Upgrading My PC

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Around 2004-2006 I gave up buying new games since most of them did not interest me.

I used mostly an old Compaq XP PC for playing 90s & early 2000s titles, along with DosBox stuff.

It broke down a year ago, and I've been using this:

PC: HP Pavilion a6742p Desktop
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01628403&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3875703#N33

Upgraded with:

Video Card: GeForce 8400 GS 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162053

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

With the recent Kickstarter's, Thursday, and a growing backlog, I need to upgrade.
I put gameplay over graphics, so will be satisfied if it will run at least medium settings on most games for the next year or two.

Any suggestions on what parts I should put in this machine...

Here are your motherboard specs:

• Manufacturer: Asus

• Form factor: microATX - 24.4 cm (9.6 inches) x 24.4 cm (9.6 inches)

• Chipset:
• Northbridge chipset: Intel G33 Express
• Southbridge chipset: Intel ICH9R

• Memory sockets: 4 x DDR2

• Front side bus speeds: 1333/1066/800 MHz

• Processor socket: 775

• Expansion Slots:
• 1 PCI x16 slot for graphics card
• 2 PCI x1 slots
• 1 PCI slot

The good news is that it's not hopelessly out of date, but it's close to it. LGA775 has been surpassed several times already. You should find out the absolute fastest processor the BIOS of that motherboard will handle and see if you can score one. Make sure to replace its heatsink/fan as well if the one you have now is only barely adequate.

Since you replaced your power supply already with a half-way decent one, I'd say it's safe to upgrade that 8400 (which sucks). It'd be nice to go with like a GTX260, but I'm afraid that'll push things a little too far for your system, both electrically and thermally, as well as being physically too large to fit, so a compromise is in order. Probably something like a GT240, while not much better than the 8400, would at least be some improvement. It's not a power-hungry beast, either.

You want to max out your RAM, so do that, and also consider an SSD to install your o/s and a few choice games onto to give the system more of an oomph push. They're a bit pricey still, though.

If you're going to replace the CPU and graphics card (remember it's not about the memory it has, I'm almost certain 512 MB is overkill for an 8400 GS, it's about the performance), and add some RAM then I'd suggest you just start fresh. A new motherboard free you from second hand/overpriced CPU/RAM while allowing for more performance and it's not unlikely (although I haven't looked at the case) that you won't be able to fit a larger graphics card in the case.

Although you need to decide on a budget then work from there I suppose.

Anything you get is going to be bottlenecked by the remaining old stuff. You might as well go to one of those rent-to-own places and get wallet-raped there. Crispy's doing you no favors recommending an SSD. If you're going to layout another $80, get a new mb first and foremost. Then you can look into some APUs (cpu w/integrated graphics) which are right up your graphics v gameplay alley.

XFX Radeon HD 6670 1GH DDR3 PCIe 2.0 x16 Video Card
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364981

Is this worth getting along with a PSU upgrade?

That's not much of an upgrade either but it should work in your system. You're going to have to clean out the Forceware (nVidia) drivers to be replaced by Catalyst (Radeon) though. Make sure you do that otherwise you may run into some weirdness.

I say buy a used Q9300 and max out your RAM. 6GB is reasonable for win7. If you only put 4GB in you may as well stick to XP. For a GC look for good computing power/energy draft ratio out of DX11 lineup. Look for models with higher clocked low latency VRAM and large heatsinks (OCing potential up to 10% speed). It should keep you safe untli next gen consoles kick in.

Can you get 3 GB modules? You really want to keep dual channel enabled. If you have 4 GB of RAM on a 32 bit version of Windows (without enabling PAE) any additional memory such as GPU RAM will eat into that, I also wouldn't recommend XP on a new computer for anyone now.

Why are you saying I have 4 GB RAM?

Also I have Vista 64 on this PC, it came with it...

Right Crispy & other Bros, I need a bit of advice.
I'm thinking about replacing my case because:

A. Its one of the main factors limiting my ability to upgrade.

B. Seeing your guys suggestions, I'm starting to think that it might be better to build a new machine.

My current HP case:

Case I'm looking at:
NZXT Source 210:
http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/classic_series/source_210

It costs about $30-$40 online, but I found out that a local store has it for $20.
As far as I can tell, it should hold all the current components no problem.
And the reviews and testimonials about it online are mostly positive.

Would it be a good purchase, or is it too small, or has some other negative factors that I missed?

It's a decent case. For $20, it's great.

Tell us your budget (set a hard limit) and you'll get better advice. I would strongly recommend building a new PC. Upgrading is just throwing money away, IMO.

Fuck yeah. I just painted my new 210. Five fans and a controller in the front. Gonna run cool and quiet. Unless you plan on doing insane things like 3+ HHDs or 4xSLI, it's more than enough case for non-basement dwellers.

