Need advice for pc upgrade.

[heatmikepark21]

Guyz I am currently using mobo intel dh55pj ,core i5 650, 2gb ram, 550watts local PSU, 1 tb wd green hardisk.
What future update should I do to turn my pc into gaming one. I was thinking to buy 8gb of ram and a a new GPU but someone said my mobo and core is too outdated and I should change it.
I am running low on budget so I wanted to know what real difference will it make in gaming by changing my mobo and core. Should I change it or not ?? Suggestions for which ram and GPU will be best for my current Rig will be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[JaxAxRho]

Would love to help, but I need some more info. What case do you have and what is your budget?

 

[heatmikepark21]

Would love to help, but I need some more info. What case do you have and what is your budget?

i ball entizer cabinet and budget is upto 180-200$ if it is only about GPU and ram will extend it according to other changes.

 

[JaxAxRho]

If you're really tight on budget I would stick with what you have and add a Graphics card and replace the RAM. Your board holds up to 8GBs, so I would look for some 2x4GB RAM at 1333.
This will work quite nicely: G.Skill Aegis

As for a graphics card, you should go with whatever you can squeeze into your budget. So with the RAM that's $50 for the sticks, tax, and shipping. That leaves you $150.
This card will fit nicely into that spot: XFX Radeon R9 270X
You'll have to spend a little extra up front, but with the rebate it puts you to $140 which is just enough to reach $150 with tax and free shipping. If you can't afford that then I would step down to this: Zotac nVidia GT730 You won't get the same performance as the 270X, but you will get much better performance than your current graphics.

Your CPU and mobo are a little dated, but with such a small budget, I would suggest sticking with them and upgrading to the new GPU and RAM. That'll get you much better performance for a good while and you can save up some money for a new build in the process. Your current CPU has 2 cores and 4 threads, so it should be able to handle games that utilize multi cores, but don't quote me on that.

If you really think you need a new CPU and mobo I would go with the Pentium G3258 ($70) and a compatible board ($40). But that leaves you with a very small amount for a GPU and RAM. You also would be moving backwards in terms of processor because the G3258 is a 2 core, 2 thread processor. To get the next level up it would be an i3 4160 ($120). Or you could go with an AMD Athlon X4 860K ($75) for quad core performance at the Pentium price. AMD still makes good gaming CPUs, I'm just not a huge fan. Again you would need a compatible board ($40-$80) and a discrete graphics card because the A4 does not come with integrated graphics. You could choose an AMD A10-7700K ($125) and not get a discrete card, but if you really want to do some serious gaming, you're going to need a discrete card. Again you'll also need a compatible board($50-$80).

I know I threw a lot of information at you, so feel free to ask more questions. What you really need to decide is do you want to have a clear upgrade path and sacrifice a little gaming quality now or do you just want to be able to game right now and you'll build a new computer in the future? Either way you are going to be getting better quality gaming, but if you want an upgrade path it might cost less in the future.

I'm sorry I also missed that you said you might be able to extend your budget if you were buying more than the GPU. What would be your top limit if buying a new CPU, mobo, GPU and RAM?

 

[heatmikepark21]

If you're really tight on budget I would stick with what you have and add a Graphics card and replace the RAM. Your board holds up to 8GBs, so I would look for some 2x4GB RAM at 1333.
This will work quite nicely: G.Skill Aegis

As for a graphics card, you should go with whatever you can squeeze into your budget. So with the RAM that's $50 for the sticks, tax, and shipping. That leaves you $150.
This card will fit nicely into that spot: XFX Radeon R9 270X
You'll have to spend a little extra up front, but with the rebate it puts you to $140 which is just enough to reach $150 with tax and free shipping. If you can't afford that then I would step down to this: Zotac nVidia GT730 You won't get the same performance as the 270X, but you will get much better performance than your current graphics.

Your CPU and mobo are a little dated, but with such a small budget, I would suggest sticking with them and upgrading to the new GPU and RAM. That'll get you much better performance for a good while and you can save up some money for a new build in the process. Your current CPU has 2 cores and 4 threads, so it should be able to handle games that utilize multi cores, but don't quote me on that.

If you really think you need a new CPU and mobo I would go with the Pentium G3258 ($70) and a compatible board ($40). But that leaves you with a very small amount for a GPU and RAM. You also would be moving backwards in terms of processor because the G3258 is a 2 core, 2 thread processor. To get the next level up it would be an i3 4160 ($120). Or you could go with an AMD Athlon X4 860K ($75) for quad core performance at the Pentium price. AMD still makes good gaming CPUs, I'm just not a huge fan. Again you would need a compatible board ($40-$80) and a discrete graphics card because the A4 does not come with integrated graphics. You could choose an AMD A10-7700K ($125) and not get a discrete card, but if you really want to do some serious gaming, you're going to need a discrete card. Again you'll also need a compatible board($50-$80).

