Upgrading my first computer (built in 2008)

[Gobstopper]

Recently bought Civilization V and my computer's performance is pretty bad even at low settings. My computer is over 2 years old and having looked at the recommended requirements (see below), my cpu seems to be the main problem. I've never upgraded a computer before so I have a couple of questions.

1. How important is upgrading the motherboard? Should I bother upgrading mine or is it fine as long as it has what I need?
2. What processor(s) should I consider? I mainly just play Starcraft 2 and now Civilization V. I don't really play any other games although I do some video editing occasionally. I haven't had problems with video editing with my current processor though. Render times aren't great, but not terrible.



Civ 5 Recommended System Requirements
Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU
Video Card: 512 MB ATI 4800 series or better, 512 MB nVidia 9800 series or better
Memory: 4 GB RAM


My PC
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 260
Ram: Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (Mixed reviews about this one)

 

[Dangman]

What size monitor do you have?
What's your max budget for this upgrade?
Do you happen to live near a Microcenter?

Onto your questions:
1. Depends on your answer to question 2 actually
2. Are you willing to buy the CPU used? Unfortunately upgrading to a new socket 775 quad-core Intel CPU is pretty much a bad plan for the money nowadays. So unless you're willing to buy the CPU used, you're better off just switching platforms altogether and going for a socket AM2+ (so that you can reuse your RAM) and Phenom II 945 CPU:
$199 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU + Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H AM2+ AMD 785G mATX Motherboard Combo

The closest Intel CPU in price to the AMD setup is the $170 Q8400 and the $230 Q9300. However the Phenom II 955 CPU will significantly outperform both CPUs.

If you're willing to buy used, the CPUs you should be looking at alongside the prices you should be paying are:
$100 to $120 - Q6600
$120 to $150 - Q9400 or Q9450
$150 to $170 - Q9550 or Q9650

If buying used, you don't have to change out your current motherboard. Just make sure you do a BIOS update.

 

[E4g1e]

Do you happen to live near a Microcenter?

Onto your questions:
1. Depends on your answer to question 2 actually
2. Are you willing to buy the CPU used? Unfortunately upgrading to a new socket 775 quad-core Intel CPU is pretty much a bad plan for the money nowadays. So unless you're willing to buy the CPU used, you're better off just switching platforms altogether and going for a socket AM2+ (so that you can reuse your RAM) and Phenom II 945 CPU:
$199 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU + Gigabyte GA-MA785GM-US2H AM2+ AMD 785G mATX Motherboard Combo

The closest Intel CPU in price to the AMD setup is the $170 Q8400 and the $230 Q9300. However the Phenom II 955 CPU will significantly outperform both CPUs.

I've checked Microcenter, and found that they now carry only two quad-core 775 CPUs: the Q8300 and the Q9300. However, at $120 to $140 plus tax, the OP would be better off just switching platforms altogether like you stated.

 

[Dangman]

I've checked Microcenter, and found that they now carry only two quad-core 775 CPUs: the Q8300 and the Q9300. However, at $120 to $140 plus tax, the OP would be better off just switching platforms altogether like you stated.

Yeah. Although a Q9300 for $120 isn't that bad. Roughly the same performance as a Q6600 IIRC.

 

[Gobstopper]

What size monitor do you have?
What's your max budget for this upgrade?
Do you happen to live near a Microcenter?

I live very close to a microcenter.
I'm using a Samsung 2493HM; it's 24" and I'm at 1920x1200.
Max budget is $375 and I wouldn't mind buying used.

Would buying an i5 or i7 be too much for my budget? I haven't done my research on the 1366 motherboards yet so I don't know the price range for those. I probably don't need a cpu that fast, but I figure since I'll likely end up switching motherboards, I might as well pick a mobo+cpu that will be more futureproof.

Also, I googled replacing a motherboard since I've never done it before and I guess I should expect to have to reinstall Windows and backup all my files for something like that? Is there anything else important I should know before being able to switch mobos?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Dangman]

Would buying an i5 or i7 be too much for my budget? I haven't done my research on the 1366 motherboards yet so I don't know the price range for those. I probably don't need a cpu that fast, but I figure since I'll likely end up switching motherboards, I might as well pick a mobo+cpu that will be more futureproof.

Yeah, your budget is too low for a i7 setup (either platforms) but should be enough for a Core i5 setup if you buy the CPU + mobo from MC:
$170 - Intel Core i5 750 CPU
$105 - Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2 Intel P55 mATX Motherboard
$90 - Crucial 2 x 2GB DDR3 1333 RAM
---
Total: $365 plus tax

Also, I googled replacing a motherboard since I've never done it before and I guess I should expect to have to reinstall Windows and backup all my files for something like that? Is there anything else important I should know before being able to switch mobos?

Yeah backup your files, make sure that you have your serial key and have your cell phone read just in case you have to call Microsoft to activate the OS.

 

[Gobstopper]

Sounds good. Thanks again!