Upgrade help (Old Build)

[StizzleD]

Hi guys,

I built this computer about 6 years ago and it has served me well since then. I'm getting to the point, however, that games are starting to require more than this little guy can handle. I'm wondering if it's possible to upgrade it, or would that be wasting money that could go to a completely new build. Here are the parts:

(These are out of production at this point)

CPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116238

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135225

GPU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122245

Ram (Two of these sticks) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820121020

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112025

HDD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148100


Main concerns:

As I mentioned above, I do some gaming on this machine. I wouldn't say it's 100% of the purpose, but it's maybe 70%. I'm getting low FPS and a lot of tearing when I try to play some games. I'm also forced to put some games in the "low" category. I'd like to run things a little smoother...

Hand in hand with the above problem however, the motherboard I have in this machine does not support PCI Express 2.0 x16, it only does 1.0. I'm pretty sure that if I want to replace the video card I have now, I'd need to get a new motherboard. And if I upgrade the motherboard, I may have to get a new CPU, since I'd have to find a 755 socket board that supports whatever the heck the CPU I have above is.

The CPU isn't labeled clearly, so I don't know if it's a Pentium D, or a Dual Core, or a Pentium D Dual Core. I tried looking for a motherboard on newegg that supported a 755 socket CPU, that also has a PCIE 2.0 slot, but wasn't coming up with anything good - mainly because I wasn't sure what to specify with that CPU.

Advice? Worth throwing money into upgrading this machine? Should I salvage some parts and build a new one? Normally I'd just build a new one, but I've been out of the building game for a while, and don't want to spend a lot of money. Would consider it though, if an upgrade is not viable.

Thank you!

 

[Bonesdad]

well, the case is still good, MAYBE the PSU depending on what you fill your new system with. All the rest is pretty dated now, esp if you are looking at continuing to play newer games.

If you want/need a 2nd computer, start from scratch. Otherwise part it out for $$ (keeping the case if you like).

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

I agree w/Bonesdad, keep the case and ditch or re-purpose everything else. The PSU is certainly enough to power a fairly decent system, but at 6 yrs old the ageing process may have taken a toll.

 

[StizzleD]

Edit - Wow, formatting destroyed that post. Hopefully this is better...

Hi guys, I posted this on another forum as well so I could get a wider range of answers. Here is what was suggested to me on the other post:

Keep the case and PSU.

Athlon X3 + 770 Mobo $120AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500491

4GB DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122

HD4850/GTS250 $85AR/$75AR (Choose the one you like, the GTS250 costs more upfront but has more MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-834-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500152

This is fast and bigger for $55. A huge step up from your IDE drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-181-_-Product

I updated and mentioned that I'd like to keep this around $300 and I currently have Windows XP. I may make the jump to windows 7, but not this month (maybe next).

With all of that information, I think I'm going to move forward with buying the Mobo/Cpu combo, which seemed good, upgradable, and decently reviewed. I'm not sure which GPU to get, but I'm leaning towards the 250 - since he mentioned it's a little faster.

As for the rest of it, I plan on holding off for a month or so and upgrading the rest of it in another batch later. I'm assuming that I'll still see a somewhat significant upgrade by replacing the GPU/MOBO/CPU and trying to OC the RAM.

Any alternate suggestions or opinions?