Starting to upgrade my PC, need advice

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saltiren

saltiren

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Dec 11, 2012
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Hello everyone. I used this site to help me build my current PC when I was in high school. Now I'm looking to upgrade my aging computer now that I have more disposable income. Here is my current build:

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/tz9GRG
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/tz9GRG/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 450 3.2GHz Triple-Core Processor (Purchased For $69.99)
Motherboard: Biostar A880GZ Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard (Purchased For $64.99)
Memory: ADATA Gaming Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $25.99)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $59.99)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 240 2GB Video Card (Purchased For $64.99)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $46.98)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $39.99)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $14.99)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N USB 2.0 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter (Purchased For $10.00)
Total: $397.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 16:10 EDT-0400

*Just a note, excluded here is the Windows 7 copy I purchased for $90. I have upgraded to Windows 10 and no longer have the disc. If I purchase a new CPU, motherboard and new memory, will I still maintain my copy of windows?

I was hoping to upgrade my RAM and CPU which would also require me to upgrade my
AM3+ motherboard as it only has two memory slots and only supports up to DDR3 2100 anyway. I'm looking for at least 6 GB of memory if not 8 GB, with a motherboard that has 4 memory slots. I'd like to get two sticks of 4 GB for now for 8 GB and get two more later for 16 GB total, but I'm open to suggestions. I have heard good things about the AMD Ryzen line and I wouldn't mind staying with AMD at all, I was pretty happy with my PC until I tried to play games like Fallout 4, Space Engineers, GTA V and Cities: Skylines. If anyone suggests another CPU they think would be better for my price range, that is also fine! My price range is ~$550 USD (Pacific Northwest region if it matters) total for the CPU, motherboard and memory upgrades. I will also be looking to upgrade my GPU later, but I don't think I can foot the bill for all four parts at one time. I'm looking to be under budget if possible, I'm still working my first job :p. Thanks for the help!

Edit: Also, my current case has three spots for fans yet I only have the front one that came with it. The dimensions are 1 x 92mm in the back and 1 x 120mm in the side panel. If anyone has a motherboard that can support these three fans and if anyone could recommend two fans for me to buy, I'd appreciate that!

Edit: I'd prefer not to build an entirely new PC right now. It's too much for my budget to get the type of computer that I want all at once, and does not make sense when my current parts like my case and HDD will work for a new computer anyway. I'm okay with upgrading my PSU but getting a CPU, Motherboard, HDD, case and memory all at once is a lot, especially since I'm trying to stay under my budget for these three parts if I can. Thank you all for your replies so far!
 
Solution
WildCard999
The Pentium is actually a dual core but with hyper-threading which is identical to a i3 and surprisingly enough the Pentium games quite well when paired with a good GPU. If you want a quad core then I'd looks into Ryzen 5.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock A320M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($101.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 470 4GB HS Triple X...
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okcnaline

okcnaline

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Nov 17, 2013
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Whooeeee.... That's one old platform.

Instead of upgrading, you should just build an entire new PC.
And all you need is to input the serial code of the copy of Windows 7 then upgrade through accessibility.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.48 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z270P-D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($100.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: SK hynix SL308 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.33 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 470 4GB HS Triple X Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.90 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV 4.2 PCI-Express x1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $577.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 17:19 EDT-0400
 
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LucoTF

LucoTF

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Sep 6, 2013
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Yeah time to retire the old girl...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.48 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B250M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($55.45 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon RX 480 4GB Dual Video Card ($181.69 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix Neos Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($56.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.98 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN781ND PCI-Express x1 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($12.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $621.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 17:32 EDT-0400
 
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WildCard999

WildCard999

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Jul 18, 2014
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I'd reuse a few parts. As far as the OS as long as you updated before the Anniversary update then the license should be tied to a MS account and is transferable I think.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.48 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B250M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill NT Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk SSD PLUS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($75.71 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: MSI Radeon RX 580 4GB ARMOR OC Video Card ($206.80 @ B&H)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($56.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $0.00)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N USB 2.0 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $526.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 17:33 EDT-0400
 
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saltiren

saltiren

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Dec 11, 2012
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I've debated this, but I don't understand the point of buying a new HDD, Case, Power Supply or even a new wireless network adapter, all of my current parts will work in a new PC. With the new motherboard, CPU and Memory and even fans the wattage shouldn't exceed what my PSU can handle. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my case. Sorry to say but I don't want an SSD along side my HDD, that's an upgrade I'm going to make after my GPU/PSU upgrade after this one.

