| Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor | |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:44 am | |
| Well I'v been using this pc i got a few years ago for a while now and upgraded alot of stuff but think its time to upgrade the motherboard since its old as hell xD.
So basically is upgrading a motherboard difficult if I have little to no idea what I would be doing and any suggestions on which motherboard and processor I should get if I want to run modern pc games at Normal not high? Also would I need to add more fans to the pc as well?
Current pc specs (dont laugh xD): Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz Memory: 2048MB RAM disk drive's: 250 gb western digital and a 1 TB seagate Power source: Thermaltake toughpower 750w Gfx: Overclocked maxcore 55 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 from BFG tech display Memory: 1694MB Dedicated Memory: 881 MB Shared Memory: 767 MB
Thats all the important stuff i found on dxdiag :p |
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Mangekyo Private 1st Class
Posts : 16 Join date : 2011-11-21 Age : 27
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:14 am | |
| Hmmm.. Well running modern pc games at normal... I think the GTX 260 should be fine. If you want you could upgrade to the GTX 460 and run games near maxed out.. Especially since 460s are getting to be pretty affordable now.
but anyways back to the mobo+CPU combo you were asking about.
Pretty much every pc gamer goes for the i5 2500 or the i5 2500k if you want to OC. It's the best CPU for its value. And you also get a quad core which is a significant improvement from your dual core.
For the motherboard.. you could go for the z68 or z77 platform. Unless you can find a p67 platform for cheap now a days. I would recommend a Gigabyte Z68X UD3-B3. Best board for it's value in my opinion. Stable for ocing and won't break the bank.
adding more fans depends on your current setup right now. However if you're planning to OC your cpu.. then I would definitely recommend getting an aftermarket cpu cooler.. because I'm sure you know stock fans from intel are pretty bad.. D:
What I Would Get: i5 2500k Gigabyte Z68X UD3-B3 Corsair H80 |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:54 am | |
| Well if I wasnt going to OC would you recommend something else?? Btw ive been using this case I found because its small enough to fit my desk dimensions: 7.1" (180mm) W x 17.4" (441mm) D x 14.2" (360mm) H and how about installing the actual mobo+processor myself is it really complicated since I've generally avoiding upgrading them because of how complicated it looks compared to upgrading other parts xD |
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Trister First Sergeant
Posts : 2966 Join date : 2011-05-02 Age : 47 Location : MA, USA
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Mon Apr 23, 2012 3:48 pm | |
| Installing the motherboard isn't that difficult if your somewhat inclined in assembly. Here's a couple of videos that should give you an idea of what it's going to take https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Mx1n7qRTEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1X2Wpwl4dgBut seriously, the only complicated part of all this, is trying to lay down the wiring in a way that doesn't touch any fans and doesn't restrict your air flow and the case wires (power, reset, extrenal USB ports etc etc) if you don't have the manual. About the case, need to make sure the motherboard will fit the case. If this is an ATX case you need an ATX motherboard. Typical cases are usally ATX/mATX, meaning it will also take Micro ATX but there are others. From the look, I'd say this is an ATX/mATX. Since it's an Acer case, I'm not sure how customizable it is in terms of motherboards as "consumer PC" are usually proprietary, meaning it will only take what Acer puts in it. I'd also update Memory. As Mangekyo stated the i5 are good perform/cost but, 2GB of ram, should be at least 4GB if not 8. |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Mon Apr 23, 2012 5:45 pm | |
| lol now that i think about it...if i buy the new alienware x51 its even smaller than my current case and would cost the same as or probably even less than upgrading my processor, ram, motherboard and gfx card. any opinions on this? |
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thebronxbomber Colonel
Posts : 13055 Join date : 2009-07-23 Location : The Concrete Jungle
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:24 pm | |
| alienware is...well not going to downgrade it or anything but I don't know how to put it: its a lazy, expensive way out of a gaming machine--nothing really cool about that is there :p
But I'd stress all the points Trister made if you're still considering making it yourself. The LED wires and USB/audio stuff is something you have to plan a little ahead on where you want it. Professionals tie their wires in bundles using zip-ties. You should ziptie things like the USB wiring, LED wiring, CPU fan wiring, case fan wiring, and lastly you should neatly bundle all the powersupply cables and tie those so they don't fall down or what not |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:43 am | |
| I know alienwares are overpriced even more than macs but if you think about it i5 2500k-$220 GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD3P-$190 Corsair H80-$85 Evga gt 520-$50 ram-$55 new dvd rom (mine isnt working properly)- around $20 1 tb 6gb/s hdd-$140 comes out to about $760 then with the tax its more. thats the price of the parts in one of the alienware x51's plus it comes with portal but im gonna think about it for a while lol btw thanks for all the replies guys anymore opinions would b great as well |
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thebronxbomber Colonel
Posts : 13055 Join date : 2009-07-23 Location : The Concrete Jungle
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:58 pm | |
| How much RAM are you getting? Are you going to keep the current OS you have for it? If so you can only have 4GB and if not you should figure $100-140 for a new OS |
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Endrane Major
Posts : 2304 Join date : 2009-11-24 Age : 28 Location : Naperville, IL
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:17 am | |
| That cost seems more like building a new PC than upgrading it xD |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:57 am | |
| well how about a huge upgrade :p and yes bronx im gonna keep my current os and I chose the price of 2x4gb ram because that was whats in the alienware x51 and also more ram is better :p |
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thebronxbomber Colonel
Posts : 13055 Join date : 2009-07-23 Location : The Concrete Jungle
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:00 pm | |
| You can't have more than 4GB of RAM with a 32 bit OS |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:17 pm | |
| oh u sure :/ I have an extra windows 7 home premium disk that hasn't been used yet |
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Trister First Sergeant
Posts : 2966 Join date : 2011-05-02 Age : 47 Location : MA, USA
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:16 pm | |
| Bronx is correct. 32-bit has a 4GB limit no matter what version of Windows. Only 64-bit can have more than 4GB. |
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BlackiceV Lance Corporal
Posts : 98 Join date : 2012-02-14 Location : Wake Island
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:26 pm | |
| - Trister wrote:
- Bronx is correct. 32-bit has a 4GB limit no matter what version of Windows. Only 64-bit can have more than 4GB.
