How should I build a new computer?

Atleast6 · Sep 9, 2016

My cpu is dead. I've been dragging it by the neck for the past two years and it's now finally kicked the bucket down a well. I can't pick it back up. That's what i think...

I was looking into possible CPUs I could buy so that I would only need to change one component, and the Athlon x4 II 860k looked good... until I realised it's an FM2 rather than AM3.

My current cpu is a Phenom x4 II 965, but i just cannot handle the things I do to it. It also seems that there are not many better AM3 CPUs, so I will need to change my motherboard, too? ... and with that, possibly my Radeon HD 5450, too...

I've been reading around, and the Athlon I mentiined above seems to be good... but the intel i3 is better? How? Isn't i3 the older/worst when compared with i5 and i7?

Also, I know the GPU is for graphics and the CPU is for processes, but at which point is the line drawn exactly?

Well, I'll tell you what I expect to be able to do, and the people smarter than me should know what's best for me. I've been AMD my entire life, so I'm quite biased.

I would like to be able to run multiple games, model, animate and browse mozilla/youtube at the same time.

E.g. 2x runescape + 1x hearthstone/Chronicle/LOL + Lightwave Modeler/Layout + Unity3D + listen to youtube in the background.

Keep in mind that I'm not Bill Gates.

p.s. I have 8GB DDR3 RAM, "The Max" 650TM PS and WD Caviar Green 1TB w/ SATA 64MB hardrive, running windows 7. I would like to remain windows 7, unless there is a REEEAAALLY good reason to switch to 10.

Thank you in advance.

kasol kay · Sep 9, 2016

You could get a Modern Pentium and a Cheap-Motherboard. And if you want to upgrade later down the line you could get a /i3/i5/i7, I think, this Socket is a bit weird. I chose this because you can keep the Ram, but I don't know if the new i5/i7 work wit DDR3 Motherboards:

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-LGA1151-DDR3-Motherboard-GA-H110M-S2PV/dp/B016EWMJHO/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1473463531&sr=1-3&keywords=motherboard+h110&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5657494011

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80662G4400-Pentium-Processor-FCLGA1151/dp/B015VPX05A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473463375&sr=8-1&keywords=pentium+g4400

If you want better 3D Performance (More FPS, Faster Render Times) invest in a new GPU, that will help a great deal. Hope this helped :3

gussrtk · Sep 9, 2016

Right now, you could go with low budget on an Intel i3-6100, which is an 1151 socket, that means new motherboard. There are two options, new gen motherboard (uses ddr4 and comes with newer features but low budget ain't gonna shine "much" of that through), other one is older gen motherboards which use ddr3 but I don't think there are many of them around but I'm sure enough . "Today" there is no for ddr4. You could do a nice upgrade by building i3, cheap motherboard (need to look around), ram reuse with ddr3 board, and the rest of budget is left to be eaten up by a gpu... I think that's the direction you should go with. The i3 is a "stronger" CPU although it's only 2 cores, it can run like 4 core with its hyperthreading, although it's not a "solution" 2 physical cores and 2 virtual.

Yes of course i5 would be a perfect gaming candidate, but then your budget takes a big hit.i 7 not necessary.

Right now I'm on my phone and too lazy to look up some parts list, in sure someone will help.

No real need to buy win10, price wise. Reuse 7

Good luck

Atleast6 · Sep 10, 2016

@kasol @guss, Wow. That's less than 1/4 of what I thought I was going to pay. Are you sure a dual core can handle all those things?

gussrtk · Sep 10, 2016

Atleast6 :

handle, yes. but longetivity of build will be in question. for sure if you go for i5 at least it'll serve you longer and perform much better. but then there's a price bump.

"E.g. 2x runescape + 1x hearthstone/Chronicle/LOL + Lightwave Modeler/Layout + Unity3D + listen to youtube in the background."

is this at the same time

? i somehow dont remember reading that.

i3 will be good for "single or low multitasking"
i5 is for multitasking/ 4 cores ensure good performance
i7 is for heavy multitasking

what is your budget? you said you don't really have a lot so that's why you're getting the i3 suggestions

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

@guss, I don't have an actual budget. I dont mind paying up to 600 if I need to buy mobo+cpu+gpu, but i didnt want suggestions of just buy X overpriced new model which has amaxing performance.
And yes, that is at the same time.

