Upgrading RAM and Graphics Card

[zephyr35929]

Hello,
I am not much of a computer person and have no idea on what I need to know and how i do it. So I am currently trying to increase the amount of ram on my PC and replace my Graphics Card, here are the specs of my PC:
Nvidia GeForce GT 640
Intel(R) Core i5-3300 CPU 3.00GHz Processor
8 Gig Ram
1 TB HD
The case is an alienware x51 andromeda r5.
I would greatly appreciate any help to my problem.

 

[bjornl]

You should be ok on ram. Just close the programs in the background while you game.
If you really want more ram, get 240-pin DIMM DDR3 ram 1066 / 1333 / 1600 / 1866 / 2133 / 2400 or 2800. Your system most likely will support up to 32gb.

Without knowing your budget and your PSU it is hard to recommend a video card.

If you want something simple which will work in just about any PC, get a gtx 1050ti. They're cheap (145 or so) and will run most every game on close to max while gaming at 1080p 60hz. If you want something better, look at a gtx 1060 6gb card. it will require that you have at least a 400w PSU ideally a 500w or higher.

 

[mildruben]

i have an intel Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5400 With lga775 motherboard and i want to install 6GB ram on it coz i'm using a now a 4GB DDR2 800Mhz and i use only 3.49Ghz coz i'm using a windows 32bit but it do not not show that the processor has 64 bit capable but when i'm using win10 32 bit,it shows processor 64bit capable...i had uninstall wins 10 to 7 ,and i had get a windows 64bit with a friend and when installing it via windows 7 32bit,it shows that i can not install windows10 bit on windows 7 32bit directly!!and can you give me a help!!!


I have also an Asus p5kpl-am se motherboard and can i install a graphic card like nvidia geforce gt 730 4GB GDDR5 128 bit on it?and can i upgrade from 4gb ram to 6 gb ram?and on internet i had search that it has a 64bit capable processor and if i install the windows 64bit will it run?even if it don't say 64 bit capable on the windows 32 bit?

 

[zephyr35929]

You should be ok on ram. Just close the programs in the background while you game.
If you really want more ram, get 240-pin DIMM DDR3 ram 1066 / 1333 / 1600 / 1866 / 2133 / 2400 or 2800. Your system most likely will support up to 32gb.

Without knowing your budget and your PSU it is hard to recommend a video card.

If you want something simple which will work in just about any PC, get a gtx 1050ti. They're cheap (145 or so) and will run most every game on close to max while gaming at 1080p 60hz. If you want something better, look at a gtx 1060 6gb card. it will require that you have at least a 400w PSU ideally a 500w or higher.

Is there any way to determine my PSU without opening my PC or is that the only way?

 

[bjornl]

Mildruben, you should start your own thread.
Your system is very old. If you can, I recommend you save up and replace it and then sell the old one to help cover your expenses.

Your CPU is 64bit. It can run Windows 64bit. Don't worry about what Windows says. It is probably only saying what you have installed.

Until you are running a 64bit OS, do not upgrade your ram because your OS will not recognize it.

I don't understand your question with Windows 7/10 64bit and what will and won't install. Maybe you can contact Microsoft? They have free technical support for their products.

If you can upgrade to that graphics card depends on your power supply. But you probably can. The 750ti is faster and about the same price. Consider it or the 1050ti instead (if budget allows). But again, I would not upgrade the video card. I would put that money in the bank to start saving for a new PC instead.

 

[Cioby]

You should be ok on ram. Just close the programs in the background while you game.
If you really want more ram, get 240-pin DIMM DDR3 ram 1066 / 1333 / 1600 / 1866 / 2133 / 2400 or 2800. Your system most likely will support up to 32gb.

Without knowing your budget and your PSU it is hard to recommend a video card.

If you want something simple which will work in just about any PC, get a gtx 1050ti. They're cheap (145 or so) and will run most every game on close to max while gaming at 1080p 60hz. If you want something better, look at a gtx 1060 6gb card. it will require that you have at least a 400w PSU ideally a 500w or higher.

