Looking to Upgrade for Cheap - Don't know if it's possible.

[peejaygee]

Ok, I've got a desktop, I want to upgrade/update. I've looked around on various sites, I really don't have the money to buy all the spare bits to build a new rig.

Most will say No, most will laugh, but i have to ask... is it possible?

The Current setup on my desktop is as follows

Motherboard - ASUS P5N-E SLI (http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5NE_SLI/specifications/)
Memory - 4GB PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E6420
Graphics Card - AMD Radeon HD 5570

So, I'm not looking for the all singing all dancing specs, I would just like to play some of my games on High, I don't want 16xAA, I'd be happy with some 'niceness' but I don't want to play games on low, and I really can't afford the price of most of the stuff in the market at the moment.

Can anybody point me in the right directions, I believe my motherboard supports Quad Core processors, and I believe my motherboard supports 800 MHz Memory and I also believe my motherboard supports dual cards.

Can anybody help me, and get to a justifiable value/price I can suggest to the wife..

 

[rounakr94]

Lga775 and ddr2 rams will highly limit your games.
Your best bet will be a AMD APU+new mobo+ddr3 ram.
How much is your budget?

 

[peejaygee]

well, looking around at all the various parts on a website like newegg.com (and I didn't realize how expensive things had gone over the years) I'd like to say anything between $250 and $500, but if I had a game-plan I know I could do the overtime in work and then put the extra money away, save up and buy something.

 

[rounakr94]

Here you go: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wJrHqs

What case do you have?
What make and model of PSU do you have?
I already included a good psu to serve for another 4to5yrs.
With this system gaming shouldn't be a prob at all

 

[peejaygee]

the PSU I have at the moment is

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339024

and for the life of me, I can't find were I bought the Case from, but it's a full size case.

Also, I have access to a:-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131613

Not that my step-son would be happy, but he doesn't use his PC often enough, he could have my old rig if I switch around a few things.... would it even be beneficially to use that mobo? I guess not, but I figured I'd ask.

and I have access to a :-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127003

and I could probably decommission this machine.

Figured I'd chuck this in here, if I can shave a little money off, it will make the wife happy...

Also, thinking about it, if my first investment was the gfx card, I believe (and I may be wrong) that card will be compatible with my current mobo?

and I really, really appreciate your feedback/support on this, I'm so out of touch with PC hardware, it evolves so fast these days.

Regards

 

[peejaygee]

I'm guessing my reply has disappeared down into the abyss... 🙁

 

[rounakr94]

Okay then look out for a used cpu and then give that to your son and buy a new one for yourself.

 

[rounakr94]

Here is a build 4 you:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xpPn99