Can I upgrade this desktop tower

[Havo_k]

So I recently purchasec a prebuilt ASUS desktop. My model number is CM6870-CA-3AA . what have me confused is that I cant figure out whether my graphic card is integrated or dedicated. I want to know if I can buy a graphic card and upgrade my cpu.

I bought ity from futurehop in canada and now when I look up my model nunmber on it, it doesnt show up. There are few other identicals but not the same one. so Im gonna try to get the links for the desktop that I have so if you guys can figure out whther I should be able to change it or not.

http://www.ottawaprices.ca/Product/Computers/Desktop/Desktops/Asus-3rd-Gen-Intel-Core-i7-3770-Desktop-Computer-CM6870-CA-3AA-id%3D6cba3374-3062-4833-8eb6-46825f3c6899

and heres another one:
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/reviews/asus-asus-3rd-gen-intel-core-i7-3770-desktop-computer-cm6870-ca-3aa-cm6870-ca-3aa/10203656.aspx



Other models that are exactly the same cpu but stlighty different:
CM6870-CA-001S
CM6870-CA004S

But mine is CM6870-CA3AA

OPENED the case and took picture:
http://i48.tinypic.com/5y9box.jpg


Note: Yes I have bought a 750 watts modular psu.

Can you guys recommend me a good nividia graphic card. I prefer nvidia over radeon simply cuz of CUDA. (My budget is $250) . But you can recommend my radeon along with nvidia if you think that would be a better purchase, if its almost the same then im picking nvidia.

 

[ChilledGrease]

The easiest way to figure out if you have a video card or not is to open up the case and take a look. Otherwise, those links show systems with a nVidia geforce GT630 which is in fact, a dedicated video card. You shouldn't need to upgrade your CPU, as it is essentially the best CPU that fits in that particular socket, and more than enough to handle anything you throw at it. If you want to do serious HD gaming at maximum settings, you will need to upgrade the video card. You should have no problems physically being able to upgrade the card, but make sure your power supply can handle whatever card you decide on. If you want a really powerful graphics card, chances are you will have to get a new power supply as well.

 

[Havo_k]

The easiest way to figure out if you have a video card or not is to open up the case and take a look. Otherwise, those links show systems with a nVidia geforce GT630 which is in fact, a dedicated video card. You shouldn't need to upgrade your CPU, as it is essentially the best CPU that fits in that particular socket, and more than enough to handle anything you throw at it. If you want to do serious HD gaming at maximum settings, you will need to upgrade the video card. You should have no problems physically being able to upgrade the card, but make sure your power supply can handle whatever card you decide on. If you want a really powerful graphics card, chances are you will have to get a new power supply as well.

I opened the case and took a picture where graphic card was. Can you tell me if its upgradableor not. Sorry I have never done this so I can't even tell if its not permanently stuck on motherboard or if i can take it out and change it.

 

[jrayx]

The Graphics card is not permanently attached to the motherboard, you should be able to remove it by undoing 1 or 2 screws and pulling carefully. Don't do it if you don't need to.

With the specifications of your system you should be able to run any video card with that i7. Just be sure to have a good quality Power Supply to support the graphics card.

Edit: Could you give us information about the PSU you brought ?

 

[jrayx]

You could get a AMD HD 7870 or a GTX 660 for about 250 dollars. Just make sure your power supply supports that GPU.

 

[aonor]

Open up your case.A dedicated graphic card would be sticking at a 90 degree angle from your motherboard and looks like a metal block.Integrated would be if there was no graphic card.

I recommend AMD Radeon HE 7870 or its equivalent Nvidia Gtx 660

 

[aonor]

The dark blue board on the top is most likely your graphic card.

 

[Havo_k]

The Graphics card is not permanently attached to the motherboard, you should be able to remove it by undoing 1 or 2 screws and pulling carefully. Don't do it if you don't need to.

With the specifications of your system you should be able to run any video card with that i7. Just be sure to have a good quality Power Supply to support the graphics card.

Edit: Could you give us information about the PSU you brought ?

It's 16gb ram . I-7 intel 3770 non k 3.4 GHz at four cores. And 2 TB hdd @7200rpm . Don't got ssd . Gt 630 is my graphic 2gb.the power supply I bought is dynex 750 watts modular . Anything else ? Currently my psu provides only 300 watts . I was just confused about graphic card . Let me the best deAl I can get for 250 dollars. 20 bucks up and down is no problem.

 

[jrayx]

It's 16gb ram . I-7 intel 3770 non k 3.4 GHz at four cores. And 2 TB hdd @7200rpm . Don't got ssd . Gt 630 is my graphic 2gb.the power supply I bought is dynex 750 watts modular . Anything else ? Currently my psu provides only 300 watts . I was just confused about graphic card . Let me the best deAl I can get for 250 dollars. 20 bucks up and down is no problem.

Well a good GTX 660 Ti is great, it costs approximately 270 280 dollars. If is not that then the Radeon HD 7870 or the GTX 660 (Non-Ti).

EVGA GTX 660 Ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130810
ASUS GTX 660 Ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121653
SAPPHIRE HD 7950: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

 

[ChilledGrease]

These are all great cards, and great suggestions, but keep in mind you will need to upgrade your Power Supply to accommodate them.

 

[aonor]

You will need a minimum of 500 watts as by said in the details of the 7950.
This is 80 Plus certified and is modular.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050&Tpk=corsair%20cx500m

 

[Havo_k]

Best answer selected by havo_k.