Budget upgrade options/help for my older gaming system :)

ArdentlyCore · May 12, 2014

Hey everyone,

First of all, thank you so much! Communities like this are invaluable! So, I'm looking for upgrade possibilities to the following specs. It's my girlfriend's gaming computer, an older computer from 2009, but it runs just fine. I'm not versed on the technical aspects of compatibility and maximizing efficiency/value, so would you include a compatible upgrade link from newegg or similar that I could just buy? I was thinking of getting more ram, but which? She does play newer games, so is the cpu bottle-necking, video card options? Will the PSU be an issue or can I just get an adapter for potential upgrades? I'd rather not upgrade the motherboard for simplicity. I'm looking for DETAILS and best bang for buck!! High value!! Limited budget! You get the point, and thank you in advance!

Phemon II x4 940
Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H
4gb DDR2 (CPU-Z: NB Frequency 1800 MHz, DRAM frequency 400 MHz)
Radeon 5770
Windows 7 x64

If you need more info just let me know! Thank you so much. I'm very appreciated of all your efforts!

-Chris

Myntekt · May 12, 2014

I don't know how much money you want to spend, but I'd recommend getting an i5 and replacing that ram to 8GB DDR3 at first.
The motherboard might not be compatible with that i5, so you should upgrade that as well..
The video card is not the best, but you could upgrade that later on.
Note that I'm no expert in computers, I'm just giving my advice from what I know.

Remixex · May 12, 2014

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2887#ov

If this is the one, your upgrade possibilities are kind of limited,i'd recommend changing motherboard, doesn't have to be something fancy, just has to support what you have and leave you room for more upgrades in the future, if you could tell me how much you're willing to spend i can input some changes on your PC, for example this GPU

an R7 260X which is arguably the best price/performance out there
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202081

Myntekt · May 12, 2014

Remixex :

Shouldn't he replace the CPU / motherboard / ram before the GPU? I mean, yeah, the GPU isn't the best thing out there, but DDR2 and a Phenom are pretty outdated (I think?)

ArdentlyCore · May 12, 2014

My budget varies depending on what I upgrade. But starting small with just a couple hundred would be nice. Hence the idea of NOT replacing the motherboard... :/

Myntekt · May 12, 2014

But if you replace the processor, you need a compatible motherboard.. An i5 wouldn't work on that model.

ArdentlyCore · May 12, 2014

Myntekt :

Remixex :

Shouldn't he replace the CPU / motherboard / ram before the GPU? I mean, yeah, the GPU isn't the best thing out there, but DDR2 and a Phenom are pretty outdated (I think?)

Would something like faster ram (but still ddr2 so no mobo upgrade needed) and more of it (8 gb) help?

Remixex · May 12, 2014

This is the problem...the RAM is not going to hold, you're stuck on DDR2 clocked at a max of 1066 MHz, and DDR2 will not survive
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1813445/ddr2-good.html
even on the CPU there's stuff you can do, there are new athlons in the market, and the motherboard supports PCIe 2.0, meaning 3.0 is also supported, impressive for an old motherboard, what hits me is the RAM man :/

ArdentlyCore · May 12, 2014

Remixex :

So you're saying this is the fastest ram I can get, and it's old, slow, and expensive?... and doubling it won't help much?

ArdentlyCore · May 12, 2014

Remixex :

Would you get a newegg links for the cpu upgrades? Or should I just forget the options for now and save for mobo/memory/cpu?

Remixex · May 12, 2014

Probably a good idea...this is the cheapest i can get
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3IRN0

less than that would be worthless :/ it might be better to save up more

Myntekt · May 12, 2014

Remixex :

I'd double the ram.

Remixex · May 12, 2014

I left it "double-able" easier to upgrade, 2x4 sticks cost you 80 bucks, that's why i left it like that for now, letting the OP decide

terry4536 · May 12, 2014

I just went through the compatible CPUs for that motherboard. Not one was available at Newegg.
I did find some better DDR2 DRAM.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

The better option is to use this computer as a backup, and build a new system.

ArdentlyCore · May 13, 2014

Yeah, I did a lot of research before posting here, and you guys all confirmed what I was thinking. Making these tiny upgrades just isn't going to do much, and they're fairly expensive at that. Looks like we'll be saving for a new system. I got myself an i7 3770K and a Kick ass deal on a gtx 660 ti, and it's been playing everything on high or ultra settings. I have no complaints, so now it's time to move her into a more suited computer. Thanks again everyone for your contributions, honestly.

Myntekt · May 13, 2014

I got an i7 3770k too

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