Needing help with upgrading my old rig - Budget Upgrade

[BrainY]

CPU: i5 2310 (Sandy Bridge) @ 2.9ghz
RAM: 8GB DDR2 RAM
MOBO: Asrock B75 Pro3
GPU: GTX 970 (4GB)
STORAGE: 500GB SSD + 500GB HDD

1. I mainly play games, no video editing, or streaming my games
2. I have a 1080p monitor only
3. I do not need parts that allow me to overclock
4. I do not need anything nice looking.
5. I do not have a INTEL/AMD preference although I would like intel.

I don't want to go above $500 for sure. If cheaper, that would be better.
I thought about upgrading my MOBO, RAM, and CPU with that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hellfire13]

This should be pretty good for your need... http://www.pcgamer.com/intel-i5-8400-review-the-best-new-gaming-cpu-in-years/

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($200.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI - Z370-A PRO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $477.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-16 17:42 EST-0500

 

[askingcarpet22]

CPU: i5 2310 (Sandy Bridge) @ 2.9ghz
RAM: 8GB DDR2 RAM
MOBO: Asrock B75 Pro3
GPU: GTX 970 (4GB)
STORAGE: 500GB SSD + 500GB HDD

1. I mainly play games, no video editing, or streaming my games
2. I have a 1080p monitor only
3. I do not need parts that allow me to overclock
4. I do not need anything nice looking.
5. I do not have a INTEL/AMD preference although I would like intel.

I don't want to go above $500 for sure. If cheaper, that would be better.
I thought about upgrading my MOBO, RAM, and CPU with that.

Thanks in advance.

To be honest i don't think current prices are going to allow a full upgrade. My recommendation is to simply get something like an i7 2600 (the one i'm planning to buy after considering lots of options). you get very good gaming performance and great multitasking at about $100 on amazon used, probably less on ebay if you know what to look for.
I didnt know sandy bridge even allowed ddr2 memory, as i have the same type of motherboard (b75m) and i use ddr3. If it's ddr3 you can probably get some extra 4 or 8gb kits to upgrade it for cheap on ebay without much risk. if it's ddr2 i still suggest you get 8gb ddr3 if possible.
Your gpu is still very capable of mid range gaming and gpu prices are insane, so you're not gonna get anything better than the one you have within that price range, so i'd suggest to just buy an i7 2600, more ram and maybe something like more storage, a nicer looking case if yours isn't really good, better peripherals or a cooler like a cooler master hyper 212 evo if you want temps to be cool without spending much.

TL;DR: i7 2600, 4/8gb of ddr3 ram depending on your needs, and other minor, optional upgrades like cpu cooler, storage, case or fans.

 

[Hellfire13]

CPU: i5 2310 (Sandy Bridge) @ 2.9ghz
RAM: 8GB DDR2 RAM
MOBO: Asrock B75 Pro3
GPU: GTX 970 (4GB)
STORAGE: 500GB SSD + 500GB HDD

1. I mainly play games, no video editing, or streaming my games
2. I have a 1080p monitor only
3. I do not need parts that allow me to overclock
4. I do not need anything nice looking.
5. I do not have a INTEL/AMD preference although I would like intel.

I don't want to go above $500 for sure. If cheaper, that would be better.
I thought about upgrading my MOBO, RAM, and CPU with that.

Thanks in advance.

To be honest i don't think current prices are going to allow a full upgrade. My recommendation is to simply get something like an i7 2600 (the one i'm planning to buy after considering lots of options). you get very good gaming performance and great multitasking at about $100 on amazon used, probably less on ebay if you know what to look for.
I didnt know sandy bridge even allowed ddr2 memory, as i have the same type of motherboard (b75m) and i use ddr3. If it's ddr3 you can probably get some extra 4 or 8gb kits to upgrade it for cheap on ebay without much risk. if it's ddr2 i still suggest you get 8gb ddr3 if possible.
Your gpu is still very capable of mid range gaming and gpu prices are insane, so you're not gonna get anything better than the one you have within that price range, so i'd suggest to just buy an i7 2600, more ram and maybe something like more storage, a nicer looking case if yours isn't really good, better peripherals or a cooler like a cooler master hyper 212 evo if you want temps to be cool without spending much.

TL;DR: i7 2600, 4/8gb of ddr3 ram depending on your needs, and other minor, optional upgrades like cpu cooler, storage, case or fans.

