Older system, want to upgrade

[casterstudy]

I have a HP Pavilion P6523W. It's an older pre-built system. I have had it for almost 5 years and I really want to upgrade it for better graphics/FPS etc. I have a very tight budget (about $300) and I am a fresh start gamer. Highest game I play graphics wise is Diablo 3 (https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/diablo-iii-system-requirements). I have been shopping for a couple months now and I'm not sure what is compatible or good for what I want.

So my question is should I try to upgrade the current system I have or try to find something better?

Could use some layman term answers please and thank you.

 

[BigBadBeef]

I do not care what's it called, I wanna know what's inside. I won't wipe your booty and google the pavilion's specs for you. Then we talk upgrades.

 

[dariens007]

that board can take a processor upgrade to a better processor, but the processor for that system are old and they are quite expensive compared to if you spent that same money and bought something more current. can you upgrade it? yeah but it'll be pricey and in my opinion....eh not really worth it.

 

[dariens007]

I do not care what's it called, I wanna know what's inside. I won't wipe your booty and google the pavilion's specs for you. Then we talk upgrades.

lol? your very helpful indeed.

 

[Math Geek]

your not in too bad of shape with that system though it is kind of old. if all you have is $300 then i suggest a new graphics card and a new power supply to run it (only 250w now which is not enough for a new card) and then save the rest for now until you have enough to upgrade the complete system.

something along the lines of a 260x/270x should keep you around $200 total with a psu.

you can actually use some of those parts (ram, hdd, dvd drive...) on a new build if you want to go bottom of the line budget build for new parts but probably not worth it right now.

 

[Math Geek]

I do not care what's it called, I wanna know what's inside. I won't wipe your booty and google the pavilion's specs for you. Then we talk upgrades.

i already did it

system: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02158336&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en

mobo: http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/kb/docDisplay/?spf_p.tpst=kbDocDisplay&spf_p.prp_kbDocDisplay=wsrp-navigationalState%3DdocId%253Demr_na-c02458055-6%257CdocLocale%253D%257CcalledBy%253D&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

cut him a little slack as he probably kinda new and don't know what's needed for info

 

[casterstudy]

I thought I was doing pretty good with finding the product name. Anyway, Just as an example so I can get an idea as to what Im looking for. I found these based on the info you gave above, Math Geek. Now the card min requirements is 500w. Does that mean I need something around 600 to 700 for it to run smoothly or is that just a safe zone kinda thing? Also with the card being "open box" is that something I should avoid?

Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131583R&cm_re=260x-_-14-131-583R-_-Product
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438016&cm_re=500-_-17-438-016-_-Product

Thanks again for the help. This has been enlightening (I saved those links to my system info, I will be better prepared for questions in the future)

 

[Math Geek]

"Newegg only guarantees your receipt of the Open Box product with the purchase of this item. Any accessories MAY OR MAY NOT be included. Newegg will NOT send you any missing accessories, even if it is required to use all of the item's functions. "

this is what open box means so i tend to avoid them. the prices are nice and if you are comfortable getting the drivers and utilities for it yourself and have any needed cables/adapters already then go for it. all you will get is the card with no manual, cd or anything else that normally comes with them.

the psu requirements are overkill and takes into account a guess as to what the rest of the system may need. you can go as low as 350-400 watts for your needs right now, however, if you get more now you won't have to upgrade it later when/if you get a whole new system. the one you picked overkill for now and is not the best for later upgrade. future use will dictate your needs.