Please help me pick compatible PC parts for gaming

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austin199

austin199

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I am trying to upgrade my current gaming pc and i need help with figuring out what is compatible with what. I currently have;

Processor:
Intel Core i7 - 4790

Graphics Card:
Radeon R7 240 (Garbage, I know)

RAM:
12GB DDR3

Motherboard:
H81-M ASUS (this came in this pre-built asus rig)

Power Supply:
non branded 350W

What I would like to get are these components listed below;
(Keeping the processor and DDR3 RAM)

Power Supply:
Corsair CX 750W (2017)

Graphics Card:
I recently got a Geforce GTX 1060 6GB amp edition.
(So I already have this part I am just not sure what is compatible with it.)

Motherboard:
MSI Z97 Gaming 3
(I have a wifi usb adapter to compensate without onboard wifi.)

CPU Cooler:
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO

I also need some recommendations for a good case that has plenty of chassis fan slots.

I have an all in budget of around $315 for a new MOBO, PSU, CPU Cooler, Case, Case Fans.


Thank you very much in advance for any help or advice. I would love to learn as I go so my next upgrade goes much smoother and is less stressful. I am not experienced in upgrading PC's, as this will be my first time.






 
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B
Since you don't overclock, you don't need so many fans. My son's computer has i7 8700 with GTX970 in Phantek P400 case, it works fine with standard 2 case fan (1 front and 1 back). I suggest you hold off buying Z97 mobo and just buy the computer case. If later on you think is not good enough, you can always buy the Z97 mobo.

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Jesse_20

Jesse_20

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Dec 11, 2015
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First of all, I wouldn't consider upgrading too much more on this rig, since the CPU is locked.
With that being said, I would consider the power supply as it can be moved to a better build later. I would also potentially look at an SSD to replace your Hard drive, if you haven't done so already. The SSD would give you hands-down the best boost per dollar for your build as it stands now.
The GPU is compatible with your current or any future build that you might want to put it in.

After those upgrades, I would then start saving for a new CPU, Mobo, Ram, CPU cooler, and case. Everything here but the case will need to be upgraded at once since you will need to move to a new chipset to do better. The performance increase of the z97 mobo will not be noticeable and a waste of money at this point. Save and get a 7th or 8th gen CPU and you will actually notice the gains you are trying to achieve.
 
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austin199

austin199

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I am okay with the processor being locked, i wont be C more than likely. I dont have an SSD as i am on a budget and i have plenty of space on my hard drive, i am okay with the slower nature of the hard drive personally. later on though i will look into that, i am looking for the most performance that i can get for around $315, if possible. and the reason that i want to upgrade the MOBO is due to the fact that my current mobo has no more fan slots. i only have one exhaust fan so i am afraid to risk my brand new gpu to overheating to something like that. I am a broke college student so i cant change out everything that i would like, so im trying to get the most out of a few crucial upgrades. Im positive that my case will hold in too much heat and i will need a better case with more fan mounts, and a new mobo to power those fans. ram is expensive so i am going to stay with ddr3 as long as possible, thats why i am looking at DDR3 mobo's. the cpu cooler is pretty cheap so im not too concerned about that. What would be a good combination that you would recommend? I would like to mainly find an affordable mobo so that i can have more fan slots, but also stick with DDR3 if possible, and be able to use my 1060 gpu.
Thank you for the help by the way.
 
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Bob125484

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Jun 13, 2015
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Motherboard: Keep your H81-M ASUS. Z97 mobo will not increase performance. Maybe you bought it because you have 12G (3x4G).
Power Supply: 550W on quality brand is more than enough. If same price, get EVGA supernova G3 or look for modular PS option.
CPU cooler: Get Cryorig H7 or better and more expensive H5.
Case: Phantek P400 or similar with tempered glass.
 
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austin199

austin199

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My main reason for wanting a new motherboard is so that i can have more case fans. To my knowledge it only has one case fan header. and one cpu fan header. The exact mobo is the H81M-E/M51AD/DP_MB
 
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Bob125484

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Since you don't overclock, you don't need so many fans. My son's computer has i7 8700 with GTX970 in Phantek P400 case, it works fine with standard 2 case fan (1 front and 1 back). I suggest you hold off buying Z97 mobo and just buy the computer case. If later on you think is not good enough, you can always buy the Z97 mobo.

 
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austin199

austin199

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That is good to know, my case does have an intake fan mount, but i dont have a place to plug in a fan on my mobo. will it be alright with just the exhaust fan?
 
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austin199

austin199

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I had no idea that those adapters existed. I see that they plug into the PSU and then directly into the CPU Fan. In order to use that adapter would i just leave my CPU plugged into the cpu fan header on the mobo and hook the adapter to an additional fan for the case? Or hook the CPU fan directly to the adapter and have the intake fan be plugged into the cpu fan header?

I also found this one, would that work?https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812162026
 
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Bob125484

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This is what you have on your mobo.
1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin) - You connect CPU fan to here.
1 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin) - You connect one case fan here.

If you have an extra case fan, then you connect it to the connector off power supply. If you need adapter, then you just buy adapter.
 
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austin199

austin199

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Awesome, thank you for all of that help. One more question if you dont mind, is a 550W PSU enough for my configuration or should i just go with a 650?
 
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Bob125484

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Your i7 4790 use 84W max, GTX1060 is 150W max, add 50W for others....Not even 300W. If you want, 650W, it will not hurt. Just get a good brand quality. I think you should check with expert with what power supply brand you should get. I saw EVGA SuperNova G2 or G3 recommendation. If cost an issue, someone will recommend SeaSonic bronze series.
 
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austin199

austin199

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I was thinking about getting a corsair CX 650 (2017)
Thank you so much for all of the help this evening.
 
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