Rig Upgrade Suggestions

[TortisVamp]

Ok I'm not a complete computer idiot, used to build my own, have built quite a few actually. But 12 hour work days 80+ hours a week has slowly pushed me out of the know and into the "I kinda know". I need to make a few upgrades, but I'll start with my current rig info for you.

OS: Windows 7 Home Prem
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-770T-USB3
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 (3200 Mhz, 4cores)
Memory: 4gb
Video Card: AMD Radeon HD 5700 Series
PSU: 750w

Running a dual display onto two monitors of course, but my issues are as follows. My power supply is about dead, have to do some interesting things to get the computer to turn on (interesting story maybe to be told later), is fine once it's going, can do reboots no issue, but as soon as it's off it's crazy. Also the fan on my video card bit the dust so I had to rig up an old case fan to it to keep it cool, but the card in general is starting to fail, and have issues. My upgrade thoughts & questions are as follows...

PSU: This is an easy one, pretty sure I can find another 750w without issue
Video Card: Was thinking a Radeon R9 270x possibly. Seems to be a huge upgrade from what I have, but haven't had time to research a lot. Looking to keep the dual screens of course, tried my wifes computer with one screen and I felt like I was missing out on life and completely lost without the 2nd screen. I know there are multiple versions of each card, slightly different speeds & memory amounts etc, so looking for some serious help on this one to maximize performance without getting nuts on price. Looking to keep it around or below $150.
Memory: Yeah should add some more, should be as easy as the PSU
Processor: I know I have an older one, was curious about upgrades, this was the one proving tricky to research, and by tricky I mean time consuming and I don't have a lot of that elusive time stuff.

I know the psu is going to be like $100 or so. The video card was looking about $120. Memory is usually the cheaper of upgrades. And a processor I was thinking about $100 or so. I know I could probably get a long ways into better upgrades etc if I was willing to do my motherboard but that's not something I want to get into at the moment. If I have my way I'll be getting a monster rig with tax money in 2016 (sounds further away than it really is heh), by then my son will be almost 9 and ready for an actual computer of his own (he has one but it's a joke of a machine that's perfect for his netflix & youtube shows)

Thanks a ton for this & I should say a proper hello seeing as how I'm new to the forums as well, but that damn time thing. Promise I'll get to that later though Look forward to checking on suggestions later.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

first off, you dont need a 750w psu, a 500w quality brand will do with a 270x or gtx760, something by Antec, Corsair, Seasonic or XFX are prefered, . Try to match the ram you have (brand/type) to ensure compatability, or if you cant get it it may be wiser to just buy an 8gb kit. For cpu, the board doesnt support the newer fx chips, you would have to look on ebay for a phenom2 x4 980 or x6 1100t for a noticeable upgrade. Unless you can get one really cheap it might be best off getting a new motherboard and cpu. You could do the vid card, ram and psu, and see how it goes, the new gpu will breath new life into gaming. Update the cpu later if you feel the gpu upgrade didnt do it justice.

 

[TortisVamp]

To be honest not sure why I ended up with the 750w in the first place, thought it seemed high, but ya know, wasn't hurting things, if it's not broke don't fix it... except it's broke now so.... So basically I'm assuming replace the psu and upgrade the vid card, memory can be added whenever, then upgrade the cpu if I'm not happy. Thanks a ton. If anyone has any specific vid card suggestions and why, that would be awesome also

 

[iam2thecrowe]

To be honest not sure why I ended up with the 750w in the first place, thought it seemed high, but ya know, wasn't hurting things, if it's not broke don't fix it... except it's broke now so.... So basically I'm assuming replace the psu and upgrade the vid card, memory can be added whenever, then upgrade the cpu if I'm not happy. Thanks a ton. If anyone has any specific vid card suggestions and why, that would be awesome also

really depends on your budget. For 1080p gaming i generally suggest at least a gtx760 or better for nvidia or a r9 270x or better from amd, you will be able to play most new current games well with med-high and sometimes ultra settings. its also a reasonably well balanced gpu if you decide to stick with your current cpu, or just do a drop in cpu upgrade to a better phenom cpu. If you did decide to do a motherboard/cpu upgrade to something newer like an intel i3/i5 or fx 8350, then you could consider a faster gpu depending on how much you want to spend.