Need some help picking out a new processor and power supply.

[exoticXrevenge]

I am planning on getting a better processor and power supply for my computer because right now the power supply and processor in it are pretty crap.

You can check out my computer here: http://goo.gl/z0nR8z ( I've added a GTX 750 ti to it.)

I already have a power supply picked out but wanted to double check if it would work with my setup. Here it is: https://goo.gl/vime7Q (As a side note how hard is it to put in a power supply, I have never done it before and dont want to break my computer.)

And secondly, on to the processor. The problem here is I dont know what processor will work with my current computer. I was thinking about getting an intel i5, but again I have no clue if that would be compatible or not. So could you guys help me find a processor that would work.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Luminary]

Hello exoticXrevenge,

1) I'm afraid you won't be able to use any intel CPU in your rig, that is an AMD motherboard and you have an AM3+ socket. At best you MIGHT be able to upgrade to a FX-8300 AMD CPU depending on the quality of your motherboard (which I couldn't see the model of so it is probably not able to handle the upgrade. Cyberpower usually puts in really cheap motherboards). As far as CPU's go I'm afraid you're probably stuck with what you have until you upgrade your motherboard as well.

2) The NEX line isn't one of EVGA's better models, and you don't need 750w for a single GPU rig. The EVGA G2 model is a MUCH better unit if you could afford the extra $10. PSU's aren't difficult to install, especially if the unit is fully modular like the G2. If you must stay at the $70 price point, the XFX model below (made by Seasonic) is a very good choice but is NOT modular.

There are plenty of videos on youtube and posts here on Tom's to look at regarding PSU installation, and if you run into a specific question during the process we'll always be around to help clarify.

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $82.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-19 00:41 EDT-0400

Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $68.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-19 00:43 EDT-0400

Upgrading the PSU is a very good idea as Cyberpower is notorious for using very cheap PSU's in their builds. From there saving up for a new Intel motherboard/ CPU pair would be a great next upgrade, but you're looking at around $300 - $400 for that.

 

[exoticXrevenge]

Hello exoticXrevenge,

1) I'm afraid you won't be able to use any intel CPU in your rig, that is an AMD motherboard and you have an AM3+ socket. At best you MIGHT be able to upgrade to a FX-8300 AMD CPU depending on the quality of your motherboard (which I couldn't see the model of so it is probably not able to handle the upgrade. Cyberpower usually puts in really cheap motherboards). As far as CPU's go I'm afraid you're probably stuck with what you have until you upgrade your motherboard as well.

2) The NEX line isn't one of EVGA's better models, and you don't need 750w for a single GPU rig. The EVGA G2 model is a MUCH better unit if you could afford the extra $10. PSU's aren't difficult to install, especially if the unit is fully modular like the G2. If you must stay at the $70 price point, the XFX model below (made by Seasonic) is a very good choice but is NOT modular.

There are plenty of videos on youtube and posts here on Tom's to look at regarding PSU installation, and if you run into a specific question during the process we'll always be around to help clarify.

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $82.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-19 00:41 EDT-0400

Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $68.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-10-19 00:43 EDT-0400

Upgrading the PSU is a very good idea as Cyberpower is notorious for using very cheap PSU's in their builds. From there saving up for a new Intel motherboard/ CPU pair would be a great next upgrade, but you're looking at around $300 - $400 for that.

Hey I really appreciate all your help! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get just a new processor because of my cheap motherboard but I have taken your advice and Im going to look into getting a new motherboard with a processor after my new power supply is in. I have found this so far. https://goo.gl/GqGGWS Would this be ok to put in? (on a side note with this motherboard work with a GTX 750 ti?) Also im guessing putting in a new motherboard is fairly difficult so do you think I would need a store to put it in for me? Thanks for any help!

 

[Luminary]

That's actually a very good pairing, yes! Don't usually see someone suggest such a good pair off the bat.

The Asus Z170-A is a very good board, and will support the full overclocking potential of the Intel Core I5-6600K (if you ever want to overclock). And yes, not only will that motherboard + CPU pair work with the GTX 750ti, it will support every single GPU all the way up to a Titan X. They are great gaming investments for several years to come.

