Upgrade for my GeForce GTX 645

[soapieKdad]

Hi my first post here so apologies for any/all posting mistakes. I got this computer for only $80 and it's been a great value:

HP ENVY Phoenix 800-050se
i7-3820 (Sandy Bridge E) 3.6 GHz
12 GB (1 x 8 GB + 1 x 4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800
2 TB 7200 RPM SATA 6G
GeForce GTX 645 (2 GB GDDR5)

I do mostly movie and TV show streaming, and some older game titles (BatmanOrigins, Shadow of Mordor) with absolutely no complaints. It's not some powerful gaming rig or multimedia powerhouse but for $80 I smile widely.

Just wondering though if it was worth the $ and effort to upgrade the vid card so that it will perhaps keep up with some "newer" titles (for me, that's 2014/2015 or maybe-but-not-likely 2016).

But after researching cards I am getting over my head! My card is PCI Express 16x Gen 2 (PCIE 16x 2.0) but evidently I can use 3.0 cards too as they're backwards compatible. Newegg had like 700+ results.

So any suggestions on what to get as an upgrade? Or if I should even bother upgrading at all?
If I do, should I get more RAM while I'm at it?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello soapie mate now a few more specs would be handy because the CPU you have quoted is an Ivy Bridge core not a Sandy Bridge so before we can go discussing GPUs specs please and bare minimum would be the board mate.

Now do take care with this machine because having an Ivy B myself parts for it are very hard to come by - out here at least.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep you will need to open the case and look at the power supply and see what it says for wattage
Take a photo of the tags on it most graphic's cards do have recommended psu requirements so that and your budget is a good thing to post
Otherwise you can cull through evga's website
EVGA - Intelligent Innovation - Official Website

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep if it helps finding out what is in the machine mate have a read of this and use PART B:
Using HW Info
PART A:
You can test the volts on the PSU with HW Info https://www.hwinfo.com/download.php < download the right bit version and close the right hand window select Sensors and scroll down to the power section where you will see what the volts are doing see my pic. In my pic the section (Nuvoton) with VBATT as a dead give away you are in the section for the rail voltages. There are other section titles and one that pops up often is ITE (sometimes the usual one for Gigabyte boards)
Now the voltage on the different rails have to be within 5% =+/- of what is required or the machine will not work properly if at all.
Limits +/- (minimum - correct - maximum)
12v1 = 11.4 - 12 - 12.6v
12v2 = 11.4 - 12- 12.6v
5v = 4.75 – 5 - 5.25v
3.3v = 3.135 – 3 – 3.465v
-12v = -10.80 - -12 - -13.20v
+5VSB = 4.75 – 5 - 5.25v
The Power good signal voltage at pin 8 on the 24 pin plug (grey cable) should be the same as the 5v rail reading/s
See this for the rail voltage info
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-specifications-atx-reference,3061.html (Section 2.)
The original right hand window shows the machine running and is handy for that but for looking at the components in some detail close it and use the main left hand side panel
FOR OTHER COMPONENTS
PART B:
Open each small square with + in it on the section the components are in and then click on the individual component/s (it will highlight in blue) - in the right hand side will appear all sorts of details including brands speeds and other essential info that particular device. See pic for example.

 

[RoasterMen]

I'm pretty sure you can snuck in a GTX 1060 in that rig. But consider your power supply if it can supply enough juice for other components as well.

You can get away with a GTX 1050 Ti if you're planning to play your games at medium to high but not ultra at 1080p. That still depends on your budget though so we can recommend you the perfect GPU for your budget.

 

[soapieKdad]

Additional info

Thanks for the replies everybody. I opened the case and I also ran requested reports.

btw/ before my initial post I ran CPU-Z and that's how I got the info like Sandy Bridge and whatnot. I'm posting screenshots of those. HPWiNFO also reports CPU as Sandy Bridge.

I'm posting HPWiNFO screenshot of summary and I'm attaching text file with (I think) pertinent report details.

PSU is a HP DPS-600WB A Envy 600W Power Supply. Pic is attached. Thanks!!







View attachment HPiNFO report details ENVY Phoenix 800-050se.txt

 

[RoasterMen]

You will be fine with a GTX 1060. You won't probably be pushing that Delta DPS-600WB A power supply too much with that setup.

If you are planning to get a GTX 1070, that's where you'll need to upgrade your power supply.


Delta isn't a joke of a company. They make high-quality power supplies for the OEM market and other companies as well.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
600W is the recommended wattage for even 1080's so it should be fine
I would however blow it out real well for any dust collecting inside I do not see a date.

Seems your budget is the only obstacle in which series gpu you want.
EVGA - Intelligent Innovation - Official Website

 

[soapieKdad]

Recommendations on which brand?

OK great thanks. I started looking at the GTX 1050Ti and the 1060.

So there's EVGA, MSI, Gigabyte, ASUS, PNY... does brand really matter?

Just saw a sale on EVGA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti FTW DT Gaming 4GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCIE 3.0. It's just $130 (after $20 rebate), no tax & free ship.

But I read that this FTW model requires a 6 pin PCI power from the power supply. Do I need to open up my case again to check if mine has this or only the 4 pin ???

 

[RoasterMen]

Yeah, that seems to be a great deal. You may need to open your case and check if your power supply has a 6 ping pci power connector.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I doubt you have a 6 pin vga but you probably will have a 4 pin molex which I'm sure or almost sure the gpu will come with an adapter to go from 4 pin to 6 pin.
https://www.amazon.com/4-Pin-Molex-Female-Adapter-Length/dp/B007NMSUUA

https://www.amazon.com/Molex-Power-Cable-Video-Cards/dp/B005YCKUYU