Looking to refresh an old(er) computer to make better gaming computer.

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magruder13

magruder13

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Hey all, I used to be VERY active in this community and I was really up to stuff with new technologies and the best gaming rigs, I have since gotten my electrical engineering degree and didn't have the time or money to keep up with it all. So why am I here?

I built an HTPC when I started college (2010) and then I upgraded the video card in 2011 so I could do some light gaming (WoW / Minecraft). Now I'm playing HOTS and sometimes in big fights I get really bogged down. I want to replace my mobo and cpu, possible the gpu for something that won't have an issue running this game. So here's my current setup:

CORE i3 530

Asus P7H55 LGA 1156 mobo

400W corsair PSU

4GB DDR3 1333

MSI Radeon HD 6870

Asus 20'' 1600x900

I really like this monitor and I'm tempted to get another for a dual setup but I'm stingy with my money. I would like to spend under $300, what's my best options?

Also I'm running an Intel 730 240gb SSD for my storage.



 
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I'm gonna restate my point above. If you literally want to play HotS and WoW without the system bogging down, drop in a quad core. Problem solved for $40: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-i5-750-Quad-Core-CPU-2-66GHz-8MB-SLBLC-Desktop-Processor-Core-i5-/351479796072?hash=item51d5d41168

If you want to play newer/more demanding games on higher settings, then for sure you should look at more memory and a GPU upgrade (which likely mandates PSU upgrade) too. But that 6870 is pretty capable for both WoW and SC2/HotS, particularly at 900p.

OP, assuming you're not looking at spending close to $1K on a whole new system, why don't you start out with the CPU as suggested and then, when you come across games that ask a bit more of your system...
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rhysiam

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If it's really just WoW/MineCraft/SC2 type games that you play, you don't actually need to spend a lot of money. You can drop a quad core processor into that motherboard and you wouldn't even need to reinstall your OS or get a new windows license if you have OEM.

If you're prepared to go second hand, have a look on ebay for i5 750, i5 760, i7 860... all of those are proper quad core processors, they look like they're $35-80.
They not the latest and greatest, but they do handle SC2/HoTS solidly. You always take a risk going second hand too, but given you're forking out maybe $50, it's not like it would be the end of the world if you got a lemon.

If you're bogging down in big fights that will be the CPU and a quad core will make a difference for a pretty small investment.

If you're interested in how those CPUs stack up against the latest and greatest, this should give you an idea: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9483/intel-skylake-review-6700k-6600k-ddr4-ddr3-ipc-6th-generation/11

Of course spending more money on a new mobo and CPU will net you better performance, but you say you're stingy with your money (no problem with that!) and if you just wanna play HoTS, a $50 second hand CPU will get you there I believe!
 
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atheus

atheus

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When you talk about replacing your motherboard and CPU, you're basically in for a new computer. The 20" monitor is really not worth much, so unless you're just going to do a minor polish like what drkatz42 is suggesting (though I wouldn't bother with the PSU), you would be better off thinking about building a new computer from the ground up.

One other cheap option would be to just pop $350 on a Dell Alienware Alpha using this super deal http://slickdeals.net/f/8040075-alienware-alpha-compact-desktop-core-i3-4130t-500gb-hdd-4gb-ddr3-customized-gtx-860-xbox-360-controller-349-99-after-rebate-with-free-shipping

You would have trouble getting more computer for less - plus it comes with Windows 8.1. It probably run your game just fine, and you get a neat, tiny little system. The graphics card in it is probably on par with your 6870 or a touch stronger, but the CPU would be substantially stronger. Also, if you decided you didn't like it, you could probably sell it for more than you bought it for.

If you have $1000 or so to drop on a new build, though, that would be the other way to go. With an i5-6600k and a Z170 motherboard, the sky's the limit as far as gaming power and future upgrades. You would probably want to wait about 3 or 4 weeks for parts to become more available at better prices, if you went that way, though.
 
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mamasan2000

mamasan2000

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I would also probably look at more memory depending...

I don't know how much memory those games use but if you are on that 4 gig margin (windows uses 1.5-2 gigs), well, computer bogs down right quick. Add another 2-4 gigs in that case.

If you are going to upgrade, get at least a quadcore as mentioned and a PSU with more wattage is recommended (if not mandatory). 500+ W. Depending on components of coz. Don't cheap out on PSU.
I mean a full upgrade, motherboard, memory, CPU (but that costs around 3-400$, without GPU). If you stick with old CPUs that fit your mobo, PSU shouldn't be necessary. So you could spend that extra money on GPU instead.

WoW is CPU heavy and it favors Intels.
 
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rhysiam

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I'm gonna restate my point above. If you literally want to play HotS and WoW without the system bogging down, drop in a quad core. Problem solved for $40: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-i5-750-Quad-Core-CPU-2-66GHz-8MB-SLBLC-Desktop-Processor-Core-i5-/351479796072?hash=item51d5d41168

If you want to play newer/more demanding games on higher settings, then for sure you should look at more memory and a GPU upgrade (which likely mandates PSU upgrade) too. But that 6870 is pretty capable for both WoW and SC2/HotS, particularly at 900p.

OP, assuming you're not looking at spending close to $1K on a whole new system, why don't you start out with the CPU as suggested and then, when you come across games that ask a bit more of your system, you have the option to OC your CPU (most 750s can get to 3.7-4Ghz), drop in more RAM, better GPU, etc etc. But if you're currently sinking your gaming time into WoW & HotS and don't have plans to change your habits any time soon, there's no point spending more money IMHO, it just won't make much if any difference.
 
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magruder13

magruder13

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I really like this solution, it's cheap (I like), easy (also plus), I think I will grab some more RAM as well, another couple GB cant hurt!
 
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rhysiam

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Good plan, hope it all works well for you.

If you don't have any already, just add some thermal compound to your shopping list. Arctic Cooling MX-4 is a solid pick - though there are plenty of other good ones too.
 
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