Upgrading a 2-3 year old prebuilt PC?

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Str8Pimpinn

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Hey,

*note* I am by no means a genius or even good at or have a good knowledge of computers and building them etc, so please forgive my ignorance if I say something silly or don't quite understand something but I do feel confident enough in my knowledge of computers to do this.

My name's George and A few months ago I got a new good, prebuilt laptop (Lenovo) over a new custom tower as the laptop would serve me better than the tower due to my studying and traveling, but as it's a laptop (which isn't geared towards gaming) it doesn't really fill my gaming needs and all.

So I have this old Packard Bell desktop (around 2-3 years old) which I decided to give a shot at upgrading it :) . I can't seem to find the specs and I'm on holiday currently so I don't have a clear view of it but I can definitely update this thread tomorrow when I'm back home but what I do know is this -

It has an i5 processor, my guess it would be at around 3-3.2GHz (clocked at - I think that's he term)
4GB RAM
Tiny case
1TB hard drive (I believe it's split into 2x500gb)

So, what I have planned is to upgrade the motherboard, graphics card, bigger case, possibly/probably new PSU and 8GB ram.

I have a fair bit of money on me now but one or two upgrades must wait 2-3weeks or so. Reason why I want to get this done now, is because I'll be home due to the holidays for 1-2weeks still and the post office sucks balls here, so preferably have it come to me and not have to pick it up.

After my research, this is what I've come up with to upgrade to so far -

Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130693&cm_re=Msi_g45-_-13-130-693-_-Product

Graphics card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202050&cm_re=Sapphire_r9_270x-_-14-202-050-_-Product

RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231550&cm_re=Ares_8gb-_-20-231-550-_-Product

As for power supply I was hoping someone could guide me on how much I need (500,600 etc)
And case I was really hoping someone could choose/find me a suitable case for around 50-ish euros as it isn't too important to me, as long as it fits and has some room for possible future upgrades (size of graphics card, as an example). Flashy, sexy light(s) would be nice but not a real issue :)

As I said before, one item will be ordered a little later so out of he 3, which 2 should I upgrade first? Graphics and motherboard is what I was thinking. I mainly play LoL where I'd get around 30fps on 'low' so the graphics card *should* fix that.....right?

So if you guys could please guide me on this and maybe correct me if the parts I chose don't work well together or are better ones for the the same price, it'd be much appreciated. The prices of the components I listed is what I can currently afford so please look in that price range, but if you think it's better you can show me a 10$ cheaper motherboard and 10$ more expensive graphics card! as an example.

Also, what tools will I need for this, other can screwdrivers? Thermal paste, etc?

All help is very much appreciated :)

Thanks a ton for reading and helping!
 
Solution
zeyuanfu
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($175.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.78 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $399.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-23 18:36 EDT-0400
I would recommend using the extra 20$/euros you planned for the case for a GTX 760, which is stronger but better than the 750 Ti and also supports SLI...
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zeyuanfu

zeyuanfu

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1, What's the exact model of your CPU?
2, Do you want low-end, middle-end or high-end parts?
3, Good cases for you would be the NZXT Source 210 (I believe), the Cooler Master HAF 912 or the Bitfenix Merc Alpha/Beta.
You WILL need a screwdriver to mount the mobo in the case and maybe for opening your case.
 
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random5

random5

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Decent RAM and motherboard there, as for GPU, AMD's releasting R9 285, you should wait it to come out and get it while it's hot,always best while upgrading wait for new model if it's coming in timeframe not far apart. power supply? you can try XFX 600W bronze 80+, getting quite popular lately, as for case,well you said you're not some sort of nerd, so could try making one yourself,seen people making em outta wood or synthetic materials etc.. metal is hard to work with though if you're after it,then get some random premade ATX case for 30$ in local shop nearby.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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First off, are you sure the i5 you have is compatible with the Z87 motherboard? Do you know the exact i5 model name? Or rather do you know the exact HP PC name?

Most prebuilts use micro ATX cases, so the full sized ATX Z87 motherboard wouldn't work. Also there isn't much of a point getting a Z87 motherboard if you don't plan on overclocking. I'm almost sure your i5 is locked, so it would make more sense to get a h81 Micro Atx board.

This is all assuming your i5 is compatible with the lga 1150 socket. If it is, then you will need to remove and reapply the thermal paste. You can pick up a tube of thermal paste for around $5-$7.

For the PSU 550W will work.

If you were to get two parts at time, make sure the PSU is first. The 4gb of ram can be last on the list.

Also make sure your case can actually fit the graphics card.

