New PC Builder Looking for Input/Opinions

Tutsirai

Honorable
Dec 16, 2012
10
0
10,510
Hi, thanks for viewing my question I hope you will answer it :)

I just bought a cheap PC off of craigslist for 115$.

Specs~

Model- Dell Optiplex 740(Midtower?) http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/740_customer_brochure.pdf

Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor- AMD Athlon 64 3500+ @ 2.2Ghz
Motherboard- Dell OPY127 A02 W/ AM2 940 Socket
PSU- 220 Watt Dell
Video Card- NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
Ram- 6GB (2GBx2) + (1GBx2)
HDD- 1TB
Optical Drive- DVD+R DL

My problem is I cannot run the programs and games I want to run. I am a heavy Sony Vegas and Photoshop user but also take a great liking to PC gaming. I download Street Fighter 4AE and with the lowest settings and resolution possible I can only get 20fps at most. Photoshop and Vegas hang and crash A lot. I do not need the best of the best type quality I simple wish to be able to game at a reasonable resolution and moderate/high settings with little to no lag as well as have Sony Vegas and Photoshop run smoothly

I have done some research and have decided to upgrade this PC, but I have no idea how to go about it. I have a budget of 450~500$. I would not like to spend that much if possible.

Here are the parts I've decided to buy, could you please tell me if I'm overspending or buying unnecessary items, What exactly should I buy first, what will give my PC the biggest boost in performance? Is there anything that I have already with my current build that could still be used? If you have any suggestions I'd most certainly like to hear them. Thanks.

Parts I'm planning to buy:


Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138341
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121642
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023
CPU/Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
 
heres the parts i recommand on a budget:

powersupply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

(62$)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147159

case:(45$)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104166

ram:(25$)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506

processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775

(119$)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304

mobo:80$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687

videocard:118$

total:449$+shipping and taxes, right on the button and ull have a nice setup

you can reuse the hard-drive and dvd-rom, also u can sell off the rest of ur old system parts for spare change after :)

 
Solution

Tutsirai

Honorable
Dec 16, 2012
10
0
10,510


Thank you for answering :)

I have a couple of questions though,

For the GPU you suggested, how big is the performance difference between the one I posted and yours, Is mine worth the extra 30$?

You suggested the Intel I5 processor, which is 100$ more than the Phenom X4 I posted. Is the CPU more important for what I need, how big of a performance difference is there between the two?

Also, I love that case but it only has 2 USB ports? Can I add more USB ports on my own, or does the case itself limit that?

Sorry for all the questions, thanks for the help. :)
 
the videocard i chose is cheaper and 2 gigs is useless on the 7700 1gig makes sense, but its not strong enought to fully utilize more than 1 gig.

yes, a large improvement. the intel cpu versus the phenom x4 thats outdated by a bit.

also u can add usb ports with a usb card in ur pc.

cheers