Upgrading motherboard and graphics card only.

[James0897]

I've currently got a Compaq SG3-350uk desktop, and although it is good for general use, it is rubbish for gaming. I want to, therefore, install a better graphics card which I believe requires me to get a new motherboard too. It currently has a H-Aira-RS780L-uATX (Aira-GL8) motherboard, AMD Athlon II X2 245 processor and 8GB DDR3 1600Hz RAM.

I would preferably only replace the motherboard and graphics card on a £250 budget. Can you tell me what the best motherboardand graphics card would be to use?
Thanks for any response in advance.

 

[Calvin7]

I would suggest going this route and reusing your current CPU until you have money to buy an AM3+ FX model that is on the motherboard CPU Support List.

Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 -- £37.99
http://www.dabs.com/products/gigabyte-78lmt-usb3-am3--amd-760g-ddr3-matx-8DLX.html?src=3

CoolerMaster Elite Power 500 - 500Watt -- £28.99
http://www.dabs.com/products/coolermaster-elite-power-500---500w--70--efficiency--12v-single-rail-8K48.html?src=3

Zalman T4 Black Mini Tower Case -- £18.70
http://www.dabs.com/products/zalman-t4-black-mini-tower-case--m-atx-m-itx--935H.html?src=3

Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1600MHz DDR3 CL9 -- £59.98
http://www.dabs.com/products/kingston-8gb--2-x-4gb--1600mhz-ddr3-cl9-dimm-xmp-hyperx-blu-red-8836.html?catid=15006&src=3

Arctic Silver Artic Silver 5 3.5g Thermo Paste -- £6.30
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-Silver-Artic-Thermo-Syringe/dp/B000OGX5AM

Cooler Master Hyper 412s Tower Cooler -- £28.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00634R3L6/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&psc=1&s=computers

Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM (Dell branded)
Price including VAT: £66.00
http://www.sofway.co.uk/products/windows-7-home-premium-64bit-oem-dell-branded

I would recommend using an AMD HD 7850 or HD 7750 graphics card.