Please help upgrading an older PC

[argoneus]

Hello,
First, I should state that I live in Czech Republic, so I prefer the prices on www.czc.cz if someone knows that site. My current rig:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ EE @ 2,6 Ghz
GPU: Sapphire HD 3850 512MB, PCI-E
MB: Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3 - nForce 520
RAM: A-DATA 2x1GB DDR2 PC800 Extreme Edition
HDD: Samsung Spin Point F1 HD322HJ 320GB
Power Supply: Seasonic SS-500ET-T3 500W
Case: THERMALTAKE VG1000BNS Wing RS100 Black

Now, I know this might not be worth upgrading, besides it's dated back in late 2009, but my budget is limited so I'd like to keep as much as possible. I thought about upgrading the MB (so CPU, GPU and RAM aswell), whilst keeping HDD, PS and Case, since these are fine, no? I can buy a new HDD later; though, if the PS dies, can't it *** up the rest beyond being able to return it to the shop?

I thought about getting a i5 (i7 is too expensive and overkill). I've heard people say that you can never use the potential, but I feel like if I play a new game and stream it, even the i5 will be busy to keep it smooth. My budget is about 8,000 CZK (€315, $420). Could you please help me?

One thing more: I've never really assembled a PC on my own, only adding RAM, so a question: should I leave it to a pro or is it easy enough? I roughly know how to assemble it, but I fear that I might break something if I push too hard or if I'd be careless. Perhaps give me some tips as to what goes where if it's not too much to ask, I prefer the SW path :/.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[g-unit1111]

One thing more: I've never really assembled a PC on my own, only adding RAM, so a question: should I leave it to a pro or is it easy enough? I roughly know how to assemble it, but I fear that I might break something if I push too hard or if I'd be careless. Perhaps give me some tips as to what goes where if it's not too much to ask, I prefer the SW path :/.

The only difficult part is to hook the case headers into the motherboard, otherwise everything else hooks into place.

I thought about getting a i5 (i7 is too expensive and overkill). I've heard people say that you can never use the potential, but I feel like if I play a new game and stream it, even the i5 will be busy to keep it smooth. My budget is about 8,000 CZK (€315, $420). Could you please help me?

Depends on what the primary use is going to be but on that kind of budget the i7 is overkill - it retails for about $320 US - there goes your budget right there. The i7-2600K and the i5-2500K are essentially the same CPU performance wise, the only difference is if you'll be using hyperthreading or not. The i5-2400 would be a good balance for you - it's not the OC'ing potential of the 2500K but it's not a dual core i3-2120 either. However the i3-2120 is still a perfectly capable CPU if that's what you want to use.

Now, I know this might not be worth upgrading, besides it's dated back in late 2009, but my budget is limited so I'd like to keep as much as possible. I thought about upgrading the MB (so CPU, GPU and RAM aswell), whilst keeping HDD, PS and Case, since these are fine, no? I can buy a new HDD later; though, if the PS dies, can't it *** up the rest beyond being able to return it to the shop?

The NFORCE 520 is very old and outdated even for a 2009 system. You can certainly reuse everything else - you might want to look at upgrading your PSU down the road just to be on the safe side or get something cheap like the Corsair CX500.

Try this for your upgrade path. If there's a store you buy from it would help to be able to post specific parts and prices.

CPU: Core i3-2120 - $129
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB - $44
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - $121
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 - $149

Total: $443 (rebates may vary prices)

 

[argoneus]

I looked up what you suggested, but it's $65 above the limit here :/. Any good other options? Thanks by the way.

 

[sewalk]

Actually, in my experience, the toughest part for a novice is getting the CPU heatsink properly installed.

There are a ton of good tutorials all over the internet so check out several of them and take your time when you do it.

You should be able to get a Core-i5 2500K, quality Z68 motherboard, and 8GB RAM within your budget. You'll need a new power supply if you upgrade your GPU beyond a GTX550 or HD6850. But you can keep using your HD3850 for a while so you can save up enough money for a really worthwhile graphics update. Like a GTX560Ti or a HD6950 along with a 600W power supply.