I know I threw a lot of information at you, so feel free to ask more questions. What you really need to decide is do you want to have a clear upgrade path and sacrifice a little gaming quality now or do you just want to be able to game right now and you'll build a new computer in the future? Either way you are going to be getting better quality gaming, but if you want an upgrade path it might cost less in the future.

I'm sorry I also missed that you said you might be able to extend your budget if you were buying more than the GPU. What would be your top limit if buying a new CPU, mobo, GPU and RAM?

So I can update my mobo and CPU for now and update my GPU later in future or vice versa , but if I update my mobo and CPU now I wont be able to play latest games as you said even it will require a discrete graphic card anyway, but for latter I will be able to play latest games now and in future my cpu and mobo can be updated so updating gpu and ram is better right?
Another question is does my mobo only support pc3 106000 or pc3 10666 too if it does than gskill ripjaws would be better option.
Last question is what does this rebate means I am from india will rebate be available for me? (and yeah even I dont prefer amd mobos 😛)

 

[JaxAxRho]

So I can update my mobo and CPU for now and update my GPU later in future or vice versa , but if I update my mobo and CPU now I wont be able to play latest games as you said even it will require a discrete graphic card anyway, but for latter I will be able to play latest games now and in future my cpu and mobo can be updated so updating gpu and ram is better right?
Another question is does my mobo only support pc3 106000 or pc3 10666 too if it does than gskill ripjaws would be better option.
Last question is what does this rebate means I am from india will rebate be available for me? (and yeah even I dont prefer amd mobos 😛)

There are a few avenues I see:
1. You could keep your CPU and mobo, upgrade RAM, and add a discrete graphics card for ~$200.
2. You could upgrade your CPU, mobo, and RAM without a discrete card. This has some sub options:
- Pentium G3258 + compatible board + RAM = ~$160
- i3 4170 + compatible board + RAM = ~$200+
3. You could upgrade your CPU, mobo, RAM, and add a graphics card. This is obviously the most expensive and really depends on just how much you really want to spend. Every option in this tier is over $200 so I will not expand on this unless you want me to.

Choice 1 will give you the ability to play games on high settings now and into the near future (1 - 2 years max). Choice 2A will give you the ability to play games on at least medium settings now and into the near future (1-2 years max). Note this will be a downgrade in processor threads (virtually giving you 2 cores instead of 4), so you will have to overclock this CPU to get great performance out of it. Choice 2B will give you the ability to play games on at least medium settings now and into the future (1-3 years). This processor is on par with your current processor except it's newer so it MAY run better. Either of these choices also allows you to purchase a higher/better/faster CPU in the LGA1150 socket series in the future. Also you can pair a graphics card with either of these down the road and play games on ultra settings. Choice 3 is the best performance option now and gives you a clear upgrade path. You will also be paying the most upfront.

Either way you slice it, you will have to upgrade your CPU and mobo at some point, so it's totally your call when you do that. You can continue to use your current one or upgrade now.

If I had to give a recommendation of which avenue I would take, I would most likely take the choice 2B and upgrade your CPU to an i3-4170 with a compatible board. You won't play games on high settings, but your upgrade path will be very clear and you can add a graphics card in 6 months to a year for $150 and be playing games on ultra settings. You will also only have to invest in a processor when you have some expendable cash lying around/saved up and your i3 just doesn't cut it anymore.

However, I am not playing on your current system. The quickest, easiest upgrade would be RAM and graphics card. This option also gives you the flexibility to test out what the bottleneck is. Your CPU may not be an issue and you might find that adding the graphics card allows you to play high settings. I have seen several people using 2nd gen core-i Intels and they say they have no issues and no reason to upgrade as they have top line graphics cards and they are not limited by that CPU at all. You may also find that your CPU is a bottleneck and no matter what graphics card you pair with it, you will end up not being able to play at high settings because your CPU just can't cut it.

You also will have to factor in the cost of a new operating system for a new motherboard. Unless you don't have an OEM version of windows and can transfer it. So add $90 on to each of options 2.

Sorry for the wall of text.

