What can I do to upgrade my computer, within a budget?

[SFGEV]

I've had my computer for 7-8 years now, and I just want to update it so I can actually enjoy playing my games when I'm not working. I know next to nothing about hardware, and would really appreciate help on what I should upgrade, what I should upgrade to, and where I can buy it (a PC picker list would help so much). The more specific and dumbed down the better, talk to me like I'm 10. My CPU is terrible that much I know, I also know upgrading my CPU would require getting a new motherboard.. is that hard to replace? I'd really love to stay around the 200$ range if that's possible, like I said I don't know hardware that well. I've provided my GPU and CPU, if you need any other specs please let me know.. and also tell me how I can find them haha. 

 

I plan on gaming only, I play GTA V the most with mods, and other bigger slightly demanding games like Arma and Total War games (which my horrid CPU can't handle). I'm not looking for drop dread 4k graphics, just decent frames with decent graphics with a decent budget. No streaming or editing or anything but gaming and web browsing on this PC. Thank you guys so much, glad a place like this exists. 

 

GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960

CPU: AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core Processor

Motherboard: I'm not sure how to find out..

 

 

[Herman Mcpootis]

look for a used 2nd-3rd gen i7/xeon quivalent and an lga 1155 motherboard. which country?

[SFGEV]

1 minute ago, herman mcpootis said:

look for a used 2nd-3rd gen i7/xeon quivalent and an lga 1155 motherboard. which country?

I'm in the USA, specifically California.

[bleedblue]

Give us an exact amount for your budget.

[SFGEV]

5 minutes ago, bleedblue said:

Give us an exact amount for your budget.

Under 230$ if possible

[Herman Mcpootis]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/CPU-Intel-09-i7-2600-Quad-Core-SR00B-3-40Ghz/162900116965?hash=item25ed9a85e5:g:pcQAAOSwIBJagmeM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LENOVO-CIH61M-Socket-LGA-1155-Motherboard-with-warranty-US-SELLER-C36/152654099619?hash=item238ae4b4a3:g:Qa0AAOSwaLhZiJwg for the front panel connectors

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/b8h9TW/raijintek-cpu-cooler-0r100009

 

 

[Guest]

Get a 1050ti and switch your fx 4100 to an FX 6300, not sure how much ram you have, try getting 8gb if you have 4.

[Ryujin2003]

I think a GPU sidegrade to GTX 1050ti isn't worth it. I think your best bet is to upgrade your main system. Unfortunately, DDR4 IS Like is super expensive.

 

On Amazon, you can get

Ryzen 2200G for 99

MSI B350 Tomahawk 84.99

And Corsair LPX 8GB for 92.99

So total of $276.98

 

I'm not sure how well ether upgrade to 6300 or 6350 would do at that cost, but definitely think the GPU is ok. I think your best very would be an upgrade your architecture. FX processors will be limited in CPU stressed games.

 

 

If you cannot save up for today and you want something now, go for an FX 6350 or 6300. I say 6350 because it's got a higher clock if you're not really tech savvy to do OC or anything (if your motherboard can support OC).

 

As Konrad stated (sorry, I'd take you directly, but that doesn't seem to work on mobile), make sure you have at least 8GB in your system. So upgrade to more of you need to.

[Guest]

Just now, Ryujin2003 said:

I think a GPU sidegrade to GTX 1050ti isn't worth it. I think your best bet is to upgrade your main system. Unfortunately, DDR4 IS Like is super expensive.

 

On Amazon, you can get

Ryzen 2200G for 99

MSI B350 Tomahawk 84.99

And Corsair LPX 8GB for 92.99

So total of $276.98

 

I'm not sure how well ether upgrade to 6300 or 6350 would do at that cost, but definitely think the GPU is ok. I think your best very would be an upgrade your architecture. FX processors will be limited in CPU stressed games.

 

 

If you cannot save up for today and you want something now, go for an FX 6350 or 6300. I say 6350 because it's got a higher clock if you're not really tech savvy to do OC or anything (if your motherboard can support OC).

 

As Konrad stated, make sure you have at least 8GB in your system. So upgrade to more of you need to.

