[SOLVED] Should I upgrade my PC or build an entire new one?

[ChaoticWolf]

I'm kind of stuck on the decision to upgrade my current PC or build an entire new one

The problem is that the motherboard is an lga 1155 motherboard, and it supports DDR3 ram, and I don't think overclocking can be done on it

Another problem is I'm on a budget and I don't wanna have to get an entirely new motherboard, disconnecting everything, etc.

Newer processors cost a lot more, so does newer ram, being DDR4, etc.

Here are the current specs:

OS: Windows 8.1 Pro
Motherboard: Asus P8H61-M LE/CSM (Don't know the exact model, I can take a photo)
CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 @ 3.10 GHz
RAM: 4GB DDR3
HDD: Western Digital Blue 160GB (WD1600AAJS-00V4A0)
PSU: Thermal Master TM-420-PSAR-M3 420W

The case is a Cooler Master Elite 335U

The computer is not bad at all, it's been good for editing, playing a few old games, but I want to catch up atleast a little bit on the newer components, and I want to play some games on steam

Kind of thought about upgrading the CPU to maybe an i5-3570k, there's a good deal
on ebay right now for it, or an i7-3770k, however it's pretty expensive lol, but it
is the best cpu I think that lga 1155 can handle

The RAM I want to upgrade to 16GB DDR3, possibly dual channel, 16GB is the max the mb supports
8GB of RAM is not a bad option

HDD 1 has Windows on it, it has all my programs and stuff, and HDD 2 would be for steam games and
some additional programs (I'm planning to install a second 1TB)

I want to upgrade the PSU because if I were to add a few other things like a graphics card that needs a better PSU than this one, it would need a much better PSU, it's not 80+ certified
Possibly a 600W psu or something, just for that extra

For the GPU, I might get a GTX 960 or something on sale, not really sure yet

Stock Intel Cooler for the Processor

So in conclusion, all I want is a PC good enough for editing, and playing some games, not too demanding titles, I have a PS4 for that lol
And it's like, if it's just going to be a PC for editing, which the 3rd generation i5 and i7 can do just fine (1080p btw) and playing games like CS:GO and maybe some newer titles that aren't too demanding, it's not a bad build and it's a good upgrade and will last for a long time, but I just feel like I'm behind, since DDR4 is better, 3rd generation i5's and i7's aren't the newest, and my motherboard is 1155, only supports 16GB max, etc
And the motherboard doesn't support overclocking I heard

Not sure if I should do this, I just really like my PC, and don't want to have to build an entire new one, I'm on a budget (Got this PC free btw with all the parts all built together in Jan 2015)
Also, if I were to get a new motherboard, I'd need to reactivate Windows, right?

Any ideas?

 

[WildCard999]

Since the motherboard doesn't support overclocking I would look at used 3770 non K models if there cheaper. A 3770 would be good for streaming/editing and 16gb of memory would definitely help, but if you do get memory sell your current kit and buy a 2x8gb kit as mixing memory can cause issues. And yes your correct about Windows and if you were to get a new motherboard. The newer parts really only support Windows 10 so if you prefer your current Windows I wouldn't recommend getting newer parts.

The only other thing you may need to change is that PSU, I don't know much about it and it may be fine for now however once you drop a dedicated GPU into the build you may need something better.

 

[ikaz]

well how much are you looking to spend on all these upgrades (excluding the GPU/PSU/HD) ? If you upgrading RAM/HD/CPU you honestly may be very close to building a new PC that will preform much better. Looking at ebay prices i5 3XXX start around $40 and the I7 3XXX start around $50 (but seem to be around 70-80) and this is assuming you can reuse your current CPU fan. I also personally wouldn't bother with going to 16GB I would just get to 8GB which should be find that will cost you about $15 (or 30 for a kit) used on ebay. So you probably looking at around $75 to $100 for CPU/Memory (going by used prices).

You can buy a refurbished i5 3470 on ebay right now for $150 (free shipping in the us) that come with Windows 10, 8GB of memory and 500HD, which is a better value then upgrading your current I3. Spend maybe another $30-50$ for a 128-240 SSD drive and clone/reinstall windows on it and your good to go for a bit.

