Upgrade suggestion for my old pc

[IGnoXX]

Hey guys, 

 

can you suggest me the probably best upgrade possibilities for my brothers pc? The budget is really really tight, so buying completely new up to date parts are not an option. 

I'm aware that he probably won't be able to play the newest titles with his current specs but maybe he can enjoy some older titles and maybe fortnite.

 

Here are the specs:

• MB: MSI MS-7255
• CPU: Intel Core Duo 2 E4300 (1.8Ghz) LGA775
• RAM: 2x 1gb ddr2 
• GPU: MEDION Radeon HD 3450 (512MB)
• HDD: 500gb
• PSU: idk

The upgrading possibilities I've come up with

I'd read that the MB only supports max 2gb of ram, is the MB somehow limited to 2gb or can i just put more in it?

When i'm right, quad core cpus are not supported on this MB so I've come up with these two cpus that might be a nice upgrade:

• intel core 2 duo e6700
• intel core 2 extreme x6800

 

I didn't made a research for a GPU yet 'cause I'm not sure about the MB ram limit. If i can't go over 2gb of ram the upgrading might be worthless at all.

 

Looking forward for your opinion!

[MRG112]

Whats the budget

[r2724r16]

17 minutes ago, IGnoXX said:

The budget is really really tight

Be more detailed

[IGnoXX]

Not sure, maybe about 100-200€. Don't want to spend to much on this hardware.

[MRG112]

Do u live in uk

[IGnoXX]

@MRG112 no EU

 

[MRG112]

1 minute ago, IGnoXX said:

@MRG112 no EU

 

Can you specify the region so i can have research basis

[Jurrunio]

The north bridge (VIA P4M900) is capable of 4GB total RAM which means a pair of 2GB DDR2 sticks. It also works with Core 2 Quads starting with a 6 (and only with a 6) because of the 1066MHz maximum supported FSB (front side bus). MSI's datasheet probably got outdated but they just leave it as is.

 

But after upgrading the RAM and before the CPU, get a new GPU first. HD 3450 doesnt support DX11 so less-old games might not even start (so no chance of improving performance with mods). Something like a 750 or 750ti will do. What PSU is that exactly?

[IGnoXX]

@MRG112 I'm studying in denmark rn but my brother is living in germany, berlin

[IGnoXX]

5 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

The north bridge (VIA P4M900) is capable of 4GB total RAM which means a pair of 2GB DDR2 sticks. It also works with Core 2 Quads starting with a 6 (and only with a 6) because of the 1066MHz maximum supported FSB (front side bus). MSI's datasheet probably got old but they just leave it as is.

 

But after upgrading the RAM and before the CPU, get a new GPU first. HD 3450 doesnt support DX11 so less-old games might not even start (so no chance of improving performance with mods). Something like a 750 or 750ti will do. What PSU is that exactly?

It's VIA P4M890/PT890 CE/CN800 + VT8237A ,the one you found is probably the v2 MB. So i guess it needs a MB upgrade in order to get more ram

Thanks for the gpu suggestion, might get a used 750ti for about 100€ on ebay after a quick research.
 I've completely no details about the PSU, i can't check it by myself because i'm pretty far away from it. The PC might be a pre-build one from medion.

[MRG112]

I personaly dont like apus but, i can suggest you get a new mother boad like an a320 and a g2400 or g2200

because if you have the hard drives and psu and case all you will need to buy will be a 2400g or g2200, 4-8gb ram, a320 or b350 motherboard

[MRG112]

Just now, MRG112 said:

I personaly dont like apus but, i can suggest you get a new mother boad like an a320 and a g2400 or g2200

because if you have the hard drives and psu and case all you will need to buy will be a 2400g or g2200, 4-8gb ram, a320 or b350 motherboard

You can probably fit in within 200-250 pounds

[MRG112]

1 hour ago, IGnoXX said:

It's VIA P4M890/PT890 CE/CN800 + VT8237A ,the one you found is probably the v2 MB. So i guess it needs a MB upgrade in order to get more ram

Thanks for the gpu suggestion, might get a used 750ti for about 100€ on ebay after a quick research.
 I've completely no details about the PSU, i can't check it by myself because i'm pretty far away from it. The PC might be a pre-build one from medion.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/HfDRvn

[IGnoXX]

@MRG112 Thank you for your answer! I already considered the new apus by amd as a great option. It might make sense investing in a new psu since the current one is pretty old.

[kingmustard]

On 14/06/2018 at 10:57 PM, IGnoXX said:

<snipped>

The Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 has a PassMark CPU score of 1,047.

 

Your LGA775 upgrade options are, I believe:

Core 2 Quad Q9650	4,185
Core 2 Quad Q9550	3,980
Core 2 Quad Q9705	3,947
Core 2 Quad Q9450	3,765
Core 2 Quad Q9505	3,585
Core 2 Quad Q9500	3,557
Xeon X3230	3,431
Core 2 Quad Q9400	3,354
Core 2 Quad Q6700	3,287
Core 2 Quad Q8400	3,180
Core 2 Quad Q9300	3,162
Xeon X3220	3,085
Core 2 Quad Q8300	2,989
Core 2 Quad Q6600	2,958
Core 2 Quad Q8200	2,815
Xeon X3210	2,770
Xeon X5270	2,535
Xeon X5260	2,453
Core 2 Duo E8600	2,410
Xeon X5272	2,394
Core 2 Duo E8290	2,353
Core 2 Duo E8500	2,286
Xeon L3110	2,273
Xeon L5240	2,271
Xeon E3120	2,241
Core 2 Duo E8700	2,212
Xeon E3110	2,165
Core 2 Duo E8400	2,154

CPUs under 2,000 PassMark CPU score have been removed.

 

Try to pick up one of those Core 2 Quad CPUs from eBay.

[IGnoXX]

I'm gonna check out the MB and the supported CPUs on it again but I think that my MB does not support quad core CPUs (correct me if I'm wrong)

 

Thanks for the list, I'm definitely gonna check it out

[MRG112]

On 6/15/2018 at 10:28 PM, IGnoXX said:

I'm gonna check out the MB and the supported CPUs on it again but I think that my MB does not support quad core CPUs (correct me if I'm wrong)

 

Thanks for the list, I'm definitely gonna check it out

If you get an apu as suggested above you will have a new platform allowing you to upgrade later on, and a 2200g or 2400g will run games fine on mid -low settings at 1080p, it might be 20-40 pounds over budged but its worth considering cause you will have a platform that will last you many years in the future, the current platform you have is already outdated and will die out completely very soon.