Upgrading current system with new guts

thenewguy123

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Feb 24, 2014
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I built my current system many years ago and I'm looking to upgrade the MB, CPU, RAM, GPU. I think my case and PSU should be okay to re use. I also have a lot of 1TB hard drives laying around I can use.
Case - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
PSU - Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V
I'm not a hardcore gamer but do enjoy a good MMORPG from time to time. Not really into 1st person shooters. I would like to play the newer GTA series soon, yes I'm way behind. Not interested in overclocking just something I can slap together and runs very well. My budget is between $300-$500.
I have access to all windows based operating systems so I would also like to know which OS would be the best to use.
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Solution
Sure thing. Here you go...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $625.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-24 16:11 EST-0500)
This would be a good upgrade setup. I would usually say to get the FX-6300 and overclock it, but I went with the FX-6200 since it runs at a higher speed out of the box.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6200 3.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $512.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-24 12:52 EST-0500)

I highly recommend Windows 8.1 for a new system.

Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
 

thenewguy123

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Feb 24, 2014
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4,510
Thank you for the fast response. looks nice. One more question...Back in the day when I built my last PC AMD was somewhat behind in the market compared to Intel CPU's. Have they picked up their game in the past 5 years or so?



 
Here's an example of a build that uses the cheapest i5 quad-core chip and a similarly priced motherboard, but it goes quite a ways over your $500 budget. AMD chips are a better value until you get over a certain price range.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.29 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81.Amp-UP ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $577.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-24 13:05 EST-0500)
 

thenewguy123

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Feb 24, 2014
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4,510
Cool definitely something for me to think about. Maybe I'll save up a little more $ and go with intel. I've always had good luck with them. Thanks again for the info.



 

thenewguy123

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Feb 24, 2014
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4,510
okay I have decided I want to stick with intel and increase my budget. Could I bother you one last time to recommend another setup excluding AMD CPU's and around the $600-$700 range.



 
Sure thing. Here you go...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($207.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $625.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-24 16:11 EST-0500)
 
Solution

thenewguy123

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Feb 24, 2014
13
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4,510
it helps to live by silicon valley :) stuff sure does arrive quickly.
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