Help needed with picking upgrades; It's been a loooong time.

despotofmidnor · 27 Nov 2015 at 14:07

Hi everyone!

So I used to be a fairly active member of this community when I was younger;
Had huge amounts of help building and fixing PCs over the years from everyone...but then you get busy with life and other things take priority.

I now have no idea what i'm doing! It's been so long; Graphics card numbers mean nothing to me. Do i need DDR4 ram or is DDR3 going to be ok; who knows?!

So basically, I'm seeing if you can help a returning settler get his rig back in motion.

Basic current system specs;

AMD Phenom II x4 810 2.60GHz
GeForce GTX 560 1024MB
6GB of RAM (Was cheaper to buy a 3 pack of matched RAM than 2 seperate 2GB at the time)

I was thinking of buying this GPU
And this RAM

Is this the best option? Is my CPU too old? I have no idea.
I dont want to spend over £250 at all, thats my max; but if we can spend lower i'll be happier ha.

I'm not after having a face melting rig; I just want Fallout 4 to look like Fallout 4 not 3 (Not asking much since, well, the graphics are hardly stunning), and I may invest in GTA soon.
Currently it runs Evolve and Mad Max well enough and at a pleasing graphics level.
I don't play games as much any more as when I do I'm isolating myself in the spare room, so I want to start streaming my games through to the front room via steam link in the hopes I'll play more.

So yeah, any help is a big help; I know it's been a while since I was active, but I'm hoping the countless hours on here as a young-un still count for something ha.
Thanks in advance =]

Avenged7Fold · 27 Nov 2015 at 14:42

Can you go second hand?

£125 on a 2500k bundle and £125 on a used 290 will sort you out for a while. Prices might be hard to get but definitely doable.

What is the PSU?

despotofmidnor · 27 Nov 2015 at 14:52

Yeah, 2nd hand is fine by me.
2500k bundle and 290 created a whoosh noise around my head =P
290 im guessing is a type of card and 2500k ram? Seriously, it's been so long, 2011 was probably the last time i was remotely upto date on things.

It's a 650w PSU =]

EDIT: So a simple google revealed you mean get a new processor and mobo. So a full re build but 2nd hand is what you think is best?

The reason my max is £250 is; I really miss gaming so im getting back into it; I just bought a ps4 with 2 controls and games for £250 in a black Friday sale...then immediately canceled it.
PC games are so much cheaper, online is free, and I use my PC for digital sculpting so an upgrade is never unwelcome. I just cant go back to consoles, even after all these years ha.
£250 keeps it in the range of buying a new console, which keeps the missus happy =P

Avenged7Fold · 27 Nov 2015 at 14:58

i5 2500k (with RAM and MOBO) and 290 is basically a 4gb slightly lower clock than the current R9-390. A full makeover with high end grunt for nuthin.

What PSU model, if it isnt some generic grey thing from china, should be fine.

ExRayTed · 27 Nov 2015 at 14:59

2500K is an Intel CPU - i5 2500K Sandybridge. Still a capable CPU

A 290 is an AMD graphics card and again, still quite capable

despotofmidnor · 27 Nov 2015 at 15:12

Brilliant; Thank you guys.
I'll have a trawl through the members market and keep my eyes peeled in case any pop up =]
Is it worth looking on auction sites? I notice a lot of components tend to sell only a fraction less than buying new on them.

So something like this would work; http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18703758 (Sold, but could have got that and sold the card and used the funds and remaining cash to buy 2nd hand 290?)

Avenged7Fold · 27 Nov 2015 at 15:48

Yeah something like that. Sandybridge i5 + mobo gives you a fair bit of cash leftover for the GPU. Forget about ebay, MM is cheaper, more trustworthy and usually you can sort out a warranty (CPU prob not since it would be out of warranty but GPU probably)

GinG · 27 Nov 2015 at 16:35

Just stick a wanted post in the Wanted section...I am sure people will come up with something for you

despotofmidnor · 27 Nov 2015 at 18:18

Thanks again guys, I'll get posting over there =]

jbh110tdi · 27 Nov 2015 at 23:31

yea on a £250 budget go 2nd hand. at least you have access to the MM under the old rules so you should be able to get a good bargain..

Im hoping to get a look in there soon as Im hoping I might pick a few bargains to upgrade a few bits on my other rig.. and maybe a better quality 970 for my main rig.