Build Advice best budget upgrades for streaming console gameplay

[mason03]

hey everyone! I've recently fetched my old computer out and got it running again. it couldn't really even run games 5 years ago but since I found my old capture card I thought id use it just to manage the stream rather than playing on it, which it can just about handle. however I now want to add a vtuber model which is a lot more demanding than expected so id like to upgrade my setup for this. my computer knowledge is only very basic so I'm aware of possible upgrades but not sure whether they would fit with my system and/or be limited by the other components.
I have a Gigabyte F2A78M-HD2 motherboard,
an AMD A8-7650K Radeon R7 CPU,
an AMD Radeon R7 graphics GPU,
a Corsair CX-600 power supply,
1tb HHD (unsure as to which one)
and an Adata SU800 256gb SSD which I have windows 10 installed on.
PRISMLiveStudio says my graphics card doesn't meet the minimum requirements so id like to upgrade that (possibly to the Gigabyte GTX 1060 6GB Windforce as I'm on a budget) but I'm unsure whether it will be good enough, compatible and/or need other components to be upgraded to have it work well.
I've also noticed in PRISM that the CPU usage has gone as high as 60% which I have no idea if that is good or bad.
I think I will add another 8GB stick or RAM regardless as I know that can only have positive effects.
Ideally, id like to get it to be able to actually run games too but as I said, I'm on a budget and will have to wait until Christmas to even get that budget which I expect will be around £300-400(GBP) so I'm happy to continue using my Xbox series x to run the games until I have a stable flow of income (I'm open to suggestions for when this comes too)
With all that (maybe a bit too much) said, id really appreciate help as I'm sure to mess it up somehow if I try to solve this myself.
Thankyou in advance

 

[Aeacus]

possibly to the Gigabyte GTX 1060 6GB Windforce as I'm on a budget

It will do fine with your MoBo, IF you upgrade your PSU. Corsair CX-600 is both ancient and low quality PSU, borderline crap quality.

Btw, GTX 1660 Super is both better and cheaper than GTX 1060 6GB,
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product...-xs-oc-video-card-gtx-1660-super-ventus-xs-oc

For good quality PSU, look towards Seasonic Focus or Corsair RMx/RMi, in 550W range.
(All 3 of my PCs are also powered by Seasonic, full specs with pics in my sig.)

E.g Seasonic Focus GX-550, pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product...d-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-focus-gx-550

However, if you do not replace your PSU, none of the system upgrades are worth it. CX-600 can, and most likely will, go belly up once the load on it increases, with high chance of it frying everything it is connected to (aka your whole PC).

Also, adding another stick of RAM has 50:50 chances of both sticks working together.
If you want a guarantee, buy a set of RAM, where both sticks come in one, sealed package.
Here's article that explains why chances are 50:50,
link: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...y-ram-and-xmp-profile-configurations.3398926/

 

[mason03]

It will do fine with your MoBo, IF you upgrade your PSU. Corsair CX-600 is both ancient and low quality PSU, borderline crap quality.

For good quality PSU, look towards Seasonic Focus or Corsair RMx/RMi, in 550W range.
(All 3 of my PCs are also powered by Seasonic, full specs with pics in my sig.)

However, if you do not replace your PSU, none of the system upgrades are worth it. CX-600 can, and most likely will, go belly up once the load on it increases, with high chance of it frying everything it is connected to (aka your whole PC).

Also, adding another stick of RAM has 50:50 chances of both sticks working together.
If you want a guarantee, buy a set of RAM, where both sticks come in one, sealed package.
Here's article that explains why chances are 50:50,
link: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...y-ram-and-xmp-profile-configurations.3398926/

first, thanks for the advice;
so okay definitely the PSU first, ill look into the ones you mentioned. Are those just more modern equivalents of the same wattage? I do want to slowly upgrade it all eventually so maybe a higher wattage one would save me from having to upgrade again after a while? But maybe that's not how it works idk. id probably go for a second hand one too unless there's a reason buying brand new is better.

I'm also surprised I didn't know that about getting matching RAM so I may just go for 2 x 16gb since ill be replacing the old 8gb anyway and I know it'll work.

