Question Upgrade Advice from a AMD FX 6300

[Lidz87]

As the title says, I am seeking advice, help, push in the proper direction, wake up call in regards to upgrading my old budget pc components. Starting to notice issues so it's about that time to start planning an upgraded build (ex: El Gato game capture device doesn't function bc of CPU, CPU doesn't support Apex Legends so it crashes). Im not very tech savvy when it comes to PC specs so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advanced.

Budget

• ATM I am looking around 900-1200

Goals:

• Want to build an updated budget pc with the options to upgrade in the future.
• Have the option of making the game capture card internal instead of external so bigger chassis and motherboard could be an option
• Can I hold off on some of the components for like a month or two while I focus on getting the main components? (Ex: PSU, GPU, Ram)

Purpose:

• Mainly to stream video games

My current build:

• CPU: AMD FX 6300
• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3
• Ram: Crucial 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR3-1600
• SSD/HDD 1: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM
• SSD/HDD 2: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120
• GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2 GB
• PSU: EVGA 500 W 80+
• Chassis: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case

 

[jay32267]

An economical option would be to upgrade the CPU to an FX-8350. I see them for 80$ on EBay. That would get you more CPU power. Then you could upgrade the GPU to something like a GTX 1080 and the ram to 16 GB and I think that would be a pretty decent machine .

 

[NightHawkRMX]

An economical option would be to upgrade the CPU to an FX-8350. I see them for 80$ on EBay. That would get you more CPU power. Then you could upgrade the GPU to something like a GTX 1080 and the ram to 16 GB and I think that would be a pretty decent machine .

No. That won't fix the lack of instructions that CPU has for newer games.

Also, a 1080 and 8350 is a massive cpu bottleneck.

Upgrading to any AM3+ Cpu is a waste of money.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Can I hold off on some of the components for like a month or two while I focus on getting the main components? (Ex: PSU, GPU, Ram)

You could kind of do that.

DDR3 ram isnt compatable with newer motherboards, so that cant be reused. Your GPU could, but your psu is low end and should be replaced with a newer setup.

 

[King_V]

First thing's first: What's your monitor's resolution and refresh rate? And does it have FreeSync, VSync, or neither?

Next, you would have to move to a modern platform. That means new CPU (I'd recommend Ryzen), new DDR4 RAM, and a new motherboard. Probably a new PSU depending on the exact model number of your existing one.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor | $329.99 @ Amazon
Motherboard | ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX AM4 Motherboard | $144.99 @ Newegg
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $64.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel 660p Series 512 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $59.99 @ Newegg
Video Card | PowerColor Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Video Card | $399.99 @ Newegg
Case | Deepcool MATREXX 50 ATX Mid Tower Case | $45.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair Vengeance 750 W 80+ Silver Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $64.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $1130.92
| Mail-in rebates | -$20.00
| Total | $1110.92
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-24 14:19 EDT-0400 |

Heres a good setup. You could certainly use the 950 for a while until you are ready to upgrade.

By then the 5700xt cards with better coolers should be available, which may be worth the wait.

 

[Lidz87]

First thing's first: What's your monitor's resolution and refresh rate? And does it have FreeSync, VSync, or neither?

Next, you would have to move to a modern platform. That means new CPU (I'd recommend Ryzen), new DDR4 RAM, and a new motherboard. Probably a new PSU depending on the exact model number of your existing one.

Monitor: This is what I have atm - Asus VX238H 23.0" 1920x1080 Monitor. I may hold off on this initially to help save at first but any recommendations to strive for are appreciated.


PSU: Here is the exact one I bought - EVGA 500 W 80+ Certified ATX

 

[NightHawkRMX]

I'd suggest getting a better psu, especially if that one is older.

The list above is a little overkill for that monitor, but good if you were to upgrade.

 

[King_V]

Monitor: This is what I have atm - Asus VX238H 23.0" 1920x1080 Monitor. I may hold off on this initially to help save at first but any recommendations to strive for are appreciated.


PSU: Here is the exact one I bought - EVGA 500 W 80+ Certified ATX

I'm with @remixislandmusic - that is not a good quality PSU. I'd recommend the Seasonic Focus series, or the Corsairs, but only the HX, AX, and RMx series (those are the ones that I know of that are good, though there are other good PSUs out there).

As to the monitor situation, do you own that one currently, or are planning to get it?

The choice of video card and monitor are kind of tied together. If you already have that monitor, then it may be worth getting a cheaper video card now, and getting a better video card only when you know exactly what monitor you're going to upgrade to, and are close to the time of purchase for that new monitor.

 

[King_V]

Side note, I only remember the HX, AX, and RMx because of the non-X letters... literally "These Corsair power supplies will not H A RM your system."

 

[Lidz87]

I'm with @remixislandmusic - that is not a good quality PSU. I'd recommend the Seasonic Focus series, or the Corsairs, but only the HX, AX, and RMx series (those are the ones that I know of that are good, though there are other good PSUs out there).

As to the monitor situation, do you own that one currently, or are planning to get it?

The choice of video card and monitor are kind of tied together. If you already have that monitor, then it may be worth getting a cheaper video card now, and getting a better video card only when you know exactly what monitor you're going to upgrade to, and are close to the time of purchase for that new monitor.

Ok so I will def look into upgrading the PSU.

I currently own that monitor and what was recommended for when I did that FX 6300 budget build. So if its better to either A) Get the monitor first and then upgrade GPU or B)Get GPU and then eventually upgrade monitor, I am open for the suggestion. It'll just be another month or two difference in waiting to save up the additional funds for it.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Id get the gpu then monitor.

