Have A 4 Year Old Computer And Trying To Upgrade IT

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

What I Need This For: Gaming, Surfing The Web,Watching Youtube,Making Videos

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Specs:

Manufacturer: Acer
Model: Aspire M3400
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 215 Processor 2.70 GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB
System Type: 64-bit Operating System
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4250

Need help one what I need to upgrade it. Thanks!

clutchc · Jan 23, 2014

It will depend on how much you want to spend. But just getting a discrete gfx card will let you game much better. What is the make/model of your power supply? That will determine how powerful a card you can use.
Is this your Acer? http://zapp4.staticworld.net/reviews/graphics/products/uploaded/567635_g3.jpg

clutchc · Jan 23, 2014

Sorry. Double post.

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

Yes that is my acer.

filippi · Jan 23, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($114.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $570.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-23 21:05 EST-0500)

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

filippi :

You are a genius. Going to check these out. Thank you.

clutchc · Jan 23, 2014

That CPU won't work in your MB. You will have to add the cost of a new MB to that list. And possibly a new copy of Win7 or Win8 if your existing copy of Windows is an OEM license.

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

clutchc :

oh, my friend was telling me the same thing. Im not good with computers :/

clutchc · Jan 23, 2014

lancher10 :

If this would be a first build, maybe try adding a discrete gfx card and use the PC like that for awhile. I just helped a fellow with the exact same rig as yours with the addition of an AMD HD 7750. He is astounded at the performance he's getting at 1440x900 resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GV-R775OC-1GI-Radeon-HD7750-128bit/dp/B007WLQ4T6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1390534596&sr=1-4&keywords=Gigabyte+GV-R775OC-1GI

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

clutchc :

lancher10 :

If this would be a first build, maybe try adding a discrete gfx card and use the PC like that for awhile. I just helped a fellow with the exact same rig as yours with the addition of an AMD HD 7750. He is astounded at the performance he's getting at 1440x900 resolution.
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GV-R775OC-1GI-Radeon-HD7750-128bit/dp/B007WLQ4T6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1390534596&sr=1-4&keywords=Gigabyte+GV-R775OC-1GI

Maybe just that and It would improve a lot?

clutchc · Jan 23, 2014

lancher10 :

clutchc :

Maybe just that and It would improve a lot?

For gaming, yes. He was reporting some fantastic FPS numbers in several games. I don't know if that was online or offline gaming, tho.

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

clutchc :

lancher10 :

clutchc :

Maybe just that and It would improve a lot?

For gaming, yes.

Ok and do you think maybe it would help record gameplay?

clutchc · Jan 23, 2014

That's something I don't do. That may still depend on the CPU for a lot of its work. But it will be one heck of a lot better than what you have now.

lancher10 · Jan 23, 2014

clutchc :

Ok and my friend said this is a more updated version http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121642 and I think I can just also get a monitor and I think this will be fine since Im not hardcore gamer.

filippi · Jan 23, 2014

http://www.superwarehouse.com/Acer_Aspire_M3400-B2072_Desktop/PV.SE002.003/p/1623561

Specs will show a AMD 880G chipset.

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-AMD_(chipsets)/

clutchc · Jan 24, 2014

lancher10 :

Updated version of what?
Do you have enough PSU for that card? And it requires a PCIe 6 pin aux cable. Does your PSU have one?
The HD 7750 is only a 55W card and should work with most OEM PSUs. The HD 7770 is an 80W card and might be too much for yours. Can you read the nameplate on the side of the PSU? If so, post the +12V rating(s).

lancher10 · Jan 24, 2014

clutchc :

lancher10 :

Updated version of what?
Do you have enough PSU for that card? And it requires a PCIe 6 pin aux cable. Does your PSU have one?
The HD 7750 is only a 55W card and should work with most OEM PSUs. The HD 7770 is an 80W card and might be too much for yours. Can you read the nameplate on the side of the PSU? If so, post the +12V rating(s).

No, I can't see it its covered.

clutchc · Jan 24, 2014

Until you know your PSU can handle it, I'd stick with the HD 7750. What resolution is your monitor?

lancher10 · Jan 24, 2014

clutchc :

Im going to get a new monitor

lancher10 · Jan 24, 2014

clutchc :

lancher10 :

And also do you know any good cheap 1080 p hd monitors that good?

clutchc · Jan 24, 2014

I have had great luck with the Asus line: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007617%2050074457%2050042096%2050001315%20600012673&IsNodeId=1&name=1920%20x%201080

But lots of folks will buy Acer for a budget monitor. I've never used one of theirs, so I can't vouch for it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007617%2050001146%20600012673&IsNodeId=1&name=Acer%20America

Be sure to check that the monitor has inputs for what you want to use; VGA, DVI, HDMI...

lancher10 · Jan 25, 2014

clutchc :

Ok thank you for helping me the whole time!

lancher10 · Jan 25, 2014

clutchc :

I also wanted to know if there are any gaming monitors with speakers on the front because my firned got a monitor with speakers on the back and he couldnt hear it that well.

lancher10 · Jan 25, 2014

clutchc :

And I also think this is a good monitor http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0043T7FHK/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1390666276&sr=8-1&keywords=Asus+VE248H+Black+24%22+2ms+Full+HD+HDMI+LED+Backlight+LCD+Monitor+w%2FSpeakers+250+cd%2Fm2+10%2C000%2C000%3A1&condition=new

clutchc · Jan 25, 2014

lancher10 :

You won't be using the monitor's built-in speakers anyway. So it isn't an issue. They usually add really cheap ones just because the same package can be sold as a small TV with a few minor adjustments like adding a tuner.
Yes, the Asus on the Amazon page looks fine.

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