 

[aqe040466]

Hello,
First, I should state that I live in Czech Republic, so I prefer the prices on www.czc.cz if someone knows that site. My current rig:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ EE @ 2,6 Ghz
GPU: Sapphire HD 3850 512MB, PCI-E
MB: Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3 - nForce 520
RAM: A-DATA 2x1GB DDR2 PC800 Extreme Edition
HDD: Samsung Spin Point F1 HD322HJ 320GB
Power Supply: Seasonic SS-500ET-T3 500W
Case: THERMALTAKE VG1000BNS Wing RS100 Black

Now, I know this might not be worth upgrading, besides it's dated back in late 2009, but my budget is limited so I'd like to keep as much as possible. I thought about upgrading the MB (so CPU, GPU and RAM aswell), whilst keeping HDD, PS and Case, since these are fine, no? I can buy a new HDD later; though, if the PS dies, can't it *** up the rest beyond being able to return it to the shop?

I thought about getting a i5 (i7 is too expensive and overkill). I've heard people say that you can never use the potential, but I feel like if I play a new game and stream it, even the i5 will be busy to keep it smooth. My budget is about 8,000 CZK (€315, $420). Could you please help me?

One thing more: I've never really assembled a PC on my own, only adding RAM, so a question: should I leave it to a pro or is it easy enough? I roughly know how to assemble it, but I fear that I might break something if I push too hard or if I'd be careless. Perhaps give me some tips as to what goes where if it's not too much to ask, I prefer the SW path :/.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Go to these links and see for youself

Okay So are good to go: You are just going to upgrade your
MB------http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371606
CPU-----http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589
RAM-----http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426
Video Card--http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102940
The rest you can still use it. In my computation the total is $426.96

 

[ryanthebuilder]

Heres what I think you should upgrade now:

RAM: Your 2gigs of ram is really low and you should upgrade to about 8gigs of ddr3. Heres a good RAM company- http://www.czc.cz/patriot-signature-line-8gb-2x4gb-ddr3-1333-w-heatshield/94163/produkt?q-c-0-f_2027450=sDDR3&q-c-1-f_94358670=s2+x+4GB&q-category-id=091mfsirtuiibbvgk6m970dab4&q-c-2-producer=sam58r0qbegceqbq94lmnchfui2 (Cost-941CKZ)

GPU- http://www.czc.cz/gigabyte-gt-440-experience-1gb-ddr3/86847b/produkt?q-c-2-f_2027481=sNVIDIA&q-c-0-price=r1000-1999&q-category-id=9ht0msjf58gnva96n24a7t1057&q-c-1-f_2025810=d1024.0 (COST:1399)

CPU-Intel i5 2380P (Quad Core 3.4ghz) http://www.czc.cz/intel-core-i5-2380p/102811/produkt?q-c-1-f_2026836=sCore+i5&q-category-id=fplcb3ucvuh5286r50bmolmh96&q-c-0-f_2025182=sSocket+1155&q-c-2-producer=s3h1cn472v2dbib5omna0i2ljba Also have to buy a heatsink for cpu shouldnt cost too much and thermal paste probably. (COST:4190)

MOBO-Found an awesome ASUS mobo with socket 1155 so you can either install a i7 or i5 cpu. It is also atx so it can fit into the case you have now. http://www.czc.cz/asus-p8h61-m-rev-3-0-intel-h61/88933/produkt?q-c-0-f_2025204=t1&q-category-id=cekl578lf4hnm99cg61b4if0a1&q-c-1-f_2025182=sSocket+1155 (COST-1490ckz)

OVERALL TOTAL:8020CKZ Worth the extra 20CKZ if you can. otherwise i would get a less expensive gpu.

 

[argoneus]

Isn't the GPU a little too weak?

 

[ryanthebuilder]

Isn't the GPU a little too weak?

Its not the best gpu out there, but its a good card for your strict budget. I didnt want to downgrade your mobo or cpu to pick a better gpu but its all up to you.