Upgrading my low profile PC

[professorblueprint]

Hi guys i recently traded my laptop for a desktop PC. the PC has relatively low specs apart from the processor and can run old games such as guild wars in high settings and with 60 fps. I'm looking to upgrade so that i can play DayZ and only DayZ. It doesn't matter whether i can run other games i just want it to run DayZ in relatively good fps and hopefully medium settings if possible. I've looked whether i can run the game on "can i run it" and my GPU lacks on bot minimum and recommended. Keep in mind that it is a low profile case, here are my specs guys.

PSU: AcBel PC7067 250W

OS: Windows 8.1 Pro

System Model: Studio Slim 540s

Processor: Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz

RAM: 4096MB RAM

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

GPU: ATI HD 3470

Any additional information needed please ask and i will provide. Thanks in advance!!

(And i don't mind if i have the side panel of and parts bulging out)

 

[geofelt]

The strongest card your 250w psu can support is a GTX750ti.
Unfortunately, I can only find one that can be used in a low profile case like yours.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G2NU2973
There are more options with the GT730 card. You want the faster 64 bit version(counterintuitive) and not the 128 bit version.
Here is one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487052

 

[professorblueprint]

Thanks for the advice geofelt! Do you know whether i will be able to run DayZ with this setup?

 

[Anarkie13]

I'd just replace the case and PSU, and then add a proper GPU. The slightly higher cost and lower spec of a low profile card can go into a the needed parts, while the GPU will be better and cost less once you do that.

Better future proofing as well, since you'll have a known good PSU, GPU and case to expand with.

 

[professorblueprint]

Anarkie13 do you know of such a case and PSU that will work with my other hardware.

 

[Anarkie13]

Just look up the motherboard using it's model number. Assuming it's an ATX or more likely micro-ATX motherboard, you can go with these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147023&ignorebbr=1
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182075&ignorebbr=1

Just make sure your motherboard has standard connectors (through the manufacturer's data sheets)

 

[professorblueprint]

The mother board is the M017G

http://

 

[Anarkie13]

Micro-ATX, you SHOULD be good to go, barring any odd incompatibilities, but I'd certainly give it a shot.

 

[professorblueprint]

So shall I get the Rosewill Blackbone case then the Rosewill Stallion PSU and then get the Micro-ATX motherboard? Then after all that get a new GPU?

 

[Anarkie13]

The M017G is micro-ATX, just the case, PSU and a GPU. Then transplant everything from the old case into the new one.

When you're ready in the future, you can get an upgrade kit that comes with a motherboard, CPU and RAM instead of a whole computer. This way you can spread the cost out more, and upgrade the rest when you have a reason to.

 

[geofelt]

I do not play DAYZ.
My reading indicates that the game relies primarily on a single master thread and is somewhat cpu limited.

Your Q8200 is a older gen and not very strong, so you may well be cpu limited.

My suggestion is to buy the game and see how you do.
If performance is not adequate, then consider your upgrade options.

A graphics card upgrade is relatively easy, a GT730/64 would be a good graphics upgrade.
If you need more cpu power, your options are more limited, likely a new build.

------------------------------------------------------------
To help clarify your CPU/GPU options, run these two tests:

a) Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
-------------------------------------------------------------

 

[professorblueprint]

thanks for the advice guys im gonna buy the game and see

 

[professorblueprint]

would the EVGA GeForce GT 730 2GB work with a 250 watt PSU? it says it needs atleast a 300 watt

 

[Icaraeus]

If you're getting a graphics card at minimum you should buy a GTX 750Ti.

 

[professorblueprint]

Is that the best card I can get for my specs?

 

[Icaraeus]

Without unbalancing your PC, and you requiring more RAM and a faster CPU as well as a new power supply, the GTX 750Ti is the way to go

 

[professorblueprint]

Thanks mate is there any particular one? Like there is probably loads of variations. And I done a demo of the game and when I increased the 3d resolution the fps dropped dramatically telling me its gpu that needs upgrading. Hopefully the 750ti can run it

 

[Icaraeus]

750Ti is very strong for what it's worth. It should run DayZ fine, though I don't have that GPU nor do I have DayZ. It's a modern GPU, came out 2014

 

[professorblueprint]

Which variation of the gpu should I choose?

 

[Icaraeus]

Um EVGA makes high quality Nvidia GPUs.