What would you upgrade first?

[GeoStam]

Hello guys, I am new to the forum. I recently came across Linus and his videos and man, they helped a lot.

I don't know much about PC hardware and everytime I needed to upgrade something I just sent it to be assembled because I have no clue. Now I know a thing or two.

 

I have a three-year old PC which was good then but now I need an upgrade. It's for a semi-gamer PC and by that I mean that I don't play in maximum settings and I don't play games that require high-end graphics... For example, I play FIFA, 2K sports basketball, World of Warcraft, etc. However, as I see the new specifications for the games that are coming this autumn, I can't even reach the minimum so I do want to upgrade my PC.

I will post my hardware and please tell me what needs to go:

All this is from Speccy:

 

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83 GHz

Motherboard: Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.

Model P5N-D (Socket 775)

Chipset Vendor NVIDIA

Chipset Model nForce 750i SLI SPP

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT

RAM: 2x2GB DDR2

PSU: Chieftec APS-650C

And 2 standard WD 500GB hard drives.

 

Thank you for your time, looking forward for some opinions!

Excuse my bad english

George

[Sauron]

I'd upgrade the cpu first, maybe to an amd a10-6800k. Then the gpu right after, get something like a radeon r7 260x.

[CowsGoRoar]

GPU. Next, Motherboard and CPU (you have to upgrade both or else it won't be compatible). 

 

Your power supply and hard drive it probably the last things you'll ever need to upgrade.

 

I'm not used the the Core 2 CPU families, so I can't help you with telling you exactly what GPU you can get before it bottlenecks, I'm more used to the Core i3/5/7's.

 

It is similar to the i5 750, which I would recommend something like a GT630. If you want a big step up, a GTX 650 is absolutely amazing.

[CowsGoRoar]

I'd upgrade the cpu first, maybe to an amd a10-6800k. Then the gpu right after, get something like a radeon r7 260x.

You'll need to upgrade motherboard too. A Core 2 Quad performs decent. OP isn't playing demanding games at ultra graphics.

[flibberdipper]

I'd upgrade the cpu first, maybe to an amd a10-6800k. Then the gpu right after, get something like a radeon r7 260x.

That would be a downgrade...

 

I would get a Z97 motherboard like the ASUS Z97-A and some kind of Haswell/Devil's Canyon CPU.

[s3ns3]

I'd upgrade the cpu first, maybe to an amd a10-6800k. Then the gpu right after, get something like a radeon r7 260x.

lol that sounds and is bad.

---

upgrade gpu first. 

[ATX]

Do you have money?

 

If so, how much?

[i_build_nanosuits]

i'd try to sell the whole computer as a mainstream browsing and work machine and start anew...

[Caincard]

Really depends on your budget, and the time table you plan to have it built by. Since you need to have everything that corresponds with a new motherboards connectors it would be beneficial to either stockpile your parts, or to just stick money away till you are in the budget zone and order everything at once. But definitely a Motherboard and cpu/apu. You can find some nice package deals.

[Sauron]

You'll need to upgrade motherboard too. A Core 2 Quad performs decent. OP isn't playing demanding games at ultra graphics.

 

That would be a downgrade...

 

I would get a Z97 motherboard like the ASUS Z97-A and some kind of Haswell/Devil's Canyon CPU.

 

lol that sounds and is bad.

---

upgrade gpu first. 

 

woops my bad, I thought it was a duo. @GeoStam then yeah, get a new gpu first.

[CowsGoRoar]

@tmcclelland455 With all due respect, I've noticed you always recommend to get the latest hardware. All op needs is a little upgrade to make his pc run faster, not make a new rig with Z97 and all.

[flibberdipper]

@tmcclelland455 With all due respect, I've noticed you always recommend to get the latest hardware. All op needs is a little upgrade to make his pc run faster, not make a new rig with Z97 and all.

Well... You gotta think what I have to deal with. And even then, I recommend the latest so that there is more room to upgrade and gain more speed later on down the line if the OP feels the need to do so.

[A10-FTW]

 

Hello guys, I am new to the forum. I recently came across Linus and his videos and man, they helped a lot.

I don't know much about PC hardware and everytime I needed to upgrade something I just sent it to be assembled because I have no clue. Now I know a thing or two.

 

I have a three-year old PC which was good then but now I need an upgrade. It's for a semi-gamer PC and by that I mean that I don't play in maximum settings and I don't play games that require high-end graphics... For example, I play FIFA, 2K sports basketball, World of Warcraft, etc. However, as I see the new specifications for the games that are coming this autumn, I can't even reach the minimum so I do want to upgrade my PC.

I will post my hardware and please tell me what needs to go:

All this is from Speccy:

 

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83 GHz

Motherboard: Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC.

Model P5N-D (Socket 775)

Chipset Vendor NVIDIA

Chipset Model nForce 750i SLI SPP

GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT

RAM: 2x2GB DDR2

PSU: Chieftec APS-650C

And 2 standard WD 500GB hard drives.

 

Thank you for your time, looking forward for some opinions!

