Upgrading Old Build

tomtwostep

May 6, 2011 2:38:56 PM

Hi guys,

I decided to upgrade my computer because I was having issues with it, and it's time to upgrade from my Pentium E5300.

I have chosen the following:

Biostar - H61ML LGA 1155 H61 mATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

Intel Core i3 2100 LGA 1155 3.1GHz Boxed Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

Corsair - CMV4GX3M1A1333C 4GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) CL9
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

My current video card is a Radeon HD 4850.

I have chosen to go with 1 stick of RAM because in the future I'd like to buy another 4gb.

I know the mobo is kinda junk, but I am on a budget.

Comments? How will this combo work with my graphics card? I mostly use my computer for gaming.

I'd like to know what people think before I leave work today so I can pickup the order on my way home.

More about : upgrading build

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jerreddredd

May 6, 2011 3:06:11 PM

no reason your HD 4850 wouldn't work with that MB.

I would consider just getting a 2x2Gb dual channel memory kit. 4gb is plenty for gaming, and you will take a significant performance hit only having a single module.

Memory upgrade article from tom's
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ram-memory-upgrade,...

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sadams04

May 6, 2011 3:10:25 PM

I would opt for an ASUS or Gigabyte board before buying Biostar, but it will work just fine. Also, install the memory in pairs to take advantage of the dual memory controllers. Installing a single memory module will have you running in single channel mode and will be a touch slower...

For the sake of additional options on a budget, the AMD bundles at Microcenter are respectable. The ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 + X4 965 will get you SATA 6.0Gb/s and USB 3.0 and will easily overclock to 3.6+ Ghz. Also, check out the HyperX Blu memory currently on sale....
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundl...
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

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tomtwostep

May 6, 2011 3:55:43 PM

Thanks, I'm changing the memory to this then:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

and thank you for the AMD deals link but I will still stay with intel for future upgrades, and also because I don't plan on overclocking.

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sadams04

May 6, 2011 4:03:30 PM

Sounds good. The Corsair XMS memory under $40 is a good pickup...

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jerreddredd

May 6, 2011 9:03:00 PM

tomtwostep said:

Thanks, I'm changing the memory to this then:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml...

and thank you for the AMD deals link but I will still stay with intel for future upgrades, and also because I don't plan on overclocking.

looks good to me. good price point

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