Upgrading - need suggestions

[alrik94]

My birthday is coming up and I have been wanting to upgrade my computer for a while now because I want something better. Yes, I know it may not be needed, but I am a computer enthusiast and I love getting the latest and greatest. I don't know what to upgrade because I don't want something to be bottle-necked once I make the change. My question: What would I need to upgrade to get the greatest overall gaming performance?

Here is my current system:

Motherboard: Biostar TA790GXB A2+
Processor: AMD Phenom II x3 710 AM3
Memory: 4GB Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 MHz
Graphics: HIS ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts 650W
Case: Antec 900
Monitor: 19" Dell 1440x900
CPU Cooler: (Just Upgraded) Scythe Katana 3

Note: I might be willing to change motherboards and RAM altogether for a better "made for AM3" motherboard with 2 PCIe 2.0 slots.

Budget: $300-400

 

[rolli59]

Phenom II X4 955 and maybe the mobo and ram that would all fit in your budget but if it was me I would start with a nice 23-24" 1080p monitor

 

[alrik94]

I had another question. Whenever I check CPU-Z, it says my Phenom II 710 is AM2+. Is that just because the socket on the mobo is AM2+?

 

[saint19]

Hi.

CPU $ 159,99 Phenom II X4 955
RAM $ 108,99 G.Skill 4GB 1333
MOBO $ 176,99 Gigabyte 790FXTA

Total: $ 445,97, with rebates and free shipping.

So, you can re-sell all your old components (RAM, MOBO and maybe the processor) and get the $46 more that you need.

P.D. Yeah, CPU-Z says that your processor is AM2+ because you are using an AM2+ mobo.

 

[batuchka]

+1 Full HD 23-24 incher followed by a HD 5850 perhaps For the rest DDR2--> DDR3 change in platform would only waste $$ IMO w.r.t the overall gaming experience but a bigger LCD and a kickass GPU meanwhile....

 

[rolli59]

I had another question. Whenever I check CPU-Z, it says my Phenom II 710 is AM2+. Is that just because the socket on the mobo is AM2+?

Yes

 

[coldsleep]

Agree with batuchka on this one.

Additionally, unless you have a retail copy of Windows (or you're running some version of Linux), you'll need to also buy a new copy of Windows if you upgrade your motherboard. Which might be ok if you're a student and you can get it for $30. If you're not, it drastically changes the cost of getting a new motherboard.

Alternatively, you could get a 128 GB SSD, but that's not going to improve your gaming performance any. Just the general day-to-day responsiveness of the computer.