Can I upgrade my graphics card..?

Erick Aguilar said:

jacko900000 said:

Erick Aguilar said:

I don't know if you guys have noticed, but recommending a PSU for this computer would not work, or a graphics card for that matter, the Acer AX1031 uses a slim PSU as it is a low profile chassis.

A chassis would be required to fix the PSU required to run the desired GPU if it needs a higher power.

Britton30 said:

You are so right, I usually check it out.

Thats why, for now I've scrapped the idea of upgrading graphics.
I just want a quick boot with smooth running.. I don't game on my PC just general use but I am on it alot !

Sometimes its days before it gets fully powered down, Just want advice on upgrading little things... Then a good shell to fully build a new one with a new mobo.

Then you really won't see the benefits of an SSD. Sure, you will be able to access multimedia much faster and to boot up pretty fast, and you will also have a quieter system, but do you really require high boot speed when you computer can stay on for days? Is that the only feature that attracts you to a SSD?

Even more, do you believe a 6 second boot is worth the price of an SSD? Or perhaps data reliability is worth the price. I mean, you will only see an SSD shine with it's access speed, that's it, if you open an application.. say Word, it will open up incredibly fast, but it will not make the program react faster to your typing, or modify the format of your text any faster than you had perceived before. What I am trying to say is that you will only perceive the benefits of an SSD in the blink of an eye and then you will resume your daily computer activities forgetting you even have an SSD. Please note I have nothing against SSDs, I would love to acquire a couple myself, I just do not think I need to invest in one, a lot of people with incredibly fast machines do not feel the need to use an SSD even when using applications that could greatly benefit from them. It depends on what is worth your money.

This is the situation where you need to ask the following:

What are the activities I normally do in my computer?
Am I encountering issues when performing such activities?
If I am not encountering issues, which ones would I like to enhance or make easier for me?
Are there features that I would like to incorporate into my computer such as running HD movies with frame interpolation, rendering, multitasking or file host?

Answering those will definitely help you and us determine what would be the best piece of hardware or maybe even a peripheral that could help you.

You make perfect sense, I understand 100% where you are coming from.

Its just I've had this PC now for around 5 years and yes that seems a long time but in all honestly I've only had 1 major issue with it and it was when my 1TB HDD broke.. View my previous threads, You'll understand how frustrating that was for me when all the icons broke etc anyways thats going off subject.

I'm basically wanting to buy parts to put into my PC but as stated before, I have a very small tower/frame so I can't buy massive upgrades.

I've been thinking about it over the last couple of hours, This PC is getting old.. The USB slots are broken and yeah I can fix them but I've been wanting a fast PC for a while now.

My PC is fast, no doubt its fine for me.. But I always want 'better' and with it being a couple of years old basically I want to 'build' my own PC as well as trying to keep some parts from my current one as its been with me for such a long time it would literally feel like loosing an arm or a leg!

- Firstly, I'm wanting a fast boot PC which yes, will boot within seconds.
- I have 3 x 22" monitors & a 40" TV which currently are no good to me, I can't use them because i don't have the HDMI's/VGA's to connect them.
- I have my Amilight kit, Which I was selling because there's no point connecting them until I have my monitors sorted out.
- My data, I have so much.. With me having the 1TB, I got used to having the space.. I had over 600GB's of films alone on my pc then 300GB's of pics/music ect which are currently stored on a old external HDD which i rarely plug in because I'm simply scared of loosing my data off it!
- Rainmeter, I know people love it, people hate it. Personally, I like to change every week.. I'm always swapping things around.. Currently with how my PC stands, I install it and things start to go wrong.
- Everything in one place. So .. Thats what I want, My PC back to fully functional without sitting thinking 'if i install that.. will it brake?!'

I know all of this started from a simple 'graphics update' but in all honesty I just want my PC running fast and smooth at a low-ish cost with plenty of memory and plenty of room to upgrade.

jacko900000 said:

I'm basically wanting to buy parts to put into my PC but as stated before, I have a very small tower/frame so I can't buy massive upgrades.

What do you mean by massive? Size or cost? Realistically the two biggest things physically you'd be currently limited by size would be a new PSU and GPU.

Also depending on your USB issues, it could be time for a new case anyway. USB 3.0 would be guareenteed to make you smile.

- Firstly, I'm wanting a fast boot PC which yes, will boot within seconds.

An SSD will get you close to that. However even desktops still have to spend 10-30 secs POSTing from a cold start.

