Upgrade options htpc/gaming build

titusp

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Mar 23, 2014
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Upgrade optionsI have a htpc in the lounge running windows 8.1, xbmc and steam etc...it is as follows.

A6 5400k
4gb 1333mhz ddr3 ram
Gigabyte fm2+a88xn wifi itx motherboard
Silverstone sg06 mini itx case with 80 plus 300 watt psu.

Question is I want to play some steam games now also ...will the a10 7850k and a upgrade in ram speed suffice or should I rebuild and keep the mobo and cpu for another project ?...I dont really want to spend too much as its not a high spec gaming build.
 
Solution
here is one with a 750 and a 4130 and a b85 itx

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/3eQ3D
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/3eQ3D/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/3eQ3D/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($135.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.00 @ CPL Online)
Video Card: Palit GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($135.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $369.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-23 20:34 EST+1100)

depending on if your case supports matx you could get it a bit cheaper going with a matx board since itx boards are a little...

Bad_Kitty13

Admirable
apu's thrive on high speed dualchannel ram. if you have 1 stick of 1333mhz you probably are only seeing about 60% of the igpu
for a better graphics core however the kaveri would suit your needs better. i believe its graphic core is equivalent to a 7750. and i believe that is he highest low profile card you can get anyway
so i would get a kaveri and 2x4gb 1866 cl9 1.5v ram

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2FnNN
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2FnNN/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2FnNN/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ TigerDirect)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.25 @ Newegg)
Total: $252.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-23 05:01 EDT-0400)

here are some benches and a review from Tom's
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/a10-7850k-a8-7600-kaveri,3725-7.html

if it werent a htpc where you could us a full form factor card then i would advice a dedicated gpu and a better setup. since it is a htpc your limited on the graphics side on what you can do
 

titusp

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Mar 23, 2014
3
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4,510


 

titusp

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Mar 23, 2014
3
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4,510
I could fit a discrete card in.

Im in Australia an a10 7850k and 8gb of 1866mhz ram would cost me $320.

While a i3 4140, gtx 750 and itx b85 motherboard would set me back 380ish.
 

Bad_Kitty13

Admirable
that would be ideal for you...much better performance. also in some countries zotac and galaxy make low profile 750/750 ti i would look into this see if you cant find one. i know here in america its like trying to find a sasquatch.

if you can swing enough for a 750 ti i would try to go that route

 

Bad_Kitty13

Admirable
here is one with a 750 and a 4130 and a b85 itx

PCPartPicker part list: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/3eQ3D
Price breakdown by merchant: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/3eQ3D/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/3eQ3D/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($135.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: ASRock B85M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.00 @ CPL Online)
Video Card: Palit GeForce GTX 750 1GB Video Card ($135.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Total: $369.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-23 20:34 EST+1100)

depending on if your case supports matx you could get it a bit cheaper going with a matx board since itx boards are a little more pricey
and with a 750 ti it runs about 430ish
 
Solution