BTW, I've decided to go with the i5 2500k, some GSkill Sniper, and an Asus Z77 something or other mobo.

Why not i5 3570k? Make sure the RAM fits beneath the cooler.

I don't like the heat from paste instead of solder when OCing. If I can convince myself I won't need to go over 4.3, I might go IB. Both are dead-ends on upgrades anyway since Haswell won't use 1155 (probably) so it really doesn't matter.

Thanks for the Advice.
Some reviews mentioned that that the "S 210 may not support larger video cards".
Is this a valid concern, and should I keep looking for some thing bigger?

Originally planned to spend $200, but now I'm thinking around the $600 range.

That issue is way overblown, IMO, but a valid reason.

"Larger video cards" cost more than 600$ alone, so that shouldn't be an issue

600$ is enough for a good rig, especially if you use HDD and DVD drive from the old one. Windows is also a big chunk of the budget (100$), so if you are a student or can "acquire" it some other way, you could get something decent for about 400$, IMO (I don't know local prices and deals).

Something to get you started:
4 GB RAM is enough (might want to get 8, if you have any money left over).
Athlon II x3, Athlon II x4, Phenom II + AM3+ motherboard, all good choices depending on price.
G530 and up + H61 MBO (or better), if you want to go Intel.
Radeon HD 7750 and up for graphics (maybe 6850 can be found for similar price).
400W PSU (and up) Seasonic or other quality brand (very dependent on pricing).
You have the case.

What display do you own?

Look up the prices and report back

Sorry, that's bad advice. Stay away from AMD. Always go more than 4GB RAM now, must obv. use 64-bit o/s. Always go more than 400W, although Seasonic is a good brand. Make sure to get an 80 Plus certified PSU.

And Monk, that case looks fine even for a top-end 600-series card. If your hard drives get in its way, just move them down since there are so many slots.

Bro, he's buying a budget gaming PC. AMD is a great choice for the money in this segment of the market, IMO. You are entitled to your opinion, of course, and it's his choice, but you can't say "stay away from AMD", like it's a known fact they suck. He doesn't need more than 4 GB RAM for gaming and every day use. The build I suggested draws less than 200W from the wall, 250W with decent OC. 400W is plenty.

I don't even keep AMD processor teaser boxes in my shop anymore, but hey -- to each his own.

I don't want to teach you how to do business, but why not? Are all your customers spending >1500$ on a rig?

AMD is cheap and offers very good performance in games and AM3+ platform offers an upgrade path (Piledriver, maybe more?), while LGA 1155 is dead with Ivy Bridge. AMD MBOs are also usually cheaper and better equipped. The money you save on CPU can be "invested" in better GPU, which is a limiting factor for most games.

Sure, if you have money for at least i5-xxxxk, good MBO and GPU, Intel is a far better choice.

On this we can agree.

Thanks for the advice, I got the NZXT S210 last night.

NEC Multisync 90gx2 19"
Max. Res. 1280 x 1024
Total Specs: http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitor...cd/4507-3174_7-31594505.html?tag=mncol;subnav

And:

HP w1907 19"
Max. Res. 1440 x 900
Total Specs: http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/hp-w1907/4507-3174_7-32399889.html?tag=subnav

HD 7750, HD 7770, HD 6850 are all more than fine for that resolution. HD 6850 is the best of the 3. HD 7750 is not as good, but sufficient for your display and uses much less power. Nvidia doesn't really have good cards in this price range, IMO. GTX 560 is better than these 3, but more expensive and probably an overkill for 1440X900.

Other cards to consider, depending on price: HD 5770, GTX 550, HD 6870.

You should aim for 80$ - 130$ range (not familiar with prices in your shops). Post the ones you like/think are priced right and you'll get more advice.

For performance comparison, you can just use Google, there are many review sites. http://www.techpowerup.com/ has nice comparison charts at the end of their reviews (keep in mind that prices change, so some price/performance charts may not be accurate). Don't pay much attention to review scores. There are (usually) no bad cards, just badly priced ones.

Okay, here it goes...

What do you guys think of this?

Intel Core i3-2100 Processor (3M Cache, 3.10 GHz): $90
http://ark.intel.com/products/53422/

GIGABYTE LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI MATX: $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128524

GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDC: $100
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4069#ov

That's pretty good. You can go with that.

CPU is good. I prefer AMD (Phenom II 960T), but this is a good choice.
I would go for a better MBO, but if you don't intend to overclock or use USB 3.0, it will do the job.
Graphics card is very good at that price. If you can find 7750 for 90$ or 7770/6850 for 120$, I'd buy one of those. If not, GTX 550 is fine.

All in all, you have my blessing

Pick some cheap RAM (speed and cooling is irrelevant). You only have two slots on MBO.
Pick a PSU. 50 - 70$ should be enough (400 - 500W).
Optional: CPU cooler if you intend to OC and/or have a quieter rig.