Hai guys :D 2 issues. Help apreciated

[Irish guy]

Right well uhhh...

First off, this be my first forray into "The Basement" So hello to everyone, and apologies if I miss any rules that apply here. Also, I know my way around a computer quite well, but I am not clued into the hardware side of things as regards upgrading/assembling/building computers.

First issue is one I have in hand but which I wan't to run by you peoples before I do anything; For the past couple of months my HP Pavillion laptop has been making a loud Buzzing/Grinding sound on and off, I am allmost 100% sure it is the fan that is responsible as the sound is emminating from above and to the left of the ESC key and above the underside vents. When the sound occurs I can often fix it by tapping hard on the casing above the fan (bad idea right ) but other times I am forced to just shut down and leave it alone for a while. I also tried blasting some compressed air into the vents and while this did clear out a fair amount of dust it didn't stop the sound. My remaining option is to have it sent off for repairs since if I crack it open it will probably void my warranty (which gives me free repairs) and I wouldn't know what to do inside of it anyway... But before I do send it away does anyone have any reccomendations/ideas etc about the problem? + rep if you somehow give me a way to fix it


Second issue...

I'm kinda sorta ever so slightly seriously considering upgrading my main PC's hardware. But I wouldn't know what to buy, where to buy or how to install anything I do buy.

Current specs:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621)
Language: Irish (Regional Setting: Irish)
System Manufacturer: Philips
System Model: HEPC7602/05
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3326MB RAM
Page File: 1514MB used, 5135MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0622&SUBSYS_0F2F105B&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1904 MB
Dedicated Memory: 497 MB
Shared Memory: 1407 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: LCD-MONITOR
Monitor Id: LCDEC80
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.852Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.5896 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.5896
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/9/2010 22:38:00, 12471400 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4562-11CF-E364-232F1FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0622
SubSys ID: 0x0F2F105B
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem4.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section003:8.17.12.5896:pci\ven_10de&dev_0622
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
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D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

Currently I am playing most of my games either maxed or high but I am pretty strained on Empire/Napoleon and am finding myself having to play on High/Medium. With Shogun 2 and other games on the way I want to be able to play on Max comfortably.

So I pose the question to you experts here. What should I upgrade and how do I do it? Consider my price range to be modest.

And please let me know if any more info is needed.

[karamazovmm]

oh well....

the rattling is either a cable, or the fan itself. Since you dont want to open it, there is nothing more that you can do.


Now for the 2nd question
You could buy a new GPU, just tell us your budget.

Some options are the gtx460 or the HD 6870

[Irish guy]

oh well....

the rattling is either a cable, or the fan itself. Since you dont want to open it, there is nothing more that you can do.


Now for the 2nd question
You could buy a new GPU, just tell us your budget.

Some options are the gtx460 or the HD 6870

Yeah I spose I will send it for repairs.

@Coconutfred, I should have been more clear, my main PC is a desktop and I want to upgrade it, a new computer isn't possible for me.
As for my budget I'd say €250 or €300 max.

[CoconutFred]

Considering the fact that it's a laptop, yeah, you should send it to tech support to fix it. You should probably get a new PC if possible if you're planning to upgrade anytime soon. (preferably a desktop)

if you can't get a new PC, you may want to try OCing some components instead of getting new ones.

[karamazovmm]

I dont know about the prices in your country but both gpu that I talked about should fit it perfectly.

Your cpu is one of the best that intel has put out in the market, and unless you up your budget you wont get it upgraded to something that gives more power (it would involve a change of: RAM, Motherboard and cpu)
so yeah just take a look at those gpu and you should be more than fine

[Irish guy]

Ok, and out of those two cards I'd say I'll go with the gtx460. If I do, what kind of FPS increases should I expect?

Now I need to know how to get it installed. Or if there is a possibility of any incompatibilities, improper slots etc etc?

[Ishan]

6870 is better than a GTX460, fps increase you have a 9600GT so pretty much incredible difference i would say.
And there will be no installation problems PCI-ex slot is all you need.

[Doono]

Opening it up is a bit of a gray area, most people report that there is no way of really knowing if the customer has as there is no seals to break on hp notebooks, however if you damage something in the process that will void the warrenty. Be aware when you send it off for repair you might be without the unit for several weeks, and this time of year would be even worse due to the backlog they would have generated over christmas.

On to the desktop the above suggeste cards would yeild a significant boost in performance, it would however be worth checking how much physical space you have within the case for the card as modern cards are very long and check the amperage of the 12V line on your PSU as these cards will draw a significantly larger amount of power than your old card.

[Irish guy]

Hows about I open the case and get a pic of the insides?

Then maybe you guys can tell me if I can actually upgrade at all.

[Doono]

If your going to take a picture, take a picture of the sticker on the side of your psu with the line voltages/amperages and physically measure how much room you have for a graphics card. Remember also alot of these newer cards are dual slot coolers.

[Irish guy]

If your going to take a picture, take a picture of the sticker on the side of your psu with the line voltages/amperages and physically measure how much room you have for a graphics card. Remember also alot of these newer cards are dual slot coolers.

I have no idea what that means

[Doono]

the power supply should always have a sticker on it indicating the different voltage/amps on each rail it looks like this

[Irish guy]

Ok guys I got some pics here of my computer.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[karamazovmm]

1. you need a new psu, this one is currently bottlenecking your GPU

2. get yourself some vacuum cleaner and dust off the case.

[Irish guy]

Bottlenecking?

And yes I cleaned the computer just after taking the pics.

[atraps]

You need a better power supply for a video card upgrade.

Bottlenecking?

Link

[karamazovmm]

its not providing power enough to it

[Big Boss]

its not providing power enough to it

Well its providing enough power to it, otherwise his card wouldn't be working. I'd doubt that PSU with any future upgrade tho.

[Irish guy]

Okay, so I need a new PSU before I can get a new card. If anyone can provide links to good deals on decent PSU's please do.

[Ishan]

A corsair 650TX is more than enough for your needs.