Will this upgrade work for my computer?

K

kiotsukete

CAG Veteran
Feedback
1 (100%)
I own a Compaq Presario CQ5210f that was purchased on Black Friday. I wanted to upgrade the power supply and graphics card on it so I could play Starcraft 2. I'm a complete noob at shopping for computer parts, and I'm not sure what power supply is in my PC but I know the motherboard is Pegatron M2N68-LA and the current graphics card is a GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 which I believe is onboard.
I wanted to know if the graphics card could be swapped with this Sapphire Radeon HD5570 and if this Cooler Master 460W Power Supply would fit in my PC.
Wondering if anyone could give me feedback and tell me if these parts are compatible with my motherboard and PC case so that it's just a simple swapping of parts or if I will run into compatibility errors. Also are these are enough to run Starcraft 2 on decent settings? Thank you.
 
[quote name='kiotsukete']I own a Compaq Presario CQ5210f that was purchased on Black Friday. I wanted to upgrade the power supply and graphics card on it so I could play Starcraft 2. I'm a complete noob at shopping for computer parts, and I'm not sure what power supply is in my PC but I know the motherboard is Pegatron M2N68-LA and the current graphics card is a GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 which I believe is onboard.
I wanted to know if the graphics card could be swapped with this Sapphire Radeon HD5570 and if this Cooler Master 460W Power Supply would fit in my PC.
Wondering if anyone could give me feedback and tell me if these parts are compatible with my motherboard and PC case so that it's just a simple swapping of parts or if I will run into compatibility errors. Also are these are enough to run Starcraft 2 on decent settings? Thank you.[/QUOTE]

Both parts should fit after research and to my knowledge. I think all PSU have a standard size. That PSU should be more than enough after running it through this calculator http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

The video card you have selected is pci-e 2.1 x16 but should be backward compatible with the pci-e (1.x) x16 slow you have there. Should note that performance will be throttled but you probably won't be able to tell.
The card should fit no problem since it only takes up one slot space vs. 2 for higher end cards with huge fans on them.
After googling whether or not the 5570 would be able to run sc2 it probably will. It runs on the 5670 and I believe that the only difference between than and this is the clock rate (775 vs 650 MHz) and the memory (DDR3 vs. GDDR5). The 5570 approx equivalent is the old HD 3850. As long as you don't run it on ultra or max resolution you'll probably be fine.

You can probably overclock the GPU with some software. Though I wouldn't have the slightest idea where to download them. Probably on one of ATi card's manufacturers websites.

For example: I know EVGA has software for their nVidia cards and to my knowledge it would work with other nVidia card brands.

Here are some reference links:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=4005896&
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/starcraft2-wings-of-liberty.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/starcraft-system-requirements-recommended-pc,10885.html
http://www.techspot.com/review/245-ati-radeon-hd-5570/page4.html
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd5670-hd5570-hd5450_4.html#sect0


If anyone would like to confirm or refute my findings please do. I would hate for him to buy something he can't use.
 
[quote name='iRent']If anyone would like to confirm or refute my findings please do. I would hate for him to buy something he can't use.[/QUOTE]

The only thing that I would add is that sometimes - mind you this is something I have come across with Compaq and Dells - the cases used have really cheap aluminium brackets that hold up the PSU.

Though most PSUs have a standard size the weight of more expensive/better quality PSUs is drastic enough to bend the brackets...Which for the most part won't mean anything if the PSU is screwed in correctly but can be an eyesore if you have a case with an open window.

Outside of that everyone else you put up is solid.
 
Thank you both for the very helpful information. I have another slight question since I just examined the Sapphire Radeon HD 5670 1GB video card. How do you tell from the specifications how many slots a video card requires? I'm under the impression just looking at the fan on the 5670 that it requires two slots versus the 5570 which looks thinner being only one slot. Also if the 5670 does require two slots, since it's a PCI-E video card, would I need two PCI-E slots to make it work or does the fan itself consume some entirely different slot?

EDIT: Nvm I'm assuming that the number of slots is actually referring to the brackets and that fan itself normally doesn't affect compatibility.
 
I have that Compaq computer. I upgraded mine with this Corsair power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 and a Radeon 5670. It looks like they're discontinuing the power supply and replacing it with another one :cry: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017. That's a bummer. I highly suggest getting the first Corsair power supply than the one you picked out because...

1. Higher efficency. Save $ on eletrical bills.
2. You'll get a rebate of $20... which means the cost of the Corsair power supply will be the same as the one you picked out, but you get a better power supply.
3. The Corsair brand, they make great stuff.

