Fix up old desktop...or just build a new one?

[ozzman1997]

I have a 7-year old "gaming" desktop that I got for Christmas when I was 9, and in the last few years it had gotten pretty slow and unable to run many of my games. Now, I just built a brand-new $1000 i5-based desktop and it's running great, but my younger brother wants to have a computer as well--to do internet surfing, homework, word processing, and probably some games. The condition of my old computer right now is incapable of even doing those basic things. I mean, you can get on the internet and open up Word, but you'll be waiting 5 minutes for either of those to happen. (15 minutes if you count the booting time! :lol: ) I was thinking about pitching in a little to help my brother buy some parts to fix it up, but now I'm wondering if it's even worth it. The only parts in "good" condition are the case, CD/DVD drive, power supply and video card. I'm personally not a fan of buying pre-built systems since I like to know exactly what's inside of it and I can make sure it's made of quality parts. I also prefer desktops over laptops (obviously since it's much harder to build/repair a laptop, if you even CAN build one.) I'm looking at around $300-$350 USD for upgrade parts, but I'm all burned out right now. I just spent $300 on a video card for my own system and won't be able to afford much for a while.

P.S., If you suggest sharing the new desktop with my brother...Uh-uh. That's not going to work out.

 

[TheBigTroll]

well you cant use the old power supply since its too old to contain a 24 pin connector for the motherboard (the 20pin connector can supply enough wattage if the system is low power enough)

you cant use the old cd drive since it uses IDE and new boards dont have that

case is ok, but you probably want a new one

video card would be too old but could work if its not 7 years old

 

[ozzman1997]

Actually...I might be in luck.

The video card I have is fine, it's only about 3 years old. The PSU was replaced about, oh maybe 5 years ago and it's a 550-watt. So I think I'm good in those 2 areas, for a low-end, budget "little brother" system.

 

[bodeen2012]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Gg5r
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Gg5r/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Gg5r/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Blue 500GB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.55 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 6570 1GB Video Card ($37.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $475.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-26 22:11 EST-0500)

 

[realchaos]

Would be nice if you could find out what psu and gpu it is. Also, tell us what case you have while you're at it.

 

[ozzman1997]

My GPU is an EVGA GT 430 and the PSU is some generic 550-watt one. (I can't find out what brand it is.) I'll probably end up buying another one anyway, and it would likely be a Corsair 430 or 500 watt.

 

[TheBigTroll]

wouldnt bother with a corsiar cx series psu. there are much better units such as the xfx core series.

the 430 is kind of enough but id suggest a bit more power