unfold486 :
I'm planning on building my first ever gaming PC system. My budget is around $500.
These are the parts that I have chosen:
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/LtczGX
I already have an OS and peripherals, and I was wondering if this could be improved without going over the budget too much?
Also, I was thinking of pulling my i5 core out of my Inspiron 580s, would that work in my new build or do I have to get a new CPU as well?
Thanks.
If your correct on your model this is it:
http://www.pcworld.com/product/395307/inspiron-580s-desktop.html then I have to ask why are you making a new build? My guess would be because it is a LOW PROFILE case it is hard to get a good gaming card in it, so the answer would be JUST BUY A NEW CASE! No need to buy a bunch of new parts, your Mobo would / should fit into any standard case.
1) Going off the MUCH CHEAPER route I am suggesting then you just need to 'upgrade what you have' to cut costs. And i5 3rd Gen is still a solid performer, but DEPENDS ON GAME, SETTINGS AND YOUR EXPECTATIONS. If your trying to do the 'Youtube Test' (1080p min 50FPS on High-Ultra on say BF4, WatchDogs, etc.) NO you need to spend over $2000 to achieve those results for those AAAA+ titles, but if your looking for over 40FPS 1080P on Med-High on most common / older titles yeah the i5 3rd Gen is capable.
2) The first thing would be to determine your Motherboard, open up the case, look for the model number and get the manual for it. This will help you identify the type of memory you need, especially the 'timing' of it, which is very important. It says you have 4GB in your Inspiron, I would go with 8GB but that depends if you have only two slots or four. No matter if you just add 4GB more to it (4 slots of 2GB each sticks) or switch to 8GB (2 slots of 4GB sticks) you need to buy them in PAIRS, do NOT do single sticks only. IF you multitask alot (running streaming music, skype, news/weather notices, IMs, checking emails, having several Extensions and numerous tabs in Chrome, etc.) that 8GB will be gone quickly and not enough for games (most need MINIMUM of 4GB just for the Game), you should then consider 16GB instead.
3) You should also either take pictures or find the layout for the Mobo handy so you can plan out the proper case for it, you do not want the RAM stuck behind the HDD case inaccessible, or worse the PSU sticks out just enough to not allow you to install your new GPU, etc.
4) You will need to also know from the MoBo what connections it has for the PSU, you will need a new PSU powerful enough to not only power a new GPU but the other parts.
5) As for GPU, don't waste your time going cheap (NVidia 750Ti for example), you should invest the rest of the money you allocated to the costs of a GPU. I would suggest either the R9s from AMD or a x60, x70 series (760, 670, etc.) from NVidia. These will eat up about HALF your budget, but they will prove VERY worth the investment, again depending on the titles and settings you plan to play.
6) I would recommend, if you can swing it there is some very BIG special pricing, getting a SSD as your main C drive. One big issue your being impacted on is your running a VERY SLOW HDD (5400RPM), which no matter what other changes you do WILL still slow down everything else as the HDD is where the 'code' of all software (games, drivers, Windows, your save files, etc.) is etc. If it take a lonnnnnngggg time to 'read' enough code to do something (draw a tank, make a explosion sound, connect to a website, etc.) then it slow down the rest of the machine. A alternative is cheaping with a $49 1TB 7200RPM drive, there is plenty out there to choose from, which gives you both SPACE and better speed, a SSD would only be 250GB or so, and that would fill up quickly once Windows, Office and first couple games are installed. Is why most people use a second HDD as the main game / storage drive and OS / important programs on the SSD.
7) KEY WARNING "I already have an OS " - If your talking from your Inspiron YOU ARE WRONG. That OS is ONLY usable with a Inspiron 580s, NO OTHER HARDWARE. This is called a OEM copy, one sold BELOW COST / FREE to help sell systems and is CODED to ONLY work with the model sold. IN SOME CASES even changing the PC Case itself NULLIFIES the hardware and Windows will NOT LOAD NOR REINSTALL because it is NOT the right hardware.
You will need to purchase a NEW copy of Windows, preferably a SYSTEM BUILDERS EDITION, which is alot cheaper then 'off the shelf' edition at Walmart / Best Buy. YOU MAYBE able to get away with steps 1-6 (move CPU, Mobo, HDD to new PSU, GPU, CASE) BUT you should be prepared for this being the issue why 'Windows doesn't work'.
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