Very aging system needs upgrade

[Daxin]

Hi, I am looking for a cheap and efficient upgrade for a very aging system. The system should be able to play games at 30 fps, on medium settings (or lower). I don't play any games in particular, just any that I want to play, there is no specific focus. As I am low on my budget, I am only willing to spend £50 on the graphics card and £90 on a mobo and cpu. The system in question is this, which I am well aware is a workstation designed for CAD, but it was free when another computer broke, so I am using it anyway.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/productbulletin.html#spectype=worldwide&type=html&docid=12022

Intel® Pentium 4 Processor 3.60 GHz, 1 MB/800 MHz FSB with EM64T
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400 PCI Express (128 MB)
Intel 925X Express chipset

I hope to get a cheap, more gaming focused graphics card, with a processor that will not bottleneck the system. If there is a cheap gpu, that does not require a better processor, and still offers a visible upgrade from the one I am using, then by all means tell me.

Oh and I have already upgraded the ram to 2x2GB ddr2 (M3 78T5663QZ3-CE6)
and added a 250GB WD drive

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate Purchase Date: A long while ago

Budget Range: £140 after all expenses

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Gaming (Some CAD, Does not have to be optimised for that at all)

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: (Graphics Card, Motherboard and Processor )

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any

Location:

Parts Preferences: Prefer Intel and NVIDIA for support.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution:1280x1024 (small ik)

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: It's very old
-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

[expl0itfinder]

It may be time to just rebuild that system. An upgrade would not give you a huge performance upgrade in your situation, unfortunately, mainly because any upgrade you could get would still be very old.

 

[Novuake]

^^^ +1 ^^^

Nothing is worth keeping unfortunately.

Save up more and start over.

 

[Daxin]

Hey thanks for the quick replies. I was not looking to run modern games at that kind of fps, and I think that something like the previous generation of intel processors like core 2, and a graphics card from say 2010 would be a substantial improvement over what I have currently. I was not looking to rebuild however, but I may have to.

 

[Novuake]

Hey thanks for the quick replies. I was not looking to run modern games at that kind of fps, and I think that something like the previous generation of intel processors like core 2, and a graphics card from say 2010 would be a substantial improvement over what I have currently. I was not looking to rebuild however, but I may have to.

Its just not worth buying into old outdated tech unless its VERY cheap and in a good condition used.

 

[expl0itfinder]

I would still suggest rebuilding. You could build a system for ~£350 with an AMD APU that would honestly wipe the floor with your old system, and it would have a more solid upgrade path.

 

[Daxin]

I would still suggest rebuilding. You could build a system for ~£350 with an AMD APU that would honestly wipe the floor with your old system, and it would have a more solid upgrade path.

Alright, so what would you suggest then?

 

[expl0itfinder]

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331
MOBO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130662
HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236345
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

That should get you started. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This system will perform very well in day to day tasks, and will more than hold hold its own in casual gaming.

 

[Daxin]

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331
MOBO - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130662
HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236345
RAM - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460
PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

That should get you started. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This system will perform very well in day to day tasks, and will more than hold hold its own in casual gaming.

Hey expl0itfinder, thanks for the suggestions, but I am actually thinking about a different set up, that is slightly cheaper, and with enough power for what I need.

Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor
ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Crucial 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Crucial 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Asus Radeon HD 7750 1GB Video Card

I think I will reuse the PSU (HP 410 watt), case, and the hard drive has already enough space for what I am doing, it's the toned down version of the one that you suggested.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136113.
Also I dont need 8 GB ram, as I am running 32 bit windows.
If you can improve this, then by all means do so. Thanks

 

[expl0itfinder]

I highly suggest you do not recycle an HP power supply. I doubt it would support a graphics card, and even if it were to, then the reliability is terrible. Also, if you are only running 32 bit windows, then yes, there is no need for more RAM. However, I still suggest going for the APU system, as it has more of an upgrade path. You could also get an A55 MOBO which would be cheaper than the one that I suggested.

 

[Daxin]

I highly suggest you do not recycle an HP power supply. I doubt it would support a graphics card, and even if it were to, then the reliability is terrible. Also, if you are only running 32 bit windows, then yes, there is no need for more RAM. However, I still suggest going for the APU system, as it has more of an upgrade path. You could also get an A55 MOBO which would be cheaper than the one that I suggested.

Alright, thanks for your solution, I'll see what can be done, because that's all I need to know.
Edit: also the psu for this computer is a delta, 80+ [strike]gold[/strike] efficient, so I think i'll keep it. http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/410W-HP-Delta-Power-Supply-For-xw4200-DPS-410DB-Refurb/3179680/product.html

 

[expl0itfinder]

I highly suggest you do not recycle an HP power supply. I doubt it would support a graphics card, and even if it were to, then the reliability is terrible. Also, if you are only running 32 bit windows, then yes, there is no need for more RAM. However, I still suggest going for the APU system, as it has more of an upgrade path. You could also get an A55 MOBO which would be cheaper than the one that I suggested.

Alright, thanks for your solution, I'll see what can be done, because that's all I need to know.
Edit: also the psu for this computer is a delta, 80+ [strike]gold[/strike] efficient, so I think i'll keep it. http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/410W-HP-Delta-Power-Supply-For-xw4200-DPS-410DB-Refurb/3179680/product.html

Ok, but do so at your own risk.