Do I need to upgrade any components?

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:04

Hi, unsure what forum to ask this in so first of all PC specs:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Intel Core i7 CPU 860 @ 2.8ghz
8.0GB ram
Nvidia GeForce GTS 240
1.75 TB hard drive

I play Civilization 5 (medium settings) on the PC quite regularly, now approx 1-2hrs into gameplay the PC goes from being quite silent in operation to quite loud and the game itself starts to slows down. I am assuming this is the graphics card struggling. My question is can I improve this, should I upgrade graphics card or any other component, should I look to maybe improve the cooling within the PC or is this just inevitable that this will happen.

Thanks for any advice.

Nocky24 · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:08

Upgrade the GPU for certain and overclock your CPU and get a good cooler for it if you haven't already. I'd also make sure your PSU is a good quality one with enough wattage before doing either of the above. As for the hard drive, I'm guessing you mean 1TB or 1.5TB?

All depends on your budget though. If you provide this then I'm sure one of us here will be able to advise further

joeyjojo · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:16

Different graphics cards have louder or quieter cooling solutions. In general, cards from partners (MSI, Saphire, Gigabyte, etc.) have quieter coolers than the reference design (Nvidia/AMD).

The 240 you've got is old, slow, and hot, so not too surprising it's noisy. As Nocky24 says, state a budget.

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:20

Thanks for the advice so far. I would work to a budget of say £200-£300

tamzzy · 12 Nov 2014 at 14:21

get a ssd, new gpu and a heatsink and overclock the processor

mtj111 · 12 Nov 2014 at 17:35

Yeah, the GPU really sticks out - the rest of it is fine honestly. A GTX 970 would be perfect at around £260-280.

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stulid · 12 Nov 2014 at 17:53

GFX card ASAP.

Which ever one you get check it fits into your case.

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:20

Thanks for your advice, a new gfx card it is.

Ryan_Anthony_ · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:21

A 970 and maybe even an SSD if you can stretch to it would sort you out, Maybe get a decent CPU cooler and get someone to overclock it for you?

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:21

stulid said:
GFX card ASAP.

Which ever one you get check it fits into your case.

Is there anyway to know what type will fit in the case without opening the PC?

stulid · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:29

Voy06 said:
Is there anyway to know what type will fit in the case without opening the PC?

What case is it?

Go to the manufacturers website and it hopefully will have the clearance under specs.

Then go look at the card you want and gain look at the makers website for dimensions.

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:53

stulid said:
What case is it?

Go to the manufacturers website and it hopefully will have the clearance under specs.

Then go look at the card you want and gain look at the makers website for dimensions.

The PC is a Dell Studio XPS 8100.

tamzzy · 12 Nov 2014 at 18:56

no chance of an upgrade or overclock then. unfortunately.

stulid · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:08

Even the PSU isnt up to the task of a bigger GPU.

mtj111 · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:26

Quick googling suggests up to 10.5" card would fit. The PSU would actually be OK considering the GTX 970 is rated at 145W compared to the 120W of the GTS 240.

tamzzy · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:31

mtj111 said:
Quick googling suggests up to 10.5" card would fit. The PSU would actually be OK considering the GTX 970 is rated at 145W compared to the 120W of the GTS 240.

op uses a dell. their mobos run a custom bios which will not overclock, nor will it accept a gpu other than on its whitelist

Voy06 · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:42

tamzzy said:
op uses a dell. their mobos run a custom bios which will not overclock, nor will it accept a gpu other than on its whitelist

So i should probably get in touch with dell and find out what graphics card the 8100 will take?

wazza300 · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:45

keep the chip,throw the rest away

try gpu first and an ssd,they can be carried over to new setup anyway,the bios's should be fairly flexable,even my old Pentium 4 didn't throw a hissyfit when u plugged in a modern gpu

pity you couldn't pickup a cheap p55 mb,then you can oc

tamzzy · 12 Nov 2014 at 19:51

Voy06 said:
So i should probably get in touch with dell and find out what graphics card the 8100 will take?

nah. no point. even if they still stock the cards, they'll charge you exorbitant prices for cards that are a few years old and now considered low-end

tbh, if your pc is running satisfactorily for you now, just keep hold of it a do a new custom build when you wanna upgrade.
if it's just the noise you're concerned about, open the case and blow all the dust out.