Upgrading a medium pc to a medium-high pc

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Okay, I'm upgrading my PC and kind of undetermined of what I should do. That's what I have:

Motherboard: Asus P8 H61-M LX (Second Generation);
CPU: I3 2100 31.Ghz;
GPU: AMD R7 260x 2Gb;
PSU: Corsair CX 430W;
HD: 500 Gb;
RAM: 4Gb;

What I'm aiming: I5, 1Tb HD <- that's absolutely my goal, however I ended in the following problem: my motherboard only supports the second generation, so I decided to change it, and I thought the Asus Z97M-PLUS/BR was a good idea, along with an I5-4460. To make things better I noticed I would need a new cooler, so I chose the Corsair H60.

In other words:

Motherboard: Asus Z97M-PLUS/BR;
CPU: I5-4460;
Cooler: Corsair WaterCooler Hydro Series - High Performance H60
HD: 1Tb 7200rpm;
GPU: AMD R7 260x 2Gb;
PSU: Corsair CX 430W;
Ram: 4Gb (for now);

Now I'm afraid my PSU wouldn't support all these new things, so I have 3 questions:

1º Is this new build a good idea? Will this CPU work well with my GPU? Is there any better option?

2º Will I need a new PSU? I've read somethings about this, but I'm really praying to every God hoping it won't be necessary.

3º I think I will need a new case, any recommendations? (I loved the NZXT 410 Phantom, but the price....).

Thanks for all the attention.

sammy sung · Oct 8, 2014

What's your overall budget for upgrades?

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

You don't need a Z97 motherboard, those are for overclocking and that CPU can't be overclocked. H97 is usually cheaper and would serve your needs.

If the power supply worked before with that GPU it should still work since the i5's tdp is only 19 watts higher. Though I would suggest an upgrade to a decent 500 watt in the future.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

sammy sung :

I don't know, something like 500$

It depends on a lot of things (prices here where I live are different).

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

Where do you live?.... That didn't sound creepy or anything. Also pcpartpicker.com is your friend.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Because0789 :

Really? Wow, a lot of people were saying that the change of cpu would be a big change to my my psu.

smog0 · Oct 8, 2014

if you're going to use a non-K processor then you can drop the cooler since the stock one is more than enough for the cpu i do recommend a better psu if you can

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Because0789 :

Brazil, I said that because prices here are something like: (your price x 2) + 60% of the result.

But it's kinda hard to compare, because it's not always like that.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

smog0 :

What if it has the K? Would it be a must have?

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

Here is the barebones

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Mwave)
Total: $394.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-08 18:31 EDT-0400

I'll make another with a PSU suggestion.
If that is too much I can find a cheaper case.

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

JefersonEuclides :

If you plan to overclock any significant amount yes.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Because0789 :

80$ a Phanton 410, wow, I have to pay almost 500R$ around here.... --'
So, from what I said the only thing to change is the motherboard? I don't like AsRock, do you really suggest it?

sammy sung · Oct 8, 2014

If your current case still suffices, I wouldn't bother upgrading it until budget allows for less detailed things like fan and cable management.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QGz6K8

Comes in under budget, and would provide a real quality boost over your current solution

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

JefersonEuclides :

Because0789 :

80$ a Phanton 410, wow, I have to pay almost 500R$ around here.... --'
So, from what I said the only thing to change is the motherboard? I don't like AsRock, do you really suggest it?

$210 for that case? Highway robbery...

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Because0789 :

JefersonEuclides :

$210 for that case? Highway robbery...

Yes :/

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

sammy sung :

R9 280 180$????

http://www.kabum.com.br/cgi-local/site/listagem/listagem.cgi?string=r9%20280&dep=&sec=&cat=&sub=&pagina=1&ordem=5&limite=30

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

Is this case available? http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcacore1000usb3bl

sammy sung · Oct 8, 2014

Oooh, interesting. Definitely makes things trickier. Living in the states you can find many great deals on mid level to lower first tier hardware. I have a friend that lives in egypt and he too suffers from the problem of overblown prices.

An R9-280 goes for about $180 here, new. But sometimes like in the case of what I selected for you, it'd be $160 after rebate. HIS wouldn't be my first pick for GPU brand, but they also wouldn't be my last either. Considering I put Powercolor in my top two for ATI cards, that says something about me haha

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

There is a decent case for the price http://www.kabum.com.br/produto/22731/gabinete-bitfenix-atx-merc-alpha-black-bfc-mrc-100-kkx1-rp

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Because0789 :

Hmm.. didn't find it right now, but I'll do a deeper search.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

sammy sung :

Yea, you probably have already heard of problems here in Brazil, we're okay in technology, but the prices, man, just wtf.
That's a huge problem around here, try to think what it is like to live in a country that has a minimum wage of 700R$ and put the price of a single game in 200R$ +, a video game 1500R$+ and good computer 3000R$+, it's just stupid.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 8, 2014

Because0789 :

Yea, nice one, I love those with a good design, but I know I have to first look at my pocket. This is a good option, I'll save the link here. Thank you!

Because0789 · Oct 8, 2014

Or this one, it has more cooling options. http://www.kabum.com.br/produto/57145/gabinete-bitfenix-comrade-black-bfc-com-100-kkxs1-rp

JefersonEuclides · Oct 9, 2014

Because0789 :

Should I pay attention on what brand I choose for cases? I've never heard of that BitFenix.

JefersonEuclides · Oct 9, 2014

Would this motherboard be a good choice? Didn't find the AsRock from a trustable seller.

http://www.kabum.com.br/produto/58537/placa-mae-gigabyte-p-intel-ga-h97m-hd3-lga-1150-box/?tag=h97m

Upgrading a medium pc to a medium-high pc

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