[Need Help w/ Upgrade] $300~400 for GPU (and maybe MB and others, low end PC).

THBronx

Honorable
Oct 28, 2013
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0
10,510
Hello there!

I've a low end machine and I thinking about buying a new GPU for gaming purpose (nVidia or AMD), but I don't know if I buy it, I'll need to buy also a new processor or MB, for example. So I would like to kindly ask you to help me with this.

My current PC spec are:

• MB: ECS AMD MCP61M-M3 AM3 Box (mATX, Specs) ;
• CPU: AMD Athlon™ II X2 250 3.0GHz 2.0MB;
• GPU: HD 5670 (512 MB);
• Memory: 6GB Ram DDR3-1333@666Mhz;
• Monitor: 20", Max @ 1600 x 900 @ 60Hz;
• Power supply - edited: OCZ StealthXStream Model OCZ500SXS (NewEgg OCZ500SXS, Chart Specs: OCZ500SXS Specs)
• Computer case: Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z case (NewEgg V3Black Edition)

I did read the "Read me first thread" and here are some more info:

• Approximate purchase date: November (Black Friday);
• Budget range: $300-400 or less before rebates;
• System usage: gaming (e.g: BF3/BF4 and future releases);
• Are you buying a monitor: No.

So, a new GPU will save me or I will need to buy something else?

Note: I'm from Brazil and here we usually don't have acessible prices and it's because that I'll import all the items that I will need. This way I'll pay a lot less, even with the taxes applied. So you guys can suggest components and US stores without major problems.

And I'm moving to live in Japan in 2014, where I'll buy a whole new PC, but until there I just wanna have a better GPU to play some games using better graphics setup (high to ultra) with my machine (that later I'll give to somebody, but I'll save for me the new updates).


Thanks a lot for any help and just let me know if I am missing with some information.
 
Solution
Well to recommend a GPU we really need to know what PSU you have make/model because there is no way to know if your PSU can handle the new GPU or not.

THBronx

Honorable
Oct 28, 2013
19
0
10,510
Thanks for the replies.

Well, can you guys suggest me a good PSU and GPU, please? Can I upgrade these components only and still use my MB and Processor?

Thus there is some other option a bit cheaper than the R9 280x with a good cost-benefit ratio, allowing me to invest in a PSU too?

Thanks again!
 
I wouldn't dish so much on a gpu. Considering you're going to give it away soon anyways, and the processor will definitely bottleneck it a lot.
Your RAM is fine. 6gb rated at 1333mhz is decent.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 1GB Video Card ($117.27 @ TigerDirect)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $147.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-29 00:47 EDT-0400)

This is a decent upgrade but don't expect to be able to max out bf4.

For $400, you can do a decent upgrade to both the gpu and the cpu to get better fps. What is your case? (ATX, mATX, ITX, etc.?)
 

THBronx

Honorable
Oct 28, 2013
19
0
10,510


First off, thanks for your help. I liked the GPU that you suggested and the price, but I still wanna see if I've more options.

So I opened my computer case to see my PSU model: I'm using a OCZ StealthXStream Model OCZ500SXS (link: NewEgg OCZ500SXS, Chart Specs: OCZ500SXS Specs).

What else could I do? Better go with a CPU + GPU upgrade? I'm using a mATX motherboard model (Specs) with the Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z case (NewEgg V3Black Edition)

Hope hear again from you and other fellas.

Thanks!
 
I would go with a new psu to be on the safe side. OCZ isn't the more reliable brand.

If you want to upgrade your processor, you'll need a new motherboard because all of the AM3 processors are discontinued. However, if you change motherboard then you'll have to reinstall the OS, which will cost another ~$90. Sometimes, if you call Microsoft, they may be able to help you out, but you'll usually need to buy a new os.
Honestly, a duo core will severely bottleneck in BF4 because Battlefield is a pretty cpu intensive game, but you can't really upgrade your rig to be bf4 ready in such a small budget.