I was aware that some upgrades aren't worth it without others but didn't realise it could actually damage the others. You, my friend, may have just saved my PC. I seriously appreciate it : )

 

[Aeacus]

Are those just more modern equivalents of the same wattage?

In the same wattage ballpark - yes.
Comparable to CX-600 - nowhere near it.

PSUs have different levels of build quality;
crap quality - usually no-name Chinese units. Bulk of PSUs out there are crap.
low quality - a bit better than crap quality, but still nowhere near to be used in a PC. E.g Corsair VS or CX (green label).
mediocre quality - only good to be used in an office PC, that doesn't have dedicated GPU in it. E.g Corsair CXm, Seasonic Core
good quality - good option for PCs, including gaming PCs. E.g Corsair RMi/RMx, Seasonic Focus
great quality - best what money can build/buy. E.g Corsair AXi, Seasonic PRIME, Super Flower Leadex Pro

I do not suggest anything below good quality PSU for a PC, that has dedicated GPU in it. While great quality PSU is preferred.
Either look at what i wrote above, or anything from Tier A will do;
PSU tier list: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...er-list-rev-14-8-final-update-jul-21.3624094/

Btw, your CX-600 is Tier D.

so maybe a higher wattage one would save me from having to upgrade again after a while?

With higher capacity unit, there are 2 downsides;
1. Beefier PSU will cost more.
2. Reduce in PSU's efficiency.

PSU is most efficient when the load on it is between 50% and 80% of it's max rated wattage.

• So, for e.g. 400W load on 650W unit (e.g Seasonic PRIME TX-650 80+ Titanium), would be 61.5%, meaning that the PSU is 96% efficient, where only 4% of power is wasted as excess heat. Whereby PSU draws 416W from the wall, gives 400W to components and wastes only 16W as excess heat.
• Same 400W load on 1kW PSU (e.g Seasonic PRIME TX-1000 80+ Titanium) would mean that the PSU is 94% efficient, since load on PSU would be 40%. Whereby PSU draws 424W from the wall, gives 400W to components and wastes 24W as excess heat.
• But if you'd get 1kW 80+ Gold PSU, which is the norm today, efficiency wise (e.g Seasonic PRIME GX-1000 80+ Gold), would mean that on 400W load, PSU is 90% efficient. In this case, PSU pulls 440W from wall, gives 400W to components and wastes 40W as excess heat.

id probably go for a second hand one too unless there's a reason buying brand new is better.

NEVER buy used PSU.
Thing with used PSUs is, that there's no telling what kind of abuse it has seen and if it even delivers safe voltage ranges, what ATX PSU standard specifies.

According to the ATX PSU standard, safe voltage ranges are:
+12V DC rail - tolerance ±5% ; +11.40V to +12.60V
+5V DC rail - tolerance ±5% ; +4.75V to +5.25V
+3.3V DC rail - tolerance ±5% ; +3.14V to +3.47V
-12V DC rail - tolerance ±10% ; -10.80V to -13.20V
+5V SB rail - tolerance ±5% ; +4.75V to +5.25V

For example; if i'd have a choice between two PSUs;
* used Seasonic PRIME TX-650
* new Seasonic Core GM-650

I would go with Seasonic Core, since it is brand new. Sure, it isn't high quality, but used PSU can have far worse quality, than lesser, but brand new PSU. I'm not going to risk my precious hardware with unknown/abused PSU, regardless how great the used PSU is. Also, with used hardware, you do not get warranty with it.

I'm also surprised I didn't know that about getting matching RAM so I may just go for 2 x 16gb since ill be replacing the old 8gb anyway and I know it'll work.

When RAM DIMMs are made, they are tested with each other by manufacturer and those sticks that get along well are put into sets.

First set to be made is the set of 8x RAM sticks and sold as 8x RAM sticks in a set. If the set of 8 doesn't work, it's divided into half which makes up two sets of 4.
If the 4x RAM sticks do work together, the are sold as 4x RAM sticks in a set. But if the set of 4 doesn't work, it's again divided into half, making two sets of 2.
Two RAM sticks that work well with each other are sold as 2x RAM sticks in a set.
Those RAM sticks that doesn't want to work together at all, are sold as single RAM sticks.