 

[heatmikepark2]

So I can update my mobo and CPU for now and update my GPU later in future or vice versa , but if I update my mobo and CPU now I wont be able to play latest games as you said even it will require a discrete graphic card anyway, but for latter I will be able to play latest games now and in future my cpu and mobo can be updated so updating gpu and ram is better right?
Another question is does my mobo only support pc3 106000 or pc3 10666 too if it does than gskill ripjaws would be better option.
Last question is what does this rebate means I am from india will rebate be available for me? (and yeah even I dont prefer amd mobos 😛)

There are a few avenues I see:
1. You could keep your CPU and mobo, upgrade RAM, and add a discrete graphics card for ~$200.
2. You could upgrade your CPU, mobo, and RAM without a discrete card. This has some sub options:
- Pentium G3258 + compatible board + RAM = ~$160
- i3 4170 + compatible board + RAM = ~$200+
3. You could upgrade your CPU, mobo, RAM, and add a graphics card. This is obviously the most expensive and really depends on just how much you really want to spend. Every option in this tier is over $200 so I will not expand on this unless you want me to.

Choice 1 will give you the ability to play games on high settings now and into the near future (1 - 2 years max). Choice 2A will give you the ability to play games on at least medium settings now and into the near future (1-2 years max). Note this will be a downgrade in processor threads (virtually giving you 2 cores instead of 4), so you will have to overclock this CPU to get great performance out of it. Choice 2B will give you the ability to play games on at least medium settings now and into the future (1-3 years). This processor is on par with your current processor except it's newer so it MAY run better. Either of these choices also allows you to purchase a higher/better/faster CPU in the LGA1150 socket series in the future. Also you can pair a graphics card with either of these down the road and play games on ultra settings. Choice 3 is the best performance option now and gives you a clear upgrade path. You will also be paying the most upfront.

Either way you slice it, you will have to upgrade your CPU and mobo at some point, so it's totally your call when you do that. You can continue to use your current one or upgrade now.

If I had to give a recommendation of which avenue I would take, I would most likely take the choice 2B and upgrade your CPU to an i3-4170 with a compatible board. You won't play games on high settings, but your upgrade path will be very clear and you can add a graphics card in 6 months to a year for $150 and be playing games on ultra settings. You will also only have to invest in a processor when you have some expendable cash lying around/saved up and your i3 just doesn't cut it anymore.

However, I am not playing on your current system. The quickest, easiest upgrade would be RAM and graphics card. This option also gives you the flexibility to test out what the bottleneck is. Your CPU may not be an issue and you might find that adding the graphics card allows you to play high settings. I have seen several people using 2nd gen core-i Intels and they say they have no issues and no reason to upgrade as they have top line graphics cards and they are not limited by that CPU at all. You may also find that your CPU is a bottleneck and no matter what graphics card you pair with it, you will end up not being able to play at high settings because your CPU just can't cut it.

You also will have to factor in the cost of a new operating system for a new motherboard. Unless you don't have an OEM version of windows and can transfer it. So add $90 on to each of options 2.

Sorry for the wall of text.

Il think il go with choice A now and in future i will invest in better cpu and mobo.
Can you also ans my other two questions?
Thanks for your support and explaining things so well it is very much appreciated

 

[JaxAxRho]

Right other questions:
106600 vs. 106666, spec sheet doesn't differentiate. It really matters more for the frequency 1333 vs. 1066 (1333 is faster/better).

Rebate means you have to mail in a sheet you print from the internet, the UPC, and the packing list/invoice then they will send you a check or an American Express card with the rebate amount on it. It looks like this rebate is for US only. I cannot tell what the price is in rp. Can you give me a price range in rp you are willing to spend and I will look through the cards and see what fits?

 

[heatmikepark21]

Right other questions:
106600 vs. 106666, spec sheet doesn't differentiate. It really matters more for the frequency 1333 vs. 1066 (1333 is faster/better).

Rebate means you have to mail in a sheet you print from the internet, the UPC, and the packing list/invoice then they will send you a check or an American Express card with the rebate amount on it. It looks like this rebate is for US only. I cannot tell what the price is in rp. Can you give me a price range in rp you are willing to spend and I will look through the cards and see what fits?

My budget for graphic card is 150$ and for ram is 50$. The one you mentioned before fits perfectly in my budget but I heard that XFX GPU are not good, is that true?

 

[JaxAxRho]

I have not heard that.XFX is an established manufacturer and I would just read through the reviews on the internet. If you do indeed find a majority of bad reviews (such as the card has a lower than 3/5 rating), then I wouldn't buy that, but I have not heard or read that XFX is unreliable. In fact I've read quite the opposite.

