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Upgrading my old computer

K

kennysp1234

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Joined
May 31, 2014
Messages
2
Hello there!
I have a computer that i want to keep using some more time, but everything got really old by now. I'm looking for some advice on how should i upgrade it to get it at least a bit better, without spending too much money, since I also plan to buy a new computer from scratch, but i will keep this one too, so i would like first to get it better as far as i could.

Here's my present configuration:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
CPU: DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2200MHz (with the stock cooler)
Memory: 2xCorsair 2gb DDR2-800 5-5-5-18 + 2xSuperTalent 1gb DDR2-800 5-5-5-15 (both kits in dual channel)
Storage: WDC WD3200AAKS-75SBA0 ATA + WDC WD6400AAKS-22A7B0 ATA
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 5770 1gb
Case: Thermaltake Soprano RS 101
Power Supply: PowerCooler 500w

The idea is to keep the mobo and change the cpu and video card to something better (and probably should add more power supply?)

Any suggestions? (btw, keep in mind i'm not into oc)

Thanks in advance :)
 
If you wish to keep the computer, simply replace the power supply (the Corsair CX430 is on sale at a few locations).

Your parts are so old that it doesn't make sense in upgrading anything else. Every upgrade you make on that machine exposes other areas as performance bottlenecks. For example, today's low-end processors like the (Haswell-based) Intel Pentium G3220 would outperform your C2D E4500.

How soon are you planning on buying and building you new computer?
 
hi tiraides,

i was recommended to replace the C2D with a Quad Core, what would you think about it?
Also, i should change the video card, since it's having some issues, so that's a must.

Regarding the PSU, i don't have too many corsair options where i live, can you recommend another brand or model?

The new computer i'm planning to build it on December, however, i still want to keep this one as good as i can for gaming and stuff.
 
I live in argentina, and i can only get parts in local stores, since i can't import any stuff for now.
(and the prices are really fucked up here..)
 
Well, what PSU brands are available in your local store? Not all PSU brands are good and even the good PSU brands have some really crappy PSUs among their lineup of mostly good PSUs.

As for the video card, the HD 7750 is a good replacement.
 
Hi Dangman,

Some PSU options i have inside my budget are:

Aerocool E80-600
Thermaltake Tr2 600
Thermaltake Purepower 700w
Power Cooler Ps-630max
Vitsuba San-70-s 700w

Would you say any of those is good enough to buy?


Regarding graphic card, is just a bit better card than mine? Or i will notice some difference?
 
kennysp said:
Hi Dangman,

Some PSU options i have inside my budget are:

Aerocool E80-600
Thermaltake Tr2 600
Thermaltake Purepower 700w
Power Cooler Ps-630max
Vitsuba San-70-s 700w

Would you say any of those is good enough to buy?
Click to expand...
None of them are good. All extremely poor quality PSUs. I wouldn't recommend any of those PSUs unless you like having shit-quality PSUs in a PC.

Are you sure there aren't any other brands or models available?
kennysp said:
Regarding graphic card, is just a bit better card than mine? Or i will notice some difference?
Click to expand...
The HD 7770 pretty much performs the same as your HD 5770. If you want an actual performnace increase and are stuck with the above shitty power supplies, at most, I'd recommend the GTX 750 TI.

Even then, I still cringe at pairing any half-decent video card with a shitty PSU.
 
Is any of this better?

Aerocool Vp650 650w
Seasonic Bronze 80plus 620w
Thermaltake 500w W0379ru
Nzxt Series Hale82n 550w
 
Thanks dangman!

Although i'm more and more convinced of starting buying components to build a new computer and leave this one as it is.. it doesn't seem i could get any valuable update that would be worth with this mother..

Maybe i can do only with the replacement of the video card for a HD 7770 (i can get an asus used one for $185, or an Asus Gtx550 Ti for $210)

In that case, should i change the PSU too?
 
kennysp said:
Thanks dangman!

Although i'm more and more convinced of starting buying components to build a new computer and leave this one as it is.. it doesn't seem i could get any valuable update that would be worth with this mother..

Maybe i can do only with the replacement of the video card for a HD 7770 (i can get an asus used one for $185, or an Asus Gtx550 Ti for $210)

In that case, should i change the PSU too?
Click to expand...

How much is the PSU?
 
kennysp said:
It's $192
Click to expand...

If you want to be able to use the PC later on, then yes get a new PSU. If you plan on reusing that HD 7770 (the 550TI is a piss-poor choice FYI) in a new PC, then get a new PSU.
 
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