I could make individual component recommendations if I can get confirmation on the exact CPU name and if the HP case can fit the graphics card. Even if it can fit the graphics card, I'd still get a new case because the cable management would be a mess in your current HP case.
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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Thanks of replying :)
1) I'll get back to you on that tomorrow when I'm home and can check
2) I wouldn't really know, perhaps the best of both worlds? Meaning something that performs well while not dying out on me too soon and in he same price ballpark as the components I listed above.
3) Thanks bud, will definitely check them out
 
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zeyuanfu

zeyuanfu

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($175.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.78 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $399.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-23 18:36 EDT-0400
I would recommend using the extra 20$/euros you planned for the case for a GTX 760, which is stronger but better than the 750 Ti and also supports SLI.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($239.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $239.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-23 18:37 EDT-0400
The reason I tend to not recommend AMD cards is that
1, They generate more heat and noise than nVidia cards and
2, IMO, AMD drivers are worse than nVidia's.
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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I don't have much info on the processor at this current point in time, but I will update this and reply to you tomorrow when I'm home and can check.

As for the case I as definitely planning on upgrading it for hopefully around 50eur (nothing fancy, just bigger) as the case is currently too small for anything really.

To clarify, I meant out of the motherboard, graphics card and RAM I can only order two, a long with the case and PSU but from what you wrote, I presume I should get the graphics card and MOBA after I checked the MOBA is compatible and all that good stuff.

Is there something you can recommend now on the information given and then recommend the rest tomorrow when I have the full info on the processor?

 
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zeyuanfu

zeyuanfu

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If you can spend 20-30$ more on the mobo, you can definitely get between low- and medium-end parts.
 
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RazerZ

RazerZ

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You mentioned 50 eur, which I'm guessing is Euros, yet you posted your prices in USD. Are you ordering the parts from Europe or the US?
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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Woah friend, massive thanks for all that!

This all looks great and will definitely give it some proper thought :D
One person mentioned that my processor might/almost certainly is locked... I haven't really a clue on this so I was wondering what your take on this is and how it could potentially conflict the components you listed. Preferably read over his post in case I interpreted something wrong :)
Thanks a ton again!
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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I will be ordering them from more local stores as I currently live in Belgium. I did mean euros and I was, for some reason, on the US Newegg when I wanted the UK site... I just wanted to provide £ currency for your convenience but I goof'd.
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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Thanks, the site I might be ordering from is www.pixmania.be
Seems to have decent prices and a good selection with cheap delivery.
 
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RazerZ

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Case: http://www.pixmania.be/nl/pc-kast/enermax-ostrog-eca3250-b-midtowermodel-zwart/17675754-a.html

PSU: Can't find a good quality one for a reasonable price on this site. I'll have to look for it on other sites later on.

RAM: http://www.pixmania.be/nl/geheugen-voor-desktops/crucial-pc-geheugen-ballistix-sport-4-gb-ddr3-1600-pc3-12800-cl9-bls4g3d1609es2lx0ceu/22085283-a.html

Graphics card: http://www.pixmania.be/nl/videokaart/sapphire-technology-r9-270-dual-x-oc-met-boost-2-gb-gddr5-pci-express-grafische-kaart/21887064-a.html
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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Thanks friend.
I'll definitely give this some thought and reply back tomorrow when I have info on the processor. Thanks for your help so far though :)
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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I'm not home yet but like I said, I'll update this with the exact CPU name later today. But I was doing some research on locked and unlocked CPUs and as I'm not really a hardcore gamer, or really one that plays all kinds of graphically intense games and all. The game I mainly play is League of a Legends which I currently run at around 30FPS on low settings. I'd like to at least bump that up to 60+ on medium/high settings, which is why I'm looking for a new graphics card and also to maybe try out and play a few games on sale on Steam without having to stick to low.

I just tried to explain the motivation behind this upgrade so perhaps you can suggest components which might suite me better. It might not make a difference, I just thought I'd add this.

EDIT: I forgot to mention I listen to a lot of music so if the motherboard has some good sound... Stuff (don't know the lingo :S ) then that'd be great. Or is it better to buy a separate sound card?
 
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zeyuanfu

zeyuanfu

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The case and GPU are nice but isn't there G.SKILL or Corsair RAM?
 
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RazerZ

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What's wrong with Crucial? Ram is ram, brand really doesn't matter.
 
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zeyuanfu

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there's nothing wrong, but Crucial DIMMs are kinda weaker than G.SKILL or maybe Corsair.
 
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RazerZ

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Unless you can give me solid proof, I doubt that. I'm not a fanboy of Crucial myself since I have 8 gigs of G.Skill Ares in my pc.
 
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Str8Pimpinn

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I'll go for the crucial 4gb ram stick aslong as this prebuilt doesn't havr 2x2 in it. Does having a pair of the same ram brand/type work better than say 4gb of crucial and 4 of kingston? I just landed so I'll update the cpu info soon (hour or two)
 
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zeyuanfu

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Having dual channel (2 sticks of the exact same RAM) is always better than single channel. I would recommend against mixing different manufacturers since you don't know what could happen.
 
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