Part Swap Help

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

So I need to update my gaming rig as there seems to be a lot of issues with it and it needs updating anyway. So my budget is $350 and while that might seem a bit unrealistic I don't need a complete system. What I need are the following:

CPU
Motherboard
PSU
RAM
GPU
Monitor

I know this is asking a lot but thankfully I don't need this to be "top of the line".

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

You're not going to get a lot for that money. Are there any other old parts that could possibly be salvageable? Monitor is the most obvious one.

Are you sure the issues in the old PC can't be fixed?

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

Someone Somewhere :

Sadly that's all I really can see that's salvageable as I'm dealing with a serious issue with my monitor crashing to a solid color or BSOD, and the nearly the whole build is too old to swap any single part without affecting them all as the parts aren't sold anymore.

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

That's likely to be an issue with your computer (probably GPU, or a broken windows install), not your monitor. Don't suppose you've got a laptop you can test the monitor on?

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

Someone Somewhere :

Not right now but I can borrow one. Whats strange is that it's really random, before it would happen while gaming, then on firefox, but it wasn't consistent, and earlier today while listening to music it happened. I reinstalled every single driver twice, and updated them and reset them. I also set the monitor color from true 32 to 16. Everything points to bad parts and while the monitor is an easy swap, the GPU is not as the motherboard can't take any of the newer GPU's. Hence the gutting...

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

What model motherboard is it?

PCIe has been standard since like 2005...

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

Someone Somewhere :

ASRock H61M/U3S3 Intel H61 Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard

I'll admit I'm a bit rusty when it comes to builds though when I checked the list for "Best GPU for the money" most didn't seem like they would fit.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

That is actually a complete system apart from a case & hard drive !!

For $350 with a monitor I'd say impossible mate absolutely

Without a monitor even you'd manage an amd apu at the best really.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

That board will take any GPU mate , I have one myself with a i5 3470 & a 280x installed!!

What CPU are you using ??

For $350 you'd be downgrading IMO.

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

Yeah, that's perfectly fine with modern GPUs. Should be able to drop a newer/faster CPU in if needed, and more RAM.

Can you post a list of everything you've got?

Did you try re-installing Windows from scratch?

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

madmatt30 :

An Intel Core i5-2400, and really? well I feel really rather stupid now if that's the case. This whole mess just has me stressed beyond believe with no clear answer but if you got any recommendations for a new GPU that would be great.

And here's whats under the hood. I salvaged a 500GB HD and a Disk Drive.

SAPPHIRE AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCIE Graphics Card
ASRock H61M/U3S3 Intel H61 Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard
Intel Core i5-2400 Quad-Core Processor 3.1 GHz 6 MB Cache LGA 1155
PNY DDR3 8GB (2x4GB) 1333MHz (PC3-10666) CAS 9 1.5V
Corsair Builder Series CX V2 500-Watt 80 Plus Certified Power Supply

And I have not reinstalled windows as my installation disk was stolen a few months before the issues started.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

I would suggest for a couple of days removing your current GPU & running basic on the integrated graphics to see if the system is still crashing.

What gpu is it ??
90% of the time a board/CPU/ram will long outlast the GPU on both a hardware life & performance level.

The i5 2400 still cuts it on a performance level even now & will pair with even a 970 or r9 390 fine.

as somewhere suggests - list your full system specs/components - there maybe a weak link somewhere there eg PSU which could do with replacing.

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

i5-2400 isn't going to be much worse than the chips we recommend people buy now - more power consumption, but not much performance loss.

However, you don't really want to buy a new GPU, drop it in, and then find out you're still having trouble. Can you post a list of all the parts in it (including brand and model of PSU)? Also, did you try re-installing Windows?

GPU is going to depend on how much cash is left over (do we need a new PSU, new RAM etc.), but I'd expect GTX 960 or 970 territory.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

The 6870 would be standing out there, old card , runs hot , maybe nearing the end of its lifetime & failing.
How old is the PSU ?? I personally don't think the CX are as bad as is believed on here , but they do tend to have a 3-5 year lifetime on the reliability front.

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

The whole rig was bought in Jan of 2013 so I wouldn't doubt that its up there in age.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

The 6870 is from 2010 , so to me its still likely a culprit - as I suggested try running basic stuff on the integrated graphics for a couple of days.
If no crashes its definitely either GPU or PSU based.
No easy way to define which but I'd plant my money more on the 6870 personally.

You have budget for a good mid-range GPU & a new PSU there though if it comes down to it.

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

You may be able to download a new Windows disk here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/home

Yeah, running off integrated graphics is a good test. My bet is the AMD drivers are messed up.

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

Well that's good to hear, Thank you as this whole thing was driving me crazy. So whats a recommended wattage for a PSU on my build?

Someone Somewhere · Jan 30, 2016

500W or more. Pick a good one from tier 1 or 2 here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

Probably one of these, currently: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

Revan230 · Jan 30, 2016

Cool, I actually have that list up and going through it as we speak, as well as downloading the software to my USB, so I figure it will be easier to just hit this with all 3 solutions just to be sure.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

Indeed mate, I'd go out of my way troubleshooting before I even considered dumping a sandy bridge i5 build - you're looking at $170 alone for a current cpu with similar performance to replace it!

Xfx 550 PSU
Gtx 960
240gb ssd
Maybe a cheapish aftermarket cooler like the aidos (not mandatory but $20 well spent)

You'll get a whole new lease of performance with those above if removing the 6870 & reinstalling windows gets your stability back.

madmatt30 · Jan 30, 2016

Also while not strictly necessary check your bios revision, 2.4 is the latest & offers a multitude of improvements .

What os are you currently running ??
If its win 7 or 8 consider a inline win 10 upgrade.

Part Swap Help

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