[SOLVED] CPU Upgrade on a Pavilion p7-1254

[ImStarrz]

I have an old HP Pavilion p7-1254, and have recently fitted it with another new graphics card. I originally put in a GT 720, and it was okay, but a few days ago I put in a GTX 750 Ti, which runs quite well (at least for my standards), but in a lot of games now, the stock AMD A6-3620 processor is bottlenecking the system, especially in more CPU-bound games I would like to have better performance in, such as Minecraft and Project Zomboid, where the GPU in those games at moderately high settings only reaches a max of around 15-30% and 5-15% respectively. I will most likely be upgrading the PSU soon to a 500W power supply from the 300W that comes with it. I don't know much about getting all of the CPU compatibility stuff right, and my budget is quite strict, so I'd prefer not to buy a CPU and then it be unusable . Thanks for any help!

(Also sorry if this is in the wrong category, first post)

 

[DSzymborski]

There's no real good upgrade here without an entire platform (CPU, motherboard, RAM) upgrade. The motherboard only goes up to an A8-3850, which is basically the same chip clocked slightly higher with slightly better integrated graphics (which you would not be using).

 

[ImStarrz]

There's no real good upgrade here without an entire platform (CPU, motherboard, RAM) upgrade.

Is there a newer motherboard that would fit in the PC? Along with the CPU it'd be nice if I can upgrade my RAM. It's 8GB of DDR3 (DDR4'd be better) and both it and my CPU seem to max out way before my GPU would. I've looked around and seen that quite a lot of people recommend the Ryzen 5 1400 as a CPU for this because it also supports DDR4 ram, but I also see the Ryzen 5 1500X at a cheaper price on Newegg, so would that be a better choice as it looks to have higher clock speeds.

 

[DSzymborski]

Is there a newer motherboard that would fit in the PC? Along with the CPU it'd be nice if I can upgrade my RAM. It's 8GB of DDR3 (DDR4'd be better) and both it and my CPU seem to max out way before my GPU would. I've looked around and seen that quite a lot of people recommend the Ryzen 5 1400 as a CPU for this because it also supports DDR4 ram, but I also see the Ryzen 5 1500X at a cheaper price on Newegg, so would that be a better choice as it looks to have higher clock speeds.

The 1500X would be preferable and you'd have to upgrade your RAM anyway to use it.

Case is trickier. It does appear to use a micro-ATX form factor, but it's also a giant heat box with poor airflow and awkward to work inside, as most OEM cases are. OEMs basically design their PCs as disposable computers so that you buy new ones from them rather than upgrading. Getting even an inexpensive case with good airflow would help keep your parts cool, maximizing their lifespan.

 

[USAFRet]

Is there a newer motherboard that would fit in the PC? Along with the CPU it'd be nice if I can upgrade my RAM. It's 8GB of DDR3 (DDR4'd be better) and both it and my CPU seem to max out way before my GPU would. I've looked around and seen that quite a lot of people recommend the Ryzen 5 1400 as a CPU for this because it also supports DDR4 ram, but I also see the Ryzen 5 1500X at a cheaper price on Newegg, so would that be a better choice as it looks to have higher clock speeds.

New motherboard/CPU/RAM/PSU, you might as well get a new case.
Instead of trying to work with that poor HP case.

Sell the old system as a whole for $100-$200.