Help upgrading an ancient PC

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gunkz2

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Mar 28, 2015
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Greetings everyone!

I don't know if i post this in the right place but anyway,
Either this month or next i have decided to build a new system for myself. Since I have an extra money to spend, I wanted to upgrade my old PC if possible. If I find any solution I will buy the parts this week. I'm not asking for much, just be able to run modern games in low to moderate setting without lags. I have a very little knowledge about hardware and computer system, so I would need a hand or two.

My old computer : My very ancient PC

CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9500 Quad Core (2.2Ghz)
PSU: 400Watt
GPU: HD 3200 (onboard)
RAM: 8GB DDR2
Mobo: Part number: RS780M03G1-8EKRS2HMWD
AMD Socket AM2+ (I'm not sure, sorry)
OS: Windows 7 Pro (I upgraded mine from vista)

There are 2 possible ways i'm thinking:

1: Only upgrade the GPU
I wonder if you guys can suggest GPU i can use to replace mine. Maybe HD 4670 or HD 4770
will be able to replace the onboard GPU without the needs to change the PSU. Possibly HD
5770? Well i'm not even sure if it is compatible. But I'm guessing it will be bottleneck at the CPU
if I only change the GPU.

2. Upgrade the Mobo and CPU
If i have to consider this choice i would like to re-use any usable parts and would $300 enough
to do this all? I hope i could spend less than $300 since it is an old PC. If it is not possible, how
much the estimation to do the upgrade? Though with the mobo and CPU being changed, I'm
assuming that I have to replace the PSU and GPU too... Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Which one would be better to do for me? Please feel free to share your knowledge if there is a better solutions because i really want to try to upgrade my old computer (My first time doing this). And also please to explain your advice in details, as I told you guys before, I have close to none knowledge about tech stuff. :ouch:
Note: I don't mind using used or refurbished parts because this is an old PC and I know it will be hard to get the parts.

Sorry for the super long post,
Thank you for your time and help!!

 
Solution
Bossyfins
That was my bad. I should have told you it would be hard. Sorry. the best upgrade in my opinion until you get your new system is getting an ssd.
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gunkz2

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Mar 28, 2015
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Since this is an old computer I wasn't planning on spending more than $400, but if it's possible i would like to keep it under $300.
 
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Bossyfins

Bossyfins

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Dec 27, 2014
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They are a couple options you coould do, but I think getting a new PC would be the best option. Judging from the mobo, you would be limited on what CPU you can use as it only has a single 4 pin ofr CPU power.

This is about a 450$ budget build, if you want to do it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($104.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($122.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $446.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-29 20:25 EDT-0400
Ill look and try to make it cheaper if you would like...
 
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gunkz2

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Mar 28, 2015
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I already plan on building a new PC in one or two months (I will be posting a new thread for that), that is why i wanted to try to upgrade and messing with my old PC in the mean time. So if you could try and help me make my old PC run a little better Or at least If i could re-use some of the parts (case, hard drive, or power supply maybe) and throw in new and cheap parts, that would be great.
 
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Bossyfins

Bossyfins

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Dec 27, 2014
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If thats the case, you can reuse the Hard drive if it is Sata.

If the hdd is a sata drive we can reuse that. But from the looks of your mobo, your quite limited on upgrades.

What do you want this pc to do right now in the meantime. Are you going to play some small games? The biggest upgrade I see is adding an ssd.. It will make it pretty fast. But if you play games, maybe you can look for a 750 online for cheap?
 
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gunkz2

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Mar 28, 2015
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I'm don't mind a small upgrade as long as it can make the computer a little faster. Since i will building a new computer, I will use this for light gaming, video streaming, and browsing.
As far as the hard drive is concern, it is a 750 mb hdd.
So, which part do you think i can add or replace?
 
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FALC0N

FALC0N

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Apr 5, 2010
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Really? That's what you zero in on? There are so many issues with upgrading that system, it makes my head spin. The 4 pin ATX power is the absolute least of his concerns.

That said, your overall advice to simply go with new components is one I fully support. Getting value from a system that old, with those components, is very, very, difficult.
 
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Bossyfins

Bossyfins

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Dec 27, 2014
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I zeroed in on one part knowing there were many others. Just because I zero in on one thing doesn't mean there are others. His 2 options really are to keep the hdd and get the build i posted, or a similar one, or just wait for the new pc in total
 
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gunkz2

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Mar 28, 2015
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As I said before, I will be building a new system soon. I just wondering if there is something I can do with my old system instead of just trashing it. That is why I wanted to try to upgrade it, I didn't know it would be very difficult.
 
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