Pc upgrade

[MrMonteCristo]

Hello linus tech tips community!

I have taken my friend computer and I want to make it better for him. This is the exsact pc http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c02623676-25. How can I make it better? He is like me and he plays Minecraft a lot. He also records some videos I think. What I need help with is upgrading it. Him and I are both nvidia fans, so I am pretty sure he wants an nvidia graphics card. But what can I do to make it run a lot better for him, but no too expensive.

Thank you!

-MrMonteCristo

 

[dadasmithywinkle]

Hello linus tech tips community!

I have taken my friend computer and I want to make it better for him. This is the exsact pc http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c02623676-25. How can I make it better? He is like me and he plays Minecraft a lot. He also records some videos I think. What I need help with is upgrading it. Him and I are both nvidia fans, so I am pretty sure he wants an nvidia graphics card. But what can I do to make it run a lot better for him, but no too expensive.

Thank you!

-MrMonteCristo

If it's stock, I'd get 8GB of RAM and a GTX750ti.

[Oberon.Smite]

If it's stock, I'd get 8GB of RAM and a GTX750ti.

Yes I quite agree. Go ahead and pick out a 750 ti that's quiet and cool. Also he will most likely need those 8gb of RAM. However, if ALL he EVER plans on doing is MC, then maybe he could cheap out and go with 4gb, but I wouldn't do it tbh.

[Castdeath97]

He definely needs more RAM, and get him a low powered card like a 960 or 750ti.

[Bonesy]

Respectfully, i wish you guys would have actually looked at the link he provided. The motherboard in that PC has no PCI-E x16 slots, and uses the rare uATX form factor. Honestly, I simply don't know if the case(being HP) can support a more standard form factor like ATX. Regardless, you will need to replace the motherboard if you want to add a decent graphics card. I'm not sure what kind of budget you are working with.

 

EDIT: I only viewed newegg and pcpartspicker(so by no means an extensive search) but i was only able to find ONE uATX motherboard, a refurbished Intel H81 1150 socket: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132163

 

Assuming that's the route you'd want to go, you would then need a new processor also, maybe something like an i3-4130, THEN you could toss in a new graphics card like a 960. In my opinion, you might be better off going for an uber budget build where you can choose what you want, rather than what you have to.

[MrMonteCristo]

Respectfully, i wish you guys would have actually looked at the link he provided. The motherboard in that PC has no PCI-E x16 slots, and uses the rare uATX form factor. Honestly, I simply don't know if the case(being HP) can support a more standard form factor like ATX. Regardless, you will need to replace the motherboard if you want to add a decent graphics card. I'm not sure what kind of budget you are working with.

 

EDIT: I only viewed newegg and pcpartspicker(so by no means an extensive search) but i was only able to find ONE uATX motherboard, a refurbished Intel H81 1150 socket: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132163

 

Assuming that's the route you'd want to go, you would then need a new processor also, maybe something like an i3-4130, THEN you could toss in a new graphics card like a 960. In my opinion, you might be better off going for an uber budget build where you can choose what you want, rather than what you have to.

Hello Bonesy, thank you and everyone for replying to my post for replying. So what you said is I need new mother board. If I upgrade it the motherboard the GTX 960 will fit it? I am just going to go with msi, Link: http://goo.gl/bf0dI4. I can get the graphics card,motherboard, processor, and ram. But do I need to upgrade the PSU?  This is the R.A.M I think I am getting Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f310666cl9d8gbrl, will this fit to? 

[CM7]

Hello Bonesy, thank you and everyone for replying to my post for replying. So what you said is I need new mother board. If I upgrade it the motherboard the GTX 960 will fit it? I am just going to go with msi, Link: http://goo.gl/bf0dI4. I can get the graphics card,motherboard, processor, and ram. But do I need to upgrade the PSU?  This is the R.A.M I think I am getting Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f310666cl9d8gbrl, will this fit to? 

Yes if you want a card like that you would need to upgrade your PSU. Never go really cheap on the PSU and make sure that you get a good one from a well known brand Rosewill, Corsair, Antec. Remember that more watts doesn't mean its good quality. Usally if you plan on upgrading any pre-builts you should look into getting a reliable power supply. Too give you peace of mind of it now blowing up.

 

The GTX 960 should fit on the motherboard no matter what it really depends on the amount of space you have in the case. You can some good cases for cheap online. So do some research I recently got a Antec one and its working pretty good for the price. The ram will be compatible with the mobo that Bonesy picked out.  

 

I would personally go for a AMD card more performance per dollar since you are on a budget. A R9 280 or (X) should be a better deal then a GTX 960. I would suggest a SAPPHIRE DUAL-X R9 280 3gb its a 10.3" card so it would fit in most mid tower cases. Look around for different models/prices for the best deal. 

[Bonesy]

I still think you are much better off ditching the HP case, and getting what you WANT, rather than what you HAVE to.

Here is my reasoning:  You would need a new motherboard for a graphics card, which would mean you need new CPU also. Then you'd want new power supply for graphics card, and more RAM. That leaves replacing everything but the case itself. So do it "right", and just build a budget PC, re-using parts where you can.

 

I don't know your budget still, but here is a build you could use - take out the optical drive and HDD from the HP, and you have yourself a full PC ready-to-go.

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.75 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card  ($124.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.88 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $440.58

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

[MrMonteCristo]

 

I still think you are much better off ditching the HP case, and getting what you WANT, rather than what you HAVE to.

Here is my reasoning:  You would need a new motherboard for a graphics card, which would mean you need new CPU also. Then you'd want new power supply for graphics card, and more RAM. That leaves replacing everything but the case itself. So do it "right", and just build a budget PC, re-using parts where you can.

 

I don't know your budget still, but here is a build you could use - take out the optical drive and HDD from the HP, and you have yourself a full PC ready-to-go.

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($104.75 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.98 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card  ($124.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.88 @ OutletPC) 

Total: $440.58

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

Thanks! I do have one question. If I use the HDD it has now and get everything you said above eventually can I add a HDD to it? Is it just plugging it in or do I have to do anything else? Also that looks like you used PC part pick, by any chance do you have a link to it?

[Bonesy]

Thanks! I do have one question. If I use the HDD it has now and get everything you said above eventually can I add a HDD to it? Is it just plugging it in or do I have to do anything else? Also that looks like you used PC part pick, by any chance do you have a link to it?

 

Yes, you can add an additional HDD if you wanted(or SSD). Place it where you want in the case, and cable it up. At least this way, you can swap parts in and out without worries(for the most part). You can keep upgrading as you need.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pJKBYJ

[MrMonteCristo]

Yes, you can add an additional HDD if you wanted(or SSD). Place it where you want in the case, and cable it up. At least this way, you can swap parts in and out without worries(for the most part). You can keep upgrading as you need.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pJKBYJ

Ok, thank you very much!

[Guest]

Respectfully, i wish you guys would have actually looked at the link he provided. The motherboard in that PC has no PCI-E x16 slots, and uses the rare uATX form factor. Honestly, I simply don't know if the case(being HP) can support a more standard form factor like ATX. Regardless, you will need to replace the motherboard if you want to add a decent graphics card. I'm not sure what kind of budget you are working with.

 

EDIT: I only viewed newegg and pcpartspicker(so by no means an extensive search) but i was only able to find ONE uATX motherboard, a refurbished Intel H81 1150 socket: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132163

 

Assuming that's the route you'd want to go, you would then need a new processor also, maybe something like an i3-4130, THEN you could toss in a new graphics card like a 960. In my opinion, you might be better off going for an uber budget build where you can choose what you want, rather than what you have to.

uATX is the same as micro ATX.