Help with Upgrade of my existing build

[mountainbig01]

Hello,

I have the following setup and it is not enough to run some of the newer games as it stalls and i need some solid advice what i should upgrade to make this a decent gaming computer without spending too much on upgrading everything.

Motherboard- wolfdale1333-D667
Processor - intel pentium e2 180 (2 ghz dual core)
HD - HITACHI 500 GB
memmory - 2 GB (4300)
graphics - ATIRADEON HD3600

also can upgrading my power supply help with performance?
please advice on what should i upgrade and what i can keep and also any helpful link would be most welcome. i am not trying to make a super charged gaming pc just something that can play most games in decent quality. money is tight so please advice accordingly

 

[COLGeek]

Your video card (a.k.a. GPU) is your weakest link, followed by your CPU and RAM. Honestly, you need a new rig.

Changing to a stronger PSU will not improve performance, but if you buy a new GPU you need to make sure your current PSU meets its needs.

What is your budget to improve your system?

 

[mountainbig01]

Your video card (a.k.a. GPU) is your weakest link, followed by your CPU and RAM. Honestly, you need a new rig.

Changing to a stronger PSU will not improve performance, but if you buy a new GPU you need to make sure your current PSU meets its needs.

What is your budget to improve your system?

my budget is < 400

 

[COLGeek]

my budget is < 400

US dollars, I assume?

 

[mountainbig01]

US dollars, I assume?

Yes

 

[Tavo_Nova]

well i don't think a 400US Dollar would be enough if you can spare 500$-550$ that would give you a good upgrade

 

[mountainbig01]

what about the below setup?

Memmory: 25

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231425

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBXL

processor: 130

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100

MOBO: 50

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138332

BIOSTAR H61MGC LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

video card: 140

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with

Eyefinity

PSO:54

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028

RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-530SS 530W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular LED Power Supply

 

[COLGeek]

Those components would be fine and would perform much better than what you have now.

 

[tsnor]

Start with the video card upgrade. $115 will make a difference (HD5770, Hd6770), $150+ will make a huge difference. Game with the new video card for a while, see if you need more. You may need a new power supply to run the graphics card. Can you post specs on your current PSU ? Here is a video card ref. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3085.html

Aside: I'm not sure what you meant by "graphics - ATIRADEON HD3600 " assuming this is a hd3650 or hd3670, you will see noticeable improvement with new video.

The next step for you after video (and PSU if required by video card) is a New MB, CPU and Memory. That'll run $250 minimum. Depending on your case you might end up with a new case too. Maybe a new hard drive. So start with video and see how far it takes you.