Upgrade 1155 socket system or upgrade to Skylake

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Elkslayer

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Dec 2, 2015
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I have a budget system I built 3 years ago that I would like to upgrade - but am concerned I am throwing money away at an obsolete platform.
Current build:
ASUS H61M MOBO
intel G850 CPU
Radeon HD7770 1GB GPU
400W PSU

My options are:
1. upgrade CPU on current 1155 socket (i5 2500k?) and modest GPU upgrade, or
2. upgrade to Skylake (which requires new MOBO, CPU, RAM etc).

I only have a budget of about $400.

My question is, is it worth upgrading CPU/GPU on an 1155 socket, or do I just wait until I can afford going the Skylake route?
What would the cheapest Skylake upgrade be that would provide significant performance boost?

System is mostly for games like WOW, minecraft, Skyrim and basic photo/video editing.
 
Solution
logainofhades
I do not think skylake is worth it, as your PSU is probably not a quality unit, and that GPU is pretty low end. Keep in mind that new motherboard often means new windows, also.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK AIDOS BLACK 48.6 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.73 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: i5 2500 OEM ($145.00)
Total: $368.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 10:54 EST-0500
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Luminary

Luminary

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Nov 29, 2015
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The best investment of your money would be to upgrade to Skylake, no question about it.

This would be a great upgrade and fits right at your $400 budget:

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H170-PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($110.00 @ B&H)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $409.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 10:38 EST-0500
 
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Calvin7

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Feb 19, 2013
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Intel Core i7-2600 -- $135
http://www.ebay.com/p/Intel-Core-i7-2600-3-4-GHz-Quad-Core-CM8062300834302-Processor/109584005

G.SKILL Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-1333C9D-8GAO -- $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231542

Rosewill Valens-600, Valens Series 600W Power Supply -- $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182330&cm_re=power_supply_600w-_-17-182-330-_-Product

PowerColor Radeon R7 370 -- $134.99
$114.99 after $20.00 rebate card
$3.99 Shipping (restrictions apply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131670&Tpk=N82E16814131670

Arctic Silver 5 -- $6.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007&Tpk=N82E16835100007

You also might want to get a better CPU Heatsink/Fan.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Apr 27, 2009
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I do not think skylake is worth it, as your PSU is probably not a quality unit, and that GPU is pretty low end. Keep in mind that new motherboard often means new windows, also.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK AIDOS BLACK 48.6 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.73 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 950 2GB Video Card ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: i5 2500 OEM ($145.00)
Total: $368.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-02 10:54 EST-0500
 
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Solution
E

Elkslayer

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Dec 2, 2015
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Just to be complete-

Current build:
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0
Intel Pentium G850 Sandy Bridge Dual-Core 2.9 GHz LGA 1155
MSI Radeon HD 7770 DirectX 11 R7770-PMD1GD5 1GB 128-Bit GDDR5
G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
CORSAIR CX series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE PSU

Will this PSU be ok?
How do I know if I will need new windows with upgraded MOBO?
I have Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
 
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targetdan

targetdan

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Mar 31, 2012
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Windows OEM versions are for one mobo only. BUT, In my experience if you ring them and explain that your motherboard died etc then they are quite happy to transfer your licence key over.
 
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E

Elkslayer

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Dec 2, 2015
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Well, I went cheap and decided to update my CPU to a i5-3570.
Unfortunately I bent the pins when installing, and long story short I now cant get the computer to even power up.
My guess is I fried the MOBO - and possibly the PSU.
So, back to original idea, what is the cheapest/best way to upgrade system.

I am assuming I need:
new MOBO, should I go Skylake.
Best CPU to pair with above.
PSU to power system.

I have case, fan, monitor, etc.
Will add windows 10 as OS.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Apr 27, 2009
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You would need new ram too. Skylake is better paired with DDR4. Wattage is probably more than you need, but it is one of the better priced, quality, modular, power supplies out there.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170-GAMING 3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($87.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $399.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-08-01 13:46 EDT-0400

If you have a shop, nearby, that can test the CPU, you could possibly get a different board, on Ebay, that supports that 3570.
 
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U

urbanj

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Dec 27, 2012
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I'm surprised no one has asked this yet:

What are you using your PC for?
Do you NEED to upgrade, or is it that you just want to?


I ask this because you're at a point where it may be worthwhile to stick it out with your current system and wait a year.
The new 1151 Kaby Lake processors are coming out later this year (if I recall correctly), followed by a new socket configuration in 2017.

Ultimately, you will need to decide.
Being as you're on a small budget, I would personally hold off and save up more money for an upgrade, as you will get WAY MORE bang for your buck, as current prices will drop, and more GPUs will be available (such as the new RX 460/470 which will be a boost to what you currently have, and for not so much money).
 
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urbanj

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Dec 27, 2012
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Just saw that post.....that sucks.
Not sure how I missed it the first time. Probably scrolled too far on my phone :p
 
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