 

[heatmikepark21]

I have not heard that.XFX is an established manufacturer and I would just read through the reviews on the internet. If you do indeed find a majority of bad reviews (such as the card has a lower than 3/5 rating), then I wouldn't buy that, but I have not heard or read that XFX is unreliable. In fact I've read quite the opposite.

you are using asus r9 270x right, hows it ? how long has it been since you are using it? I have heard that XFX carries lifetime warranty thats good because I will be buying GPU with better and longer warranty as my ASUS HD 5450 died on me after 2 and half years of use with no warranty left. so the question is ASUS vs GIGABYTE vs SAPPHIRE vs XFX for r9 270x with better and longer warranty.Also does Overclocking voids warranty??

 

[JaxAxRho]

I do have an R9 270X and It's taken all I've thrown at it currently, but I haven't played any triple A titles (battlefield, Crysis, tomb raider). I have played quite a bit of a game called Robocraft and I've got the settings maxed and I never see any issues aside from in-game glitches from the server/shoddy programming. But that's all on the developer side and nothing to do with my card. I have not seen any stuttering or tearing. I'm also using a relatively small 1060 resolution screen. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 1900x1200 or at least a 1920x1080 soon (and get 2 of them 😀). I have been using it for 2 weeks now. Mine is made by Asus. They are all great companies. I would choose whichever you feel most comfortable with. Some of them will factory overclock them more than others. I happened to grab mine at 1050MHz, but some of the Sapphires I saw went to 1120MHz. As for the warranty, you'll have to actually read it. I don't know. I would assume a small amount of overclock would not void it, but anything major/physical would void it.

It also depends on your case. If you have a large case, it doesn't matter which one you go with, but if you have a mid tower, or a micro tower, you may need to check how much space you have to the front of the case as some of the 270X's are quite long, particularly the triple fan Gigabytes. Asus's card was 270mm in length and I have plenty of room in my case. Now I also have a ton of hardrive slots, so I can move them wherever I want to get them out of the way.

 

[heatmikepark21]

I do have an R9 270X and It's taken all I've thrown at it currently, but I haven't played any triple A titles (battlefield, Crysis, tomb raider). I have played quite a bit of a game called Robocraft and I've got the settings maxed and I never see any issues aside from in-game glitches from the server/shoddy programming. But that's all on the developer side and nothing to do with my card. I have not seen any stuttering or tearing. I'm also using a relatively small 1060 resolution screen. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 1900x1200 or at least a 1920x1080 soon (and get 2 of them 😀). I have been using it for 2 weeks now. Mine is made by Asus. They are all great companies. I would choose whichever you feel most comfortable with. Some of them will factory overclock them more than others. I happened to grab mine at 1050MHz, but some of the Sapphires I saw went to 1120MHz. As for the warranty, you'll have to actually read it. I don't know. I would assume a small amount of overclock would not void it, but anything major/physical would void it.

It also depends on your case. If you have a large case, it doesn't matter which one you go with, but if you have a mid tower, or a micro tower, you may need to check how much space you have to the front of the case as some of the 270X's are quite long, particularly the triple fan Gigabytes. Asus's card was 270mm in length and I have plenty of room in my case. Now I also have a ton of hardrive slots, so I can move them wherever I want to get them out of the way.

Thanks for all the replies brother, All your advice's has been very help full 😀 I will read about warranties of companies and will go for some card with lifetime warranty. Cheers ! 👍

 

[JaxAxRho]

Very glad to be of help. I know I really like as much information as I can get when making big decisions, especially when they include money. Make sure you write a post describing your experience with the upgrade and let other people know how it turned out. Because you're not building a new computer, I wouldn't suggest a build guide, but I'd say it's a pretty decent upgrade on some pretty last gen equipment so document it thoroughly. I will be very interested to know how it turns out.

 

[heatmikepark21]

Very glad to be of help. I know I really like as much information as I can get when making big decisions, especially when they include money. Make sure you write a post describing your experience with the upgrade and let other people know how it turned out. Because you're not building a new computer, I wouldn't suggest a build guide, but I'd say it's a pretty decent upgrade on some pretty last gen equipment so document it thoroughly. I will be very interested to know how it turns out.

I was about to order ram from newegg for 42$ turns out they charge 22$ extra for shipping 🙁 this sucks! Can you tell me how much does your local courier provide takes to ship electronics to India it would be really helpful, if its cheap I will ask someone for help from US. Mostly post a new help forum 😛

 

[JaxAxRho]

I have no idea how much it costs to ship something to India. I would look on the internet for a more local place to buy/ship from. Same components just sold by someone else. Or google a way to ship overseas that might be cheaper, but I think that what you found was probably the norm.

