[SOLVED] Buffing an old rig for almost no money

notsomebodyyouknow

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Dec 14, 2018
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As mentioned: I want to buff my old rig for almost no money, while I get enough money to buy something decent. My specs are:


CPU
Intel Core i5 4430 @ 3.00GHz 48 °C
Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM
4,00GB Single-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. B85-PRO GAMER (SOCKET 1150) 26 °C
Graphics
VX24A (1920x1080@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics 4600 (ASUStek Computer Inc)
Storage
465GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 500GB (SSD) 33 °C

I want to be able to play Stellaris and CoW: Warzone decently, that's it :)

What GPU would do the trick? Can I change the RAM into DDR4? Can I get another CPU for next to nothing? What can be done if I want to spend the least amount of money on this temp rig?

Thanks in advance and have a nice weekend, people!
 
Solution
By "buffing" I believe you mean that you want to improve the existing rig's performance - correct?

Based on the specs you posted, I believe that adding more RAM is likely to offer the most improvement for the costs involved.

Probably in the form of a 2 x 4GB matched modules kit for dual channel use. Perhaps even a 2 x 8 GB kit -budget permitting.

The specific RAM modules and installation configurations are determined by the motherboard.

So you have to refer to the motherboard's User Guide/Manual and the motherboards manufacturer's website to determine what RAM is supported and in what configurations.

Read carefully and pay close attention to all specifications.
By "buffing" I believe you mean that you want to improve the existing rig's performance - correct?

Based on the specs you posted, I believe that adding more RAM is likely to offer the most improvement for the costs involved.

Probably in the form of a 2 x 4GB matched modules kit for dual channel use. Perhaps even a 2 x 8 GB kit -budget permitting.

The specific RAM modules and installation configurations are determined by the motherboard.

So you have to refer to the motherboard's User Guide/Manual and the motherboards manufacturer's website to determine what RAM is supported and in what configurations.

Read carefully and pay close attention to all specifications.
 
Solution
By "buffing" I believe you mean that you want to improve the existing rig's performance - correct?

Based on the specs you posted, I believe that adding more RAM is likely to offer the most improvement for the costs involved.

Probably in the form of a 2 x 4GB matched modules kit for dual channel use. Perhaps even a 2 x 8 GB kit -budget permitting.

The specific RAM modules and installation configurations are determined by the motherboard.

So you have to refer to the motherboard's User Guide/Manual and the motherboards manufacturer's website to determine what RAM is supported and in what configurations.

Read carefully and pay close attention to all specifications.

Thanks, and yes - improving the existing system :)

The official description states this:

DDR3 1600 MHz4DIMM, Dual-channel (https://www.asus.com/dk/Motherboards/B85PRO_GAMER/)

That's fairly terrible, right? If I buy "modern" RAM beyond those numbers, would it even work? (I know they wouldn't reap all of the the potential benefits, I'm just curious whether they would actually work)
 
As mentioned: I want to buff my old rig for almost no money, while I get enough money to buy something decent. My specs are:


CPU
Intel Core i5 4430 @ 3.00GHz 48 °C
Haswell 22nm Technology
RAM
4,00GB Single-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. B85-PRO GAMER (SOCKET 1150) 26 °C
Graphics
VX24A (1920x1080@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics 4600 (ASUStek Computer Inc)
Storage
465GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO 500GB (SSD) 33 °C

I want to be able to play Stellaris and CoW: Warzone decently, that's it :)

What GPU would do the trick? Can I change the RAM into DDR4? Can I get another CPU for next to nothing? What can be done if I want to spend the least amount of money on this temp rig?

Thanks in advance and have a nice weekend, people!
You can't change to DDR4 but it sure can use 8 - 16GB. Problem is RAM will not be transferable to next and newer system unlike a GPU which you can get now and still use later.
So I'd say, get at least 2x4GB of DDR3, doesn't have to be anything fancy and it's pretty cheap nowadays. Having only 4GB you loose most on IGPU so very little left for the rest of system.
GPU you can grab any you want to use in future system even if it feels too much for now. That IGPU is just too weak specially with so little RAM.
 
What actual dollar value are you working with?

Warzone would probably be a stretch without a reasonable GPU. Also your RAM is super low by modern standards.

Yeah, I'm considering a RX 580 (as the only substantial expense as such). Seems like it could do the job. Not sure if the RAM would ruin the experience though.

Beyond the GPU I would consider spending a couple of hundred (100-200) USD into the process.
 
I must admit "buffing" is a term I have not heard before.

For gaming, yes, you will need a discrete graphics card.
First, though you need more than 4gb of ram.
Your motherboard supports only DDR3 ram. Not to worry, the benefit of DDR4 is lower power, not performance.
My suggestion is to buy a 2 x 4gb kit that matches the specs of what you have now.
CPU-Z will give you those specs.
You will have a guaranteed 8gb and if your old ram plays nice with the new, you will have 12gb.
You can buy such a kit for $25 or so.

Next, you need a discrete graphics card.
What you can buy will be limited by the power supply you have.
What is the make/model of your psu?

Here is a chart:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
You will see that a RX580 is an older, power hungry option.
They were extensively used in mining.
You would need a quality 550w power supply. A cheap 550w unit will not deliver advertised power.
To meet your budget, I might suggest a GTX1050ti which you can probably buy for $110 or so.
A GTX1060 is about the performance equivalent of a RX590 but uses 100w less.
You might find one for $150.

I would not look to a cpu upgrade until you see how well ram and graphics works for you.
You might find a I5-4670K for $50.
 
I must admit "buffing" is a term I have not heard before.

For gaming, yes, you will need a discrete graphics card.
First, though you need more than 4gb of ram.
Your motherboard supports only DDR3 ram. Not to worry, the benefit of DDR4 is lower power, not performance.
My suggestion is to buy a 2 x 4gb kit that matches the specs of what you have now.
CPU-Z will give you those specs.
You will have a guaranteed 8gb and if your old ram plays nice with the new, you will have 12gb.
You can buy such a kit for $25 or so.

Next, you need a discrete graphics card.
What you can buy will be limited by the power supply you have.
What is the make/model of your psu?

Here is a chart:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
You will see that a RX580 is an older, power hungry option.
They were extensively used in mining.
You would need a quality 550w power supply. A cheap 550w unit will not deliver advertised power.
To meet your budget, I might suggest a GTX1050ti which you can probably buy for $110 or so.
A GTX1060 is about the performance equivalent of a RX590 but uses 100w less.
You might find one for $150.

I would not look to a cpu upgrade until you see how well ram and graphics works for you.
You might find a I5-4670K for $50.

Great, thanks. I just got a Cooler Master MWE Gold 550W Modular. Hopefully that does the trick. So... Either a 1060 or 1050ti and a RAM-upgrade. Perhaps this temp rig can actually attain some sort of workable fun level until I can buy an actual power house 😀
 
As others have said, a ram upgrade for sure. Your idea of an RX 580 is a good one. You can often find good deals on used ones. Your 4c/4t CPU will hold you back, in warzone. While 4th gen i7's typically demand a high premium, you can opt for a Xeon E3 1230v3, or better, off Ebay. Most of them lack integrated graphics, but they are equivalent to an i7.

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/B85PRO_GAMER/HelpDesk_CPU/