Desktop Upgrades for Cheap...where do I start?

Discussion in 'Computer Building and Components' started by Damon Howe, Jun 17, 2012.

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  1. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Okay, here is my current system info:

    Operating System Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
    RAM: 8,159 MB
    CPU Name/Type: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 250 Processor
    CPU Speed: 3,000 MHz
    CPU(s): Physical: 1 - Virtual: 2
    Video Card Brand: NVIDIA GeForce 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a
    Video Card Memory: 32 MB
    Primary Display Size: 1280x1024
    Multi-Display Size: 1280x1024
    Microphone Enabled: Yes
    Language Setting: English (United States)
    Harddrive Space Free: 1,373,029 MB
    Harddrive Space Total: 1,430,696 MB
    Windows Experience Index: 3.3


    ---

    Given the above, about the only things I really need are a new CPU and video card. My display is older but still great, harddrive is top-notch, and RAM ain't too shabby either.

    Suggestions? I can't afford much, but what I'm looking for is an upgrade that'll last me a while, allow me to play most of the games out there today, but not cost me half my wallet. I'm not tech-savy at all, so I'll probably have to pay to have someone toy with the computer's organs instead of risking the effort myself.
     
    Damon Howe, Jun 17, 2012
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  2. Skoll

    Skoll Swine Fornicator Banned

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    What kind of motherboard do you have? That will go a long way in determining what compatible upgrades for your desktop there are.
     
    Skoll, Jun 17, 2012
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  3. Taake

    Taake New Guy Thrall

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    Yeah, you'll want to start with the MoBo. That's the spine of your system and will dictate what you can and cannot do in regards to upgrade.
     
    Taake, Jun 17, 2012
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  4. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Ok, so where would I find that info? Unless "ACPI x64-based PC" is it, I'm not sure where I'd find my motherboard without tearing my computer apart.
     
    Damon Howe, Jun 17, 2012
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  5. Jacob

    Jacob Made Some Friends Thrall

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    run dxdiag, motherboard model should be under system model (first page)
     
    Jacob, Jun 17, 2012
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  6. Taake

    Taake New Guy Thrall

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    Or just go into BIOS when the computer POSTs. Usually F1 does that.
     
    Taake, Jun 17, 2012
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  7. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    System Model: N68S3+
    BIOS: Default System BIOS

    ...somehow, I don't think that's what I'm looking for...
     
    Damon Howe, Jun 17, 2012
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  8. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Have I mentioned that I'm like Jilian from Family Guy when it comes to computers?

    [video=youtube;eAhthGmnUeg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAhthGmnUeg&feature=related[/video]
     
    Damon Howe, Jun 17, 2012
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  9. Taake

    Taake New Guy Thrall

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    So you fuck dogs? ?!?
     
    Taake, Jun 17, 2012
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  10. Jacob

    Jacob Made Some Friends Thrall

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    And i think this was what you were looking for.
     
    Jacob, Jun 17, 2012
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  11. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Okay...so now where do I go from here? Bookmarked for reference, it seems like this motherboard is pretty...crummy....or at least out of date.
     
    Damon Howe, Jun 18, 2012
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  12. Taake

    Taake New Guy Thrall

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    Well, it's not a horrible MoBo but it isn't going to give you a lot of upgrade options. AMD Phenom II X-series is the best CPU it can handle. You could go with the X4 which I believe is a quad core. As for RAM, you can't go higher than 8gb of 1333mhz so you've already gone as far as you can there. Only thing I'm not sure of is what type of PCIe slot it has. I'm not sure if it's a 1.0, 2.0, 2.1, or what. That would help in determining just what sort of gfx card you can throw in and take advantage of.
     
    Taake, Jun 18, 2012
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  13. Dihm

    Dihm Speaker of the Word Staff Member Gothi SC Thane

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    Haven't had a chance to look at what sort of RAM your current mobo can handle, but be aware that changing out to a new one will likely mean that you need to upgrade your RAM as well, as what you currently have has a good chance of not being compatible.
     
    Dihm, Jun 18, 2012
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  14. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Lock this thread please. After multiple considerations, I figure it'll be easier and more well spent to simply buy a new, decent gaming laptop instead of rebuilding a half-solid, half crappy PC.
     
    Damon Howe, Jul 2, 2012
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