Help upgrading for better gaming performance.

[SoftAssPopTart]

Hello everyone. I am new to the forums. Ive just recently got back into pc gaming because a desktop was given to me. Here are my current specs.
Motherboard: Msi 7550 (has easy OC switchs on it as well)
Cpu: Amd phenom ii x4 920
Gpu: Firepro v4800
Ram: 4gb (2x1gb HyperX DDR2 and 2x1gb random brand)
450w Raidmax power supply
1tb Seagate HDD and an additional 250gb external HDD

Im wanting to upgrade the best possible components without upgrading to a new mobo if possible.
Ive always had intel processors so im not familiar with amd cpus.
I plan on upgrading to 8-12gb of rams but im not sure what the best am3 cpu i should use for this mobo.
Or would it just be cheaper and better in the long run to upgrade to a am4 cpu/motherboard or an intel cpu/motherboard. Im on a budget of about 200$. Just upgraded my gpu and im happy with it for the price i got it for. (20$)

Any and all replies are greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Tyler Paul_1]

Hi I would increase ram to 8gb s there is practically 0 difference between 8, 12 and 16 and go for an am4 motherboard

 

[Tanoxil]

I'm sorry to tell you but upgrading the CPU won't change much if anything at all. Your GPU isn't designed for gaming. I would recommend
1. Upgrade the RAM to 8gb (make sure it's the same generation ram as your 4gb)
2. Upgrade the GPU to this: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Cm38TW/evga-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-4gb-sc-gaming-acx-20-video-card-04g-p4-6253-kr
3. Buy a CPU cooler and overclock your CPU: https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-RR-212E-20PK-R2-120mm/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1500764104&sr=1-4&keywords=cpu+cooler

 

[SoftAssPopTart]

I'm sorry to tell you but upgrading the CPU won't change much if anything at all. Your GPU isn't designed for gaming. I would recommend
1. Upgrade the RAM to 8gb (make sure it's the same generation ram as your 4gb)
2. Upgrade the GPU to this: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Cm38TW/evga-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-4gb-sc-gaming-acx-20-video-card-04g-p4-6253-kr
3. Buy a CPU cooler and overclock your CPU: https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-RR-212E-20PK-R2-120mm/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1500764104&sr=1-4&keywords=cpu+cooler

I have it 20% overclocked with a 4 pipe cpu cooler already. Damn i didnt know my gpu wasnt for gaming. Will my cpu be able to run that gpu and will my power supply be able to handle it?

 

[Tanoxil]

I'm sorry to tell you but upgrading the CPU won't change much if anything at all. Your GPU isn't designed for gaming. I would recommend
1. Upgrade the RAM to 8gb (make sure it's the same generation ram as your 4gb)
2. Upgrade the GPU to this: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/Cm38TW/evga-geforce-gtx-1050-ti-4gb-sc-gaming-acx-20-video-card-04g-p4-6253-kr
3. Buy a CPU cooler and overclock your CPU: https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-RR-212E-20PK-R2-120mm/dp/B005O65JXI/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1500764104&sr=1-4&keywords=cpu+cooler

I have it 20% overclocked with a 4 pipe cpu cooler already. Damn i didnt know my gpu wasnt for gaming. Will my cpu be able to run that gpu and will my power supply be able to handle it?

Yes the Amd phenom II x4 920 is actually quite good even if it's really old especially if you overclock it. For the GPU yes your PSU will handle it because you don't need any 6 pin connectors for it. It only needs the power from the motherboard.