How does one upgrade a Frankenstein computer?

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adamjosiah

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Mar 19, 2013
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Alright, so browsing around this forum has given me a lot of good ideas on putting builds together and what the best components are for your money right now.

However, I wanted to ask everyone the best way to get my computer away from the pre-built machine it started as without having to start from the beginning.

The computer started as an HP p7-1459 (http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03520500-23).

Here's my upgrades so far:
PSU: EVGA 600 B 80 PLUS BRONZE
GPU: Zotac GTX 760 2 GB
Disk Drive: LG Blu Ray / DVD Combo Drive

I would like to start getting rid of everything pre-built in my PC, since it's a crap motherboard and would like to start building a "real" computer. Problem is, my Christmas present to myself is limited to about $200. I figure with that I can probably manage a Case and Motherboard which would get me started.

So my question - is it practical to buy a LGA-1155 socket motherboard that will still support my current CPU and RAM. CPU and RAM will be my next upgrade, but I'd like to know that by fall of 2015 that I will still be able to get a good LGA-1155 CPU. It doesn't have be the latest and greatest, if I can get a "last generation discount" that's all the better - as long as it's not completely irrelevant by that time.



 
Solution
Math Geek
your mobo is a mini-itx which will fit into most any case no matter how big or small. the holes in the mobo will line up with holes in the new case no problem.

the stats say you can hold 8 gb of ddr3 - 1600 ram which is plenty fast and why i suggested getting 8gb if you don't already have 8 gb of it (no idea whether you have the 1333 or 1600 or how much installed now). you can use a new 8gb set of 1600 now ( or 16 gb if you chose) if you already have 8 gb of ddr3-1600 then the ssd makes more sense as it will improve performance now, plus later still offer the boost.

i would seriously avoid a new 1155 mobo due to the limited older cpu's it will hold. what you have will work for now with the cpu you have. slowly but surely your ugly...
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What exactly do you intend to do with your new build? If gaming is all you want, then you could probably get away with just getting the GTX 760 and the PSU (assuming it would fit in your case). You could buy all of the other stuff later on when you save up more money.

If you're not planning on upgrading the CPU, then the performance you would get with your new build would be virtually identical to the performance you would get with just adding in the GPU with a sufficient PSU. You wouldn't absolutely need a 600W PSU btw. The card only needs about 15amps total from the two 6-pin connectors.
 
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Sorry I should clarify, the upgrades I listed I already made.

I know that a case and motherboard will not offer a performance increase - I want them for future upgrading but without losing the ability to use the current CPU and RAM. My budget for a case and motherboard together is around $200.

Edit: And the yes gaming is the most demanding function from my PC
 
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Why are you changing motherboards now? Thats a bad idea I feel. You might probably have to buy Windows again, and it is a waste when your current board is fine and will run all the upgrades perfectly.

You will likely never upgrade your CPU as it is very good already and upgrading to anything else would offer no real gaming performance increase.
 
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if you're going to upgrade your cpu later, then an 1155 mobo is a bad idea now. you'll want an 1150 cpu later on to stay current and will need a new mobo then anyway. the pc uses ddr-3 ram and i don't know how much you have already but for your $200 now i'd go with a nice case, whatever kind you like, and maybe some new ram which will work now and can be used later on your new mobo. if you already have 8 gb, then get 8 more, if you have less then look into a good 8 gb set now and add it to what you have already. if you're happy with what you have then how about an ssd with the case for now. there are some really good sales on ssd's right now.

then save for that new cpu/mobo as the next and last upgrade since your good to go with the psu, gpu and other such pieces you already have.

this is what i would do for myself in your situation.
 
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Hm, both of you raise some very good points. My main focus was getting rid of the crappy components that came with the computer - my current motherboard for example has limited RAM speed, limited I/O and limited expansion space.

That being said, I do see your point on the life of LGA 1155 - which is why I wanted to ask your opinions.

My questions is though, if I did just start by getting a bigger / nicer case for improved airflow and space management... would this motherboard be compatible with it? I don't know much about how various motherboards mount into various cases.
 
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your mobo is a mini-itx which will fit into most any case no matter how big or small. the holes in the mobo will line up with holes in the new case no problem.

the stats say you can hold 8 gb of ddr3 - 1600 ram which is plenty fast and why i suggested getting 8gb if you don't already have 8 gb of it (no idea whether you have the 1333 or 1600 or how much installed now). you can use a new 8gb set of 1600 now ( or 16 gb if you chose) if you already have 8 gb of ddr3-1600 then the ssd makes more sense as it will improve performance now, plus later still offer the boost.

i would seriously avoid a new 1155 mobo due to the limited older cpu's it will hold. what you have will work for now with the cpu you have. slowly but surely your ugly duckling pc will become a beautiful swan :) a new case will go a long way with the transformation. so many options to chose from this could take a week of looking just to pick out.
 
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