Upgrade Help

[robyates77]

Hi, this is a link to my computer specs: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c01302540&lang=en&cc=us&contentType=SupportFAQ&prodSeriesId=3644673&prodTypeId=12454

I'm in need of a motherboard and CPU swap because of a failed attempt at upgrading my PSU (I've been told my motherboard is fried, and my CPU is 'probably' fried). I was going to just buy the same exact current mobo and CPU that I have, off of eBay, but does anyone know if there's a mobo + CPU which is fully compatible with my system, AND it's an upgrade, instead of a step sideways like my original plan? If it's like an extra 50-100 bucks I'd do it but anything more than that seems like too much money for an older system. I'm having trouble finding "newer" motherboards that are compatible with my system.

Thanks in advance

 

[Smeg45]

Intel Penitum G2120 + Gigabyte H77M-D3H, twice as fast, less power usage, and as far as I can see will fit that case. $195. Well worth in my opinion. You'd also need new RAM an 8GB kit is around $40. For an office/internet PC that's all you need for another few years.

 

[robyates77]

These are the ones you're talking about right:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128548
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116777
And then 8GB of RAM, any specific link to a $40 8GB RAM set? Would be greatly appreciated

My next question is, will my new PSU and GPU from my comment above, work in my PC if I get the things you mentioned, and be fully compatible? I can't handle another short, plus I go to college in like a week and I don't have time T-T

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028
GPU - Radeon 6670 http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6670/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6670-overview.aspx#1

 

[robyates77]

And would you recommend getting a new PSU, considering I powered it on while the red switch on the back was on 230, and since I live in America it should've been on 115 (I didn't know at the time), so for all I know, it could've fried my mobo, my CPU, AND itself. Seems like a better-safe-than-sorry plan, wanted to run it by you and see what you had to say about it.
Plus I'm still super new to this so I like to be 100% sure about everything before I do anything.

 

[Smeg45]

Get a Corsair CX 430 v2 here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

$35 after rebate. Any PSU you need to switch voltages on the back is rubbish. Period. It should auto switch. After all, that's its job. Raidmax as a brand is crap too. If you reuse that HP case everything will fit - it looks like a standard mATX mid tower.

EDIT: Yes, everything is fully compatible, and will work fine for all your college basics. You also have a straight upgrade path all the way to a 3770K if you ever want to upgrade in the future.

EDIT 2: RAM like so: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148347 rock solid Crucial.

 

[robyates77]

Thanks Smeg, looks like I'll go for the Corsair then, not having that damn voltage switch will make my life so much easier lol
Any suggestions for a specific 8GB RAM set that will work with everything I'm going to put into my system? I keep only finding ones that are like $70+, apparently I'm bad at searching >.>
And honestly I just don't know how compatibility works :/

 

[Smeg45]

Look at my EDIT 2. Crucial is fine.

Also, you don't exactly need a GPU, the inbuilt one is fine unless you game frequently. If you do game, that 66 won't go past 1440x900 or so at medium/high mix on most games. And if you do game, you might need a bigger PSU. So what sort of gaming do you have in mind?

 

[robyates77]

I was planning on playing League of Legends on this computer, which at first would only run at 35fps with the original onboard graphics I had on the original Motherboard.
I also am planning on playing Phantasy Star Online 2, which has higher requirements then what I used to have.
These are the requirements to play PSO2:

OS: Windows XP 32bit | Windows Vista or Windows 7 32bit or 64bit
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 or above
RAM: Windows XP：1.5GB+ | Vista or Windows 7：2GB+
HDD: 8GB or more
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 7800GT or similar or higher
Direct X: Direct X 9.0c or higher

My original thought process behind buying the Radeon was "I installed PSO2, it doesn't work, need better graphics, onboard isn't enough", but I'm now realizing it could've also been my CPU along with my graphics.

But as for games like BF3 and Skyrim and games that are also played on console, I don't plan on using my PC for those kinds of games. Strictly League of Legends and PSO2.

 

[Smeg45]

Then I'd say the 66 is fine. If you squeeze out some more cash this 7770:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102967

is nearly identical to last gen 6850 and would be the best option over the 66. It will allow you to play more games on your PC in the future and its fine with that PSU.

 

[robyates77]

Awesome!
So it looks like I'm set, then?
Corsair, Crucial 8GB RAM, Gigabyte Motherboard, Pentium G2120 CPU, and my 6670.
And you said it'll all for surely work I will definitely look into the 7770 sometime in the near future too!

Smeg thank you so much for your help, it's very very greatly appreciated, most helpful person I've encountered =)

 

[Smeg45]

If you upgrade in the future, a 7850 would be best.

Anyway, right now you are fully set. One last question - is this more of an office/college basic PC or will you be doing any heavy BD/DVD encoding or rendering? Just want to make sure you have the best bang for buck . . . .

 

[robyates77]

Nope no BD/DVD encoding or rendering, just normal college use, no movies, and just playing those couple games I talked about.
And okay, 7850, I'll remember that

 

[Smeg45]

Then buy now and build. If you have any problems post them. The parts I listed are perfect for what you want and substantially faster than your current setup.

 

[robyates77]

Awesome, thank you so much dude, and will do!

 

[robyates77]

Ok, so I ended up trying my 530w Raidmax PSU (the new one) on my computer again, after a week of neither of my PSUs working, and to my surprise it actually powered on...
BUT, i saw smoke coming from around my hard drive, so i shut it off....
Waited til the next morning, and decided to plug in my old 250w PSU...and my computer turned on..hard drive was in tact, nothing was lost...so now I'm back to my old computer that I've had...

So my new question is, if I purchase the Corsair CX 430 v2 PSU, will I be able to use that, and then put in my 6670 and expect it to power that as well?
What's the worst thing that could happen? (no really, I want to know the worst case scenario)
Oh, and do I need more RAM if I get the PSU and the graphics card?

 

[Smeg45]

Worst is the PSU could fry and take the GPU with it. I'd replace the PSU asap first and try it though. Smoke signals from your PC is a bad sign. I wouldn't upgrade anything apart from the 6670 and PSU. The system is too old to spend any more money on.

 

[robyates77]

Any clue why my computer works now? And why it didn't before? Because I tried everything originally, and it wouldn't turn on.
And then I did it all again, and it turned no..

And if the minimum req for the 6670 is 400w, you think the 430w Corsair will be ok?

 

[Smeg45]

The Corsair will be fine, 400w is an overestimation for crap PSU's. Why it works, not sure.

 

[robyates77]

ok cool thanks
would you say you're at least 90% sure that using the Corsair and 6670 together will make them both work? I'm honestly afraid to adjust anything, considering using the 530w made my hard drive smoke, and then using my 250w made everything work normally.....

and do you know if the corsair is noisy at all? Because the raidmax that I have (that i don't plan on using anymore considering it made my hard drive smoke) was reeeeaaally loud when i turned it on.

 

[Smeg45]

I have the Corsair in my office box. I know its silent even at moderate load. I haven't pushed it all the way, and you won't either with a 6670. The 66 runs off the mobo slot so its not exactly power hungry.

 

[robyates77]

Ah yeah that makes sense. I noticed the 6670 didn't have a slot for the PSU to connect to or anything like that.
Alright well I'll order the Corsair and let you know how everything turns out