Upgrading an old Pentium computer for a Minecraft server

[Iron Wolf]

Budget: $150 USD

Country: United States

I run a small Minecraft server that my friends play on there are at most 15 active players. Currently I run it off of an Intel NUC (NUC8i3CYSM) and recently we have experienced lots of lag. I thought about upgrading it but because of the small form factor it seemed difficult. The only easy upgrades for the NUC are Ram and storage which aren't the largest bottlenecks. I believe that the CPU is the bottleneck because it is often at 100% load especially during peak hours on the server when up to 7 people may be online the lag can get very bad and the server sometimes will crash. So to upgrade the CPU for the NUC is not really an option that I am aware of. Luckily I have an old Gateway computer with a Pentium G630 and a new SSD + 8gb Ram. You can find further details here https://www.newegg.com/gateway-sx-series-sx2865-ur11p-student-home-office/p/N82E16883113219 The Pentium G630 is not as good as the NUC but I am interested in upgrading it to something better that is supported by the intel H61 chipset. Here is where I need some help I want to decide which processor I can go with within my budget and if I need a new power supply. If there are better options within my budget please tell me. I have built a computer before so I have some experience. 

 

 

[YT_DomDaBomb20]

That’s Lga 1155, right? If so, find a core i7 2600 non-k because I don’t think that h61 is overclockable. Also, Idk what psu is in there, but it should be ok, if not, I also don’t know if it’s a standard atx psu, so if it’s not, it’s hard to find a replacement. So, crack it open.

[Iron Wolf]

I could go with the i7 2600 but I also think that i7 3770 is also compatible. When looking at this lisiting https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52806/intel-h61-express-chipset.html
My only other concern is where to buy them.

@YT_DomDaBomb20

[YT_DomDaBomb20]

7 minutes ago, Iron Wolf said:

I could go with the i7 2600 but I also think that i7 3770 is also compatible. When looking at this lisiting https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/52806/intel-h61-express-chipset.html
My only other concern is where to buy them.

@YT_DomDaBomb20

Yes this is true, but I think the 3770 needs a bios update, and the 2600 has the same core/thread count I’m pretty sure. Also 2600 saves a little money

[Iron Wolf]

Alright I guess I will go with the 2600 I'm just trying to figure out where to buy it from. I have never really bought much off the used market. So my main options for buying it are from eBay or from some random sketchy site for under $100 or buy it from a reputable seller for $150. 

@YT_DomDaBomb20

[Iron Wolf]

At this point I am just trying to figure out where to buy it from.

Here are a few eBay listings I found:

https://www.ebay.com/p/109598386?iid=164226918161 (auction)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i7-2600-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-3-80-GHz-Used-WITH-COOLER/174302091811?hash=item289536da23:g:03UAAOSwDM5e1CD0 (auction w/cooler)

https://www.ebay.com/p/109584005?iid=383572887078

Here is one from Walmart:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Intel-Core-i7-2600-Quad-Core-Processor-3-4-GHz-8-MB-Cache-LGA-1155-BX80623I72600/16472585?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1148

 

17 hours ago, YT_DomDaBomb20 said:

That’s Lga 1155, right?

I assume it is as the Pentium G630 is a LGA 1155.

[YT_DomDaBomb20]

5 hours ago, Iron Wolf said:

Alright I guess I will go with the 2600 I'm just trying to figure out where to buy it from. I have never really bought much off the used market. So my main options for buying it are from eBay or from some random sketchy site for under $100 or buy it from a reputable seller for $150. 

@YT_DomDaBomb20

Yes. Unfortunately prices are up, so you might need to go with an i5 2500 or something like that

[Iron Wolf]

So I have never really bought much off of eBay and I am just wondering if it is safe to buy a used processor.

I will watch a few auctions but this seems like a pretty good deal for $70

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-i7-2600-3-40GHz-8MB-Socket-LGA1155-CPU-Quad-Core-Processor-SR00B/153957858204?epid=3031098161&hash=item23d89a7b9c%3Ag%3A1JgAAOSwPWVe1rM5&LH_ItemCondition=1000|1500|2000|2500|3000&LH_BIN=1#rwid

 

Also for the power supply newegg has it listed for 220 watts.

The Pentium in there right now has a TDP of 65w but the i7 has a TDP of 95. that's only a 30w increase but I don't know weather I would need a. I took some pictures of the power supply but I dont know what form factor I need.

[VEXICUS]

I7 3770 are available for around $50 on ebay. Look for them as well, as they offer slight boost in performance. Also, u already have the pentium, so you shouldn't have any problem updating the bios.

[Iron Wolf]

@VEXICUS @YT_DomDaBomb20

So I have an update:

I have decided to go with a Core i5 2500, I chose this because Minecraft servers dont need crazy server performance at least for the CPU.

With the extra money I choose 16gb of ram https://www.newegg.com/p/0RN-00A3-000K8?Item=9SIA56XA8D6672&Description=16gb ddr3&cm_re=16gb_ddr3-_-9SIA56XA8D6672-_-Product&quicklink=true

Ram is essential for Minecraft servers.

My only question is whether this this ram is compatible. I think it is because I currently have 8gb of ddr3 1333mhz  2x4.