell imedia s3840 tower (not great).
I was thinking about changing the graphics card (which is an NVIDIA GeForce GT520 1GB, I believe, well, something not great at all). I was considering a GTX 960 2GB, is that possible? Because the case is small and I'm not sure if the connectors are compatible. I also plan to put in 2*4GB of RAM (currently 2*3GB), but I don't think that will be an issue. Thanks in advance!

6 answers

FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538
 
Hello, in this PC I will keep the processor, maybe the RAM provided it’s not NO-NAME, and the hard drive for storage (5400 RPM is weak for the system). Everything else is going to the trash: cheap hardware that can cause compatibility and cooling issues, and non-standard format for the ridiculous power supply, and maybe even the motherboard and the case.
Mes amis pensent que je suis un génie de l'informatique pour toujours réparer leurs ordinateurs. En vérité, je suis juste vraiment meilleur à utiliser Google qu'eux.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Hello,
thank you for this response. For the power supply, I suspected it. Is 550W enough? Like this one: https://www.cdiscount.com/informatique/alimentation-pc/cooler-master-550w-g550m-alimentation-pc/f-10775-rs550amaab1eu.html#mpos=3|cd
The problem is that the case is small and I'm not sure if this power supply will fit in it, I need to measure, the same goes for the GPU.
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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538 > Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Just not, that's why the case is one of the elements I think should not be kept =) The motherboard probably should go as well due to its limited BIOS and perhaps its non-standard format. You should make a report of the hardware in your PC to confirm a number of things, with Speccy or Driverscloud.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Hello,
here are the results of the analysis:

Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

Processor
Intel Core i5 2320 @ 3.00GHz 34 °C
Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology

RAM
6.00 GB Dual Channel DDR3 @ 665 MHz (9-9-9-24)

Motherboard
Packard Bell imedia S3840 (CPU 1) 29 °C

Graphics
X223W (1680x1050@59Hz)
1024 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 (Sapphire/PCPartner)

Storage
1863GB Western Digital WDC WD20EARS-22MVWB0 (SATA)

Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH70N

Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

(well it's just a simple ctrl+c ; ctrl+v =))

so I think I'm going to change the case for now (Zalman Z3 PLUS); the motherboard (MSI B85-G41 PC Mate) and the PSU (Cooler Master 550W G550M).
About the motherboard, what should I do? if I install my new motherboard, do I just connect everything and when I turn on the PC, what will I need to do? because I can't find exact answers to my questions on the forums.
thank you very much in advance !!
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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538
 
You have an old processor on socket 1155; you need a motherboard of the same socket, which are becoming rare. Materiel.net sells one for €45. You might need to update its BIOS to ensure compatibility with a recent graphics card. Once everything is correctly assembled, you'll need a DVD or a bootable USB drive containing a recent version of Windows. The problem is that the license provided by Packard Bell is likely no longer valid as it is a limited version (another Kisskool effect of supermarket PCs).

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My friends think I'm a computer genius for always fixing their computers. Truthfully, I'm just really better at using Google than they are.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Alright, thanks for that response. Basically, by getting this PC, I got screwed because it's stuff that can't be changed... All that's left is to change everything... If I can keep my hard drives, my Wi-Fi card, and my screen, that's already something... As for Windows, I'll see, I should find a solution; worst case, I'll put W10, so the key is up to date, that's possible, right?
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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538 > Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
What costs money in Windows is the usage license (still around a hundred euros). The operating system itself can be downloaded as an ISO and burned to a DVD, put on a USB stick, or purchased in retail packaging. The Packard Bell i-media among supermarket PCs are perhaps the worst, along with the Dell Optiplex, because the case is small and poorly designed, the power supply is non-standard and of ridiculous quality/power, the hard drive is slow, and the motherboard is restricted, with the Windows license strictly tied to the configuration. In short, economical PCs to buy, but you mustn't have to open them.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
So, no solution for Windows?

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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538
 
If the only license you have is for your Packard Bell, logically it shouldn't work since a good part of the hardware (especially the motherboard) has been changed. But if you believe in miracles, maybe there will be one =) If the activation doesn't go through, there's always time to get one along the way.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Yeah, but an extra €100 hurts the .... well, I'll see anyway, thanks, and one last small question: am I going to have to format my drives?

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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538
 
Given the radical change in configuration, it’s better; it’s cleaner. Moreover, I recommend considering another hard drive than the 5400 RPM to install your system. Since the 7200 RPM is now considered outdated as a system disk, the 5400 is really obsolete and should be reserved for storage (2TB is good in terms of capacity). Still, we agree that this is not the top priority.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Okay, so maybe plan for an SSD? How many GB?

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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538
 
A 250 GB SSD is not bad as you already have enough storage space. Below that, they tend to be a bit less efficient but still feasible if your budget is tight.
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Visuol Posted messages 17 Status Member
 
Alright, thank you for everything, I'll get back to you if there are any problems :)

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FeLynX Posted messages 7236 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   1 538
 
You're welcome, that works ;-)
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