This is your suggestion...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-2600 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($293.50 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock - B75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $375.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-17 12:56 EST-0500


Not worth it first hand... http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-2600-vs-Intel-Core-i5-8400/620vs3939

Used parts, no guarantee, needs extensive stress testing for acceptable condition.
Better go with current generation upgrade as suggested above.

 

[askingcarpet22]

CPU: i5 2310 (Sandy Bridge) @ 2.9ghz
RAM: 8GB DDR2 RAM
MOBO: Asrock B75 Pro3
GPU: GTX 970 (4GB)
STORAGE: 500GB SSD + 500GB HDD

1. I mainly play games, no video editing, or streaming my games
2. I have a 1080p monitor only
3. I do not need parts that allow me to overclock
4. I do not need anything nice looking.
5. I do not have a INTEL/AMD preference although I would like intel.

I don't want to go above $500 for sure. If cheaper, that would be better.
I thought about upgrading my MOBO, RAM, and CPU with that.

Thanks in advance.

To be honest i don't think current prices are going to allow a full upgrade. My recommendation is to simply get something like an i7 2600 (the one i'm planning to buy after considering lots of options). you get very good gaming performance and great multitasking at about $100 on amazon used, probably less on ebay if you know what to look for.
I didnt know sandy bridge even allowed ddr2 memory, as i have the same type of motherboard (b75m) and i use ddr3. If it's ddr3 you can probably get some extra 4 or 8gb kits to upgrade it for cheap on ebay without much risk. if it's ddr2 i still suggest you get 8gb ddr3 if possible.
Your gpu is still very capable of mid range gaming and gpu prices are insane, so you're not gonna get anything better than the one you have within that price range, so i'd suggest to just buy an i7 2600, more ram and maybe something like more storage, a nicer looking case if yours isn't really good, better peripherals or a cooler like a cooler master hyper 212 evo if you want temps to be cool without spending much.

TL;DR: i7 2600, 4/8gb of ddr3 ram depending on your needs, and other minor, optional upgrades like cpu cooler, storage, case or fans.

This is your suggestion...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-2600 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($293.50 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock - B75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: Mushkin - Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $375.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-17 12:56 EST-0500


Not worth it first hand... http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-2600-vs-Intel-Core-i5-8400/620vs3939

Used parts, no guarantee, needs extensive stress testing for acceptable condition.
Better go with current generation upgrade as suggested above.

I disagree. A locked cpu from around 8 years ago is highly unlikely to have suffered any abuse. Gpus and unlocked cpus you should ask for stress testing, but ram and locked cpus are pretty unlikely to die on you like that. Also i think an i5 8400 with a 970 is probably overkill.

Also, your option pretty much spends the whole budget in one go and he only gets a real improvement in cpu performance, as there's not really a lot of a difference in gaming between ddr3 and ddr4.

My best suggestion would be
i7 2600: ~$110 used
8-16gb of ddr3 depending on which ram you have: ~$100 for 16gb, ~$60 for 8gb
The hyper 212 evo was just a suggestion in case he doesn't already have an aftermarket cooler, or wants better than stock cooling.
That leaves you with a pretty good mid range gaming pc and a lot of spare money for whatever you want to do, be it other stuff for the pc or other things outside the rig.

 

[Hellfire13]

I thought about upgrading my MOBO, RAM, and CPU with that.

Read the post again. Thats exactly what the OP requested.

Secondly, you are assuming that a used chip will not die. Purchases are not made on assumptions, that too from ebay.
Also, not worth the money... http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-2600-vs-Intel-Core-i5-2310/620vsm2055
Just because you are going that road, doesnt mean its the right one.
The 8400 will last him way longer into the future for the money he is going to spend now.

 

[askingcarpet22]

I thought about upgrading my MOBO, RAM, and CPU with that.

Read the post again. Thats exactly what the OP requested.

Secondly, you are assuming that a used chip will not die. Purchases are not made on assumptions, that too from ebay.
Also, not worth the money... http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-2600-vs-Intel-Core-i5-2310/620vsm2055
Just because you are going that road, doesnt mean its the right one.
The 8400 will last him way longer into the future for the money he is going to spend now.

I guess you're right. Everyone has different needs. For example while he has an i5 2310 I have an i3 2120 so the upgrade is way bigger for me.
I would however still suggest he waits the ddr4 craze out if possible, and maybe waiting for zen+ which might bring something good to the table