Upgrading a Gateway GT5228

[hoochiemama]

Hey everyone,

I currently have an old Gateway GT5228 which I intend to upgrade for gaming purposes, though I am not sure about the new components. It's mostly going to be used for Microsoft Flight Simulator X with many 3rd party addons, and other games, METRO 2033 being the most high-end of them. The current specs are:

MOBO : FIC K2BC51 Motherboard with NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Chipset

PSU: 300 Watt Power Supply uATX/BTX Non-PFC

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 4200+ Processor

RAM: 2X 1024 MB 533 MHz PC4200 DDR2 SDRAM


Now my questions are:

Is there a use in getting a new CPU ? I was looking at an Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA

Does the RAM need to be upgraded ? and if yes, is the system going to support 8GB RAM? for example 2 sticks of Kingston ValueRAM 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 DIMM

Is it possible to install a new GPU into this motherboard, considering that it has an integrated graphics card? If yes, is the GeForce GT 610 1024MB GDDR3 a good choice ?

I noticed on the system requirements for METRO 2033 that it runs best with a GeForce GTX 260. The GTX 260 seems to have less video memory than the GT 610 and costs about 5 times more. Is there a difference in technology between the two that justifies this ?


Thanks ahead !

 

[Talyor]

Basically your building a new computer im guessing that case is a slim so in that case you mite as well buy a new case, The i3-2120 would a very good upgrade + you would need to change the motherboard since your on amd motherboard. Yes and No it depends on the psu which yours it may not run it and video memory doesnt mean alot and the gtx 260 would run circles around the 610. Heres how I think of gpus dont get me wrong but gtx 260= gtx 450= gt 540= gt 630.

 

[PP Mguire]

You will need to replace everything, so your best bet would be to head back to the drawing board.

Your current CPU and motherboard are too slow, as is the IGP for any kind of real use. Since you need a new motherboard and CPU, you will need new RAM as well.

For CPU, get an Ivy Bridge instead.
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i33220

You will need at the minimum an H77 board which has the best plug and play support for IB CPUs.
Newegg.com - ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

To top that, you will need new RAM. Yes, the system will support 8GB of RAM. I suggest 2 1600mhz sticks, as they aren't that expensive.
Newegg.com - CORSAIR 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMV8GX3M2A1600C11

The games add is dated, as that game was released when the 200 series was popular. To give you an idea, Nvidia has the 6 series out as you noticed. The GTX 660ti is about 4x more powerful at least than the GTX260 and Metro 2033 maxed gives even the 660ti a run for its money. In other words, no the GT 610 is not a good choice and is actually barely better than integrated.

All that being said, need a budget. For Metro 2033 you need a very good GPU, and to run it all a new PSU with a minimum wattage of 550w. Make that a good brand like Seasonic, Corsair, or Antec. You will also need a new case to go with it all.