Excuse my bad english

George

 

yea  :blush: you don't need an upgrade, you need a new pc (an A10 or A8 is the way)

 

 

 

but, "if" you want stay with that pc

 

and "if" you have a PCIe x16

 

and "if" your cpu still run well

 

 

 

you can buy a R9 270   (you will love it)

[GeoStam]

Hey guys, thank you all so much for your answers.

I forgot to mention that my budget is around $400 so I can't afford a new pc. I got a great see-through case and it can fit anything. However if the upgrades will cost around $600 then I will consider buying a new PC.

 

One of my friends suggested:

CPU: Intel core i3-4130 @ 3.4GHz

Mobo: ASUS H81M-K

GPU: Asus GTX750i-OC-2GD5 2GB DDR5

RAM: G.Skill F3-12800CL9D (2x4GB)

 

This will cost around $500 but will last me for a very long time. What do you think?

[SpyRosL]

It is a huge upgrade from what you have.The 750ti can max the games you play.

However, with the same price,you can get the r9 270 which is a lot more powerful than the 750ti.

 

http://www.e-shop.gr/asus-gtx750ti-oc-2gd5-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.513648

 

http://www.e-shop.gr/asus-r9-270-r9270-dc2oc-2gd5-2gb-gddr5-pci-e-retail-p-PER.513644

 

 Definitely keep the i3 and the mobo though.

[CowsGoRoar]

Well... You gotta think what I have to deal with. And even then, I recommend the latest so that there is more room to upgrade and gain more speed later on down the line if the OP feels the need to do so.

That's exactly what the guy at NCIX told my dad. That's how I spent $1700 on my rig.

 

As said before, he wants an upgrade, not wanting a new rig to upgrade to in the future.

[CowsGoRoar]

Hey guys, thank you all so much for your answers.

I forgot to mention that my budget is around $400 so I can't afford a new pc. I got a great see-through case and it can fit anything. However if the upgrades will cost around $600 then I will consider buying a new PC.

 

One of my friends suggested:

CPU: Intel core i3-4130 @ 3.4GHz

Mobo: ASUS H81M-K

GPU: Asus GTX750i-OC-2GD5 2GB DDR5

RAM: G.Skill F3-12800CL9D (2x4GB)

 

This will cost around $500 but will last me for a very long time. What do you think?

If you don't raise your standards and expect to play demanding games like BF4 then it'll last you really long. You can even raise some eye candy for a couple of years.

 

It can play WoW really well, 1080p med graphics at 60 FPS.

[i_build_nanosuits]

What i would do is order exactly this, throw all your old PC stuff in that cheap Apex case so you can keep your current case that you like and put the new parts in it...

then sell the old PC in the apex case for 150$ and call it a day!

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($46.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card  ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Apex SK-393-C ATX Mid Tower Case  ($26.71 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $590.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

[CowsGoRoar]

@i_build_nanosuits It's almost $200 over budget. He doesn't need a 270X for his current games.

 

You guys are expecting so much. Remember that OP wanted an upgrade.

[i_build_nanosuits]

@i_build_nanosuits It's almost $200 over budget. He doesn't need a 270X for his current games.

 

You guys are expecting so much. Remember that OP wanted an upgrade.

YES but if he go with my idea he CAN SELL his current computer wich will allow a 600$ budget easily. in this case IT'S BETTER TO BUILD ANEW PC and sell the old one cause EVERYTHING has to be upgraded...do you get it?

You didnt read my post you only looked at the parts isnt it?

[CowsGoRoar]

YES but if he go with my idea and CAN SELL his currect computer wich will allow a 600$ budget easily. in this case IT'S BETTER TO BUILD ANEW PC and sell the old one cause EVERYTHING has to be upgraded...do you get it?

YES but he doesnt WANT TO SELL his currect computer HE JUST WANTS AN UPGRADE OR A LOW END PC for $400..do you get it?

[i_build_nanosuits]

YES but he doesnt WANT TO SELL his currect computer HE JUST WANTS AN UPGRADE OR A LOW END PC for $400..do you get it?

it would still be better to get 150$ or 200$ for the old PC to put money toward a new build IMHO

[CowsGoRoar]

it would still be better to get 150$ or 200$ for the old PC to put money toward a new build IMHO

EXACTLY. But that's not what he wants! HE WANTED AN UPGRADE OR A CHEAP PC. 

[i_build_nanosuits]

EXACTLY. But that's not what he wants! HE WANTED AN UPGRADE OR A CHEAP PC. 

because he does not know or didnt realised what is the best thing to do and we are here to provide advise and this is why i'm highlithing the fact for the OP that selling his PC all togheter and buying a new one is a better solution.

[CowsGoRoar]

because he does not know or didnt realised what is the best thing to do and we are here to provide advise and this is why i'm highlithing the fact for the OP that selling his PC all togheter and buying a new one is a better solution.

because you don't even know what to do with his computer. It is able to upgrade. All you want to do is sell a PC even though he can boost his experience by replacing his graphics card.