Computer upgrade help

[Champion360]

This is the processor/graphic card bundle thats in my price range that i plan on getting: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.718033


I was wondering if you guy have any suggestions on what i should get.

 

[Fayathon]

You're going to need to make sure to get a motherboard that supports your new CPU, unless your current one already does.

I am assuming that you want to make a gaming computer, but I'm not going to be a whole lot of help if you're really wanting Intel in your system, as I only use AMD/ATI stuff. That being said, what is the computer going to be used for and what's your top out for what you want to pay and I can give recommendations that I would make for that.

Also, what, if you know, kind of RAM are you using, I would assume DDR2 or DDR3, but I'm not sure, and if you need a new motherboard you might need new RAM as well.

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

Are you at this computer right now? Reboot into BIOS and copy down the motherboard manufacturer and model. We'll need at least that in order to help you.

 

[Champion360]

Are you at this computer right now? Reboot into BIOS and copy down the motherboard manufacturer and model. We'll need at least that in order to help you.

Yes and it's this: http://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-GeForce-Socket-Motherboard-Gigabit/dp/B004YMA5G4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316449477&sr=8-1

 

[TheLastSamurai14]

Are you at this computer right now? Reboot into BIOS and copy down the motherboard manufacturer and model. We'll need at least that in order to help you.

Yes and it's this: http://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-GeForce-Socket-Motherboard-Gigabit/dp/B004YMA5G4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316449477&sr=8-1

Thanks for the quote. I probably wouldn't have noticed that you had replied otherwise.

Anyway, you've got an AM2+ board at the moment. You'll need a completely new motherboard that supports the LGA 1156 socket. Let me browse Newegg for a bit and find a few that are relatively cheap and decent.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131604

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131634

In my professional opinion, you'll probably want the $115 one, as it's got a few USB 3.0 ports, as well as an eSATA port. It's also got 4 PCIe slots if you ever decide to do a CrossFire/SLI setup. For an extra $10, I'd say that's a great choice.

It looks like you'll also need new RAM. The standard on both of these boards is DDR3 1600. That being said, you're going to have to pay quite a sum above your budget because of the motherboard and RAM. However, those should be the only other things you'd need to upgrade.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Are you at this computer right now? Reboot into BIOS and copy down the motherboard manufacturer and model. We'll need at least that in order to help you.

Yes and it's this: http://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-GeForce-Socket-Motherboard-Gigabit/dp/B004YMA5G4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1316449477&sr=8-1

Thanks for the quote. I probably wouldn't have noticed that you had replied otherwise.

Anyway, you've got an AM2+ board at the moment. You'll need a completely new motherboard that supports the LGA 1156 socket. Let me browse Newegg for a bit and find a few that are relatively cheap and decent.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131604

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131634

In my professional opinion, you'll probably want the $115 one, as it's got a few USB 3.0 ports, as well as an eSATA port. It's also got 4 PCIe slots if you ever decide to do a CrossFire/SLI setup. For an extra $10, I'd say that's a great choice.

It looks like you'll also need new RAM. The standard on both of these boards is DDR3 1600. That being said, you're going to have to pay quite a sum above your budget because of the motherboard and RAM. However, those should be the only other things you'd need to upgrade.

Let me correct a couple things there:

The more expensive motherboard does not have SLI support (CrossFire doesn't matter if he's settled on GeForce), and there's only one PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot (for graphics cards). The PCI-E x1's are for other components, like audio cards.

But anywho; OP needs a new motherboard and some DDR3 RAM. RAM is actually quite cheap nowadays. You should get at least 4 GB, but it's a personal choice for how much you actually want. Note that your computer is only using (a bit less than) 4GB RAM, if your OS is not a 64-bit version. You should also check the specifications of the motherboard your getting: Get 2x4GB kit (for example) if it supports dual-channel and 3x4GB kit (example, again) if it supports triple-channel.

When looking for the motherboard, it must be LGA 1156 -socket. When choosing the model, focus on the chipset, ports you need (if you need more than 6x USB's for example) and if you will not add another graphics card, then you'll do nothing with SLI support.

What kind of a power supply do you have? You might have to get a new one if the old one lacks the punch that the CPU and GPU will need.
And you might consider getting a new PC chassis, if you feel like it's time to get a new one, but that's rather optional, and depends on the state and ventilation of your current one.

 

[willsham45]

I would look to a motherboard processor ram bundle if you can. That will give you a good base to start from and you will know that everything is compatable.

Also what do you plan on using the computer for? and what is your bugdet? I can guess the first but not the second.