Questions about adding RAM and new graphics card

[kconkling]

Hi.  I'm new here so I hope I'm doing everything right and in the correct forum.  So, I have a few questions.  I am a photographer/graphic artist and editor.  I use Photoshop 2019 and Lightroom 2019...I try to keep them up at the same time because I go back and forth with them when editing photos.  

I have been noticing that Photoshop is starting to lag, which is making me crazy.  I need for it to run as efficient and quickly as possible.  I don't do much gaming...if so, just Sims 4.

I have been researching the internet for 4 days now.  I didn't know what anything was inside my pc before, but I feel like I've learned alot.  I've been looking at both RAM and graphic cards and what would work best for me, but I still have some questions.

My CPU is an AMD FX 6200 6 core  3.8 Ghz.  I ran a bench test and the memory was low and graphics card was terrible.    My motherboard is a Gigabyte M3970AM (Angelica), chipset is AMD 970 DDR3....AM3+

Memory is 10 GB dual channel 128bit DDR3-SDRAM

Graphics card is AMD Radeon HD 7500 Series @ 650 Mhz.  The VRAM is PCI Express x16 card

Now, I'm not going to upgrade my motherboard to a DDR4 or above because I'm hoping to get a new computer next year.

My internet connection is wireless.  

My first question is...can I put a DDR4 GPU in my computer even tho my motherboard is DDR3.  I want to go to 16 GB card or two 8's.  The way I understood is that I can, but I'm not positive.  And the memory, do I need to keep this at DDR3 or can I go higher on this as well.  I looked in my computer to see if I could find everything before I take it apart.  I found the graphics card and the memory has three bars.  Is this possible?  I keep getting the RAM and GPU mixed up as far as DDR3 and 16 GB. 

I've watched lots of videos and read many reviews.  I need to get as much Bang for my Buck as possible, so I'm trying to stay inexpensive...just enough that will run my photoshop and lightroom.  Is there anything else I should be looking at or reading about?  Theres so many cards to choose from.  Would it be best to stay with an AMD?  Any kind of ideas or comments that will help me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much!  

[old_geekster]

@kconkling, welcome to the forum.

What is the model or product number of the computer?  You can find this information by opeing HP Support Assistant.  I can understand your frustrations.  Lagging definitely can drive one crazy.  When I have the information requested, I will do my best to help you solve your problem.

[kconkling]

Thank you so much!  The model number is h8-1534

[kconkling]

@Old_geekster

One more thing..I don't know if this makes a difference but I had the hard drive replaced awhile ago.

Seagate Desktop HDD ST2000DM001 - hard drive - 2 TB - SATA 6Gb/s

[old_geekster]

You are very welcome, @kconkling.  Thank you for the additional information.

No, you can't install DDR4 memory in this motherboard.  However, it can be upgraded to 32 GB.  This will give you considerable system performance boost.  Here is the Motherboard Specifications page.  Look at the section titled "Memory upgrade information".  Also, here is the memory that is recommended by Crucial Memory.  They make very good memory for OEM computers like HP.  In the same link it lists the Solid State Drives (SSD's) that are compatible with your motherboard.  Installing a SSD will be one of the best upgrades that you can do.

Now, for the video card.  Here is a small, but powerful, https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX4XU3295 card that will fit into your case nicely.  However, it requires one 6-pin power connector.  I don't know if your power supply unit (PSU) has one available.  Here is a picture of the port on the card:

I circled it in red.  If you have further questions, please let me know.

Please click the Thumbs up + button if I have helped you and click Accept as Solution if your problem is solved.

[kconkling]

@Old_geekster

I don't want to put hardly any money into this computer so I'm really looking to just get by.  This is a very inexpensive graphics card with pretty good reviews on amazon that I've been looking at.  Will you tell me if you think this will work on my machine?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VPS15N/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Thank you!!

[old_geekster · Accepted solution]

You are welcome, @kconkling.

I understand what you are saying.  The card in your link will definitely work in your computer and with your PSU.  However, I can't guaranty that it will do everything that you need.  It should be better than the OEM card that came with the computer.