Dell XPS 420 Upgrade Advice

[webguy0822]

Quick question...

My current rig is a Dell XPS 420 with the following specs:

Intel Q6000 2.4GHZ
6GB DDR2 667
EVGA GTX275 896MB VRAM
750W CORSAIR PSU
Gaming resolution is 1920x1200 - single monitor
(The last two were upgrades I did later)

Here's my question. I want to try Crysis 3 but it means I'll have to upgrade my video card to something that supports DX11.

I'm looking at the GTX 670 FTW but I'm concerned about bottlenecking since my system is a bit dated.

Would it be smarter to invest in a new card or a completely new I7 build?

Everything else aside, the system is still running like a champ and serving my needs, so I really would hate to scrap it unless I absolutely have to.

I'm not hung up on maxed out settings, just want to have it looking decent with a good framerate.

Also, would a RAM upgrade to 8gb of DDR2 800 help any?


Thanks guys!

 

[AMD Radeon]

new intel CPU generation is coming up in june, stay tune

 

[Kisianik]

I am in about the same situation, so I decided to get GTX 660 (I like MSI). As someone said, New Intel is around the corner, well, in addition is new Maxwell NVIDIA is around the corner as well (700 or 800 series). But we live now, and waiting, until new thing arrives, is very difficult. So I would choose 660 over 670, because your CPU will bottleneck this card, and 660 can make you play even Crysis 3 on pretty high setup, why spend more on about to become archaic design.
I will need a bit more time for the rest of your components.
Currently during BF3 I am using about 4.2 GB of RAM (total 8 GB), so 6 GB could be a bit tight, but hold, let me investigate....

 

[g-unit1111]

You will most likely have to build your own. The problem with Dell systems is that the cases and motherboards are made to Dell specifications and not standard form factors. They are not made to ATX or mATX specifications. Meaning that you can't use your case or power supply - you will need to buy completely new ones before you'll be able to use that GPU. Dell systems have a shelf life of about 2 years tops. DIY systems have a shelf life of 5 - 6 years tops before any upgrades are necessary.

 

[Kisianik]

You have 4 RAM slots, how it is allocated in your case, do you have 2x2GB and 2x1GB? IF you can get extra 2x2GB with possibility of easy return, I would recommend to try, but don't expect miracles.
Basically only video card can improve your game play significantly.
Also, processor upgrade.
I think you mistakenly stated that you have Q6000, correct would be Q6600?
This is the list of Quads compatible to XPS 420

MP626 Kentsfield Quad Core Kit, Q6600, 2.40G, 8MB, 1066FSB, G0
MP627 Kentsfield Quad Core Kit, Q6700, 2.66G, 8MB, 1066FSB, G0
UP673 Kentsfield Quad Core Kit, QX6700, 2.66G, 8MB, 1066FSB, B3
RX656 Kentsfield Quad Core Kit, QX6800, 2.93G, 8MB, 1066FSB, G0
PW016 Kentsfield Quad Core Kit, QX6850, 3.00G, 8MB, 1333FSB, G0

C863D Yorkfield Quad Core Kit, QX9300, 2.5G, 6MB, 1333FSB, M1
C864D Yorkfield Quad Core Kit, Q9450, 2.66G, 12MB, 1333FSB, C1
C865D Yorkfield Quad Core Kit, Q9550, 2.83G, 12MB, 1333FSB, C1
C299C Yorkfield Quad Core Kit, QX9650, 3.0G, 12MB, 1333FSB, C0
H786G Yorkfield Quad Core kit, QX9650, 3.0G, 12MB, 1333FSB, C1

QX9650 is very expensive, Q9550 seems possible to get under $150 on ebay, if you decide to go CPU upgrading.

Otherwise, this is it.

 

[webguy0822]

You will most likely have to build your own. The problem with Dell systems is that the cases and motherboards are made to Dell specifications and not standard form factors. They are not made to ATX or mATX specifications. Meaning that you can't use your case or power supply - you will need to buy completely new ones before you'll be able to use that GPU. Dell systems have a shelf life of about 2 years tops. DIY systems have a shelf life of 5 - 6 years tops before any upgrades are necessary.

Thanks for all the replies.. with regard to the PSU, I was able to successfully install a standard ATX PSU, despite the BTX motherboard. Strange I know, but its working perfectly.

RAM wise, I have 2x2GB and 2x1GB. TOTAL 6GB

CPU is definitely a Q6000. I just checked CPU-Z

I know homebult is really the way to go, I just wanna squeeze as much out of this thing as I can before I retire it.

Is an i5 decent for gaming? Or should I just splurge for the i7?

Thanks again guys