Upgrading my nearly 5 year old computer

[viper7373]

Hello everyone, a newbie here.

I'm looking to upgrade my computer that is in my room, it has had some hardware replaced over the years (RAM and GPU) but nothing special

First off here is what is in my computer at the moment:

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit, Service Pack 1

Motherboard: Gigabyte EP31-DS3L (not sure which revision)

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8500 @ 3.16GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz

RAM: 4GB

HDD: 1TB

I am not sure as to what I should/need to upgrade, this computer will be solely used for gaming and watching movies, as well as game emulation (PS2 emulation being the main contender).


Here is the filled out template I found in the stickies regarding asking about an upgrade:

Approximate Purchase Date: between 3 and 8 weeks away.

Budget Range: Between $200-$350 at the moment, since this is not needed right now I can always save up the rest of what I need.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming and watching movies come first and foremost, my computer at the moment handles both fairly well (I Just get a couple of minor hiccups when playing 1080p hi10), then internet, torrenting, and listening to music.

Are you buying a monitor: No


Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Location: Australia, NSW, Wollongong

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: I would prefer to stay with Intel, everything else i'm open to.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

So in short, i'm asking what you guys think would be the best way for me to go about upgrading this nearly 5 year old computer, it will be solely used for gaming, movie watching and emulation.

 

[Proximon]

I don't think there is a newegg Australia yet

So, we are talking about AUSD $350 as a max?


That GT430 is your biggest limiting factor right now. And, since you didn't list your PSU I'm guessing that is going to be an issue.

MSY claims to have an Antec 520C Neo Eco power supply for $70. Probably your best deal
http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

I have hear a lot of bad stories about MSY though, from all the way over here in the US
So how about Umart
http://www.umart.com.au/newindex28.phtml?id=10&bid=7&sid=56835

OK and the GPU
Gigabyte GTX 650 ti
http://www.umart.com.au/newindex28.phtml?id=10&bid=7&sid=56835

Those are your best immediate upgrades for gaming.

Next time around you can get a CPU/MB/RAM upgrade. Right now that's going to run you about $400 and not give you as much performance boost as the new GPU.

 

[manofchalk]

Bought a few things off MSY, haven't had issue with any of the parts. Though I'v heard their customer service if something does break isn't the greatest, not very eager to take returns and are liable to sell it to the next person in line apparently.
However I have had the displeasure of attempting to RMA dead memory through Umart. I would have had to drop it off in their store (which is in the middle of the industrial district of Melbourne) and show a receipt I already explained I didn't have, wait 15-20 business days for them to test if it was dead and then might get a replacement which I would have to pick up. Lets just say I'm running 12GB of RAM right now because I can not be bothered to go through that process.

One store I'v had good service with is PC Case Gear. Received a Bitfenix 24pin extension cable, one of the wires pulled out of connector. Took photo's of it, emailed them to the customer support. Went to their warehouse (admittedly not far from Umart's, but was there for other reasons anyway) and just swapped it for a good one. Also I imagine not many other retailers would bother with a customer ringing up and changing their order from one brand of 1/2" watercooling barbs to another, on New Years Eve :lol:.

My actual advice on the rig, pretty much what Proximon said, just a little variation in parts.
Corsair CX500. $75
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=21569
Gigabyte HD7850 1GB. $190
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193_1373&products_id=21896

 

[viper7373]

Thank you everyone for responding, I have checked and I will need a new PSU (I was expecting it anyway so it isn't much of a shock)