upgrading most of the computer

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dylanewilliams

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Nov 1, 2014
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I have a refurbished computer I bought a year ago. I had a buddy put in an SSD drive as a replacement for the existing hard dive and add ram to bring it to 8 gigs total. So far everything has been fine. I would like to add a second monitor now, so I bought the monitor and a graphics card that could support the monitor, but they will not fit into the case. I am wondering if I can upgrade the case, and possibly the motherboard and processor while I am at it, while keeping the existing SSD, windows 7, the card readers, etc. Will this work? Am I letting the tail wag the dog and should I just find a smaller graphics card?
 
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1LiquidPC
The processor doesn't support overclocking as it's not a "K" series. There is a memory multiplier that can be adjusted allowing for higher speeds. This does not affect the CPU speed itself but it will make the memory controller work faster so it's actually being overclocked some. After some digging around, I can't seem to get a definitive answer other than if you get a higher speed kit, the 4590 *may* work at the higher speed if the motherboard supports that speed. If not, it should default back to 1600. With that said, I wouldn't go higher than 1866 as the price will go way up beyond that. Even if you choose 1866 though, and it works at the speed, it's not going to be a big difference. Not sure what the price difference between...
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dylanewilliams

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Nov 1, 2014
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I'm very new to this so hopefully this gives enough information:
Intel Core 2 Duo
4 X 2GB PC2-6400U 2Rx8
HP 240W Power Supply (PC6019)
Intel 160GB SSD 320 series

I purchased a Gigabyte GEforce GTX 750 video card. I realize now there is no way my power supply could power this card.

Ideally I would like to keep the SSD and ram, replace the power supply, case and processor. I assume I will likely need a new motherboard as well. If I need to replace the motherboard I would like to be able to use the ram I have currently to save money but have the option of going to 16GB down the road if need be.

I really just want the computer to be able to accept a two now and three down the road monitor setup. I do some minor video editing with GoPro Studio, but mostly this machine will be used for business applications like running spreadsheets, word processing, etc. as well as some light CAD modeling
 
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1LiquidPC

1LiquidPC

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Oct 11, 2014
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If you go with a new motherboard, you will need new ram as your using DDR2, which can't be used in new motherboards. They use DDR3. You can keep using the SSD, card readers, and your Windows 7 license can be transferred to new system though you may have to call MS to get a new key via their automated phone system. You have tons of cases to pick from these days based on your motherboard size choice, and power supplies as well. Either AMD or Intel system would be a huge upgrade vs what your currently using especially if you plan on some light CAD, spreadsheets, ect. What is your budget for these upgrades??
 
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dylanewilliams

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Nov 1, 2014
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Here is a link to what I am thinking:

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/dylanewilliams/saved/sCPv6h

Everything for this is $700, assuming I supply the SSD and operating system that I already have. I like the expandability, such as:

I can go up to 32 gb ram if I want to (I'm starting with 2x8gb)
I can add a top line video card with the large power supply and ample space on the motherboard
I can use the native display for two monitors for now until I am ready to upgrade
The price range is great for such a powerful and expandable computer.

I can get everything through amazon, and I noticed that I can get the i5 4590 for black friday special at $33 less than the i5 4690. is that swap worth the savings?

Thanks for the help!
 
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1LiquidPC

1LiquidPC

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They are pretty close to being the same, only a 200Mhz difference clockspeed. The 4690 is 3.5 Ghz vs 3.3 with the 4590. The integrated graphics is slightly faster in the 4690 as well. This won't matter if your using a discrete videocard anyways. Other than this, they are pretty much the same. Performance wise, the 4690 would be barely any faster other than at most a few seconds saved in your CAD work and benchmarks. Also, if you decide on the 4590, the savings might be better spent on a higher speed RAM as I've read that Haswell series CPUs(both processors your looking at are in this generation)benefit from faster ram. Hope this is of some help to you.
 
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dylanewilliams

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Nov 1, 2014
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1liquidPC, thank you for the help. I was told that I would have to overclock the processor if I wanted to use faster than 1600 ram. Keep in mind this is all new to me so I hope that is what you are referring to. Is that true? What RAM would you recommend?
 
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1LiquidPC

1LiquidPC

Splendid
Oct 11, 2014
5,314
83
31,590
The processor doesn't support overclocking as it's not a "K" series. There is a memory multiplier that can be adjusted allowing for higher speeds. This does not affect the CPU speed itself but it will make the memory controller work faster so it's actually being overclocked some. After some digging around, I can't seem to get a definitive answer other than if you get a higher speed kit, the 4590 *may* work at the higher speed if the motherboard supports that speed. If not, it should default back to 1600. With that said, I wouldn't go higher than 1866 as the price will go way up beyond that. Even if you choose 1866 though, and it works at the speed, it's not going to be a big difference. Not sure what the price difference between 1600 and 1866 is these days vs the $33 you'd be saving. If you were going to spend the $33 extra though, truthfully, I'd go with that 4690 processor instead because at least we know that higher speed will work.
 
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slyu9213

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Nov 30, 2012
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There are only so much things that can limit you from moving all your components into another case.

1) Your motherboard size/shape must match/fit into the case you're thinking of buying. A Full ATX motherboard won't fit a case meant for mini-its or micro-atx.

2) Then you need to see what kind of connector the video card has and the slot on your motherboard. Maybe you are trying to plug in the PCIE video card into an AGP or a PCI slot. Otherwise the only limiting factor would be the case being to small for the video card, but the GTX 750 is not a enormous card.

3) Your power supply must be strong enough. I believe a GTX 750/750 Ti needs at least ~300W.
 
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