Looking for Upgrade Suggestions for PC

[Vorthem]

Hello everyone, I Built my first PC about this time last year and am starting to have trouble playing games on it. At this time I did not have much money to work with and a few parts were handed down from other computers. Most games that I attempt to play are choppy and low frame rates even on low-medium settings. My goal is to be able to play most games on High settings (Ultra is not a concern for me unless possible with my budget)

This is my current PC build as of right now http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QHLT6h

To me I feel like the processor should be updated considering it is 5+ years old at this point. A friend gifted me this processor for my build as well so it is not a part I purchased. He suggests my processor is great for gaming still but I do not think this is the case. My PSU is only 500w atm as well so this is another part I should most likely upgrade. Looking to speed about $400 to improve on my current machine. Thank you for any assistance and suggestions.

 

[Forever Oleg]

You have 2 options.

1) http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i34170
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97mpro4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202183&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
2) http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80662i36100
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah110ma
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx421c14fbk28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202183&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[logainofhades]

You are not going to run a 380x, on a CX 500, PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Black 750GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($172.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $408.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-20 17:12 EST-0500

 

[Forever Oleg]

You are not going to run a 380x, on a CX 500, PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($116.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Western Digital Scorpio Black 750GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 380 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($172.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $408.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-20 17:12 EST-0500

Why not? GPU uses 300W under full load. He will need to get rid of the CX anyways.

 

[Vorthem]

Thank you both for your suggestions as well as keeping it within my price range. I should have said in my main post, but I do not really want to buy a new motherboard if possible. All of these parts in the link are currently installed on my computer so a motherboard is just another piece I didn't consider. Was also under the impression that my graphics card was good is this not the case? Was thinking something more like this so that I don't need a new motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284 Would this be a good choice?

 

[Forever Oleg]

Thank you both for your suggestions as well as keeping it within my price range. I should have said in my main post, but I do not really want to buy a new motherboard if possible. All of these parts in the link are currently installed on my computer so a motherboard is just another piece I didn't consider. Was also under the impression that my graphics card was good is this not the case? Was thinking something more like this so that I don't need a new motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284 Would this be a good choice?

FX-8350 is just a slightly overclocked FX-8320 for much higher price. If you wanna go that route, go FX-8320. That motherboard is said to have very bad socket heating issues so do not expect to overclock on it. If you get the FX-8320, you get it and that's it. The next upgrade you do will HAVE to include a new motherboard.

Before upgrading that CPU, make sure the motherboard's BIOS can support it. If not, update the BIOS to the latest version.

Also, I would recommend getting a good cheap cooler for the FX because it runs hot - maybe something like this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr910htx3g1
Of course getting a 212 EVO or H7 will be better.

Actually, getting FX-4300 or FX-6300 would be a better idea - spending less and less heat. You don't need those 8 cores anyways.

 

[Forever Oleg]

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd6300wmhkbox
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100383ntocl

This is the best you can do without actually upgrading the motherboard.

 

[Vorthem]

Well I replied and it didn't post so Ill summarize. I do not plan to overclock right now so that is why I am looking at more powerful processors out of the box. I may get the FX-8320 you suggested and I have read that 8320 and 8350 have worked well with my motherboard. For my next upgrade/build I will most likely upgrade my motherboard but at this time just looking at improving what I have. Either liquid cooling or an aftermarket heat sink is a definite buy for me as well as a larger PSU. Totally agree that I don't need the 8 cores for what I will be doing. Thank you both for your help and suggestions it has certainly helped me make a decision as to what I should buy.

 

[Forever Oleg]

Well I replied and it didn't post so Ill summarize. I do not plan to overclock right now so that is why I am looking at more powerful processors out of the box. I may get the FX-8320 you suggested and I have read that 8320 and 8350 have worked well with my motherboard. For my next upgrade/build I will most likely upgrade my motherboard but at this time just looking at improving what I have. Either liquid cooling or an aftermarket heat sink is a definite buy for me as well as a larger PSU. Totally agree that I don't need the 8 cores for what I will be doing. Thank you both for your help and suggestions it has certainly helped me make a decision as to what I should buy.

If you are not overclocking, do not spend money on liquid coolers or expensive air coolers. T2 or T4 will be good enough while I recommend 212 EVO and H7 of course.

 

[Vorthem]

Alright sounds good wont waste the money then.

 

[logainofhades]

Why not? GPU uses 300W under full load. He will need to get rid of the CX anyways.

Because the CX 500 is not a quality PSU, and really isn't suitable for a gaming rig.

 

[Forever Oleg]

Why not? GPU uses 300W under full load. He will need to get rid of the CX anyways.

Because the CX 500 is not a quality PSU, and really isn't suitable for a gaming rig.

I know it isn't. If he doesn't overclock, he can keep it for a while, but I agree, the earlier he gets rid of it, the better.

We already worked things out.