Here is a list depicting Windows 7 memory limit for both platforms (32 & 64 bit): Also VERY important, make sure to upgrade your power supply (ensure you get a PSU with the appropriate connectors) that will provide enough juice for all those high performance components you're adding (the more u add, the more power u need). PSU are often overlooked when building or upgrading a computer. A poor quality PSU can greatly reduce the life span of a good system, cause instability or worst system failure. |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:35 pm | |
| the retail windows 7 cds come with 64 and 32 bit cds :p and il have to upgrade my Thermaltake toughpower 750w? |
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thebronxbomber Colonel
Posts : 13055 Join date : 2009-07-23 Location : The Concrete Jungle
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:37 pm | |
| Your PSU is pretty good--better than my 220W lol
It should definitely be able to run all those components. |
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GoldFusion Staff Sergeant
Posts : 1352 Join date : 2011-12-02 Age : 28 Location : Alberta, Canada
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:46 pm | |
| my PSU is better than yours too bronx just need to get a GPU. or i might just build. |
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BlackiceV Lance Corporal
Posts : 98 Join date : 2012-02-14 Location : Wake Island
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:39 pm | |
| - BuJeeran wrote:
- the retail windows 7 cds come with 64 and 32 bit cds :p and il have to upgrade my Thermaltake toughpower 750w?
My general rule of thumb is if you need to invest more than $300 for performance increasing components you should get a new computer. |
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gatecrasher Lance Corporal
Posts : 86 Join date : 2012-03-27 Age : 33 Location : Portsmouth,UK
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 1:51 pm | |
| if you can find anyone you know with 192GB lol installed ram tell me where they live so i can shoot them for being a complete fool who has way too much money and no brains lol |
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BuJeeran Corporal
Posts : 85 Join date : 2012-03-02 Age : 28 Location : Kuwait
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:14 pm | |
| - gatecrasher wrote:
- if you can find anyone you know with 192GB lol installed ram tell me where they live so i can shoot them for being a complete fool who has way too much money and no brains lol
yea i was wondering about that as well xD i thought 32g of ram was max but damn :/ |
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Trister First Sergeant
Posts : 2966 Join date : 2011-05-02 Age : 47 Location : MA, USA
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:55 pm | |
| That's cuz its for servers and high level applications, like video/music production or CAD, or 3d modeling, rendering. |
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supersceptile First Sergeant
Posts : 733 Join date : 2011-05-02 Age : 27 Location : Toronto, Canada
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 7:27 pm | |
| You might want to just get W7 Ulti 64 bit off of a torrent site or something. I have it and it works perfectly. |
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thebronxbomber Colonel
Posts : 13055 Join date : 2009-07-23 Location : The Concrete Jungle
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:09 pm | |
| - supersceptile wrote:
- You might want to just get W7 Ulti 64 bit off of a torrent site or something. I have it and it works perfectly.
Thank you for making the cost of legitimate software to go up.... BTW if you have some non-legitimate version of Windows, you cannot get updates (I think) and having an up-to-date version of windows is one of the best ways to protect your system. |
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supersceptile First Sergeant
Posts : 733 Join date : 2011-05-02 Age : 27 Location : Toronto, Canada
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:34 pm | |
| - thebronxbomber wrote:
- supersceptile wrote:
- You might want to just get W7 Ulti 64 bit off of a torrent site or something. I have it and it works perfectly.
Thank you for making the cost of legitimate software to go up....
BTW if you have some non-legitimate version of Windows, you cannot get updates (I think) and having an up-to-date version of windows is one of the best ways to protect your system.
I'm installing windows updates as I type this |
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thebronxbomber Colonel
Posts : 13055 Join date : 2009-07-23 Location : The Concrete Jungle
| Subject: Re: Upgrading PC's motherboard and processor Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:36 pm | |
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