Upgrading an old PC (NEED HELP)

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David_222

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Jan 27, 2016
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Hey guys, I've always been using this old home computer and I didn't care because I only played on Xbox, but now I want to play games (Arma III, Rocket League, CS:GO) and I can't.

Specs:
Motherboard: Micro-Star International 770-c45 (ms-7599)
CPU: AMD Phenom(tm) II X2 550 Processor, 3100 MHz, Dual-Core
Memory: MSI 2GB RAM
Operating system: Windows 10
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT

I'd like to know what I should get to make my PC better, with a budget of 600$ max (the lower the costs are, the better).

Thanks!
 
Solution
Barty1884
The 750ti + 8GB RAM is your most budget friendly option - as cdabc123 stated, it won't max much (if anything), but most games should be playable.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: Mushkin Essentials 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $132.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-28 10:24 EST-0500

Problem being, neither of those components should really "move forward" to your next setup if that's not going to be fairly soon. Your board supports DDR3 @ 1333MHz (1600 if OC'd), and...
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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Honeslty, I wouldn't spend any money 'upgrading' that setup. You'd be better off putting together a $600 budget build for gaming performance rather than attempting to upgrade such a basic system.

The only thing you should be able to reuse would be any HDD that's installed - but not the OS, you'll need a new OS.

*EDIT* Something like this: (there are other GPU options, or an i5 CPU) but this gives you an idea....still lacks storage though, so hoping you have a decent HDD

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H170M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 380 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX Core Edition 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.00 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($87.95 @ OutletPC)
Total: $593.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-27 17:28 EST-0500
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Agreed. With a $600 budget, you should be looking at a new system. Upgrades to your current system, in particular the processor, are not worth the costs involved.

What I would probably do in your case is build yourself a new system (I don't see anything wrong with Barty1884's recommendation) and then later, when you have a bit more cash (and your new system is stable), look for some cheap upgrade parts for your current system (Phenom II X4/X6/8GB RAM). Give it to the kids or find some other use for it.

-Wolf sends
 
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David_222

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Jan 27, 2016
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Thanks for answering, that's what I was thinking at first but would I be able to run Arma III?
 
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cdabc123

cdabc123

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probably. i ran a 750ti(oc) and a core 2 duo(roughly equal to your cpu) and i was able to play just about every game. it wont max most games but it will make them playable.
 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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The 750ti + 8GB RAM is your most budget friendly option - as cdabc123 stated, it won't max much (if anything), but most games should be playable.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Memory: Mushkin Essentials 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($28.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($103.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $132.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-28 10:24 EST-0500

Problem being, neither of those components should really "move forward" to your next setup if that's not going to be fairly soon. Your board supports DDR3 @ 1333MHz (1600 if OC'd), and any new setup will likely require DDR4. The 750ti is a very well priced, respectable yet budget GPU. I can't see it having too much longer a shelflife at any great settings.

That being said, $135 or so vs $600 for a new setup - I can see the appeal.

I think you'd be better off in the long run to build a new rig, but if you just want to spend the least to bring most games to a somewhat 'playable' level, then the 750ti + 8GB RAM would be the way to go.
 
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Solution
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David_222

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Jan 27, 2016
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Thanks a lot for the answer! I think I will go with the Graphics Card and Memory you suggested because I will be getting a laptop in a year and a half. (Around 1.4k from my parents), but I was wondering:
1- Is there a difference between the PNY 750 ti and the ASUS/MSI/ZOTAC 750 ti?
2- If I get the 750 ti, do you recommend me OCing it?
3- Will I need a better cooler if I upgrade these parts or everything will be fine?
4- Should I get a ZOTAC, EVGA, ASUS or PNY 750ti GPU? I've read that EVGA were better.
5- (noob question) What's the difference between DDR3 and GDDR5?
6- Would a Intel i5-2300 CPU work in my PC with the 750ti and 8GB RAM?
Thanks for answering again, I'm completely new to buliding computers.

 
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Barty1884

Barty1884

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1. They offer slightly different performance, different cooling solutions etc. Considering your current setup, the cheapest 750ti would be substantially better.
2. I don't think you'd need to. It's all relative, you don't have any sort of GPU power at the moment, so even stock speeds of a 750ti should be fine for you.
3. No - The GPU has it's own cooler, you should be fine with your regular case fan(s)
4. The cheapest will be fine
5. Memory Clock Speeds, in short. DDR3 (or lately DDR4) is system memory. GDDR5 is specifically for GPUs (older GPUs used to run GDDR3)
6. No. Your motherboard is AMD Socket AM3, there's not too many upgrades available, and even less that would be worthwhile.
A dual-core is still ok for most tasks. Not the best, but you'd be better replacing everything before upgrading the CPU on that board.
 
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David_222

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Jan 27, 2016
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Thanks to you and cdabc123, your help is really appreciated. I'll go with the 750 ti and the 8 GB RAM!
 
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David_222

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Last question Barty, I talked to my friend about upgrading my GPU and he told me to make sure it would fit in my computer. Are you sure it will? Will my motherboard support it?
Thanks a lot, I really appreciate all you've done for me.
 
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David_222

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https://www.msi.com/product/motherboard/770C45.html#hero-overview This is my motherboard can you check if it will work please?

I feel like such a noob for asking all these questions, but I'm just getting into building haha
 
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