First time upgrading PC

sar124

sar124

sar124

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Joined
16 Oct 2012
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2
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. I want to upgrade my PC to be able to play games (not brand new at max settings or anything, just run most things without too many issues). I have never upgraded or built a PC before so I thought I would seek some help before buying.

The specs are:
Operating system Windows 8 64

Processor Intel® Core™ i3 2130, 3.4 GHz, 3 MB cache

Chipset Intel H61

Memory 6 GB DDR3 (1 x 2 GB, 1 x 4 GB)
Total slots: 2 DIMM
Upgradeable to 16 GB DDR3

Storage 1 TB SATA 6G (7200 rpm), DVD writer SATA
6-in-1 memory card reader

Video Intel HD Graphics (up to 1.7 GB)

Video connectors 1 DVI-D; 1 DVI-I

Sound Beats Audio™ Console; High Definition Audio 7.1

Ports & Expandability 1 external optical drive; 1 internal HDD; 3 PCIe x1; 1 PCIe x16; 1 MiniCard; 2 USB 3.0; 4 USB 2.0; 1 audio-in; 1 audio-out; 1 analog audio-in; 2 analog
audio-out; 300W AC power adapterExternal Power Supply; Power consumption: 29 W maximum; Standby mode: < 0.5 W

Can anyone suggest how to best spend my money, I have between £250-£350 to spend.

Thanks in advance!
 
Hi,

Can you provide more information.

What case do you have?

What drives are they.

What PSU do you have?

Are you running a discrete GFX card?

What resolution is you monitor?
 
Hi sar,

What case is this all in?

This is how I'd go about it:

First and foremost a new PSU and GPU for around £200-250. And then maybe a nice 250GB SSD with the remaining £100.

After that, carry on saving to replace motherboard and CPU eventually, and add to or replace the RAM (could try and buy an identical make/model 4GB stick and sell your 2GB stick, or keep it spare. Spare memory comes in handy some times.).

If the memory is 1333MHz or less, Id just replace it for 2 x 4GB sticks of 1600MHz or higher.
 
sar124 said:
Hi,

Not sure if this helps but here are the details for the PC as far as I know.
http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03536888

When I have some time I can try and find more by looking at the physical machine and try and get more information.

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

Hi, I would go for new PSU 400 watt, SSD drive for your system, and graphic card, maybe GTX 960? maybe used 760 TI or 770 if you find it cheap.
But SSD drive and graphic card will give your rig second life.

Cheers
 
sar124 said:
Hi,

Not sure if this helps but here are the details for the PC as far as I know.
http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03536888

When I have some time I can try and find more by looking at the physical machine and try and get more information.

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

Look on the bay for a secondhand 2500k, don't pay any more than a £100. Buy a decent 500w Psu about £50. And what is left will get you a good secondhand Gpu. Your ram will be OK, to reuse, but look at getting an equivolent 4gb module to match. When you have saved a bit more, look at getting a secondhand Z77 mobo and maybe a new case. Ssd, you can always get one later when funds allow.

This is some idea at to what you can get.

YOUR BASKET
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 WindForce 3x OC 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (GV-N770OC-2GD) £169.99
1 x Antec TruePower Classic 550w '80 Plus Gold' Power Supply £55.99
Total : £235.58 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 
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