BUT if you're getting the Sapphire Radeon 5570, you don't need to upgrade the power supply. I know the power supply that came with the Compaq computer is 250 watts, which is more than enough to power your computer and the 5570.

BUT I really don't suggest getting a Radeon 5570. That graphics card is pretty weak. If you decide to not get a new power supply, I suggest ditching the Radeon 5570 and getting a Nvidia GT 240 (which is more powerful, but less than a Radeon 5670)... which the Compaq stock power supply should still be able to power.

IF you decide to get a new power supply, I highly, HIGHLY :hot:, suggest NOT getting the Radeon 5570. I would go for a Radeon 5670 (which by way, costs about the same as a Radeon 5570 :bouncy: ).

Look at this, a Sapphire Radeon 5670 for $84.99 :), plus a rebate!
Which brings it down to $69.99! :bouncy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2870&cm_re=radeon_5670-_-14-102-870-_-Product

OR even getting a Radeon 5770, if you have the money.

A Radeon 5670 should run Starcraft 2 at high settings and a Radeon 5770 should run the game at even higher settings.

Anyways, I hope I helped.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[quote name='iRent']
After googling whether or not the 5570 would be able to run sc2 it probably will. It runs on the 5670 and I believe that the only difference between than and this is the clock rate (775 vs 650 MHz) and the memory (DDR3 vs. GDDR5). [/QUOTE]

You're making it seem like its not a big difference, it is! A Radeon 5670 is much better than a 5570.
 
[quote name='Unicorntard']I have that Compaq computer. I upgraded mine with this Corsair power supply http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 and a Radeon 5670. It looks like they're discontinuing the power supply and replacing it with another one :cry: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017. That's a bummer. I highly suggest getting the first Corsair power supply than the one you picked out because...

1. Higher efficency. Save $ on eletrical bills.
2. You'll get a rebate of $20... which means the cost of the Corsair power supply will be the same as the one you picked out, but you get a better power supply.
3. The Corsair brand, they make great stuff.

BUT if you're getting the Sapphire Radeon 5570, you don't need to upgrade the power supply. I know the power supply that came with the Compaq computer is 250 watts, which is more than enough to power your computer and the 5570.

BUT I really don't suggest getting a Radeon 5570. That graphics card is pretty weak. If you decide to not get a new power supply, I suggest ditching the Radeon 5570 and getting a Nvidia GT 240 (which is more powerful, but less than a Radeon 5670)... which the Compaq stock power supply should still be able to power.

IF you decide to get a new power supply, I highly, HIGHLY :hot:, suggest NOT getting the Radeon 5570. I would go for a Radeon 5670 (which by way, costs about the same as a Radeon 5570 :bouncy: ).

Look at this, a Sapphire Radeon 5670 for $84.99 :), plus a rebate!
Which brings it down to $69.99! :bouncy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2870&cm_re=radeon_5670-_-14-102-870-_-Product

OR even getting a Radeon 5770, if you have the money.

A Radeon 5670 should run Starcraft 2 at high settings and a Radeon 5770 should run the game at even higher settings.

Anyways, I hope I helped.[/QUOTE]

I would love to get that Corsair power supply but like you said, it's been discontinued and Newegg doesn't have any left of it available. I think I'm just going to purchase the original Cooler Master Power Supply that I mentioned, since it's only $30 and I believe Cooler Master is a reputable brand itself, correct me if I'm wrong, along with a Sapphire Radeon 5670 since it's only 70$ after rebate which is comparable to the 5570's price. Thank you all for the advice and information.

EDIT: Wahoo, TigerDirect has the same Corsair power supply that you mentioned for the same price after rebate, I shall now purchase that, thanks.
 
[quote name='Unicorntard']You're making it seem like its not a big difference, it is! A Radeon 5670 is much better than a 5570.[/QUOTE]

Really just wanted to help answer his question. I know it's a step up but their specs are almost exactly the same as I just mentioned. Might also be missing the DX11 support (which doesn't really matter since there are very few games with it atm. Also it's a budget card anyway.)

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2935=

I didn't check out if there were better cards for about the same price unfortunately. I should have suggested something better at around the same price. But thankfully the community caught my mistake.

Anyway, have been looking around for parts as I might ditch the whole m11x thing and just build a real gaming rig and buy a netbook for when I'm not at home. I'm probably going to go with the a 5750 or 5770 myself over a GTS 240/250 since the 260 is what I actually prefer but is much more expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top