I do agree, his platform is a general bottlneck here, the GPU is ok, but with the current prices of DDR4 I did not want to recommend upgrading the platform now. I'd suggest just waiting if it is an option for him.

[Jurrunio]

Find some 4th gen i5 with mobo deals, or Xeon E3 v3 (hyperthreaded ones preferred). This platform isnt good.

 

The graphics card can stay, not like you can afford anything noticeably better anyway

[Ryujin2003]

1 minute ago, Konrad Kwasniewski said:

I do agree, his platform is a general bottlneck here, the GPU is ok, but with the current prices of DDR4 I did not want to recommend upgrading the platform now. I'd suggest just waiting if it is an option for him.

Whole heatedly agree with you on that. I cannot believe these prices! Totally insane. I paid 134 last year when I upgraded to Ryzen, and process were inflated due to the CPU releases at that time. 100 bucks for half of that is insane.

[Ryujin2003]

3 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Find some 4th gen i5 with mobo deals, or Xeon E3 v3 (hyperthreaded ones preferred). This platform isnt good.

 

The graphics card can stay, not like you can afford anything noticeably better anyway

Have any direct linked recommendations for OP?

[M.A.P]

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - A320M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($35.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($87.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $228.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-13 06:07 EST-0500

 

You can go with b350 motherboard if you want overclocking

 

[userzero]

1 minute ago, M.A.P said:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - A320M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($35.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($87.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $228.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-13 06:07 EST-0500

 

You can go with b350 motherboard if you want overclocking

 

This is about the best you are going to get if you want to buy now.

 

Like a 10 year old... xD.. your CPU is a worthless piece o trash and you need to start from there upwards

 

The GTX 960 is OK, just give it a better CPU! oh and get an SSD if you haven't got one already.

[Jurrunio]

10 minutes ago, Ryujin2003 said:

Have any direct linked recommendations for OP?

No, because I recommend going used but I dont know where he lives

[Ryujin2003]

8 minutes ago, M.A.P said:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - A320M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($35.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($87.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $228.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-13 06:07 EST-0500

 

You can go with b350 motherboard if you want overclocking

 

Nice. I have considered an A series MB, that helps solve my budget issue I recommended by quite a bit. Kudos

[Jurrunio]

5 minutes ago, Ryujin2003 said:

Nice. I have considered an A series MB, that helps solve my budget issue I recommended by quite a bit. Kudos

 

14 minutes ago, M.A.P said:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jhNBM8/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - A320M PRO-VD PLUS Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($35.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($87.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $228.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-13 06:07 EST-0500

 

You can go with b350 motherboard if you want overclocking

 

A320 mobo is a last resort action. Not being able to overclock is quite a big sacrifice.

[Whiskers]

@SFGEV I have merged both of your threads. If you ever post your topic in the wrong section, please use the report button to notify the mod team and in your report message explain that you wanted to post it elsewhere - don't post a second topic. Using the report button on your own posts or thread won't result in you receiving punishment - it just lets us see your thread and act upon what you've said in the report, allowing us to move it to the correct section for you.

 

Edit: I see you're new to the forum. Welcome!

[Ryujin2003]

1 minute ago, Whiskers said:

@SFGEV I have merged both of your threads. If you ever post your topic in the wrong section, please use the report button to notify the mod team and in your report message explain that you wanted to post it elsewhere - don't post a second topic. Using the report button on your own posts or thread won't result in you receiving punishment - it just lets us see your thread and act upon what you've said in the report, allowing us to move it to the correct section for you.

Thought I'd seen this earlier, but couldn't find the original.

+1

[M.A.P]

1 hour ago, Jurrunio said:

 

A320 mobo is a last resort action. Not being able to overclock is quite a big sacrifice.

Then you can get this 

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QBBQHN
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QBBQHN/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 1200 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($104.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI - B350 PC MATE ATX AM4 Motherboard  ($55.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Crucial - 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($83.89 @ OutletPC) 
Total: $244.86
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-13 07:55 EST-0500

 

You should sacrifice the memory speed though.

[Okjoek]

Aside from your CPU platform in general an SSD is one of the easiest ways to breath life into an older PC. Just don't expect it to improve gaming FPS.