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I need help upgrading my desktop pc (Low Budget)

Tags:
  • Desktops
  • Hard Drives
  • Windows
  • CPUs
  • Hardware
  • Motherboards
Last response: in General UK & Ireland Discussions
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January 8, 2014 11:02:08 AM

Hi guys.. and girls? :) 
I need asvice on some parts i need. I added a few bits to a pre-built pc i was given 18months ago.. Solely to play SWTOR... its all been fine up until recently..
My heads telling me i need a new CPU, which also means i need a new M/B. And possibly a SSD. being a pre-built PC, i have no Windows disc.. so does this mean i need to buy a new Windows too?? :/ 

Current - (to be replaced)
CPU - Intel Celeron E3300 2.5G Dual (rubbish old 775 socket)
M/B - Veriton M275 (dont laugh !! i know this is rubbish) Intel G41 chipset
(Packard Bell now owned by Acer so confusion about bios updates.. still has old Bios)
H/D - Hitachi 250g (Windows info says its ATA :/  )

Current (I'd like to keep due to budget)
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (Can i order a disc and use current license number? as it will be my sole PC)
PSU - Corsair 500w
Mem - Corsair XMS3 2x2g DDR3 pc3-10666 1333Mhz (will double this to total 8gig)
GPU - HiS AMD HD 7750 2gig GDDR3
External H/D - Seagate 500g (is all i need for music storage etc)
Case - Thermaltake Xaser II 6000+ - i had to use this case from old pc as the GPU i bought last year did not fit the pre-built - my 1st attempt at building anything pc related as buying a new GPU made me strip down 2 pc's and re-fit one xD

Playing SWTOR, the PVE is fine med-high graphics settings. i used to run my pc on my 42" TV at 720 settings.. although it looked like my GPU changed it off hd to normal pixel settings.. I recently updated AMD drivers b'cos SWTOR had an amd update & promted me to do it).
I had issues with the display driver failing to install, but all other software for AMD did.. i had removed all previous amd software before this!! i eventually tried it on my old VGA monitor (1366x768) - it installed 1st time. I am still on VGA but would like to go back to TV.
anyway, PVE game content was fine for 18months.. but since i started doing regular end-game content (16man ops) i noticed very poor fps.. it used to be around 20 when fighting, but recently it drops to below 10 and is unplayable.
Even setting it to lowest settings in-game makes no difference. It usually fluctuates between 40-60 doing nothing and occasionally 55-75. but 20-30 when moving etc.. much less in combat.
Web speed tests are around 12Mb d/l & 0.8 u/l

So investigating all normal ways of improving fps, ive had no luck.. and fingers point to my cpu.. as its at 75% load when stood still in the game. Temperatures fall within normal during stress tests and the CPUID HW i have.
I have no other games to test with. I read my CPU is good for clocking, but my Bios does not allow it.
I have removed all junk software and do regular Virus (AVG), Malware (Mbam), and Spyware (SAS) checks as well as regular de-fragging (Auslogics).. i have little add-ons as im not a big web user - of which all but adobe flash are set to 'ask to activate'

Looking on web for new CPU & M/B's ive got lost in the minefield.. what chipset is decent, what pin type do i want etc...and what does ATX & ITX boards mean?
will my current GPU and Memory all be ok for the new M/B etc..
SSD's - ive been told to get one for Windows & the game.. whats the minimum size needed for this?

Im not really bothered about the latest or upcoming chipsets, as i wont be buying new-gen games every 6months and im sure some current hardware will run games out next year etc..

Eventually, i'd like a monster pc, but current budget is very low.. £300 for M/B, CPU, extra memory and possibly Windows too :( 
The memory i've already priced at £40 - the same type i have now.

Any recomendations??

More about : upgrading desktop low budget

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a b V Motherboard
January 8, 2014 3:51:08 PM

windows 80
cpu : fx-6300 80
mobo 60-70
ram 40

if you can give me links to website that you'll be able to buy from, i can give you a link for the motherboard
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January 8, 2014 3:55:20 PM

Overclockers UK probably.. its not too far from where i live either.. so being old school, sometimes i like to buy from somewhere i can walk into xD

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/

Thanks for your time :) 
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January 8, 2014 6:04:14 PM

Thanks a lot :)  thats ace mate :) 

I was looking at piledrivers until i noticed u already mentioned a cpu xD
Thanks again for your speedy response
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January 8, 2014 6:12:34 PM

:D 
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