I hope to have a PC capable of running Fallout 4 on high with mods (just settlements and dialogue, no HD textures) at 60 FPS in the next ~2 months, spread out to minimize the cost at one time in case something unexpected comes up. I'd prefer to be under budget, that's why I'm only buying three parts instead of the entire PC. I apologize if I come across as rude, I appreciate your advice!
 
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saltiren

saltiren

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Dec 11, 2012
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Thank you for the reply! I'm sorry to say that I'm not interested in having an SSD, I'm not obsessed with load times. My files load fast and games aren't slow to load for me so I'm not looking to spend $75 on an unessential part. I have a question about the motherboard and CPU, why only a dual core? I'd prefer to be at least a quad core, if not 6 or even 8 if possible but if you can explain why I will look into it. It'll seem like a bottleneck to have so many cores but I'm going to upgrade the rest of my PC soon, next the GPU along with maybe looking into an SSD at that time. Thank you!
 
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WildCard999

WildCard999

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The Pentium is actually a dual core but with hyper-threading which is identical to a i3 and surprisingly enough the Pentium games quite well when paired with a good GPU. If you want a quad core then I'd looks into Ryzen 5.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock A320M Pro4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($101.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 470 4GB HS Triple X Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($56.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $0.00)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N USB 2.0 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $557.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 17:59 EDT-0400
 
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Solution
adiec

adiec

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Dec 4, 2013
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i've just done this build on another thread for someone on a tight budget so i ll stick it here and if you like it then good .. if not .. meh :p

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hhQqyf
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hhQqyf/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.48 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B250M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($69.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Viper 4 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($56.69 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon RX 470 4GB Red Dragon Video Card ($148.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z1 Neo ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.90 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Gigabyte GM-FORCE M7 Wired Optical Mouse ($21.78 @ Amazon)
Total: $468.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 18:05 EDT-0400

edit: ignore the mouse !
 
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saltiren

saltiren

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Dec 11, 2012
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I think I might have found what I was looking for! https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.3482366

Build: PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QbWbf8
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/QbWbf8/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1400 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($170.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI B350M MORTAR Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($96.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($101.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon RX 470 4GB Red Dragon Video Card ($178.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $0.00)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $548.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-04-21 18:51 EDT-0400

The motherboard is Micro ATX like my current one so it can fit inside my current case. I also went for the RX 470 I've seen suggested here so the PC isn't bottlenecked. With the combo from Newegg the price sits just under $510 for the four parts which is ideal for me. The only issue I see is the PSU should be upgraded soon (I'd like to anyway, old power supply units are hazards) and the GPU will be quite a bit longer in my case but that's okay considering I don't use my lower drive bays for anything but cable management. This new build should perform for what games I'm looking to play, does anyone have any suggestions to improve this? Thank you all for your advice so far!
 
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adiec

adiec

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i have one issue regarding the ram you chose . ryzen cpus work better with faster ram from what i know about them .. so 3000 or 3200 would be a better choice . . at least that is the way it works with the r7 not 100% with the r5
 
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okcnaline

okcnaline

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Nov 17, 2013
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I completely forgot that you already have a hard drivel; my bad.

CX 430 may be just above the estimated wattage, but that PSU isn't exactly stable enough to provide exactly the amount of voltage needed to run the components.

And there IS something wrong with the case. I recommended an ATX board so upgrade is easier later on.

As for the wireless card, it's an improvement over the one you have now. That's why I bothered to even include that in the budget.
 
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