Need Some Help Upgrading My Computer, Please!

[L1ghtz]

So, Long story short, Around late 2010'ish I bought a : DELL XPS 8300 64Bit. i7

Link Below:
http://www.pcworld.com/product/788982/xps-8300-midsize-tower-desktop.html

I'm extremely new to the idea of buying a new computer/upgrading and could definitely use some help in determining whether I can upgrade /or should. Or buy a new computer, or stick with what I have. I have always had a love for PC Games over console and want to maximize the output I can at an affordable price range....
I know I should have a much wider expanse of knowledge on computer parts and I don't. I've tried the read through magazine articles/web and end up truly lost.
Will give any information necessary at request.

Thank you in advance to anyone who offers some insight or advice.

Have a wonderful day.

~Brent

 

[bkoop]

Do you have a video card in that PC?
Such as a Radeon HD 5450 or a nVidia GT 440, just two examples

 

[L1ghtz]

AMD Radeon HD 5700 Series @Bkoop

 

[bkoop]

The processor seems fine, an i7 at 3.4 GHz

You need a new video card

You can use this chart to see where the HD 5750 and HD 5770 rank
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

I would recommend a R9 270 or R9 270X

On the PC World review it mentions "Not much room for internal upgrades" so double check to make sure the new card will fit. Note, the new card will be a double wide card, but length should also be checked.

The R9 270 that I checked requires additional 6 pin PCIe power required, so check that you current power supply has one available.

The Power Supply is listed at 460 Watts, Dell uses a decent power supply, so that should be fine.

I like this card, ASUS Radeon R9 270 2GB 256-Bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121823&cm_re=R9_270-_-14-121-823-_-Product