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Afternoon STW..
I work with Servers and IT Infrastructure on a daily basis, but home PC's aren't a strong point.. (May sound stupid I know!).
However, we currently have a desktop PC with the following -
AMD Athlon II X2 215 Processor - Dual Core 2.7GHz
8GB Ram (Motherboard only has 2 Dimms - 1 x 4GB 1 x 4GB)
512MB Graphics
Numerous SSD HD - Hard Drives are fine!
Basically, we have started to play a few games, nothing major but the system fairly obviously needs a upgrade. Which I was aware of anyway.
However I'm not sure on just buying and new CPU and GPU. Or to buy a bundle with Motherboard as well.
The problem seems to be my current Motherboard is obviously fairly old and low spec. Its socket AM3, and all the new AMD processors are AM3+, they do fit however from reading online they then don't work to the full capacity.
What would you guys recommend? Any good deals out there at the moment.
And if anybody has anything they might want to get rid of, do let me know.
Thanks
J
I'm out of touch with PC gaming, but a few considerations:
What are the slots on the motherboard? Is it pre- PCI-E vintage? (Ie, have you got somewhere you can fit a modern graphics card?)
Any particular reason for AMD over Intel?
What speed is the RAM? Is it likely to work in a new board or are you going to need to replace that also?
Oh, and,
You could always just get the GPU first and see how it goes, you might not need to replace everything else. And if you do, you've not lost anything.
Cougar -
I am too, hence the question!
Nope the motherboard has PCI-E, the current graphics card is a PCI-E.
The only reason I was stay on AMD is if I kept the current motherboard. If I was to go for a new bundle, I don't have any preference over the 2 brands.
Checked on the RAM, and it was transferable over to most of the bundles I have looked at. Which is a bonus.
On a side note, for gaming RAM. Is it better to have 1 x 16GB Dimm, as appose to 8 x 2GB Dimms. Or does it work out the same performance.
Good point on the CPU.. But it does seem quite cost effective to buy it all as one..
GPU, not CPU. If you buy a new graphics card and it's still poor, you can still use it in a new system.
On a side note, for gaming RAM. Is it better to have 1 x 16GB Dimm, as appose to 8 x 2GB Dimms. Or does it work out the same performance.
Usually two separates as a matched pair, but the difference is trivial.
Sorry my mistake, I read GPU then typed my answer for CPU!
I think they may be our first purchase. Any recommendations?
From reading, I think I need a minimum of 2GB. But you can buy these new starting at £40, up to £400.
Whats a decent mid point to be looking at?
Where are you based?
I've got a system I've been looking to sell for a while but would rather its collected than posted. Although I'd be looking to sell the whole system rather than just parts. Would be looking for £500.
Brief spec:
Intel i5 4590 cooled by a Corsair H100i liquid cooling system with upgraded Noctua fans (quiet and keeps the CPU cool when gaming)
MSI Z97 motherboard
Gigabyte GTX 980ti Waterforce (comes with its own liquid cooling system)
16GB TeamElite RAM
Superflower 800W Gold PSU
NZXT Source 340 Case
If you find yourself wanting even more power its a quick job to swap out the processor for an i7. I never saw the need as it runs games well enough with a straight forward i5.
Creg,
Thanks for the reply..
It's a tad more than I can spend at the moment, but it's such a great spec and price, it's tempting!
We are in Sheffield, where are you?
I'm in North Yorkshire, just near Whitby.
That's pretty much a bargain. The GPU alone is £350 new.
Thanks Creg, I'll fire you an email if that's ok?
And gobuchul, I know! Just not sure I've got the spare pennies!