Approximate Purchase Date: To Be Determined.
Budget Range: Initially I'll have $300 to work with, but would be willing to up the budget $100+/- if it provides a better user experience.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Currently I use it for mostly web browsing, videos, music, and photos. Would like to start using it for casual gaming so I was thinking of setting up a Steam account.
Are you buying a monitor: No, but I plan to connect to a 32"-40" LED/LCD HDTV in the future.
Parts to Upgrade: This is where I'm looking for some suggestions, as I obviously want every dollar to count. I already meet the minimum requirements for Steam, but would like to be able to run Big Picture. Just over a year ago my brother-in-law gave me a CPU, a MB and some RAM. I've used the on board graphics so far without any problem, but realize for a decent gaming experience I'll probably be looking at a discrete GPU. My current set up:
Case: Antec Nine Hundred
MB: Asus F1A75-V EVO
CPU: AMD A8-3850 Quad-Core APU - 4MB L2 Cache, 2.9GHz, Radeon HD 6550D (400 Cores)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa
RAM: OCZ3P16002G (2x2GB)
PSU: SilverStone ST56F 560W Continuous
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit OEM
SSD: 120GB OCZ Agility 3 w/ Operating system
HDD: 2TB Seagate SATA III
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've always had good luck with Newegg, TigerDirect and Amazon but I'm open to suggestions.
Location: Saco, Maine, USA
Parts Preferences: none
Overclocking: I've never overclocked, but open to it
SLI or Crossfire: If it gets me to where I want to be.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1024x768 Still using an old 15" LCD, but will be upgrading that separate from this purchase.
Additional Comments: I've been doing a bunch of reading about Steam builds, and I'm unsure whether my current CPU can handle Steam Big Picture. I'd like to upgrade my computer so that I can play games with respectable settings, but unsure of where to money would be best spent.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Interesting in running Steam, Steam Big Picture
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions.
Jeff
Budget Range: Initially I'll have $300 to work with, but would be willing to up the budget $100+/- if it provides a better user experience.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Currently I use it for mostly web browsing, videos, music, and photos. Would like to start using it for casual gaming so I was thinking of setting up a Steam account.
Are you buying a monitor: No, but I plan to connect to a 32"-40" LED/LCD HDTV in the future.
Parts to Upgrade: This is where I'm looking for some suggestions, as I obviously want every dollar to count. I already meet the minimum requirements for Steam, but would like to be able to run Big Picture. Just over a year ago my brother-in-law gave me a CPU, a MB and some RAM. I've used the on board graphics so far without any problem, but realize for a decent gaming experience I'll probably be looking at a discrete GPU. My current set up:
Case: Antec Nine Hundred
MB: Asus F1A75-V EVO
CPU: AMD A8-3850 Quad-Core APU - 4MB L2 Cache, 2.9GHz, Radeon HD 6550D (400 Cores)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa
RAM: OCZ3P16002G (2x2GB)
PSU: SilverStone ST56F 560W Continuous
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit OEM
SSD: 120GB OCZ Agility 3 w/ Operating system
HDD: 2TB Seagate SATA III
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I've always had good luck with Newegg, TigerDirect and Amazon but I'm open to suggestions.
Location: Saco, Maine, USA
Parts Preferences: none
Overclocking: I've never overclocked, but open to it
SLI or Crossfire: If it gets me to where I want to be.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1024x768 Still using an old 15" LCD, but will be upgrading that separate from this purchase.
Additional Comments: I've been doing a bunch of reading about Steam builds, and I'm unsure whether my current CPU can handle Steam Big Picture. I'd like to upgrade my computer so that I can play games with respectable settings, but unsure of where to money would be best spent.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Interesting in running Steam, Steam Big Picture
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions.
Jeff