New Computer Upgrade/Rebuild For Gaming: I can salvage parts! - Hardware & Software

Hello their, I am looking into upgrading my Gaming PC as for the last 3 years I have been gaming at around 2-20 FPS (It lags that much). I am fully aware that I posted a similar topic a while ago, and due to certain financial and personnel happenings I was unable to go ahead, in fact I was unable to reach the internet or any of my games for a period of time, thus why I have not edited or replied to the post. A positive side to this is I have reconsidered what I need and what I want, it has changed to my original post, and I hope that this post will be clearer to understand, so here I go. First of all I need to post my computer specs, seeing how I am on such a low budget it is important to salvage everything I possible can. [B]The Specs[/B] I have been using CPU-Z For my specs, please do tell me if I should get a better spec checker! The CPU [IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/350pjyc.png[/IMG] Caches [IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/9bc184.png[/IMG] Mainboard - Probably Motherboard [Insert n00b Face Here] [IMG]http://i48.tinypic.com/2poo39v.png[/IMG] Memory [IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com/358nn5t.png[/IMG] The GPU [IMG]http://i49.tinypic.com/9tde2w.png[/IMG] And a more 'accurate' view. Please keep in mind this is the Nvidia 430GT OC edition (It came overclocked) [IMG]http://i50.tinypic.com/2mfc3kw.gif[/IMG] As for the hard drive, well I have got no idea what to use to show you that, I have a 800GB hard drive and a 200-400GB hard drive (Not sure really) and they are the cheapest you could find (mechanical operated). The case is a HP Pavilion case which is very good at conducting noise but not heat so I have my poor fans overworking. I have 2 screens which I am happy with, a keyboard and mouse which I will replace, but not in this build and as for the OS I have windows 7 and a 2 year student 'Trial' of windows 8 (I don't get it, 2 years is a long trial but someone gave it to me with a mouse I bought, and I am a student). More or less I need something which will run games like BattleField 3, Elder Scrolls Skyrim and Arma II/3 at ultra high setting, preferably while recording. If course there is a [I]but[/I], likewise with many individuals who want to upgrade for gaming I have a budget. This is the part where I am really sorry for being ridiculous but I need to know what I can get for different prices. [B]For a budget above £/$1500 what could I get and could I run games like that on ultra settings, also what could I salvage?[/B] [B]For a budget above £/$1000 what could I get and could I run games like that on ultra settings, also what could I salvage?[/B] [B]For a budget above £/$500 what could I get and could I run games like that on ultra settings, also what could I salvage?[/B] [B]For a budget less than £/$500 what could I get and could I run games like that on ultra settings, also what could I salvage?[/B] Also my graphics card confuses me, other that the fact it's 2GB what makes other graphics card that cost more 'Better', I have a ultra long 10 year lifetime guarantee @ full potential usage, how could another graphics could improve? Another factor to add is I have a old motherboard that is non-salvageable D: Thanks for reading, I am really bad at choosing hardware in these scenarios. ~Joe

Eh, you might wanna look into a new build. You can probaly keep the case - if that is even possible. Also Optical drive & HDD, hdd is a bit of a question though.

[QUOTE=Killervalon;39889821]Eh, you might wanna look into a new build. You can probaly keep the case - if that is even possible. Also Optical drive & HDD, hdd is a bit of a question though.[/QUOTE] That was kind of the point, but I wanted to salvage what I could, even a pound would be nice to save. I am aware that my graphics card will have a use even if it is just for a second monitor (I know, you can have two screens on one GPU but it is slower). I am on a bad computer now, but things like the hard drive could be used for data and non-important loading files surly. [editline]12th March 2013[/editline] Oh sorry! I had the wrong title (I wrote this out on word and copied the wrong title!). I have updated it, it's a rebuild salvaging everything I can is what I want :P And as for the case I am scared it might literally full apart soon D:

500-1000, gets you a brand new pc, that should run all but the hardest games on max. 1000+ Gets you one that runs everything on max. Of course you can still use your old hdd and optical reader and save a bit. I wouldnt really reccomend using that 430. I think you get most bang for your buck if you just sell the pc as a whole on ebay. If you make the title like this: * Gaming PC, RUns CALL OF DUTY 360 dubstep lensflare!!!!* Some idiot will fall for it :v:

[QUOTE=taipan;39896673]500-1000, gets you a brand new pc, that should run all but the hardest games on max. 1000+ Gets you one that runs everything on max. Of course you can still use your old hdd and optical reader and save a bit. I wouldnt really reccomend using that 430. I think you get most bang for your buck if you just sell the pc as a whole on ebay. If you make the title like this: * Gaming PC, RUns CALL OF DUTY 360 dubstep lensflare!!!!* Some idiot will fall for it :v:[/QUOTE] Ok I might give it a try, I was wondering if it would be worth at all keeping my graphics card for a second monitor. Normally it would slow my graphics down having a separate screen, in this case it would have it's own GPU for web browsing and watching videos while I play games.

[QUOTE=ducsuus;39897295]Ok I might give it a try, I was wondering if it would be worth at all keeping my graphics card for a second monitor. Normally it would slow my graphics down having a separate screen, in this case it would have it's own GPU for web browsing and watching videos while I play games.[/QUOTE] It isnt worth it. A modern GPU handles a second screen just fine, and going between uni and home means I flip from 1-2 a lot, my old radeon HD5750 never suffered any performance loss when you put a second monitor on it. (Besides which for the majority of gaming, i.e. anything that's intensive you aren't going to be using anything on the second screen whilst in game anyway, the mouse will be locked to the primary window by the game and trying to use the second screen will just minimise the game anyway.

I run dual monitors, you don't notice it. It's also best to run it on a single to avoid driver issues. (Unless it's the same card)

[QUOTE=Killervalon;39897968]I run dual monitors, you don't notice it. It's also best to run it on a single to avoid driver issues. (Unless it's the same card)[/QUOTE] Ok I am not going to lie, this one my dad was telling me about. (No, I am not 12, kikewise with all my family he loves new technology, my nan has a iPhone :P) He still works but no longer owns a company and uses multiple screens and apparently they lag, it's my assumption that he's actually got a bad GPU. Both of you seem to know what your doing so I may as well follow your advice (Thank you so much! You have already saved me a waste of $800 on bad parts!). Later on today when I have finished a ton of work I will try and find some old builds and tweak them to see what you thing. ~Joe