Upgrade or build a new one?

[janmykelg]

I want to play nba 2k15 on maxed out setting. right now i'm playing the game on med setting. i want to know what hardware to upgrade or should i start building the whole cpu? if it's building a new one, what specs would you suggest? i want the best value for every bucks that i will be spending.

these are my specs right now:

AMD Athlon II x 4 640 processor
4.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 1255MHz
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4N68T-M-LE-V2 (AM3)
1023MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 (NVIDIA)
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10 EZEX-00UD2A0 SCSI Disk Device
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit SP1

 

[gytisxp]

I had a intel core 2 duo / gt 8500 and i would just recommend building a new rig not reusing any parts.
This is a fairly good build for the money - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YbHrWZ

A bit more expensive parts would be more value ↓

 

[Guest]

cheap option would be upgrade ram and new gpu that ones rubbish,
or go with amd 8320 cpu, mb, 8 gig ram, amd r9 280 gpu , thats best value right now

 

[janmykelg]

I had a intel core 2 duo / gt 8500 and i would just recommend building a new rig not reusing any parts.
This is a fairly good build for the money - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YbHrWZ

A bit more expensive parts would be more value ↓

i was actually really considering building a new rig

 

[gytisxp]

I had a intel core 2 duo / gt 8500 and i would just recommend building a new rig not reusing any parts.
This is a fairly good build for the money - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YbHrWZ

A bit more expensive parts would be more value ↓

i was actually really considering building a new rig

Do that then

 

[janmykelg]

cheap option would be upgrade ram and new gpu that ones rubbish,
or go with amd 8320 cpu, mb, 8 gig ram, amd r9 280 gpu , thats best value right now

upgrading to 8gb ram, amd 8320 cpu and amd r9 280 gpu = $530+

or

building a new rig w/c gytisp suggested = $624

which one should i go? and also r9 270 vs 280, are the difference between the two too far apart in terms of power, performance and cost efficiency?

 

[AHBman]

Hello

The R9 280 is stronger than the R9 270X, even a GTX 760
Power comsuption : 550W PSU is needed (The build will eat 420W at max)

 

[Adroid]

Either go for a new build now, or wait roughly a year for skylake to come out.

If you are going to build now, I recommend giving a budget here and I'm sure they forums will help you with ideas.

 

[janmykelg]

okay. thanks for your opinions guys!!!

 

[Vic 40]

upgrading to 8gb ram, amd 8320 cpu and amd r9 280 gpu = $530+

or

building a new rig w/c gytisp suggested = $624

There doesn't have to be an "or",

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.89 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Full Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $624.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-07 04:14 EST-0500

same amount and still an amd FX 8320+r9 280.With a bit of good looking is there always a nice build to find.Always check which parts are the lowest price with something like a gpu for instance.
Motherboard is quite an expensive one in this build and could be replaced with the next which is a good board too,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga970aud3p

With an intel cpu,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($168.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Full Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $629.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-07 04:23 EST-0500

just a bit more,but no need for overclocking at a point.The FX 8320 is btw good enough at stock for that game you mention,so for that shouldn't you need to do it.I just want to give both options.

There's also the option to keep using parts of the old pc,like case (which is?),psu if good enough (specs?),dvd player,the hdd you mention is good enough so doesn't have to be replaced.

Adroid is right about giving that budget if you really want something new.I just kept the one from that previous build as target.

Not to make you buy a new system,but just to show you there are more options.

 

[Guest]

5 dollars more to go intel is a good deal

 

[janmykelg]

upgrading to 8gb ram, amd 8320 cpu and amd r9 280 gpu = $530+

or

building a new rig w/c gytisp suggested = $624

There doesn't have to be an "or",

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.89 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Full Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $624.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-07 04:14 EST-0500

same amount and still an amd FX 8320+r9 280.With a bit of good looking is there always a nice build to find.Always check which parts are the lowest price with something like a gpu for instance.
Motherboard is quite an expensive one in this build and could be replaced with the next which is a good board too,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga970aud3p

With an intel cpu,

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($168.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($50.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Full Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $629.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-07 04:23 EST-0500

just a bit more,but no need for overclocking at a point.The FX 8320 is btw good enough at stock for that game you mention,so for that shouldn't you need to do it.I just want to give both options.

There's also the option to keep using parts of the old pc,like case (which is?),psu if good enough (specs?),dvd player,the hdd you mention is good enough so doesn't have to be replaced.

Adroid is right about giving that budget if you really want something new.I just kept the one from that previous build as target.

Not to make you buy a new system,but just to show you there are more options.

case is old so im thinking about buying the phanntom 210 or the templarius telum. psu is a 600w, it's old and cheap so might as well replace that one. i think i can re-use the samsung dvd player and the 1 TB hdd and maybe the ddr3 4gb ram too?

i have a question, right now i'm using a single channel 4gb ram. if i add another 4gb ram to make it a dual channel, will i see a dramatic increase in performance during gaming?

 

[Vic 40]

With the intel build being cheaper would i at least go for that one.

You could reuse the old ram,but adding ram to an already installed stick can give problems and with totally new ram would you be able to add some speed to it.With some games is 4gb cutting it close regarding usage so 8gb's is really recommended.

A case is in the end personal so pick what's within budget and you like,read a review (or two) about it id you have the energy.I wouldn't pick the ones you mentioned,but that's me.Maybe other ones you like?
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/antec-case-gx500%2Ccorsair-case-200r%2Cenermax-case-eca3310aw%2Czalman-case-z11plus/

For a psu right now would this fit the intel build better,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-xfxts550w

Another nice motherboard if you have the cash,
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97performance