Upgrading a Gaming/school computer that I bought for $50

Afro Nubs

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Mar 10, 2014
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4,530
My pops and I went around looking computer parts to build a computer when we found this at a yard sale. This is going to be my school computer (graphic design and videogame design/programming), and also gaming in general while possibly streaming. This PC only cost me $50 and I still have $500 to spend. Also next semester I will probably spend an extra $200-$300.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 255 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Micro ATX AM3 Motherboard ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($83.47 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.49 @ Amazon)
Video Card: GeForce GTS 250 512MB Video Card
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2 700W ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($94.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VW22AT-CSM 22.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: HP DT528A#ABA Wired Standard Keyboard ($19.32 @ Amazon)
Mouse: HP QY778AT Wired Laser Mouse ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Headphones: Panasonic RPHV108W Earbud Headphones ($9.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $742.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-14 16:48 EDT-0400)



Approximate Purchase Date: Next week

Budget Range: $500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Graphic design/gaming at hopefully 1080p/streaming games/Videogame design and programming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: What ever you think I need to upgrade

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Amazon/Best Buy/Microcenter/NCIX US/Newegg/Superbiiz/TigerDirect

Location: Casa Grande, Arizona US

Parts Preferences: On my price range I know AMD is probably the best route

Overclocking: Not yet, but when school starts I probably will

SLI or Crossfire: Not yet, but when school starts I probably will

Your Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Needs to stay cool in a room that is frequently hot since I have no AC, I dont care about noise

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Need a computer for school (graphic design and game design/programing) and gaming/streaming
 
Solution


I think so. Intel Haswell i3, 1150 socket MB, and R9-270X. You can always upgrade to a faster CPU with an Intel board. Go to partpicker.com and build what you think you'll need: http://pcpartpicker.com/

I have to go away for awhile.

HillBillyAsian

Honorable
Apr 4, 2013
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upgrade the cpu to a fx6300 or fx8320, upgrade the gpu to a r9270 or 760-770, grab a ssd, and a 2tb green or blue cavier harddrive to store all your projects, and grab a hyper 212 cooler to make sure you keep your new cpu cool, the rest of what you have is pretty good already.
 

clutchc

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Ambassador
+1^
That sounds good for the price. If you don't plan on overclocking, you could even skip the 212 EVO cooler. At 1680x1050 rez, any of those cards should perform nicely. Most games should be able to be maxed out. That's one heck of a good deal for $50.
 

Afro Nubs

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Mar 10, 2014
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Cool, just one thing about the cpu, the link I have to the MOBO, goes to a AM3+ board, but I actually have a AM3 board. the AM3+ board was as close as I could get to it. so could I still use the FX CPU even though its an AM3+ CPU?
 

HillBillyAsian

Honorable
Apr 4, 2013
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just grab a am3+ motherboard then too, since you have the budget to do it anyway, the one you linked i think is on sale right now anyway lol
 

clutchc

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Unfortunately, no. You are going to be stuck with whatever Phenom II you can still find on Ebay or someplace similar. Btw, you stated Athlon II X2 255, but you linked to a 250. Which is it?
 

clutchc

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That's better. Here's the processors it supports and the BIOS version needed for it to be recognized.
http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3497

And here is the web page for that motherboard if you need any other info, drivers, etc.
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3497#

Finally, here are some Phenom II X4 3GHZ and faster processors on ebay. I doubt you'll find a new one anywhere else... maybe Amazon. They also have outside sellers.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPUs-Processors-/164/i.html?_from=R40&Socket%2520Type=Socket%2520AM3&Clock%2520Speed=3%2520GHz%2520%252D%25203%252E5%2520GHz&_dcat=164&Processor%2520Type=Phenom%2520II
 

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador


I think so. Intel Haswell i3, 1150 socket MB, and R9-270X. You can always upgrade to a faster CPU with an Intel board. Go to partpicker.com and build what you think you'll need: http://pcpartpicker.com/

I have to go away for awhile.
 
Solution