 

[ChaoticWolf]

Since the motherboard doesn't support overclocking I would look at used 3770 non K models if there cheaper. A 3770 would be good for streaming/editing and 16gb of memory would definitely help, but if you do get memory sell your current kit and buy a 2x8gb kit as mixing memory can cause issues. And yes your correct about Windows and if you were to get a new motherboard. The newer parts really only support Windows 10 so if you prefer your current Windows I wouldn't recommend getting newer parts.

The only other thing you may need to change is that PSU, I don't know much about it and it may be fine for now however once you drop a dedicated GPU into the build you may need something better.

Looks like the pricing isn't any better for the 3770
The 3570k is the cheapest I could find for a good upgrade, don't know if I should get that or wait for some sort of price drop for the 3770 or even the 3770k

 

[ChaoticWolf]

well how much are you looking to spend on all these upgrades (excluding the GPU/PSU/HD) ? If you upgrading RAM/HD/CPU you honestly may be very close to building a new PC that will preform much better. Looking at ebay prices i5 3XXX start around $40 and the I7 3XXX start around $50 (but seem to be around 70-80) and this is assuming you can reuse your current CPU fan. I also personally wouldn't bother with going to 16GB I would just get to 8GB which should be find that will cost you about $15 (or 30 for a kit) used on ebay. So you probably looking at around $75 to $100 for CPU/Memory (going by used prices).

You can buy a refurbished i5 3470 on ebay right now for $150 (free shipping in the us) that come with Windows 10, 8GB of memory and 500HD, which is a better value then upgrading your current I3. Spend maybe another $30-50$ for a 128-240 SSD drive and clone/reinstall windows on it and your good to go for a bit.

The problem is that my prices are in CAD, so it is much more expensive than USD
Someone is currently selling used i5 3570k's for $100 CAD, there's 3 left available as of right now
I'd like to spend atleast no more than $200
Even ram is kind of expensive here, and almost every listing is bidding, for gpus, ram, cpu's, etc.

 

[WildCard999]

What's your max upgrade budget?

 

[ikaz]

So for little over your $200 (about $213) you can reuse most of your current equipment and move to Ryzen platform with A4 slot that you can upgrade to the 2nd gen Ryzen in the future.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/fGXjKB

While this is not as good as i5 3470/i7 3770 (but still faster than your current i3) it allows you upgrade the CPU in the future much eaiser.

Personally if I was and I was set on keeping my current system and spending least amount as possible I would purchase a 240 is SSD drive for around $40

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/Z2gW8

clone my current 160HD to that drive and use the 160 HD and free space on the SSD for games and also upgrade my memory from 4 to 8. That will probably give you the largest noticeable boost in normal usage for your workstation for probably around 50-60 cad. Then save up money to build a new PC starting with PSU, then MB and then CPU/Memory when your ready to build it.

 

[ChaoticWolf]

What's your max upgrade budget?

About $200

 

[ChaoticWolf]

So for little over your $200 (about $213) you can reuse most of your current equipment and move to Ryzen platform with A4 slot that you can upgrade to the 2nd gen Ryzen in the future.

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/fGXjKB

While this is not as good as i5 3470/i7 3770 (but still faster than your current i3) it allows you upgrade the CPU in the future much eaiser.

Personally if I was and I was set on keeping my current system and spending least amount as possible I would purchase a 240 is SSD drive for around $40

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/Z2gW8

clone my current 160HD to that drive and use the 160 HD and free space on the SSD for games and also upgrade my memory from 4 to 8. That will probably give you the largest noticeable boost in normal usage for your workstation for probably around 50-60 cad. Then save up money to build a new PC starting with PSU, then MB and then CPU/Memory when your ready to build it.

Ok, thanks for the info, appreciate it

 

[WildCard999]

What's your max upgrade budget?

About $200

Ok so yea it'll be tough to go to a newer platform when it's going to end up being more of a side grade then upgrade.