upgrading to a gaming desktop

justanoob · May 28, 2013

i currently have a hp pavilion a1720n from 2005 and i decided i want to upgrade it so it can play games better. i would be playing mostly rts games but would probably get others like skyrim, bf3, cod,etc. i would like to know what could i keep from the computer and what would i need to buy and where to buy from.

lazyboy947 · May 28, 2013

From hps site it shows it came with a 1.86ghz core 2 duo and 1gb ram, and well thats just not near enough to run also any game like u mentioned, but u didnt give specs but heres what i got. (Specs r nice to give lol)

well max ram u can throw onto the board if which is 4gb 667mhz ddr2, and upgrade to a higher clocked core 2 duo from the e6x00/e4x000, and a new gpu something that'll play bf3 cod skyrim etc like a 7770/7790/7850, 650/ti/ti boost/ 660gtx and a new power supply.

But to buy a new gpu and a psu and also buy more ram if u need too and a higher clocked core 2 duo u might as well build all completely new and keep what u can like the hdd or disc drive.

Personally if u need a new pc i would get a amd A10 apu with no gpu added until u feel u need one, a decent board like a asus/gigabyte/asrock A75/a85x board, 8gb ddr3 1866, a corsair cx430, a wd 500gb/1tb hdd, new case, and whatever else u need like disc drive, peripherals, OS, etc. The hardware mentioned at the momment being exactly a a10 5800k, asrock extreme 6 fm2, corsair cx430, wd 1tb blue, 8gb 1866 ddr3, and a $60 case will run a little under $500 with no os, odd, gpu, wifi, etc

justanoob · May 28, 2013

if i wanted to change the cpu to an amd fx 9350 or i5 cpu what would i have to change?

lazyboy947 · May 28, 2013

well buy a motherboard that supports the processor u pick, AM3+ for AMD FX cpus and phenom II, FM2 for AMD APUS, LGA 1155 for intel i3/i5/i7 2xxx/3xxx, and soon to be lga 1150 for intel haswell i3/i5/i7 4xxx cpus.

For the current intel boards being lga 1155 i would go i3 3220/i5 3570k/i7 3770k with a decent z77 board, the asrock z77 extreme 4 is a good board.

For AMD i would go with the FX 8350 or 6300, or Phenom II x4 965/1045t, with a 970/990fx chipset, like a gigabyte 970a-ud3/asus m5a97 r2, or almost any good brand 990fx board.

Just make sure when looking at compatible cpus and boards that the sockets match up like AM3+ with AM3+ / LGA 1155 with LGA 1155, the board and cpu will both say what they are

Also if u do build new you will need a new graphics card like the above mentioned 7770-7850 and 650 ti to 660gtx, and a power supply to power everything for a low cost i like the corsair cx series, a 500 will be fine for any cpu and a graphics card like the 7850/660gtx.

And is ur current computers optical drive and hard driver IDE or SATA? This will matter as most new boards do not support IDE and would require new hard drive and optical drive. and prob a new case as the front panel conectors and stuff in HPs dont normally work well with a board that wasnt designed for hp

Edit: forgot to mention that with the new parts would require new ram and i would get 8gb 1600MHz DDR3, either a single stick of 8gb or 2 4gb sticks but 4 2gb will work fine

justanoob · May 28, 2013

is there generally one type of case that is better than the others?

justanoob · May 28, 2013

i have looked at this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877
and this the amd fx-8350. of the motherboards which would be better? i hate being a newbie i ask so many questions.

lazyboy947 · May 28, 2013

i personally like asus over gigabyte but for the cost the gigabyte one is better. The ASUS one has better quality components and a longer warranty 5years instead of 3, and as i said i like asus over gigabyte but for the money the gigabyte board is nice

For cases i look for cases that come with many fans not have many mouting spots, adding 5+ fans does add up. I preferably would get 120mm or bigger usually for quiet yet cool something with 200mm fans and, but after fans it comes to personal preference as in looks lights etc. for quality i like thermaltake, corsair, cooler master, silverstone, zalman, bitfenix, rlly find a case u look and read the reviews

justanoob · May 28, 2013

my first bulid looks to be
case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133213
motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128514
graphics card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443
psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050
cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284

lazyboy947 · May 28, 2013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020 - tx 650 only $10 more after a promo code or else im liking the rest, u okay with using the stock heatsink fan? It gets pretty warm and loud under load but nothing too bad, and with a good case like that it shouldnt be terrible, if u feel okay with installing a aftermarket cooler the id look into one like the cooler master 212 evo or xigmatek dark knight II

g-unit1111 · May 29, 2013

justanoob :

Get a way cheaper case and motherboard and invest more in the GPU. The AMD FX is OK, the Intel i5 would be a far better choice for gaming. I'm kind of iffy on that CX500. Get a Seasonic S12 instead.

justanoob · May 29, 2013

how long would this setup last. also i know there is a website where you can check if the graphics card will play certain games, but i cant seem to find it. do you know of any previous posts that have a link to the the site or similar website .

lazyboy947 · May 29, 2013

what resolution u playing at? and what settings are okay to play at? as a 660 would play games at low 1080p for quite some time lol

justanoob · May 29, 2013

i would want a minimum of 720p and a decent framerate. probably 30-40 or above. i would be using my monitor from the hp pavilion a1720n and i dont know the resolution for that. or if possible use the computer with my tv through a hdmi port

lazyboy947 · May 29, 2013

well the 660 gtx will play bf3/skyrim etc at 45+fps at 1080p on ultra so id say in about 2yrs u will be playing lower than ultra for 1080p with a 660gtx and 8350 or i5. Id say the 660gtx is similar in performance to the 580gtx, so i think ull be fine for a few yrs with it and watever cpu u choose.

As g unit mentioned u could spend less in a case and motherboard and get a 670gtx or something, but if ur looking for it to last i like to spend a little more on the board and have a good case. Also for longer life maybe consider something better power supply than the cx500, maybe a gold 80+ or overall better quality like corsair tx/hx, or xfx 550w, seasonic 520. Not that the cx500 will die sooner than others the other just have better quality components

g-unit1111 · May 29, 2013

lazyboy947 :

A better GPU means a longer life for your rig. Better overall components means your rig will last a long time with few (if any) issues. That's why I always say that the GPU comes first in a gaming rig while everything else comes second.

justanoob · May 29, 2013

i think i will stick with what i have but i will get a better psu. the graphics card should last long enough. if needed could i upgrade my cpu but keep my motherboard.

justanoob · May 29, 2013

also do you think i would be safe buying most of the items from amazon. i have a prime membership so i get free 2 day shipping. which in the long run 2 days wont matter too much, but it will be nice getting my items sooner.

g-unit1111 · May 29, 2013

justanoob :

Yeah you should be fine.

justanoob · May 29, 2013

thanks for the help. i probably wont be getting this for a couple of months

. so if any major things come up i will be here waiting.

upgrading to a gaming desktop

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