So, my gaming rig has served me well for a couple years, but my poor little 1.8 GHz processor is not quite cutting it anymore. I'm on a campaign to upgrade, but I'm having some difficulty figuring out exactly how I should approach it. My hardware-fu is limited, so I'm looking at this as a learning experience. :D
From what I've researched already, I think I have two options:
1. Get a new CPU that's compatable with my AM2 motherboard
2. Get a better motherboard and a better CPU
I'm a little reluctant to change motherboards (it's scary and I just put in 4GB of RAM that may or may not be compatable with a new one), but it looks like the best CPU that will work my current model works at 2.3GHz, which would work in the short-run for the type of games I play, but probably not for long. So, any advice on what to do would be appreciated.
This is the motherboard I've currently got: Asus M2N-VM DVI
Specs here: [url]http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM2/M2NVM_DVI/#specifications[/url]
Current CPU: One of the AMD Semprons (I think, I'm not on my home computer so I can post back more details later)
RAM is: 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-6400 [url]http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=CT25664AA800[/url]
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 9800 GTX+
Harddrive: Shortly to be replaced with a 1T drive, as the one I was working off of is quite venerable by now.
Current OS: XP Pro, but I really really want to upgrade to Win 7 once my hardware is sorted out.
My budget for this is about $500, and I'd prefer not to have to buy a new graphics card or new memory if possible. I'm in the US, btw. Oh, and thank you in advance! :)
You really should just replace the motherboard. Its not that scary, and will save you money in the end.
Here is the one I am considering;
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131733[/url]
That mobo is good because it supports AM3+, so it will run with most any AMD processors. If needed, you can just go with an AM3 one. Here is a link to the search I use on NewEgg- [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625%204017%20600007943&IsNodeId=1&name=AM3[/url]
Some RAM I may buy;
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148420[/url]
A GPU; (if you want, your current one isn't THAT bad, but you could do better)
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102878&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Video%20Cards-_-Sapphire%20Tech-_-14102878&AID=10440897&PID=3962334&SID=[/url]
And a CPU;
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727[/url]
And the PSU is up to you. Here is a nice meaty one with SLI support;
[url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817322009[/url]
Total is about $500, might have to sell old parts. I also didn't include a CPU fan.
If you want to compare GPU's, check this list and use your browsers find ability to search your GPUs number. The one I suggested is about double the one you have.
Forum vets, correct any mistakes I made.
If you replace your motherboard you're going to want to get new RAM, too. For $500 you could get a whole new GPU/CPU/RAM/Motherboard that's much better than what you already have. If you really don't want to change the RAM for some reason (it only ocsts $40 for 4GB...) then just get a new AM3 CPU like a Phenom II X4 955(assuming your motherboard supports it with a BIOS update - there WAS an upgrade in 2008 adding more support but the CPU list doesn't reflect that)
Thats what I said :D
Why disagree though Shadaez?
For $500 you can easily upgrade to a Sandy Bridge CPU and motherboard, as well as buy new RAM:
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229]Motherboard: AsRock EXTREME4[/url]
This seems to be one of the best 1155 motherboards out there, is rather cheap, has a lot of nice features, and supports overclocking.
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072&cm_re=i5_2500k-_-19-115-072-_-Product]CPU: i5-2500k[/url]
The i5-2500k is overclockable, and is near the performance of higher end i7s.
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314]RAM: GSkill Ripjaws DDR3 1600 8GB (2x4GB)[/url]
You will have to buy new RAM, but it is cheap enough that it would easily fit in your budget.
Total cost is $470
Mandrith, that's bad, paying way too much. OP, you can grab a 2500k, G43 and 4GB ripjaws for $370, leaving you with either $130 for a GPU or you can grab Win 7 and have $30 leftover.
Thanks, guys. :)
Like I said, I'm a beginner at hardware work, so an upgrade of this scale is new (but exciting!). Anything else I need to think about before making a decision about parts? I don't have the specific specs on my casing in front of me at the moment, but is there a rule of thumb for determining whether the parts will actually fit together well in the case?
Is it a prebuilt case?
We need to know the form factor of your case- that affects what motherboards work in it.
And if your building a budget PC, stick with AMD. Waaayyyy better value.
[QUOTE=paindoc;30014901]We need to know the form factor of your case- that affects what motherboards work in it.
And if your building a budget PC, stick with AMD. Waaayyyy better value.[/QUOTE]
His budget is big enough to go Intel
[editline]23rd May 2011[/editline]
You are mostly right though
^ Her. :)
The case I have is completely unhelpful in identifying itself. I suspect it might be Asus, but I can't find a model number or a brand name or anything. Definately not part of a pre-built system. It's a largish mid-tower case anyway. The current motherboard has a form factor uATX, and it looks tiny in there so I suspect the case is probably an ATX? Is there another way to find out for sure?
Hm. I will research some stuff and come back in a minute or two.
Looks like ATX should fit a uATX. Mayybe you could with a mini or micro
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