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Build or Upgrade Current Computer?

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Hello,

I am trying to decide whether to build or upgrade my current computer.
My budget is maybe up to 400 the lower the better in my case.

Current Specs.
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+ 2.6GHz
4GB DDR2 RAM
1x1TB HD
1X350GB HD
HD Radeon 7770 1GB
450W PSU (most likely going to die in a couple months? making weird fan noises during startup)

This computer is about 5-6 years old I believe. Bought if refurbished buts been working fine.

Gateway GT5426E desktop.


I play a lot of games on my pc (ie. WoW, Dota 2, Bf3, Planet Side 2, Guildwars2, etc)

Any help would be appreciated.

I know my Hard drives and video card are fine. I don't think i need an upgrade for those.

My opinion for upgrade would be motherboard RAM CPU PSU (maybe case).
I have been looking at BareBone Kits on tigerdirect but I am not sure which is the most efficient way of going about with my money.

More about : build upgrade current computer

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Homebuilt system Authority

That processor is quite slow to be honest, but its a matter of preference. If you are happy with the way the computer plays them now, then you can keep what you have.

If you want more power, then go for a new CPU. Do you have a budget?

You will also probably have to reinstall Windows when you replace the mobo, so keep that in mind.

Unless you did not want to upgrade the mobo.
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Homebuilt system Authority

Ah, missed it. Didn't get enough sleep I guess.

Well, do you prefer Intel or AMD? I would rather have an Intel build lined up for you, but I wouldn't want to change someone's mind.

You can go for an i3-2xxx and a B75 chipset motherboard or a H77 motherboard with about 8GB of RAM, and have enough for a nice Antec, Seasonic, or Corsair power supply.

A new case would be nice too.

What country are you in?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($107.28 @ CompUSA)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($51.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $296.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-24 21:58 EST-0500)

Something like this should do you fine.
Homebuilt system Authority

The i3 is plenty of power to run anything faster than an AMD imo. What kind of quad core were you looking at?

The architecture of the processor is really what makes the difference. i3's are only dual core, but armed with the power of Hyperthreading and better overall architecture, they can run circles around the quickest of AMD parts.
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