Upgrading GPU on Dell PC

[Mogurt]

Hello,

I am interested in upgrading the video card in a Dell PC I bought and would like to know if you think this is a good idea/worth it, given the grade of my PC. Should I possibly wait till I get a new system somewhere down the line? I purchased this setup for $1100 a couple years ago (with a mouse and keyboard, no monitor). I'm pretty sure the video card on this PC is what's holding my performance back. Also would like to know what cards you would recommend. I don't know much and would appreciate any info/recommendations.

BUDGET RANGE: $100 - $300 (preferably not much more than $200)

USAGE: Gaming PC, would like to play Planetside 2 at max graphics settings while having good performance (min. 30 fps)

CURRENT GPU:
ATI Radeon HD 5770, 1024 MB GDDR5

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
Dell Studio XPS 8100, x64-based PC
Windows 7 Home Premium
Intel Core i7 CPU, 870 @ 2.93GHz, 2934 Mhz, 4 Cores, 8 Logical
8GB RAM (It's a totally stock Dell system except I added 2 more 2GB RAM sticks to the 2 that were already in there)
DC Power Supply, 350 W (max heat dissipation= 1836 BTU/hr)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would prefer to stick with ATI since that's what it currently has. I've read a couple of posts of people having problems from switching to Nvidia, or vice versa.

OVERCLOCKING: If it can improve my performance, sure!

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would I also need to upgrade my power supply?

Cheers!

 

[bigshootr8]

Well I would say firstly I would feel more comfortable perhaps with a better power supply. I really do not like the amount of watts you have there as well as the quality of the power supply. I know that some of the power supplies from Dell are okay I remember someone on the forums naming off the OEM I would just feel more comfortable suggesting something with quality in mind. Also, I'm suggesting something like a 650Ti I feel for 100 dollars or just over that you won't find a better deal for this GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($53.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $163.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-28 06:02 EST-0500)

 

[bigshootr8]

You did say newegg I'll post the price difference with just newegg.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $180.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-28 06:05 EST-0500)

 

[jtenorj]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($172.08 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 620W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $202.07
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-28 06:25 EST-0500)

NCIX is a good place to buy parts, too(US and Canada). HD7850 overclocks like crazy!

 

[bigshootr8]

If you were to spend a little over 200 then you could go that direction yes. Although he did say newegg preferred. So meh! A good deal though on the power supply really driving the cost down.

 

[Mogurt]

Thanks for the info. So with it being a store bought system, is it still ok for me to just plug in the new card and power supply, power it on and I'm good to go? or is there any software stuff i need to do?

 

[bigshootr8]

If the power supply fits and you are able to connect everything you need to in yes it is perfectly fine.

 

[acpohio]

I just replaced the PSU and GPU in my dell xps 8500 without any problems. I don't know what size your case is but as long as everything fits you should be okay. I upgraded to a 600W corsair psu and a Radeon 7850 Ice Q. The gpu and psu cost me 300.

 

[Mogurt]

I went with the ASUS Direct CU II Radeon HD 7850 - 2GB and Antec 650 Watt ATX 12V v2.3 (80 plus Bronze). I payed a little more for the card... I went to Frys and impulse bought. $210 + $69. Seems to run great so far, Graphics settings maxed out on Planetside 2 and turned on all the cool stuff like AA and ambient occlusion effects. Smooth as butter! Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Mogurt]

Best answer selected by Mogurt.