Upgrading an old build, suggestions?

[jschleicher08]

So I have an old build that I'm looking to upgrade, and I thought I'd ask you guys what you'd do for it.

Here's my current (pretty old) build:

MB: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L P35+ICH9
CPU: CPU INTEL|C2Q Q6600 2.4G 775 65N + Heatsink
RAM: MEM 2Gx2|OCZ DII800 OCZ2VU8004GK
GPU: 8800GT (dead)
PSU: PSU APEVIA(ASP)|ATX-CW500WP4 RT


Full ATX case, basically all I want to do is run Crysis 3 at Low-Med settings at 720p? My budget it as cheap as possible.

 

[bak0n]

Upgrade to a strong GPU and see how well it plays first. With a 2.4ghz Quad you might struggle. Your PSU isn't super strong but I'm sure you could handle up to a 7850 ish card level with it. That's where to go first.

 

[jschleicher08]

That's what I was thinking but someone said my PSU wouldn't handle a 560ti which is what I was looking at. But I'm all ears.

 

[stickmansam]

I would just upgrade the grpahics, OC the CPU (grab a budget cooler) and maybe upgrade your PSU though you've being fine on it for a while

The q6600 should clock to 3.6ghz pretty easy and that should get you about 50+fps on crysis provided you have strong enough graphics

ram might be a bit of an issue, just don't run anything int he background while playing crysis

I would just get this cheap but quality PSU, will do fine for your rig as is
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430
I would grab this 660 right now as it's cheap
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn660oc2gd

For OC, get this cooler
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rrb10212pg1

This setup should get you to about 50fps avg

I would run a 660 over a 7850 since Nvidia right now is doing better in that game

Your CPU OC would be at about the Phenom II X4 980 level of performance

 

[MaXimus421]

I would go with a 7850 2GB over a 560ti. Cheaper, more VRAM and will get the job done.

 

[e_X]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $413.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-04 23:08 EST-0500)

This should be able to handle it no problem.

 

[swifty_morgan]

you don't want a 560. trust me.

 

[guanyu210379]

For any Q6600 system.
I always suggest to go for slow upgrades steps until you get a fully new rig since Q6600 can stil preform decently.

in priority order:
1. GPU HD7850 or higher and/or an SSD
2. More RAM ...used ones from ebay (optional)
3. i5 3570k, 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM and a new mobo (intel) or FX8350 (AMD) for now or wait until the next generation.
4. Following your needs and wants (bigger monitor, PSU, WIn7 or 8, etc.)

In addition..OC your system at least to 3GHz.