• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Upgrade PC $300 Budget

S

Styo

Junior Member
Hey guys,

I need some input here. Here is my current build:

My Current Gaming PC

I have a budget of $300 (Canadian) to upgrade my PC. I cannot simply build a new PC so I'm wondering what parts I can upgrade to get the best bang for the buck. I should mention that I play the following games:

Total War: Rome 2
World of Tanks
World of Warplanes

Also, when suggesting parts, I should mention that I usually stick with good companies, IE Asus, MSI, and so on.


I really hope you all could help me.

Thanks!
 
First of all, what is your system not doing that you need it to do? Is it slow? You also didn't mention what resolution you typically game at.

Video cards are normally where you'd get the best bang for your buck at this level of budget. You could probably to go a 7950 on the AMD side or a 660TI on the Nvidia side, though you'd likely be CPU-limited.

Alternatively, you could take a lesser step (like to an 2GB AMD based 7850/7870/7890, which would still be a significant upgrade over your current card and also which would get you two free games) and try to squeeze in an SSD.
 
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (4 x 2GB)
Click to expand...
That...doesn't add up, actually. Do you have 4GB or 8GB?

The other thing I don't see there is your monitor's resolution.

Otherwise, I agree with Steltek. Here's a nice 7950 if you decide to go for that.
 
At such low res, I would be quite surprised if your video card is limiting you, unless you are running at settings where it doesn't have enough VRAM. I was in agreement with the others, until I saw your res.

If your total RAM is 4GB, now, consider bumping that to 8GB, too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($198.32 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Pro4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($80.00 @ Vuugo)
Memory: Kingston Value 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($23.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Kingston Value 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($23.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $326.30
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 16:00 EDT-0400)

NOTE: price includes $20 MIR

3rd-gen isn't much cheaper in the end, but no rebates:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.61 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($71.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Kingston Value 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($23.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Memory: Kingston Value 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($23.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $304.58
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 16:04 EDT-0400)

Not quite $300, but faster than an FX. If you go with the FX series to save some money, though (an i5-4430 is only 10-20% faster, based on reviews I've seen, and a near-4GHz FX will still be a solid upgrade from what you have), get a FX-6300 or 6350, not the 6100.

Edit: towards that end, here's what I would get for AMD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Memory Express)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($55.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $280.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 16:23 EDT-0400)

Under budget, and with slightly faster RAM (which matters more for AMD, anyway). Re-use your Cooler Master heatsink, but don't OC too much (it would already be a hot chip). Maybe put this one's HS on you old one, if you don't have the original. Those MSI 970 boards have a trend of VRM failure--while many might be due OCing, I still would try to avoid them, anyway.
 
Last edited:
I currently have 8GB of RAM... Sorry about that.

I also updated the Google Document with the planned purchase from feedback I'm getting in other forums. Also, I'd rather stay with AMD, it cheaper since I am on a budget.
 
Last edited:
If you already have 8GB, you can re-use it and save money. Just add the cheapest 1x4GB stick or 2x2GB kit to the order, and re-purpose/sell your old innards, but with the new RAM.
 
Cerb said:
If you already have 8GB, you can re-use it and save money. Just add the cheapest 1x4GB stick or 2x2GB kit to the order, and re-purpose/sell your old innards, but with the new RAM.
Click to expand...

AM2 is a DDR2 platform, so the OP would need to replace his memory as well.

OP, what you have looks OK, and I agree that a CPU upgrade is the way to go for RTW2.
 
mfenn said:
AM2 is a DDR2 platform, so the OP would need to replace his memory as well.
Click to expand...
Ah, good catch. So, yeah, either way. In that case, a 4350, 6300 or 6350 w/ some RAM would work out quite well, and still be under budget.
 
I second a 6300 (6350 oddly is not available here). Using one now in my gaming box and its certainly sufficient.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top