Adam wrote The problem with upgrading office PC's is always the case. So that'll have to be scrapped and a new one purchased to fit new hardware in. But the 600$ you've provided isn't a small amount so we should be able to accommodate this.

I just want to know a bit more about the GPU upgrade. Why is this needed? I just want to know more about what you're planning on doing on this PC then we can priorities the upgrades you need as well as fit more suited hardware into the build rather than buying something that you'll need to change again soon.

Adam wrote The problem with upgrading office PC's is always the case. So that'll have to be scrapped and a new one purchased to fit new hardware in. But the 600$ you've provided isn't a small amount so we should be able to accommodate this.

I just want to know a bit more about the GPU upgrade. Why is this needed? I just want to know more about what you're planning on doing on this PC then we can priorities the upgrades you need as well as fit more suited hardware into the build rather than buying something that you'll need to change again soon.

Forest wrote

Adam wrote The problem with upgrading office PC's is always the case. So that'll have to be scrapped and a new one purchased to fit new hardware in. But the 600$ you've provided isn't a small amount so we should be able to accommodate this.

I just want to know a bit more about the GPU upgrade. Why is this needed? I just want to know more about what you're planning on doing on this PC then we can priorities the upgrades you need as well as fit more suited hardware into the build rather than buying something that you'll need to change again soon.

'

This isn't always the case. I've upgraded a lot of friend's computers over the years and they had basic Dell or HP desktops. Motherboards still had a PCI x8 or PCI x16 slot, but the power supply always needed to be upgraded due to missing six/eight pin connectors.


Instead of going with a GeForce GTX 460, lets think of something that is from the last couple years. A 1030 would be leaps and bounds better than the 460, and require a lot less power and cooling capabilities to keep it running. No point in buying hardware that came out almost 10 years ago.


[Minimum post requirement for links] lists your motherboard specs
One PCI Express x16 (Gen 3.0 for i5 and i7 Ivy Bridge processors, all others Gen 2.0)


We at least know what we are dealing with and what we can in thoery install, the other issue is we will need to know how much space is available in the case next to the PCI slot. We may have to go with low profile, or mini card due to case length.

rzoppa wrote

Forest wrote

Adam wrote The problem with upgrading office PC's is always the case. So that'll have to be scrapped and a new one purchased to fit new hardware in. But the 600$ you've provided isn't a small amount so we should be able to accommodate this.

I just want to know a bit more about the GPU upgrade. Why is this needed? I just want to know more about what you're planning on doing on this PC then we can priorities the upgrades you need as well as fit more suited hardware into the build rather than buying something that you'll need to change again soon.

'

This isn't always the case. I've upgraded a lot of friend's computers over the years and they had basic Dell or HP desktops. Motherboards still had a PCI x8 or PCI x16 slot, but the power supply always needed to be upgraded due to missing six/eight pin connectors.


Instead of going with a GeForce GTX 460, lets think of something that is from the last couple years. A 1030 would be leaps and bounds better than the 460, and require a lot less power and cooling capabilities to keep it running. No point in buying hardware that came out almost 10 years ago.


support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03132942 lists your motherboard specs
One PCI Express x16 (Gen 3.0 for i5 and i7 Ivy Bridge processors, all others Gen 2.0)


We at least know what we are dealing with and what we can in thoery install, the other issue is we will need to know how much space is available in the case next to the PCI slot. We may have to go with low profile, or mini card due to case length.

That's funny you found the exact same webpage I did for my motherboard specs! My starting point on the GPU upgrade was a recommendation for playing Final Fantasy XIV. Im not opposed to going with a more current GPU but I wasn't sure what I was looking at in terms of compatibility. I'd like to get the most out of what I currently have in the box. Everything except for the OS, some RAM and the SSD was given to me for free so I'm willing to throw a bit of money into it if it.

Forest wrote

rzoppa wrote

Forest wrote

Adam wrote The problem with upgrading office PC's is always the case. So that'll have to be scrapped and a new one purchased to fit new hardware in. But the 600$ you've provided isn't a small amount so we should be able to accommodate this.

I just want to know a bit more about the GPU upgrade. Why is this needed? I just want to know more about what you're planning on doing on this PC then we can priorities the upgrades you need as well as fit more suited hardware into the build rather than buying something that you'll need to change again soon.

'

This isn't always the case. I've upgraded a lot of friend's computers over the years and they had basic Dell or HP desktops. Motherboards still had a PCI x8 or PCI x16 slot, but the power supply always needed to be upgraded due to missing six/eight pin connectors.


Instead of going with a GeForce GTX 460, lets think of something that is from the last couple years. A 1030 would be leaps and bounds better than the 460, and require a lot less power and cooling capabilities to keep it running. No point in buying hardware that came out almost 10 years ago.


[Minimum post requirement for links] lists your motherboard specs
One PCI Express x16 (Gen 3.0 for i5 and i7 Ivy Bridge processors, all others Gen 2.0)


We at least know what we are dealing with and what we can in thoery install, the other issue is we will need to know how much space is available in the case next to the PCI slot. We may have to go with low profile, or mini card due to case length.

