Upgrading my not-so-gaming PC

[looka273]

Hello everyone!

I'll just list out my current configuration for a start:
-OS: Windows 8.1 (64-bit)
-CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 245 ~2.9 GHz
-GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 Toxic 1 GB
-8 GB RAM DDR2
-HDD: 1x250GB, 1x200GB, 1x80GB
-Motherboard: GA-M720-US3 (rev. 1.0)
-PSU: 500W (can't find out it's name currently, sorry)

Obviously I'm looking for upgrade. I think CPU should be upgraded first of all. What do you think?

From what I've figured you can fit AM3 CPU into that MB (AM3 supposedly fits into AM2+ socket, but not other way around).
Problem is, I don't really have a large budget, so I'm trying to get a good AM3 CPU, because that way I won't have to buy new AM3+ MB and new DDR3 RAM all at once along with the CPU (in case of AM3+).

Also is there any combination of MB, RAM and CPU which are all backwards compatible so I can buy parts one by one?
So I can for example buy new CPU or MB and use my old parts with it until I replace them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[zeyuanfu]

I would get an i5 and a 9-series board if you have enough. What's your budget?

 

[looka273]

I said I don't want to change all parts at once.
Also, I don't like Intel. Not that I had any problems with it, I simply don't like it (my dad's fault probably).

BTW, my budget would be 100-150 $ at max (that's why I can't afford more parts at once).

 

[zeyuanfu]

Your CPU and GPU are both weak, and the budget doesn't allow for a decent upgrade. If you can wait some more time, you'll have a larger budget and therefore be able to get better parts.

 

[RazerZ]

I said I don't want to change all parts at once.
Also, I don't like Intel. Not that I had any problems with it, I simply don't like it (my dad's fault probably).

BTW, my budget would be 100-150 $ at max (that's why I can't afford more parts at once).

GPU: HD 7850 - $55

CPU: Phenom II x4 955- $70

Buying used parts will be the only viable option with your budget. Check to make sure your PSU can handle the 7850, it will need 21A on the 12V rail and must be a 500W PSU. Also you might need to update your BIOS for the CPU to work with your motherboard.

 

[looka273]

Well my GPU is holding up for now (it's somewhere in between of GTX 550 Ti and GTX 560), and with newer games it's usually above minimum required. Unlike my CPU.

I'm looking at AMD Phenom II X4 830 (2.8GHz), or something like that. It's enough of a jump forward (at least for me), and again, it's above most minimal requirements.

That Phenom II x4 955 looks cool too.
And I don't think 7850 is worth the money, it's maybe 20% better (according to hwcompare).

 

[zeyuanfu]

That Phenom should be okay.

 

[RazerZ]

That CPU should be fine, 955 would be ideal though.

 

[Math Geek]

so here is your situation. the am3 chips you can put on it are more expensive that you would like. ~$150 that i can find as they are older parts and supplies are low.

you will have to upgrade your mobo and ram at the same time since your ddr 2 won't work with ddr 3. what you can do now which won't see much of any performance increase, is a new mob and ram that will support both the am2 and am3 cpu's. then later on upgrade the cpu to an am3. getting the newer cpu now will cost more. keep in mind any of these are all dead sockets and chips and your upgrade path will be very minimal.

the motherboards for the fx series chips are pretty expensive compared to budget intel 1150 ones. for just a few bucks more, you can get a cheap, pentium, mobo and 4 gb of ram to start you out. then you can add more ram and better cpu down the line. this will give the most bang for your buck and keep the headaches down as you try to upgrade each piece.

something like this is what i am thinking:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.97 @ Newegg)
Total: $173.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-16 16:16 EST-0500

i understand brand loyalty but if you wish to stick with amd, your going to have to save some more and get all 3 parts at the same time to make it worth it.

 

[RazerZ]

I listed the used Phenom 955 for $75 on ebay. It's a quad core and would perform better than the G3258 in modern games which can take advantage of multiple cores/threads.

 

[Math Geek]

yah my post went through and bam all those others were there. was only thinking new parts and not used. of course used can be priced just about anywhere so can usually make it work.

 

[RazerZ]

And I don't think 7850 is worth the money, it's maybe 20% better (according to hwcompare).

Don't use sites which compare cards based only on raw specs. Look at actual benchmarks:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/539?vs=549

As you can see it's much more powerful.

 

[Wisecracker]

That looks like a good deal on the PhII 955BE. The 965BEs seem to go for $100 or less, too.

Pay particular attention to the model numbers. If I remember correctly HDZ955FBK4DGM <--- means it's a 'C3-Stepping' which are more efficient and OC higher.

That's a great motherboard. Save you money for the most important part -- the video card!