Struggling to find the best CPU possible for old HP Pavilion p6243w

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Matthew_119

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Jun 25, 2016
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Hi, I'm in the process of upgrading a PC and my total budget is about $300. I've spent about $103 in my head on a graphics card and power supply and ram. My thought process is to grab something that can handle at least Skyrim on medium settings, high if I can but I understand that is asking a lot from this machine which is a HP Pavilion p6243w by the way.

Here is a link to HP's website about the specs on this PC,
h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c01852859

If I'm reading that right I need a AM2+ CPU with TDP up to 95 watts. The problem is this is the first machine that I've played with hardware wise other than cleaning and replacing thermal paste or ram and hard drives, otherwise I don't mess with much inside the machines I work with. I'm very intimidated but determined to get this thing running well and if someone could coach me on the best CPU I can buy for my money I'd appreciate it so much.
 
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DSzymborski


A big problem is that you're upgrading to another OEM PSU to facilitate an upgrade to an ancient GPU that is matched by modern GPUs that cost the same and have much lower PSU requirements and better driver support. For example, the GT 730 (you want the 64-bit GDDR5...
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Matthew_119

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Jun 25, 2016
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DSzymborski

DSzymborski

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Nov 19, 2010
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A big problem is that you're upgrading to another OEM PSU to facilitate an upgrade to an ancient GPU that is matched by modern GPUs that cost the same and have much lower PSU requirements and better driver support. For example, the GT 730 (you want the 64-bit GDDR5 one) will perform just as well and uses a third the power (so you shouldn't need to upgrade the PSU) and isn't from 2008.

If your total budget is $300 though, I'd go a different way.

The memory you saw - $13
AM2+ Processor - $30-$60 depending on what you can scrounge
PSU - Antec HCG-620M - around $60
GPU - GTX 950 - $120-$140

That's $223 spent leaving you enough room to do something like get a SSD or a new case. And you can take the PSU and GPU to a new PC or keep through an upgrade and they'll live on just fine at 1080p gaming. You can't say the same about a 9800GT or a junky OEM PSU. Then you have the ability later to move to an i3 platform at a future date for $250 or an i5 from $300-$350.

 
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Matthew_119

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Jun 25, 2016
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If the GTX 950 is better than the GT 730 and I can use it I'll get it. I know it's a lot more expensive but you're right, I can take it with me later. You told me exactly what GT 730 to grab, the 64-bit GDDR5. I found it right away. I'm seeing like 9 different GTX 950s on Amazon and I'm not sure what to grab and why. I hate to take up more of your time considering how unbelievably helpful you've been but could you tell me which GTX 950 to grab?

I found it on Amazon but there is probably cheaper but IDK what to look for quite yet,
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Cooling-Graphics-02G-P4-2958-KR/dp/B013WQC9U2

I am just blown away by how helpful you're being. Seriously, thank you very much.

AM2+ Processor, AMD Phenom X4 9850 2.5GHz 4x512KB Socket AM2+ Quad-Core CPU
https://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-2-5GHz-4x512KB-Quad-Core/dp/B002LHOE9I

PSU - Antec HCG-620M,
https://www.amazon.com/Antec-Current-HCG-620M-BRONZE-Modular/dp/B006TVQTFE

Ram 2x 4gb kit, HP - Memory - 8 GB : 2 x 4 GB - DIMM 240-pin - DDR2 - 800 MHz / PC2-6400,
https://www.amazon.com/HP-PC2-6400-registered-Manufacturer-497767-B21/dp/B0052UXFBY/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1466873787&sr=1-1&keywords=HP+-+Memory+-+8+GB+%3A+2+x+4+GB+-+DIMM+240-pin+-+DDR2+-+800+MHz+%2F+PC2-6400+-+registered+-+ECC+8GB+REG+PC2-6400+2X4GB+KIT+Manufacturer+Part+Number+497767-B21

So I'm just stuck on which of the two GPUs I should grab, I want the better of the two but not sure what the 2nd one should be exactly?
 
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DSzymborski

DSzymborski

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Nov 19, 2010
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You actually need the x4 9850 with this part number: HD9850WCJ4BGH The other ones are 125W and you can only use the 95W one!

There's really not a lot of difference among the GTX 950s. I noted a particular GT 730 because there's actually a significant performance difference between them. Given the brand and the rebate, this is the one I'd probably look at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487159&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

The GTX 950 is considerably better than the GT 730. You don't really start getting bang for the buck with GPUs until you hit around $90-$100.
 
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