Is there any way to determine my PSU without opening my PC or is that the only way?

Check your receipt from when you bought it or the online store you got it from. You can only tell what PSU you have by opening it or looking at it, in case the part faced towards the exit is labeled or anything.
But opening an old PC with warranty already void, shouldn't be an issue.

 

[kajjot]

After a quick google of your PC it seems to have either a 240W or 330W PSU.
You can upgrade to Geforce 1050TI but anything better will need a bigger PSU and it seems that your case is not standard fit so upgrade is most likely impossible.

 

[mildruben]

i have a 500W power supply...can a graphic card of pcie 2.0 x16 can play in pciex16?

 

[Cioby]

i have a 500W power supply...can a graphic card of pcie 2.0 x16 can play in pciex16?

what?

 

[bjornl]

You should be ok on ram. Just close the programs in the background while you game.
If you really want more ram, get 240-pin DIMM DDR3 ram 1066 / 1333 / 1600 / 1866 / 2133 / 2400 or 2800. Your system most likely will support up to 32gb.

Without knowing your budget and your PSU it is hard to recommend a video card.

If you want something simple which will work in just about any PC, get a gtx 1050ti. They're cheap (145 or so) and will run most every game on close to max while gaming at 1080p 60hz. If you want something better, look at a gtx 1060 6gb card. it will require that you have at least a 400w PSU ideally a 500w or higher.

Is there any way to determine my PSU without opening my PC or is that the only way?

If you are uncomfortable opening your PC, how to do you intend to install the parts you are asking for. Opening the case and reading the numbers off the side is the best way and the only 100% way as their will be variances in seemingly identical models. If you can't open the case, read the outside of the box or the original reciept.

 

[bjornl]

i have a 500W power supply...can a graphic card of pcie 2.0 x16 can play in pciex16?

That depends on which graphics card. A gtx 1050ti could, so could a gtx 1060.

 

[zephyr35929]

After a quick google of your PC it seems to have either a 240W or 330W PSU.
You can upgrade to Geforce 1050TI but anything better will need a bigger PSU and it seems that your case is not standard fit so upgrade is most likely impossible.

Is there a specific brand, because I see many brands all with different prices and shapes. I was looking on Amazon would it be possible to let me know which one is actually gonna fit?

 

[madmatt30]

After a quick google of your PC it seems to have either a 240W or 330W PSU.
You can upgrade to Geforce 1050TI but anything better will need a bigger PSU and it seems that your case is not standard fit so upgrade is most likely impossible.

Is there a specific brand, because I see many brands all with different prices and shapes. I was looking on Amazon would it be possible to let me know which one is actually gonna fit?

When the x51's shipped with a 750ti they came with the 240w psu.

Seeing as the 1050ti essentially uses the same wattage you're going to be safest going with a single fan bus powered card.

 

[madmatt30]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

 

[zephyr35929]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

 

[bjornl]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

You won't need any special tools. You will need a standard philips screwdriver with approximately a #2 head. The only other things you might need would depend on your case having some non-standard fasteners (unlikely).

That is very good DDR 3 ram. But, you will get slightly faster performance out of 2 stick. My personal favorite brand is Corsair (but there are many quality brands out there).

 

[zephyr35929]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

You won't need any special tools. You will need a standard philips screwdriver with approximately a #2 head. The only other things you might need would depend on your case having some non-standard fasteners (unlikely).

That is very good DDR 3 ram. But, you will get slightly faster performance out of 2 stick. My personal favorite brand is Corsair (but there are many quality brands out there).

You say two stick and I assume you mean 2 8G instead of the 4 4G is that correct? I looked at some of the corsair RAM and the one I looked at was this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2x8GB-2400MHz-Desktop/dp/B00EUPV2RQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511481465&sr=1-4&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram&refinements=p_89%3ACorsair

Is that something that would work for my PC?

 

[bjornl]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

You won't need any special tools. You will need a standard philips screwdriver with approximately a #2 head. The only other things you might need would depend on your case having some non-standard fasteners (unlikely).

