hardware PC Upgrade Suggestions

[Ridoriii]

Hi LTT,

 

I bought these back in March 2014 and used them up until 2017:
CPU : AMD A6 6400K 3.9-4.1ghz, HD8470d 192 Shaders, 2-Core - Richland
MOBO : Asus A55BM E
RAM : G.Skill RipJaws X (dual) 2x2GB DDR3 1600 CL9 (F3 12800CL9D 4GBXL)
ATX Casing : Cooler Master Elite 241
PSU : Aerocool (Strike X) 500W 80Plus Bronze

HDD: Hitachi 500GB (some details I could not recall)

I had to move to a different location from 2017 and left my computer unused. I'm planning to retrieve my computer whenever practical. However, I feel that some of these may still be upgraded (or add some parts as an upgrade).

Any recommendations for parts to be upgraded/added in under $200?

Currently eyeing for a mechanical keyboard (to be used mostly for typing, part gaming) worth below $100.  What would you recommend?

 

Thank you for your help!

Edit (2:30PM Eastern TIme): 

-Added HDD in the list

 

I'd like to keep most of these parts (if possible) and simply add some compatible components that can be added to its MOBO since everything's working just fine (I guess, I hope). I'm not planning to use it for playing the latest games. Just for some productivity stuff and some low-end games as past time.

#1 - I think my main interest is something to add in conjunction with my A6-6400K and MOBO.

PS: I don't know much about what will be compatible with the APU.

#2 - As mentioned by @fasauceome, an SSD is indeed a big help for this old setup. It only know a little about SSD's. It's embarrassing but I never used an SSD in my setup. I would highly appreciate your SSD recommendation for this specs.

 

@SolarNova's suggestion will be noted and upcoming CPU+GPU+MOBO+RAM recommendations are welcome so I'll have several choices to consider based on my budget and needs.

 

Thank you all!

Edited February 1, 2019 by Ridoriii
added more details to be relevant with the existing replies

[TH3R34P3R]

1 minute ago, Ridoriii said:

Hi LTT,

 

I bought these back in March 2014 and used them up until 2017:
CPU : AMD A6 6400K 3.9-4.1ghz, HD8470d 192 Shaders, 2-Core - Richland
MOBO : Asus A55BM E
RAM : G.Skill RipJaws X (dual) 2x2GB DDR3 1600 CL9 (F3 12800CL9D 4GBXL)
ATX Casing : Cooler Master Elite 241
PSU : Aerocool (Strike X) 500W 80Plus Bronze

I had to move to a different location from 2017 and left my computer unused. I'm planning to retrieve my computer whenever practical. However, I feel that some of these may still be upgraded (or add some parts as an upgrade).

Any recommendations for parts to be upgraded/added in under $200?

Currently eyeing for a mechanical keyboard (to be used mostly for typing, part gaming) worth below $100.  What would you recommend?

 

Thank you for your help!

you will probably need a complete new setup to make what you have for a real usable setup. but for the keyboard... i like my g910 (got it when it was on sale for 89.99)

[Fasauceome]

For gaming, maybe throw a GTX 750 in there, or a 745? something really cheap but better than the integrated graphics. You probably also don't have an SSD, one of those would help a lot.

$200 for a keyboard would be too nice on the peripherals side, the internals of this thing are pretty bad.

[SolarNova]

I'd probably say, since ur running an old APU, just upgrade to a newer APU system for around $200.

 

Somthing like:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($91.99 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($76.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $228.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-01 12:09 EST-0500

 

it will be an upgrade in both CPU and GPU performance, but would still most certainly benefit from a dedicated card at a later date.

 

One could argue that just adding a GPU would be better, but u would be CPU bound rather quickly not to mention ur only running 4gb RAM. So imo a straight upgrade to a newer APU system with 8 GB DDR4 is better.

[Ridoriii]

2 hours ago, TH3R34P3R said:

you will probably need a complete new setup to make what you have for a real usable setup. but for the keyboard... i like my g910 (got it when it was on sale for 89.99)

Thanks! I'll take note of this.

 

PS: I made an edit on my original post.

[Fasauceome]

2 hours ago, Ridoriii said:

I would highly appreciate your SSD recommendation for this specs.

Even a cheap SSD will go a long way. For a budget build I've got a habit of going to PCPartPicker and just picking the cheapest 120GB or 240GB SSD there is. Sure, a TC Sunbow or an Inland Professional isn't gonna be as good as an 860 evo, but it's so much more affordable.

 

If you do want an SSD you can trust, get a Crucial or Samsung SSD. Worth the extra money if you prefer longevity and reliability.

[Ridoriii]

3 hours ago, fasauceome said:

For gaming, maybe throw a GTX 750 in there, or a 745? something really cheap but better than the integrated graphics. You probably also don't have an SSD, one of those would help a lot.

$200 for a keyboard would be too nice on the peripherals side, the internals of this thing are pretty bad.

45 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

Even a cheap SSD will go a long way. For a budget build I've got a habit of going to PCPartPicker and just picking the cheapest 120GB or 240GB SSD there is. Sure, a TC Sunbow or an Inland Professional isn't gonna be as good as an 860 evo, but it's so much more affordable.

 

If you do want an SSD you can trust, get a Crucial or Samsung SSD. Worth the extra money if you prefer longevity and reliability.

 

This is a great suggestion. I would definitely add an SSD that I can trust in this setup. Thank you!

 

 

3 hours ago, SolarNova said:

I'd probably say, since ur running an old APU, just upgrade to a newer APU system for around $200.

 

Somthing like:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($91.99 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - B450M DS3H Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($76.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Patriot - Viper 4 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $228.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-01 12:09 EST-0500

 

it will be an upgrade in both CPU and GPU performance, but would still most certainly benefit from a dedicated card at a later date.

 

One could argue that just adding a GPU would be better, but u would be CPU bound rather quickly not to mention ur only running 4gb RAM. So imo a straight upgrade to a newer APU system with 8 GB DDR4 is better.

 

Great recommendation! I listed these part somewhere.

8GB of RAM I think is now the least a person should have in his computer. Is DDR4 RAM going to be compatible with my current motherboard?

 

PS: I edited my original post.

[SolarNova]

50 minutes ago, Ridoriii said:

 

This is a great suggestion. I would definitely add an SSD that I can trust in this setup. Thank you!

 

 

 

Great recommendation! I listed these part somewhere.

8GB of RAM I think is now the least a person should have in his computer. Is DDR4 RAM going to be compatible with my current motherboard?

 

PS: I edited my original post.

Not with ur current motherboard NO.

 

But with the one i listed yes.

[Ridoriii]

5 minutes ago, SolarNova said:

Not with ur current motherboard NO.

 

 But with the one i listed yes.

Awesome!

 

I think I'm all set.

I'll do my search for similar compatible parts that I can choose from.

I just hope there are still available stocks.

 

Thank you !