Trying to find compatible upgrades for my unit

AaronM2102

Hey all

This is my medicore unit below.

I use this computer for everyday e-mail, bills and whatnot.

But I also play STEAM games on it, nothing heavy or high demanding like COD or God Of War.

Just mostly retro low graphic games.

Anyway I have alreayd doublded the ram to 16.0 GB but she still struggles and is now starting to just shut down.

When I bring up task manager I see when running my STEAM games the CPU, Memory and Disk % are relativley low, what runs "very high" from time to time is the power usage.

Any suggestions? Do I need a stonger power supply?

Any other upgrade suggestions would be helpful, I dont want to buy a new unit.

thanks in advace

JackE

Most Steam games rely on a discrete GPU card. with it's own dedicated video VRAM. Your stock TC-885 only has the integrated CPU/GPU installed which uses only a fraction of total RAM as VRAM. While 16GB helps it by no means as good as a discrete GPU card. If it was mine, I'd probably install an nvidia GTX 1660ti card on this machine's mainboad with its own dedicated 6GB VRAM. It should really make a huge difference. And your existing 500watt power supply will easily handle it.

AaronM2102

Thanks JackE

Two questions

1. ease of install? I used to tinker and mod computers back in the mid 2000's but I have not done much in the past 10 years.
2. If I invest in this upgrade will it allow me to play more demanding high FPS games or is this soley aimed at Steam games?

thank you

JackE

1. Yes very easy to install. Card plugs into a mainboard socket after twisting tab at back of case just like in the old days.
2. Not limited to Steam games. The frame rates will depend more on your montor's capabilities than the card. The card iself is capable of delivering 120FPS. You want more, just costs more money. 🙂

AaronM2102

Hey JackE

So the graphics card came in and I was able to install it. What I can't find is how I bring power to the new card? I know it's the 8 pin port on top, but does my unit have an 8pin plug?

I can't seem to locate one?

JackE

Do you see any free connectors exiting the PSU wire bundle? There should at least be a 4-pin available.

AaronM2102

If their should be one I will have to look again. Should I have to unplug something or there should be an extra plug? When I looked before I did not see anything but I'll look again and take some pictures

AaronM2102

I have it open and I don't see any extra plug. Took some pictures but not super helpful.

Thoughts?

20230311_123658.jpg

20230311_123527.jpg

JackE

I'm not seeing the power supply box and its wire nest in your photos. Should directly behind where the AC cable plugs in the back.

AaronM2102

Thanks yes it's hard to get a good picture.

If that is my power supply please point out the connection I am looking for.

I'll try and open it up again later.

JackE

It'll either be a 4 or 8 pin connector. You can't translate what your bundles will look like from the photo so I can't point it out except smaller than the white one and probably of the same size as the small black one in the lower right of the photo. Most of them are connected. So It'll be an unconnected connector.

AaronM2102

I pretty much followed every cord from the power supply and they are in use plugged into multiple systems.

20230311_160234.jpg

20230311_160220.jpg

20230311_160150.jpg

I've tilted the unit every way to get a look and there is no floating plug not in use.

Am I missing something?

It looks like there is 2 but they are not plugs and some kind of shielding I assume

20230311_160653.jpg

Again I appreciate the help.

JackE

Have you tried to boot the machine yet with the card installed?

AaronM2102

So unfortunately this card is not compatible with my unit as you said. I went on the graphics card fourm and they informed me my power supply does not have the right plug and to boot the card is to large for my expansion slot. Both of this I confirmed.

So this is disappointing.

JackE

I'm not sure what forum you used but seems like you got some misinformation. The TC-885 is even sold from the factory with with 1660ti. Here's a link to GPU upgrades other Acer users were considering for this machine.

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/607931/can-you-upgrade-the-graphics-card-in-the-acer-aspire-tc-885-eb17

Did you try to boot the machine yet? At any rate, the ATX PSU in your model should have a 4-pin plug. There is a 4-pin to 8-pin adapter for less than $10 that should do the job if the machine won't boot and if you can find the 4-pin plug. Even Walmart has these adapter for less than$5