Search
Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Solved

Need to Upgrade Computer for New games

Last response: in Systems
Share

I would like to play the games coming out now like Diablo 3 or Skyrim.
I'm new to this type of thing, so bear with me if I don't include something or don't know what it is.
Here are my current specs:

Operating System
MS Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Pentium E5200 @ 2.50GHz 41 °C
Wolfdale 45nm Technology
RAM
6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (6-6-6-18)
Motherboard
PEGATRON CORPORATION Benicia (CPU 1) 43 °C
Graphics
SDM-HS73 (1280x1024@60Hz)
Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Hard Drives
625GB Western Digital WDC WD6400AAKS-00H2B0 (SATA) 37 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H653R
MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM0000
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

I know that this is pretty bad, since this isn't a custom built computer. So here is the correct format:


Approximate Purchase Date: Most likely over the Summer (June-August)

Budget Range: $500 after rebate

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly gaming and surfing

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg (If there is any with a lower price, I'd appreciate it)

Country: US

Parts Preferences: No preference, as long as it works

Overclocking: Maybe, I don't know what this is

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, I also don't know what this is

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024

Additional Comments: Quiet would be good

More about : upgrade computer games

Register or log in to remove

Best solution

i5 3450 $190
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-3450-Processor-BX80637...
Asrock B75M $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
GTX 560 $170 (Not including $10 MIR)
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Graph...
OR
6870 $160 (not including $10 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Team Vulcan 8GB DDR3 1600 $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CX430 $45 ($10 MIR not included yet)
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681713902...
Total: $523 or $513 before rebates.

Would give you a HUGE boost in processing power and the GPU is more than enough for your monitor resolution. You'd probably max out even the most hardcore of games.

You can reuse your HDD and optical drives. Since you said its not custom-built, I'm not sure if you can reuse your power supply and your case.

Everything else you needs to upgrade.

Intel i3 2120
Asrock H61DE/S3
Sapphire Radeon 6850
Rosewill Challenger Black Gaming Case
G-skill 4 Gb RAM
OCZ ZS Series 550W

Total should be about $500
Related ressources
Ask the community

Overclocking is adjusting the speed of your CPU to run at a higher frequency. This helps increase performance, but also creates more heat, and that usually justifies buying an aftermarket cooler for your CPU.

SLI and Crossfire are similar terms, you put 2 graphics cards into your system, and connect them with a bridge, so that you get extra performance. SLI is Nvidia and Crossfire is AMD/ATI

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Sub...

Don't reuse the hard drive! Hard drives die over time, don't risk it! Also I pray you are going to use Windows 7 and not Vista on the new machine. Windows 7 is a gigantic performance increase over Vista, its well worth the $99

Thanks for the answers guys. I'll keep all of you're input in mind.

EDIT: Quick question, will the parts you listed aznshinobi or loverboi, would it be quiet? It's fine if it doesn't though.

Another question, will I have the get a custom case for a custom computer? I'm not sure if my current one can handle it.

Both our builds will be relatively quiet. Like I said earlier, I'm not sure if you ca reuse your case since its from a prebuilt pc. My build includes the case though aznshinobi's has better cpu and gpu. It all comes down to what you can reuse.

l0v3rboi said:
Both our builds will be relatively quiet. Like I said earlier, I'm not sure if you ca reuse your case since its from a prebuilt pc. My build includes the case though aznshinobi's has better cpu and gpu. It all comes down to what you can reuse.


Will the case that you listed work for azn's build? Might have to stretch the budget a bit

Microcenter has parts for really good prices as well
i3 2125 - $120
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376494
ASRock B75 PRO3 - $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314
Patriot Viper 8GB - $50 (15 Rebate)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355690
ZOTAC GTX 560ti - $210 (30 Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500196
Corsair CX500 - $60 (10 Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Total: $520 ($465 AFTER MAIL IN REBATES)
OR
*If you wanted to SLI i recommend a more powerful Power Supply like this one
OCZ 700w - $90 (30 Rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018

Total: $550 ($475 AFTER MAIL IN REBATES)

I dont think you need Ivy Bridge, a Sandy Bridge CPU with Hyper-Threading will kill anything you throw at it. This GPU will handle any game @ the resolution you want.

Hi

I have a PC from the same generation as yours and last november I wanted to upgrade it to play COD MW3.

#1: Graphics
I installed a GTX570 which provided more than enough muscle to play with all options maxed out at 1920x1200.
Since you use a 1280x1024 monitor, you will get topnotch performance from a GTX560 which sells under $170.
That 560 will be overkill for Diablo3 but you'll be happy to have it for other games like Skyrim.

#2: Storage
I had an old 640GB HDD. I bought a 120gb SSD and made it my main drive for OS (windows 7) and games and apps.
The 640GB became a secondary drive to store big files that never move like pictures, music and movies.
The 640GB often spins down into sleep mode because it's unused most of the time.

Result: You'll have a great Diablo3 PC for less than $300.
I don't think you need a CPU upgrade but you can always do that later.
Register or log in to remove
 
Ask the community
Read discussions in other Systems categories
!