GraySilencer · Sep 11, 2016

Atleast6 :

I wouldn't recommend re-using your DDR3 RAM as that would limit your upgrade options. You would benefit the most by going with a new MB, CPU, RAM, GPU and SSD to install Windows 7 on. This would be a substantial upgrade from what you have.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($213.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H170 Pro4 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX300 275GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon RX 460 4GB NITRO Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $556.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-11 03:46 EDT-0400

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

@Gray, How important is the SSD? All that does is improve startup time?
Also, if I am to get an SSD, is there a way for me to simply transfer the windows from my HDD to the SSD without any reinstallation / getting a new key? I also need my HDD as it is until the end of the year. I have an expensive program on it which I don't want to risk losing before the year is over.

madmatt30 · Sep 11, 2016

A move to Intel is essentially a new build ,there is no way round the fact that a fresh clean windows install is absolutely necessary.

What model is your current motherboard ??

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

madmatt30 :

gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H. It's got an AM3 socket.

GraySilencer · Sep 11, 2016

Atleast6 :

No unfortunately. You'll have to buy a new Windows 7 key or just get Windows 10 Home 64-bit. For the "expensive program" you'll have to likely contact the publisher and ask about how installing it on a new PC.

The reasons to move to an SSD: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/store-ssd-10-reasons-to-buy

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

@Gray, okay... i'll hold on to the ssd thing for later then. I thought ATI radeon GPUs were for AMD mobos and nvidia was foe intel mobos?

madmatt30 · Sep 11, 2016

That board while having an am3 spec dependant on revision can support SOME 6 & 8 core fx visheras.

You're running fairly heavy multitasking here % I don't think that phenom is entirely at fault mate.
You're running 8gb ram & only a single 5200rpm drive??
That's going to cripple multitasking make no mistake at all .

I'm not saying a full rebuild to intel wouldn't be beneficial but that is essentially building a whole new computer , a new os & program install (probably a windows repurchase).

I think an upgrade to an fx vishera 6 or 8 core, doubling your ram, & adding another drive to split multitasking use will be just as beneficial with much less cost or trouble.

What you need to know is your motherboard revision & current BIOS, CPU z will get that info for you (the revision number will be printed on the board)

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

@Madmatt, Isn't the FX series for the AM3+ socket?

madmatt30 · Sep 11, 2016

Yes mate generally, am3+ carries an extra pin over am3 (939 vs 940 pins).

Some manufacturers (namely Asus & gigabyte) included that extra pin on some of their later high end am3 boards to try& give a bit of future compatibility .
Your board is one of those.
Fx support is limited to a few select chips dependant on your motherboard revision.
It'll almost certainly take something from the fx line though.

madmatt30 · Sep 11, 2016

Ah , just seen its only the 3.1 revision that has a black board PCB that has some fx support.

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

@Madmatt, I see. Thanks for telling me.

It seems I will be migrating to intel then.... but I understand from above that intel/amd mobo/cpus read hdd's differently, so I can't just plug mine into the new system? This is something I had never thought about before, as I have always been amd.

GraySilencer · Sep 11, 2016

Atleast6 :

They don't read them differently they just use different drivers. You can move the hard drive to the new computer. But you would have to format it first it if it's holding Windows. If the new board tries to read it with the old Windows installed, you'll get the "blue screen of death" and won't be able to use it anyway.

http://www.howtogeek.com/239815/why-cant-you-move-a-windows-installation-to-another-computer/

On Intel and AMD systems you can install a Radeon or Geforce video card, it doesn't matter. Some Nforce chipset boards had conflicts in the past but that was like 15 years ago.

Atleast6 · Sep 11, 2016

@Gray, I see. Thanks.

How should I build a new computer?

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