Upgrading PC for the first time advice

[dr raw]

Iv had a Packard Bell Ixtreme desktop since 2010 with 3GB of RAM Windows 7 and Integrated Intel@ GMA HD Graphics which isnt top of the line but it runs most games from Bioshock to Team Fortress and borderlands on high settings but nowadays most games i buy that came out recently are almost unplayable on my system but i have no idea what Graphics Cards or other upgrades i need to play games like far cry 3, could anyone recommend me some good affordable upgrades for current games i'm kinda a noob with this

I also bought a HP Pavilon laptop with 8GBs of RAM and Intel Graphics thats able to play skyrim on high settings but its just a blurred mesh on my desktop.

[Air]

Upgrading a laptop for better 3D graphics really isn't feasible. You can't exactly add a graphics card to laptops.

If you want better gameplay, then your best bet is probably with a desktop PC. Also, I'd suggest flat out avoiding HP for gaming purposes.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Can u look on the desktop's case for a sticker which should have a Model# on there and share that.

As "Packard Bell Ixtreme" series of desktops span many years, so without the model# we have no way of identifying it's specs. Which we'd need to know before could recommend any upgrades.

[dr raw]

The model No is: m5741

Also here is a list of Specs: http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/packard+bell/laptops-desktops/ixtreme-m5741/5301

[Bad 💀 Motha]

A driver download page is not a list of specs.

Having a driver for that NVIDIA card for example doesn't mean the system shipped with that; it was more than likely an "Option"

That system shipped with 250W PSU; you'll need to upgrade this for a GPU upgrade.
Best bet for tight budget would be:
PSU: EVGA 500B (500-watt)
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti 2GB

As for the RAM, need to know if your OS is 32bit or 64bit.
Look for this in Control Panel > System


*Please stop making multiple threads. Let the other one die.

[dr raw]

My bad and it's a 64 bit operating system

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Ok; what CPU does it have?
I just wanted to clarify further; the specs I'm looking at saying it should have
Intel Core i3-530 Processor

[dr raw]

That's correct

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Ok then it supports DDR3 1066 or 1333
Best bet would be a kit of 2x 4GB of that speed
1.5 volts

Most likely have to remove all your other ram to avoid any complications.

[_I_]

1g i5 (socket 1156) will be fine with any ddr3 ram

use cpuz to see what ram it has
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
cpuz -> spd tab

select each dimm
speed = freq x2 (match or higher)
timings, cl ect.. = same or lower
voltage, same or lower

[dr raw]

Ok so
2x DDR3 4GB RAM which averages to £60
NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti 2GB Graphics Card - £109 ^ £169
EVGA 500B 500W - £40

At a total of - £209 / $355

Do you think that will last more than a few years it's looking kinda expensive for an upgrade?

Thank you by the way.

Also is the power supply upgrade necessary iv never had issues with my current one?

[_I_]

750ti is a lower power gpu (65w)
if its has a 350-400w psu it can be ok, but better safe than sorry

[dr raw]

Do you know any good cheaper website i was just using amazon and i could probably keep one of my original RAM's and just buy one 4GB one for now depending on whether or not my 3GB is built out of one or two RAM chips it could give me atleast 5GB and if its a single chip 7GB and save more than half. and if i skip the psu i could save close to £100 at least to test it.

[_I_]

3g = 1g+2g
or its a 4g (or 2x2g) with 1g allocated to the onbaord gpu

use cpuz to find out what it has