Installing a new motherboard really isn't that big of a deal. Again there are plenty of video guides and tutorials here on Tom's (and Youtube) for motherboard installation, and as long as you read up before performing the install I'm sure you would be able to handle it. Please feel free to ask any questions you have before or during the installation here on Tom's and someone will be more than happy to help.

 

[exoticXrevenge]

That's actually a very good pairing, yes! Don't usually see someone suggest such a good pair off the bat.

The Asus Z170-A is a very good board, and will support the full overclocking potential of the Intel Core I5-6600K (if you ever want to overclock). And yes, not only will that motherboard + CPU pair work with the GTX 750ti, it will support every single GPU all the way up to a Titan X. They are great gaming investments for several years to come.

Installing a new motherboard really isn't that big of a deal. Again there are plenty of video guides and tutorials here on Tom's (and Youtube) for motherboard installation, and as long as you read up before performing the install I'm sure you would be able to handle it. Please feel free to ask any questions you have before or during the installation here on Tom's and someone will be more than happy to help.

Again, thanks for everything! Cant wait to upgrade my computer.

 

[Luminary]

You're most welcome. If you have any more questions about the upgrade process before (or as!) it takes place please feel free to post them here on Tom's, we're happy to help.

 

[exoticXrevenge]

You're most welcome. If you have any more questions about the upgrade process before (or as!) it takes place please feel free to post them here on Tom's, we're happy to help.

Hey, I've been thinking about installing the new parts myself and I'm confident in putting in the PSU and Processor but I feel as the motherboard will be a pain. I tried installing a new heat sink about 5 months ago and after about 2 hours of trying to get it in I took it to a store and they had to take my motherboard out completely to put the heat sink in. So i'm worried about getting the heat sink back in. But what do you recommend? I'm really new to building computers and don't want to damage anything, but I also don't want to spend 80$ on someone putting a part in for me.

 

[Luminary]

" but I also don't want to spend 80$ on someone putting a part in for me. "

Well there aren't too many choices other than do it yourself or pay someone else.

Like any other project there is an order of operations that makes things easier. For example a heatsink is often easier to install on a motherboard before the board is actually secured down into the case (especially if you're having to install an additional backplate for an after-market cooler).

As long as you're patient and read over your specific harware manuals before diving in I have no doubt that you'll be fine putting it together yourself, motherboard and all. If you run into a snag while building you can always make a new post here on Tom's and somone will certainly be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[exoticXrevenge]

" but I also don't want to spend 80$ on someone putting a part in for me. "

Well there aren't too many choices other than do it yourself or pay someone else.

Like any other project there is an order of operations that makes things easier. For example a heatsink is often easier to install on a motherboard before the board is actually secured down into the case (especially if you're having to install an additional backplate for an after-market cooler).

As long as you're patient and read over your specific harware manuals before diving in I have no doubt that you'll be fine putting it together yourself, motherboard and all. If you run into a snag while building you can always make a new post here on Tom's and somone will certainly be able to point you in the right direction.

Hey, hope you can help with 1 last thing before I buckle down and order both of these parts. I only have 1 case fan in my computer and a heatsink. Currently with these 2 my computer runs fairly cool and only becomes hot after gaming for a long time. So if I put in these new parts will this heatsink: https://goo.gl/fMkNCG and 1 other case fan be able to cool computer? Last question I promise

 

[Luminary]

There's really no way to know until you try, but the good news is that even if your case ends up needing more cooling it is an easy fix.

Adding new case fans is a very easy procedure, and even if you don't have many sys_fan headers on the motherboard a standard y-splitter is often enough to support several more fans. I typically start with a fairly minimal fan install on a new build and if it ends up running hot I add fans from there. If you end up needing to add a 2nd fan I suggest having 1 intake at the front and 1 in the back (along with your CPU heatsink).

 

[exoticXrevenge]

There's really no way to know until you try, but the good news is that even if your case ends up needing more cooling it is an easy fix.

Adding new case fans is a very easy procedure, and even if you don't have many sys_fan headers on the motherboard a standard y-splitter is often enough to support several more fans. I typically start with a fairly minimal fan install on a new build and if it ends up running hot I add fans from there. If you end up needing to add a 2nd fan I suggest having 1 intake at the front and 1 in the back (along with your CPU heatsink).

1 last quick thing, do you think this case will work better than my stock one? It looks a lot more durable and comes with the extra fans I would need. https://goo.gl/oXy6Xa