Midrange APU in a low-end computer

EndgameZ

Honorable
Sep 26, 2013
8
0
10,510
One of my relatives has an HP Pavilion p6604y,
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c02524612#N1134
(the same as me, coincidence? :ouch:)
and after I upgraded mine with a Corsair 430w and HD 7850, he wanted to upgrade his as well. However, he's on a sub-200 dollar budget. (ouch)

After looking around for cheap upgrades, I found the AMD APUs, and there are three that seem to fit his needs:

AMD A8-5600k Quad-core 3.6GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113281
AMD A8-6600k Quad-core 3.9GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113333
AMD A10-5800k Quad-core 3.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113280

The thing is, there are three problems, the motherboard, the APU cooling, and possibly the power supply as well.

The motherboard needs to be replaced, because the processor socket is an AM3 socket and these require an FM2 socket, so I'm wondering what the cheapest motherboard is that can support one of these and possibly a graphics card if he decides to get dual graphics later.

The second problem is the APUs themselves. All three have reviews and complaints about insufficient stock cooling and the need for liquid/additional cooling, and buying additional fans 1)Might not be possible with this case (I'm no expert) 2)Could lead to pressure problems 3)Might make him go over the budget.

The third problem is the power supply, and being only 250w, getting a new power supply could knock him over his budget as well. However, newegg says that all these APUs require only 100w (or that's the TDP, I'm probably wrong) so he might be nearing the limit, but he's not quite there yet. The addition of fans if they're necessary might fry the PSU, and that's just the worst.

tl;dr In summary, I'm wondering:
-What replacement mobo with an FM2 socket is cheap and can handle a PCIe card in dual graphics
-Which APU to buy and if it can handle itself without supplementary cooling
-If the PSU can handle itself with the new motherboard, APU, possible cooling, and a GPU in dual graphics (he might be able to get a Corsair 430W though, but not too soon)

I understand that many people will say that a $200 budget is just not going to cut it for a low end gaming pc, and I am completely aware that it's near impossible, so it'd be preferred if I wasn't reminded because I think everyone deserves a chance to get the experience even with an abysmal budget.

Thanks in advance!

Wow, that was a wall of text.
 
Solution

cry0g3n

Honorable
Jul 11, 2013
222
0
10,860

RazerZ

Judicious
Ambassador
Solution

EndgameZ

Honorable
Sep 26, 2013
8
0
10,510


Hmm, but do you think that maybe he could buy a 750 ti further down the line and use it in dual graphics when he has the money? It's an under $200 build at the moment, and eliminating the need for a new CPU shaves off $70.
 

RazerZ

Judicious
Ambassador


He wouldn't be able to use dual graphics, but he would be able to use the 750ti without the A8 or A10's integrated graphics. You stated it was a sub $200 build so that's why I posted a build that went over $200. But if it's strictly a $200 and under build then getting an APU isn't a bad idea. An A8 or A10 would work fine for low end gaming.



 

TRENDING THREADS