- I have 3 x 22" monitors & a 40" TV which currently are no good to me, I can't use them because i don't have the HDMI's/VGA's to connect them

New GPU will help there

I know all of this started from a simple 'graphics update' but in all honesty I just want my PC running fast and smooth at a low-ish cost with plenty of memory and plenty of room to upgrade.

Typically what you buy now, even if it's a part here or a part there, can be transferred over to a new build.

smarteyeball said:

jacko900000 said:

I'm basically wanting to buy parts to put into my PC but as stated before, I have a very small tower/frame so I can't buy massive upgrades.

What do you mean by massive? Size or cost? Realistically the two biggest things physically you'd be currently limited by size would be a new PSU and GPU.

Also depending on your USB issues, it could be time for a new case anyway. USB 3.0 would be guareenteed to make you smile.

- Firstly, I'm wanting a fast boot PC which yes, will boot within seconds.

An SSD will get you close to that. However even desktops still have to spend 10-30 secs POSTing from a cold start.

- I have 3 x 22" monitors & a 40" TV which currently are no good to me, I can't use them because i don't have the HDMI's/VGA's to connect them

New GPU will help there

I know all of this started from a simple 'graphics update' but in all honesty I just want my PC running fast and smooth at a low-ish cost with plenty of memory and plenty of room to upgrade.

Typically what you buy now, even if it's a part here or a part there, can be transferred over to a new build.

Basically before I start doing big upgrades (performance) I need to get a bigger PCU? which won't fit in my current tower..

However,
To fix the duel screen issues, I was wondering.. If i bought THIS or THIS or something along those lines.. Would I still be able to use the VGA & HDMI thats connected to my mobo?

So basically, plug one of those in to the PCI express, then just plug another monitor into that and still running my current monitor how its connected at this very second or can't I run 2 graphic cards?

I doubt if either of those cards will fit the slim case. A low profile or one made specifically for a small HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer) might work. A usable PC case can be had for $50-$75 if it will accommodate a mATX motherboard.

There is a 300w PSU for the X1301, they are around $70 USD. From what I can tell, it looks to be a mini-ITX/Flex-ATX PSU.

300W Replacement Power Supply for Acer Aspire X1200 X1300 X1301 X1400 X1420 New | eBay

FSP Group FSP300-60LG 300W Mini ITX / Flex ATX 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

The two of them look the same .. but the Acer one might have different mounting spots.

FWIW, I've upgraded three HP DC 5800 Small Form Factor computers, stock 240W PSU, with low profile Radeon HD 6450s.


edit: also your motherboard supports DDR2 memory, and IIRC 2GB max per slot .. 4GB max for your system.

edit2: yep 2x2GB DDR2 max http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...Aspire%20X1301

Okey! I checked out the psu.
Its 220W With 16A on the 12v rail, You wont power much at all
A Geforce Gt 610 At its best, But if you consider not to game as much with high settings and stuff it will be more than enough, Costs around like $45-50
The psu is a special build psu so you probably cant upgrade that much

jacko900000 said:

smarteyeball said:

jacko900000 said:

I'm basically wanting to buy parts to put into my PC but as stated before, I have a very small tower/frame so I can't buy massive upgrades.

What do you mean by massive? Size or cost? Realistically the two biggest things physically you'd be currently limited by size would be a new PSU and GPU.

Also depending on your USB issues, it could be time for a new case anyway. USB 3.0 would be guareenteed to make you smile.




An SSD will get you close to that. However even desktops still have to spend 10-30 secs POSTing from a cold start.




New GPU will help there

I know all of this started from a simple 'graphics update' but in all honesty I just want my PC running fast and smooth at a low-ish cost with plenty of memory and plenty of room to upgrade.

Typically what you buy now, even if it's a part here or a part there, can be transferred over to a new build.

Basically before I start doing big upgrades (performance) I need to get a bigger PCU? which won't fit in my current tower..

However,
To fix the duel screen issues, I was wondering.. If i bought THIS or THIS or something along those lines.. Would I still be able to use the VGA & HDMI thats connected to my mobo?

So basically, plug one of those in to the PCI express, then just plug another monitor into that and still running my current monitor how its connected at this very second or can't I run 2 graphic cards?

Just to use 2 screens dont need much juice at all.. my gt 430 did that with no prob and you will probably be able to put a GT 610 in there with no psu upgrade. well if you are ready to take some risks, it may not be able to take enough power but i have used a gpu with higher power ratings than the psu can provide with no stabillity issues, Its just the gpu companies that sets the " Requirements" higher than they accually are so they dont get in trouble becouse people blew their psu's when then put a titan to a laptop psu...