 

[heatmikepark21]

I have no idea how much it costs to ship something to India. I would look on the internet for a more local place to buy/ship from. Same components just sold by someone else. Or google a way to ship overseas that might be cheaper, but I think that what you found was probably the norm.

No luck! Searched all over internet too expensive at other site 🙁

 

[heatmikepark21]

I have no idea how much it costs to ship something to India. I would look on the internet for a more local place to buy/ship from. Same components just sold by someone else. Or google a way to ship overseas that might be cheaper, but I think that what you found was probably the norm.

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-FURY-2x4GB-1333MHz/dp/B00J8E91K4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1440827238&sr=8-3&keywords=kingston+x+fury+1333mhz
Found this, kingston hyperx fury black is this good? and whats the difference of colors, just for show?

 

[JaxAxRho]

The different colors are just the different lines. The less expensive and slower ones are a certain color and the more expensive and faster ones are another color.

 

[heatmikepark21]

The different colors are just the different lines. The less expensive and slower ones are a certain color and the more expensive and faster ones are another color.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426
I bought these, installes and than pc keeps rebooting on windows startup shows everything fine on bios, installed my old kingston ram back everything is back to normal 🙁 is my motherboard not supporting my ram?

 

[JaxAxRho]

Ok so, I did a little more digging. It looks like the DH55PJ's use 1333Mhz by 10600 NOT 10666. Apparently the 66 extra is an issue. Sorry for not finding this earlier. You'll need to RMA the sticks you have and find a new set at 1333 x 10600. You should be all set then.

Just before we do that, do you have a product number or know exactly what RAM you have right now? We can look it up then and double check.

Here are a few suggestions:
my original sticks that I suggested - G.Skill Aegis 2x4GB 1333MHz (PC3 10600)
or if you really like that red look with the spreaders: HyperX Fury Red 1333MHz (PC3 10600)

The HyperX may look cool, but I would probably advise you to go with the G.Skill. I also read that most of the RAM that was built for that board back then ran at 1.35V and most RAM nowadays is run at around 1.5V. Now your board may be able to run the RAM that's rated to 1.5V just fine, but to make sure I think the best bet would be to get the G.Skills as they are rated for 1.35V, 1333, 10600.

Again if we could look up the specs on your current RAM that would be a really easy compatibility check.

 

[heatmikepark21]

Ok so, I did a little more digging. It looks like the DH55PJ's use 1333Mhz by 10600 NOT 10666. Apparently the 66 extra is an issue. Sorry for not finding this earlier. You'll need to RMA the sticks you have and find a new set at 1333 x 10600. You should be all set then.

Just before we do that, do you have a product number or know exactly what RAM you have right now? We can look it up then and double check.

Here are a few suggestions:
my original sticks that I suggested - G.Skill Aegis 2x4GB 1333MHz (PC3 10600)
or if you really like that red look with the spreaders: HyperX Fury Red 1333MHz (PC3 10600)

The HyperX may look cool, but I would probably advise you to go with the G.Skill. I also read that most of the RAM that was built for that board back then ran at 1.35V and most RAM nowadays is run at around 1.5V. Now your board may be able to run the RAM that's rated to 1.5V just fine, but to make sure I think the best bet would be to get the G.Skills as they are rated for 1.35V, 1333, 10600.

Again if we could look up the specs on your current RAM that would be a really easy compatibility check.

I returned those ram but now Im getting around 113$ for my old mobo intel dh55pj CPU i5 650 3.2ghz and kingston 2 gb 1333mhz ram, should I sell those at this rate for not? If yes than which new ram mobo and CPu should I buy after selling these. I am ready to add more 65$ to buy new mobo CPU and ram. that sums up around 180 dollars.what should I buy?

 

[JaxAxRho]

I'm a little confused, please clarify: Are you adding that $113 + $65 on top of your $200? or is that in leu of $200?

 

[heatmikepark21]

i getting 113$ for my old specs and im adding 65 on top of that for MOBO CPU and RAM excluding GPU, it will take some time for me to buy a new GPU that is why I am building a new spec

 

[heatmikepark21]

I'm a little confused, please clarify: Are you adding that $113 + $65 on top of your $200? or is that in leu of $200?

i getting 113$ for my old specs and im adding 65$ on top of that for MOBO CPU and RAM excluding GPU, it will take some time for me to buy a new GPU that is why I am building a new spec