Planning to upgrade, but could use some help.

LaneTheGreat

Reputable
Jan 14, 2016
10
0
4,510
I have a Lenovo IdeaCentre K330B With these components:

CPU: Intel Pentium CPU G630 2.7GHz (2CPUs)
RAM:6 GB DDR3
GeForce GT 610 4GB DDR3
PSU: 280 Watts 18 on the 12v rails
OS: Windows 10

I ordered an additional 4GB RAM to replace the 2GB, but how can I improve this computer's potential for around 100-150 dollars?

P.S: I'd like to play World of Warcraft on better settings and higher framerate, as well as Garry's mod, Counter-Strike and possibly some visually enhanced Skyrim.
 
Solution
So if you're really cash strapped AND you can use rebates, here's my suggestion:

Stage 1:
A cheap PSU like this Antec Basiq $25: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-bp430 (if you can afford a little extra, get yourself something better, it'll last longer and give you better upgrade options - but this is about as cheap as it gets without a fire risk)
A graphics card like the 750ti for $107: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc2gd5

That would help when you're not CPU bottlenecked. Though WOW and Garry's Mod are pretty CPU dependent, so it still won't be a great solution.

Stage 2:
~$100 ish - at some point in the future, when you can afford it, get a second hand Sandy or Ivy Bridge i5 off ebay or...

rwoody

Honorable
Nov 13, 2015
475
0
10,960


You could, but with the PSU eating up $35 of that budget, you wouldn't see a huge upgrade for the GPU. You basically would be upgrading from GDDR3 to GDDR5, which would give you some improvement, but it's not going to be life changing. You could get into something like the EVGA GT 740 for about $120 or the Gigabyte GTX 750ti for about $130.

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-04gp43748kr
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn75twf2oc4gi
 

LaneTheGreat

Reputable
Jan 14, 2016
10
0
4,510
So if you're really cash strapped AND you can use rebates, here's my suggestion:

Stage 1:
A cheap PSU like this Antec Basiq $25: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-bp430 (if you can afford a little extra, get yourself something better, it'll last longer and give you better upgrade options - but this is about as cheap as it gets without a fire risk)
A graphics card like the 750ti for $107: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc2gd5

That would help when you're not CPU bottlenecked. Though WOW and Garry's Mod are pretty CPU dependent, so it still won't be a great solution.

Stage 2:
~$100 ish - at some point in the future, when you can afford it, get a second hand Sandy or Ivy Bridge i5 off ebay or similar (i5 2300, i5 2400, i5 2500 will drop straight in. Any i5 3xxx models *should* work but you'll want to update your BIOS first and check on the motherboard website that it works).
*edit* - if the CPU you get doesn't include a cooler you may need to purchase one. I can't remember what the deal was with that Pentium you have, though Intel usually ship cheaper, less capable coolers with their cheaper CPUs. So it's probably not going to cope with the extra heat from an i5.

With a 750ti and quad core CPU you'll actually have a pretty capable gaming build. Should be able to play any game out there at at least medium-ish settings with decent frame rates.
 
Solution

rwoody

Honorable
Nov 13, 2015
475
0
10,960


I would not trust that PSU. Stick with a well known brand like Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA, Thermaltake, just to name a few. Even if they aren't top of the line, they will still be fairly reliable. Those off brands use seriously cheap parts and can fail or start fires too easily.

Check Youtube for install videos if you are unsure. I replaced my PSU without any instructions or help the first time. It took me about 15 minutes. It's pretty much a "paint by numbers" kind of deal. Take a picture of the inside of your computer before you start so you have something to look at if you screw up. Then unplug one item and find the same plug on the new PSU. You really can't even insert a connector in the wrong place unless you force it, so it's pretty obvious if you aren't doing it right.