GTX 560 Ti in Dell Vostro 230

[EenBeeFour]

Hey how's it going.

I own a Dell Vostro 230 desktop tower that I bought for around 900 bucks on sale from the Dell site. I've had the computer for about 2 years now and it's been a charm for me. I can play most modern games on low settings for a good FPS, aside from GTA IV and BF3.

I've been wanting to upgrade my graphics card to get a good kick in video games and be up to date with the market so I can play on good settings, so I bought an Asus GTX 560 Ti.

Now, mind you, the only thing I have upgraded in a computer is the RAM sticks, and that was in this Vostro 230. I upgraded from 2GB RAM to 4 GB DDR3 RAM.

The problem I'm having is, would the card actually fit into my computer?


This is the Dell Vostro 230 that I own.


This is the GTX 560 Ti that I bought and waiting in a box to be put in.


Another question I have is, I do not have a PSU that would supply enough power. The card specifications recommend a 500 watt PSU for its minimum, but I have a 250 watt PSU. I'm ready to buy a 600 watt PSU (Which was recommended as a good investment rather than a 500 watt) for the computer. What would be the best option for me?

I'm not fantastic with the computer part lingo and jargon, so it would be lovely to explain things that you think might be a bit hard to understand (For example, the pins in a PSU. I don't understand what the pins are, some websites say I may need 6 pins or 4 pins).



ALSO, my current card is a Geforce 310, I have 4GB RAM and a 3.20 GHz Dual Core Pentium E5800 CPU. I can open up the computer to check other physical details if you require them.

EDIT: Vostro 230 Mini is the computer that I have, the link leads to the specifications. Refer to Mini when it says "Mini or Slim" like in the Power supply specifications.

EDIT 2: I bought a Corsair Builder Series CX600, hopefully it fits.

[CharlieKasper]

The processor you have will not let the GTX 560 Ti work at its full capacity. Go for something more logical.

[EenBeeFour]

The processor you have will not let the GTX 560 Ti work at its full capacity. Go for something more logical.

What do you mean "more logical"?

[Devin]

To explain simply, I am running a Core 2 Duo 3Ghz E8400 with 4Gb DDR2-800 Ram and a GTX560 non-ti 1Gb, my CPU is bottlenecking the GTX considerably, yours will bottleneck even more.

Other than that, I would say go for 600watt or higher on the PSU side of things, I am running a 550watt with the GTX, but it's a non-ti version.

[EenBeeFour]

Apparently my CPU won't be bottlenecking it to an extent to others, what would you recommend as a good, but cheap, CPU? I don't have a lot of money to spare in parts now.

[Fuzzy]

If you don't have very much an Intel i3 or an AMD FX4000 would be a sensible choice.

[EenBeeFour]

Would I have to buy an entirely new motherboard for the i3 CPU's, as I can only support LGA 775 CPU's?

[CharlieKasper]

What do you mean "more logical"?

You know something that would work completely well with your current settings.
I'm not really sure about which GPU exactly, but I think the 295 will do fine.

[EenBeeFour]

You know something that would work completely well with your current settings.
I'm not really sure about which GPU exactly, but I think the 295 will do fine.

I see.

[Fuzzy]

Would I have to buy an entirely new motherboard for the i3 CPU's, as I can only support LGA 775 CPU's?

Yes, and memories too

[EenBeeFour]

Yes, and memories too

Memories?

[ElMartu]

Memories?

Not sure what he means, the RAM should be fine

tbh man you're better off trying to sell this PC used and getting an entirely new one, as you'll certainly have to replace the motherboard, CPU, and power supply to avoid bottlenecking with that video card. Plus you already bought the RAM, so all you'd be missing is a case. Heh.

You could always try shoving the power supply and the 560Ti into the PC, see if performance improves. If the case won't close or whatever, then you're out of luck

[Fuzzy]

So ElMartu what you are saying that DDR2(which Socket 775 uses) is compatible with a LGA1155/AM3+ combatible board that needs DDR3?

tbh man you're better off trying to sell this PC used and getting an entirely new one, as you'll certainly have to replace the motherboard, CPU, and power supply to avoid bottlenecking with that video card.

Agreed.

[EenBeeFour]

...I have DDR3 RAM.

[ElMartu]

So ElMartu what you are saying that DDR2(which Socket 775 uses) is compatible with a LGA1155/AM3+ combatible board that needs DDR3?

i dont know but he

...has DDR3 RAM.

SO