HP S5414Y Upgrade

whereisroger · 08 Apr 2016

Good afternoon everyone,

I am trying to upgrade a work pc, however because it's a SFF and low PSU (220 watts) I am looking for a little help upgrading the graphics card. Currently using onboard 6150 and it is terrible. I just want to be able to play Day of Defeat: Source, Counter Strike, Half Life 2, and maybe BF3. I was thinking about the EVGA GeForce GT 730 2GB GDDR5 Low profile card 02G-P3-3733-KR. I am assuming I should upgrade PSU to SeaSonic TFX 300 or 350. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there another card that could play these older game without upgrading PSU? Or if I upgrade the PSu to 300 or 350 is there a difference card you would recommend? Also, currently have Athlon II X2 215 and would like to upgrade to Phenom II X4 955. I think it would have to be HDX955WFK4DGM because 95TDP. Apologies if this is the wrong forum, admin please move if need be.

Thanks

Arc · 08 Apr 2016

From GeForce GT 730 | Specifications | GeForce ....

If you plan for upgrade the PSU, get a comparatively bigger one, at lease 450-500 watts. VS Seriesâ„¢ VS450 â€” 450 Watt Power Supply will be a good choice in this range. If a smaller one is needed, have a look here: 500w TFX Power Supply tfx500w

Phenom II X4 955 would rightly substitute Athlon II X2 215 because both of them support AM2+ and AM3 sockets.

whereisroger · 08 Apr 2016

Thanks Arc. Would this pretty much be a plug and play? I've never replaced a processor. I am assuming I can use the same cpu fan and would need to clean dried thermal paste and add fresh paste?

Arc · 08 Apr 2016

The CPU will come with AMD stock cooler fan, and thermal paste should be previously applier to that cooler. You need not to use the existing fan (provided it is not a better third party cooler) and need not to apply thermal paste yourself.

Look these videos, these will give you a fair idea ......

But if you use the existing fan, then you will need to remove the dried thermal paste and apply it afresh.

Arctic Silver is the best thermal paste, as people say. :)

whereisroger · 08 Apr 2016

Thanks for the videos, they are very helpful. All I can find are used CPU's and it appears that they (CPU's on eBay) do not come with the cooler, which is fine. If that is the case, is it safe to use existing cooler or would you recommend buying a new cooler?

Arc · 08 Apr 2016

whereisroger said:

Thanks for the videos, they are very helpful. All I can find are used CPU's and it appears that they (CPU's on eBay) do not come with the cooler, which is fine. If that is the case, is it safe to use existing cooler or would you recommend buying a new cooler?

Third party coolers are generally better than stock coolers. Cooler Master and Corsair make good coolers. You may choice one as your need, space in the SFF cabinet and budget. But, your existing fan should work.

If you are buying a used CPU, make it sure that it is not already failing. Prime95 will tell it to you.

And you will need to do the thermal pasting yourself. The third video of my previous post will guide you about it.