Graphics card or CPU

[skittlecrafts]

I'm very new to building and upgrading pc's and im just wanting to know would it be better to get a new cpu or to replace my current integrated gpu with a new graphics card?
wanting to use my computer for minor gaming and if possible some higher end gaming

pc specs:
CPU:AMD Athlon 64 3800+
motherboard: ECS Geforce6100PM-M2
GPU (integrated i think): NVIDIA Geforce 6150SE nForce 430

 

[firo40]

Your going to need a completely new system to game. Best bet is to get a budget graphics card. Then get a better motheroard processor and ram after

 

[skittlecrafts]

Your going to need a completely new system to game. Best bet is to get a budget graphics card. Then get a better motheroard processor and ram after

i can play some games with how it is now but i just want to upgrade it a bit more so it will run them games a bit faster games being i.e minecraft and league of legends

 

[pkw4]

If that is a 3800+ single core and not an x2 then i would sugest upgrading the cpu first for all round better preformance if a full new build is off the table. you wont be able to do much modern gaming on it due to the board limited cpu upgrade options.
If i had the same motherboard i would have it similar to this (personal preference),
cpu- phenom 9550 (95w), ram- 4gb ddr2 800, gpu- hd 7770.
most will sugest a complete new build but i know not everyone has a big budget.

 

[photonboy]

I see no point in spending money on that system, unless it's a Graphics Card to hold you until you can afford a completely new system.

I recommend THIS card:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-hd77701gd5

Your CPU will be a major bottleneck, but a half decent card doesn't cost much less than this anyway so might as well get a solid quality card.

If your POWER SUPPLY can't provide the proper 6-pin connector or isn't sufficient to do so with a 4-pin MOLEX to 6-pin adapter, you'll either need a better Power Supply (like the $40 Antec VP-450) or a graphics card that doesn't require a 6-pin PCIe connection.

I think some HD7750's don't require additional power. I'm not 100% certain but I don't think THIS HD7750 needs additional power:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-112020520g

Other:
I'll see if a CPU is even available for that board...

 

[eldapeeze]

Graphics cards are usually better than integrated GPU, because a lot of integrated GPU's are not great for gaming. One reason is because onboard GPU's have to share system RAM while Graphics cards have their own ram.

 

[photonboy]

Supported CPU's: http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=857&MenuID=20#fragment-CPU

I don't think you can even buy any of these, unless maybe on Ebay. It only supports AM2 or AM2+ CPU's.

 

[skittlecrafts]

not sure if this makes any difference but yeah just found out that the motherboard is the V7.0/V7.1 so yeah but also i found this cpu and if i was going to upgrade my cpu this is the one i was thinking of getting is it any good do you think and a whole new computer build is out of my budget at the moment
CPU:
http://

 

[pkw4]

That is the better revision of the board so yes that is a good upgrade cpu as with athlon ii's theres not to much difference when it comes to gaming performance compared to the phenom ii's. The difference is more noticable in applications due to the missing L3 cache. Just make sure your bios is dated 06/04/2010 or later. it will be a huge improvement and especially if you put a hd 7770 next to it later to run newer games. i recently got my phenom ii x2 555 (ebay £40) for an am2+ board, then got an am3 board for ddr3 support but it also unlocked to a quad core luckily.