The corsair txm are also good. The newer cx psus are also decent for lower end setups.

 

[punkncat]

Practically any 8th/9th gen Intel or 2xxx 3xxx Ryzen will seriously outperform what you currently have.

Sweet spot price to performance I would probably look at Ryzen 5 2600, B450 mobo, some good DDR4 3200mhz RAM and a new PSU. Even a "mid" tier GPU like the 1660ti will run wonders around what you have now. Probably would pick up an NVME M.2 and move your other drives into storage/backup function.

 

[King_V]

Ok so I will def look into upgrading the PSU.

I currently own that monitor and what was recommended for when I did that FX 6300 budget build. So if its better to either A) Get the monitor first and then upgrade GPU or B)Get GPU and then eventually upgrade monitor, I am open for the suggestion. It'll just be another month or two difference in waiting to save up the additional funds for it.

It depends on how far down the road that is.

If you were keeping that monitor for, say, at least a year, maybe two years, then I'd say get a cheaper card (like an RX 570) that could do 1920x1080 on medium to high details for the most part, and by the time you're getting the monitor and new video card, get them together. You never know what advancements will have happened in the course of time over a year.

If you're looking at the monitor sooner, then keep your existing video card for now, living with having to go with lower settings, and buy the monitor and video card together when the time comes.

 

[Lidz87]

Id get the gpu then monitor.

The corsair txm are also good. The newer cx psus are also decent for lower end setups.

What would you recommend for the PSU - TXM's wattage? Im putting some of the parts together on Part Picker and the estimated wattage is around 270 W so far. Idk if I should overshoot it a bit more (650 or 750) or stick with the 550 PSU?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Depends on your GPU.

 

[King_V]

I'd guesstimate that 650 is a safe bet, and with some of the higher quality PSUs, I've noticed that the 650W variant is generally around the same price, maybe only a few dollars more, than the 550W version.

 

[Lidz87]

It depends on how far down the road that is.

If you were keeping that monitor for, say, at least a year, maybe two years, then I'd say get a cheaper card (like an RX 570) that could do 1920x1080 on medium to high details for the most part, and by the time you're getting the monitor and new video card, get them together. You never know what advancements will have happened in the course of time over a year.

If you're looking at the monitor sooner, then keep your existing video card for now, living with having to go with lower settings, and buy the monitor and video card together when the time comes.

I really like your suggestion about grabbing the RX 570 and grabbing a newer GPU and new monitor down the line at the same time. I apologize as I am not familiar, which RX570 would you recommend? Looked into it and there's quite a few Radeon RX 570 manufacturers. Thanks!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Sapphire makes the best, but they are pricy.

Heres a good msi 8gb model: https://pcpartpicker.com/product/3JdFf7/msi-radeon-rx-570-8gb-armor-oc-video-card-rx-570-armor-8g-oc

A strong 550w or above would be a good pairing.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Just noticed this good 580 8gb model is at a good price.

Psu here is a good deal aswell.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor | $329.00 @ B&H
Motherboard | ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX AM4 Motherboard | $144.99 @ Newegg
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $64.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel 660p Series 512 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $59.99 @ Newegg
Video Card | MSI Radeon RX 580 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card | $159.99 @ Newegg
Case | Deepcool MATREXX 50 ATX Mid Tower Case | $45.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair Vengeance 750 W 80+ Silver Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $64.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $909.93
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $869.93
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-24 17:21 EDT-0400 |

 

[Lidz87]

Just noticed this good 580 8gb model is at a good price.

Psu here is a good deal aswell.

PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor | $329.00 @ B&H
Motherboard | ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming 4 ATX AM4 Motherboard | $144.99 @ Newegg
Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory | $64.99 @ Newegg
Storage | Intel 660p Series 512 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive | $59.99 @ Newegg
Video Card | MSI Radeon RX 580 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card | $159.99 @ Newegg
Case | Deepcool MATREXX 50 ATX Mid Tower Case | $45.98 @ Newegg
Power Supply | Corsair Vengeance 750 W 80+ Silver Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply | $64.99 @ Newegg
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total (before mail-in rebates) | $909.93
| Mail-in rebates | -$40.00
| Total | $869.93
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-24 17:21 EDT-0400 |

Ah thank you!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

You won't have any problems with a 580 at 1080p60, trust me.

Maybe a couple exceptions, but few will need settings turned down much

 

[Lidz87]

@remixislandmusic @King_V @punkncat
thank you guys for all the advice you have offered. I compiled a list so far with the suggestions. I will be keeping my storage, monitor and case from my old build but will upgrade the rest of the parts. Theres a bit more wiggle room so I will def consider either a better GPU / monitor or potentially processor for later down the line.
https://pcpartpicker.com/user/Lidz87/saved/#view=ymxWbv

 

[NightHawkRMX]

All looks good.

My brother has a very simmilar pc to your old one. Fx6300, gtx 960 and the same case.

He upgraded to ryzen laptop recently!

 

[logainofhades]

If you are really wanting to stream, I would consider a Ryzen 7 2700, over the 2600x. Also, that 580 is a bit overpriced, when you can get a 590, for not much more.

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 2700 3.2 GHz 8-Core Processor ($194.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($114.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 590 8 GB FATBOY OC+ Video Card ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Power Supply: Corsair TXM Gold 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply
Total: $518.98
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-25 08:34 EDT-0400