Need help upgrading my old gaming PC.

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skidwiz

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Mar 30, 2015
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In early 2008, I purchased a new computer, gutted it, and put it and its components into a larger chassis. I then purchased a new sound and video card for it.

Right now, my specs are:
Chassis: ANTEC NINE HUNDRED
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU q9300 @ 2.50 Ghz 2.50 Ghz
Installed Memory: 6.00 GB (DDR2)
System Type: 64-bit Operating System, x64 Type Processor
Video Card: NVidia GeForce GTX 260 (PCI Express)
Sound Card: Soundblaster X-Fi Model SB 0460 (PCI)

I'm willing to provide any further information if needed.

So, my question is this. This computer is 7 years old, and needs an overhaul. It's still pretty powerful, but not as much as I would like. However, with all of the upgrades in technology, I want to upgrade to a new motherboard and processor. I want to do it cheaply enough, but with room for further upgrades in the future.

Eventually, not now, I would like to have a SSD for boot, and a large (possibly 3 TB or bigger) HDD.

My biggest concern is the motherboard/processor. what kind of motherboard could I get, fairly cheap, that will allow maximum expansion in the future (processor, video card, sound card, ram, etc.) I'm leaning toward DDR 4 RAM, just because it's the newest.

Thanks for all of the help.
 
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skidwiz

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Mar 30, 2015
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I have every intention of upgrading the GPU. I eventually want this to be a completely new computer, maybe dropping a couple hundred a month into it. I only want to keep the chassis. The first step in getting there is getting a motherboard that can keep up with all the planned upgrades. If my current motherboard is good enough, I'll keep it, but I don't think it is.

Motherboard PCI Slots (Available/Total)
(0/1) PCI-E x16
(1/1) PCI-E x1
(1/2) PCI

I just don't have the PCI ports to back up large changes. In addition, I want to get the Ram updated. DDR2 just won't cut it.

My wish list:
HDD: WD Red 4TB NAS Hard Drive: 1 to 8-bay RAID Hard Drive: 3.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s, IntelliPower, 64MB Cache WD40EFRX
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB Kit (8GBx4) DDR4 2400 MT/s
SSD: 80GB SATA III Internal SSD
GPU: I agree with your suggestion. I was also looking at the GTX 960, currently sitting on amazon at $199.
Sound Card: Not sure yet, looking at the Creative Sound Blaster Zx PCIe Gaming Sound Card, but I'm not sure if the $120 price tag is worth it. I'm open to suggestions.

I just don't know where to go for motherboard/processor. I was looking at newegg, but I just don't know which, if any of these, are worth it. Do I really need to drop $786 on a new motherboard? I want a large motherboard that will make the most use of my big chassis. My case is designed for a standard ATX motherboard. Can I get away with something like this? Or is that worse than my current setup.

I'm open to suggestions.
 
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johnnyb105

johnnyb105

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Feb 18, 2013
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Any good name brand z97 board will give you tons of features there are a lot of them out there at just a 100 or so newegg has done me pretty well I have a biostar we z97 and a asrock killer z97 and they work both great paid a little over 100 for each driving a 4690k in one and a g3258 pent in the other no need to spend 800 on a board lol. And if you want your pc to be more future proof which you cant the Ideal gpu NVidia wise would be the 970... The 960 is on par with the radeon r 280 and r 285 thus slower...
 
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Joseph DeGarmo

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Mar 12, 2014
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Skylake will release in a few months. You should wait for that since it will support DDR4 memory. An i5-6600k will be a huge upgrade from your current CPU and with DirectX 12 utilizing all CPU cores, the i7-6700k will be a lot better, but more expensive. You will also need a Z170 motherboard.
 
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hotter-than-Vishera

hotter-than-Vishera

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Jun 12, 2014
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Actually, DDR4 RAM is so new it's really expensive and only used on the top systems right now while offering only minimal performance gains over DDR3 for significantly more money. I'd recommend a DDR3 system, just because DDR3 won't disappear for a while. My other concern is your power supply as you haven't brought it up. I would replace it if it was a part of the original computer as it'd be very old and probably low capacity, not to mention cheaply built and lower efficiency than most PSUs you buy today.
Now you need to strike the right balance between RAM, CPU, and the parts that supply those.
At the budget end, say $400, you can snag an AMD Athlon X4 860K processor, an ASRock motherboard with an A88X chipset, 8GB dual channel Crucial Ballistix Tactical RAM, and an R7 260X, R7 265 or even GTX 750 Ti graphics card. You'd want a 550-600 watt power supply with bronze efficiency.
At the $750 area you might want to grab an FX-8350 processor coupled with a basic 970 chipset board(not to be confused with the GTX 970), plus 8GB RAM except maybe a higher quality RAM. That leaves room for an R9 290 and a 750 watt power supply.
If you want to spend more, let me know. The sky's the limit if you have the money lol
 
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hotter-than-Vishera

hotter-than-Vishera

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I'm no AMD fanboy lol, I'm recommending what I am because the CPU would be staying between mid to low end, saving some money that can be invested into a powerful graphics card. Spending more than $750 would warrant Intel, probably a build with an ASRock Z97 Extreme4 and i5-4690k and GTX 970 coupled with say a Rosewill Valens-700 power supply
 
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