That's funny you found the exact same webpage I did for my motherboard specs! My starting point on the GPU upgrade was a recommendation for playing Final Fantasy XIV. Im not opposed to going with a more current GPU but I wasn't sure what I was looking at in terms of compatibility. I'd like to get the most out of what I currently have in the box. Everything except for the OS, some RAM and the SSD was given to me for free so I'm willing to throw a bit of money into it if it.

Depending on the budget, I would recommend a 1650

[Minimum post requirement for links]

It's a mini card, so it should fit in most case. I would take a look at your case and try to get an estimate at how much space you have for the card, and if a new case is needed. It's a dual slot card as well, so hopefully your case and motherboard layout supports that.

Benchmarks for old card compared to new [Minimum post requirement for links]

I would recommend a new power supply if you are installing a graphics card that gets all power from the pci lane, just since the PSUs that most companies put in the prebuilt computers are trash.

[Minimum post requirement for links]

It's a semi modular power supply, which allows you to only use some of the cables you need. It's not a fully modular power supply, as those are slightly more expensive. I would recommend getting a reputable power supply, just because that is the device powering everything in your computer. If that thing is low quality you may have a ticking time bomb that can take out more than just itself when it's time comes.

Total was around $250 for both the GPU and PSU. You could get a better GPU, but it really depends on what resolution and FPS you want to play at. Keep in mind, you are also going to be reaching a CPU bottleneck with the i7-3770. That's an 8 year old CPU, which is still good at some things but with newer processors they are better optimizations for workloads increasing their performance significantly.

[Minimum post requirement for links]
Has some benchmarks of other graphics cards showing increase in FPS

rzoppa wrote I see that the GPU supports up to 8K but would that be overkill if im going to be sitting 3 feet from the monitor?

rzoppa wrote In your opinion what would be a good resolution for a desktop setup?...im thinking that refresh rate might be important too so that the picture quality is nice and smooth.

21 wrote Luckily, that motherboard isn't some weird proprietary form factor like Dell sometimes use(BTX or whatever).

With the amount of headache you'll have in an old office PC case, I'd just invest in a decent new case to be honest. That said, you might be able to make your current case work, but it might only work with low profile cards. You could cut it up to make more space for a larger GPU potentially, but honestly, new case is just going to save so much hassle IMO.
I've been there before though, I remember having to butcher the inside of an old case to fit an HD7850 inside it lol, and it wasn't even that big of a GPU IIRC.

PSU definitely needs an upgrade. Without a doubt. Technically, you could use your current PSU with the likes of a GTX 1650, but the system is at least 7 years old, and the PSU is absolutely low-end, so I'd feel scared to turn the thing on at this point. Also, vanilla GTX 1650 is a pretty terrible GPU. It costs the same as a GTX 1650 Super, which is a far superior GPU.

Regardless, definitely do not buy a GTX 460. Just forget about that entirely.

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So, this is the cheapest half-decent quality PSU that I can find in stock;
[Minimum post requirement for links]
You should usually be able to find the likes of the Corsair CX550M for $50ish, which would be a good shout, but stock seems non-existant currently.
Honestly, if it were me and I were buying a new PSU anyway, I'd probably just spend the extra for this;
[Minimum post requirement for links]
Good quality, gold rated, fully modular PSU that will easily last you several years/upgrades.


Then, GPU, GTX 1650 Super would be my starting point;
- [Minimum post requirement for links]
This one's even a "mini" variant, so should fit in your current case if you want to keep it.
Or a bigger GTX 1650 Super if you're upgrading case anyway;
- [Minimum post requirement for links]
This one's a little nicer looking and will offer better cooling.

If you want a higher end GPU, then a GTX 1660 Super is your next logical step up, you can find 1660 Super's for $230-250 easily. Just get whichever you like the look of best, and is priced appropriately.

You could step up from the 1660 Super to an RTX 2060, which you should be able to find for around $300. So, an RTX 2060 will still be easily manageable with your $600 budget, even with a new case+PSU as well. I most likely wouldn't go much higher end than an RTX 2060 though, in this situation anyway. The RTX 2060 will let you experience RTX + DLSS, if you play any games that support those features- and if you even care about those features.


Lastly, case, this is what I'd start with;
[Minimum post requirement for links]
Great little budget case, really can't go wrong with this IMO.
You could spend a little extra for a P400A, which is just pretty much a slightly larger version of the same case. The P400A also comes in an RGB variant, but that's a $100 case at that point.
[Minimum post requirement for links]
If you buy the P300A, you should add a case fan or 2. If you buy the P400A, it'll be fine as it comes.

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rzoppa wrote I see that the GPU supports up to 8K but would that be overkill if im going to be sitting 3 feet from the monitor?

8K would be overkill because the GTX 1650 is an entry level GPU. Also because 8K monitors/TV's barely exist, and those that do, are very expensive.

GTX 1650/1650 Super are 1080p 60/75Hz GPU's. GTX 1660 Super is decent for 1080144Hz or 1440p60Hz. RTX 2060 I'd probably also stick to 1080p144Hz or 1440p60Hz, but you get better performance and some extra features over a 1660 Super.

rzoppa wrote In your opinion what would be a good resolution for a desktop setup?...im thinking that refresh rate might be important too so that the picture quality is nice and smooth.

Depends entirely on what you're using the system for exactly. Also depends on your budget. Is the $600 overall budget including a new monitor?