Upgrading my 5 year old pc for cheap help!!!

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bgos10

bgos10

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Mar 19, 2011
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hi guys,
i want to upgrade my very old home pc for casual gaming purposes for the cheap. please help me.
current configuration:
processor- intel pentium dual core e2140@1.6ghz
ram- 2gb ddr2-800
motherboard- Asus P5G41-M LE
gpu- onboard gma X4500
well these are the component i wanna upgrade

i will be playing at 1280X1024 max setting for every game

my budget is $600

please help. thanx
 
Solution
manofchalk
So not the best, but not the worst. Its not the ideal PSU, but it wont blow up on you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.45 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $586.94
(Prices...
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manofchalk

manofchalk

Glorious
May 11, 2012
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TBH, you will basically need a whole new computer to get a decent performance boost, which is possible on that budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 PRO3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.45 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($104.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $611.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-15 00:58 EDT-0400)

You can re-use the optical drive from your current rig and any HDD's if their SATA. Depending on the quality and age of the PSU you could also use that as well.
 
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feeblepenguin

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Dec 13, 2012
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umm... new computer? your cpu is as slow as a single core celeron these days; really, it has the computing power of a netbook. you could try updating all the individual components; but you could also spend ~ $400 on a modern pentium/i3 system and put in a $200 gpu. that seems like the better option, at this point.
I checked newegg, the cheapest processor you could get costs $200 and has the same power as a $50 celeron. Go new.
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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Mar 19, 2011
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thanx for your help...i really appreciate that...but i would really like to stick with intel and i already have a copy of genuine windows 8 and i recently upgraded my psu.
 
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feeblepenguin

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Dec 13, 2012
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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JNNw
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JNNw/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JNNw/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.03 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $476.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-15 01:19 EDT-0400)

here's what you need minus psu and case
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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Mar 19, 2011
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thank you i didnt know that....i guess i'll try if not possible buy a new copy
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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thanx a lot...i have a hard drive too that i recently bought its a seagate 1tb 7200rpm....and do u think a core i3 will suffice?? coz im a noob at this stuff
 
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G

Guest

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That doesn't make any sense, yes of course you can move your copy to a new MOBO. As long as you aren't trying to run it on 2 computers you can re install your license as many times as you please; A quick google search pulled this up:


Originally Posted by microsoft
Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new
Click to expand...



Seeing as you still own a windows 8 license, changing computers doesn't destroy your copy of windows 8. You will, however, have to call the automated number to get a new confirmation/activation key

source:: http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx

edit:: added source
 
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manofchalk

manofchalk

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May 11, 2012
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Telling us of any hardware you own will make this a lot easier, for instance that HDD I accounted for in my build isnt needed, so that can be spent on an i5 CPU or a 7850. Same with the PSU.

Regarding moving Windows between motherboards. It depends if you bought the retail version or the OEM/Builders version. A retail copy can be put on a max of 3 machines (I think). With the OEM/Builders version, the key ties itself to the motherboard its first installed on, so that key will only work on that motherboard.
 
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feeblepenguin

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yes, an i3 will be good for the next few years, ; an i5 3xxx would be more future-proofed
 
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ARICH5

ARICH5

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you can move it with ANOTHER license.

the op will have to call microsoft to which he will need a credit card handy.

interesting this...should a upgrade to his comp be made? or a new build? without the hassle of moving win 8.

hmm...lets say a 500$ build BEFORE win 8
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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Mar 19, 2011
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thanx so i guess i dont have to spend on a new copy i can use that money on a new hardware...thanx a lot
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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well i got a new hard disk just a few months old, a psu an odd and a new case my monitor is a 1280X1024...thats all i have and i dont wish to upgrade it for 3 years at least and yes i wanna play games like crysis 3 on it....thanx
 
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manofchalk

manofchalk

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May 11, 2012
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What model PSU is it?

Not needing to upgrade it for 3 years is a big ask for will roughly equate to a $700 gaming rig. If you want to max out games now you need to spend more, and even the top of the line hardware of today wont compare to the mid-range hardware in 3yrs time.
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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well i aint sure bout the model number but its a cooler master 550w 60plus silver psu or something
 
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manofchalk

manofchalk

Glorious
May 11, 2012
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So not the best, but not the worst. Its not the ideal PSU, but it wont blow up on you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.45 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($50.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $586.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-15 02:17 EDT-0400)

Should be a good rig. if it turns out the Windows you already bought can be used, just drop that from the list and use the cash to get a 7870, a 3570k and a Z77 board.
 
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Solution
bgos10

bgos10

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Mar 19, 2011
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how bout this one???
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JOjp
 
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manofchalk

manofchalk

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May 11, 2012
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The RAM runs at CL11 vs the CL9 of the RAM I picked, not to mention its ugly :p.
No case or OS either.

The motherboard is a better pick than mine actually, go for that.
CPU is the same.
Graphics card is better than the one I recommended, though that's entirely because the lack of case and OS means you can spend more on it.
 
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bgos10

bgos10

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Mar 19, 2011
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well i already have a caSE AND OS so i dont require them maybe i can invest that money on a gaming controller and blu ray writer

soa new build guys have a say please http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JOqy
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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No.
You absolutely can NOT install Windows on a new PC (new motherboard) if it has been already Activated on another computer. The ONLY exceptions are Retail Upgrade/Full copies.

Most Windows copies are "OEM" which become LOCKED to the computer once Activated.

Unless Microsoft is somehow flexible on this point (i.e. your motherboard dies and you phone them to tell them you replaced it) the license agreement is quite clear.
 
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