Upgrading Processor + Graphics Card-Computer from 2007

[JCL0851]

Hello,
I would like to upgrade my computer which is 4 years old; I am not very experienced when it comes to Computer hardware. I have £200 with possibly an extra £50 to spend. I haven't had a problem finding a CPU or Graphics card I could afford the problem comes down to my motherboard.

I have a Compaq Presario SR5249uk with e4500 core 2 duo
ATI Raedon 2400 HD
3 GB RAM
However my motherboard is a P5LP-LE Leonite2 and according to the manufacturer it only supports
Core 2 Duo E6x00 (Conroe) up to E6700
Core 2 Duo E4x00 (Conroe) up to E4400
Which aren't even in stock anyway and don't match what I want to upgrade to. The details on the computer I own is at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01172681&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3604802#N193
I have no idea were to start with a new motherboard which is at a budget price so I can afford other components I need any help that anyone could provide on what I should do would be appreciated. (Processor suggest will also be useful).

This computer is going to be used to play games such as Starcraft 2, Fallout NV and Dragon Age 2 later in the year.

 

[jpmucha]

I'll post a more lengthy response when I get home tonight... but quickly...
I don't exactly know british pricing, but with a roughly US$320 (I'll do the math in USD), you'll probably get the greatest bang for the buck with an Athlon II X3, AM3 socket 880G mobo, and DDR3 memory.

In the US, NewEgg sells an Athlon II X3 450 (3.2 GHz) for $80, ASUS M4A88T-M/USB3 (880G with USB3) is about $100, several 2x2GB DDR3 1333 or 1600 brands should be around $50. That leaves about $100. That $100 could get you a Radeon 5770 after rebate if you look hard... You hopefully can reuse your power supply and drives from the current system. Does the case look like it can be reused for a 'standard' motherboard/etc?

Anyway... that's a start!

 

[moody89]

Asrock 770 Extreme3 - USB3 & SATA III for £67.13
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/204541

Athlon II X3 3.1GHz - £56.90
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/235421

Radeon HD 5770 are about £100 on EBuyer

You can pick up 2x2GB DDR3 for between £40-£50 there too.

Altogether that's about £250 so should give you some ideas to get started. I kept most of what jpmucha recommended. I don't have a clue what graphics card you'll need for those games so I kept the 5770 he recommended and also the Athlon II X3 is a great budget gaming chip. You should be able to put together a fairly capable system for within your budget. Before purchasing though I'd check that both your PSU and your case are up to spec and can cope with your upgrade.

 

[rajaawad23]

hi,
here is a good set up for you...

AMD Athlon II X3 440 3.0GHz & Asus M4A78LT-M LE Board = £89

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-Athlon-II-X3-440-3-0GHz-Asus-M4A78LT-M-LE-Board-/270692436088?pt=UK_Motherboards_CPUs&hash=item3f0686c878#ht_3133wt_1139


G Skill Ripjaws 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600mhz Cas9 Dual Channel Memory = £50

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/240501


PowerColor HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 DVI HDMI Out PCI-E Graphics Card = £94

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/248749

this all adds up to £233, and this will be a perfect budget set up that should last long time.

 

[simon12]

If you want to save even more get this board and keep your ram http://www.ebuyer.com/product/221178 £31.82 it can also take DDR3 in the future
Also consider http://www.ebuyer.com/product/218935 £56.99 its a better make than the 770 above and a newer chipset. The 5770 is good you could also condider the 6850 for a bit more.

 

[jpmucha]

I remember buying a case 10 years ago from ebuyer when they shipped to the US Good to hear they're still around over there

I was keeping the search to the '800-series' chipset boards, but I have a 780G and a 790GX running in two systems in my house. Those would be fine too.

You can float up or down a model on the CPU as the European prices to get an extra 100-200 MHz. If you can get into an Athlon II X4 or a Phenom II X3 for not much more, then go for it. The main thing is that you're getting into the modern system (processor, chipset, memory, graphics, etc...).

I didn't really pick the 5770 based on the provided game list. Its just a good 'bang for your money'... without a crazy power requirement (needing a PSU upgrade) and you already had an AMD product. Either the nVidia GTS 450 or 460 are in that neighborhood too. I think the 450 was 60-80W max and the other two were in the low 100s. I threw the suggested system into a power supply calculator and it suggested a 301 (min) to 351W supply. I'd feel comfortable with a 400-450W... but see what you have in the current system.

Best of luck!