That is very good DDR 3 ram. But, you will get slightly faster performance out of 2 stick. My personal favorite brand is Corsair (but there are many quality brands out there).

You say two stick and I assume you mean 2 8G instead of the 4 4G is that correct? I looked at some of the corsair RAM and the one I looked at was this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2x8GB-2400MHz-Desktop/dp/B00EUPV2RQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511481465&sr=1-4&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram&refinements=p_89%3ACorsair

Is that something that would work for my PC?

Yes that is what I meant. And that ram would work in your PC.

 

[madmatt30]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

You won't need any special tools. You will need a standard philips screwdriver with approximately a #2 head. The only other things you might need would depend on your case having some non-standard fasteners (unlikely).

That is very good DDR 3 ram. But, you will get slightly faster performance out of 2 stick. My personal favorite brand is Corsair (but there are many quality brands out there).

You say two stick and I assume you mean 2 8G instead of the 4 4G is that correct? I looked at some of the corsair RAM and the one I looked at was this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2x8GB-2400MHz-Desktop/dp/B00EUPV2RQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511481465&sr=1-4&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram&refinements=p_89%3ACorsair

Is that something that would work for my PC?

Your board & cpu are limited to a max ram speed of 1600mhz.

The 2400 will work fine but at 1600mhz.

There is no point overpaying for faster ram when 1600 is cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Signature-PC3-12800-1600MHz-PSD316G1600KH/dp/B007HZTD86/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511536936&sr=1-14&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A677429011

 

[zephyr35929]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

You won't need any special tools. You will need a standard philips screwdriver with approximately a #2 head. The only other things you might need would depend on your case having some non-standard fasteners (unlikely).

That is very good DDR 3 ram. But, you will get slightly faster performance out of 2 stick. My personal favorite brand is Corsair (but there are many quality brands out there).

You say two stick and I assume you mean 2 8G instead of the 4 4G is that correct? I looked at some of the corsair RAM and the one I looked at was this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2x8GB-2400MHz-Desktop/dp/B00EUPV2RQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511481465&sr=1-4&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram&refinements=p_89%3ACorsair

Is that something that would work for my PC?

Yes that is what I meant. And that ram would work in your PC.

I have recieved and installed my graphics card however it is not being detected making it impossible to install drivers do you have any idea why this is happening?

 

[bjornl]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MCU1ERO/?tag=pcpapi-20

Thatll fit & is currently the cheapest model available.

Thank you for the response as I did not want to buy something that would not fit. Also, I was looking into getting more RAM I am at 8G right now and want to upgrade it to 16G but not sure what will work.

This is what I was looking at as far as my first choice:
https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-Motherboard-KHX18C9T2K4-16X/dp/B008YAI5G4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1511472695&sr=8-2&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram+2800
Another thing I have questions about is am I gonna need specific tools to replace this myself if what are they?

You won't need any special tools. You will need a standard philips screwdriver with approximately a #2 head. The only other things you might need would depend on your case having some non-standard fasteners (unlikely).

That is very good DDR 3 ram. But, you will get slightly faster performance out of 2 stick. My personal favorite brand is Corsair (but there are many quality brands out there).

You say two stick and I assume you mean 2 8G instead of the 4 4G is that correct? I looked at some of the corsair RAM and the one I looked at was this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2x8GB-2400MHz-Desktop/dp/B00EUPV2RQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1511481465&sr=1-4&keywords=240-pin+DIMM+DDR3+ram&refinements=p_89%3ACorsair

Is that something that would work for my PC?

Yes that is what I meant. And that ram would work in your PC.

I have recieved and installed my graphics card however it is not being detected making it impossible to install drivers do you have any idea why this is happening?

In the bios, is the onboard graphics set to be the primary? Is your monitor plugged in to the new card? Is the power connector attached to the new card?

 

[Corwin65]

What type of cable are you using to connect the GPU to the monitor?