CheckEmoji Community · the emoji forum
🏠 Home 🆕 What's new ❓ Unanswered 🔥 Popular 📡 RSS Members 👥 0 online
log in · register
Home › IT › Hardware › Desktops › PC Upgrade Ideas?

PC Upgrade Ideas?

Started by Jerry Watson2 · · 👁 3 views · 19 replies

📡 Subscribe to replies

Participants Jerry Watson2Robert Rodriguez2Adam Moore3crimsonstag84fadedorca66Kimberly Gomez34analogtiger19swiftfalcon89graniteharbor85Jesse Green13
Jerry Watson2 Jerry Watson2 NewcomerOP
6 messages
joined Jan 2016
#1 ·
Hey there,
I'm thinking about swapping out my motherboard and CPU in my current setup. I've been eyeing an Intel Core i5 Haswell build, specifically looking for a board that's got a front-panel USB 3.0 header and at least 4+2 USB ports on the back.

Here's what I'm running right now:

Intel Core i3 3220
Gigabyte GA-B75-D3H
2x4 GB HyperX Fury DDR3 1600
WD Caviar Blue 500 GB
MSI R9 270 x
Robert Rodriguez2 Robert Rodriguez2 Regular
353 messages
joined Jul 2015
#2 ·
Jerry Watson2 said:Hey there,
I'm thinking about swapping out my motherboard and CPU in my current setup. I've been eyeing an Intel Core i5 Haswell build, specifically looking for a board that's got a front-panel USB 3.0 header and at least 4+2 USB ports on the back.

Here's what I'm running right now:

Intel Core i3 3220
Gigabyte GA-B75-D3H
2x4 GB HyperX Fury DDR3 1600
WD Caviar Blue 500 GB
MSI R9 270 x

Don't bother. Just sell this i3 and grab a used i5. You'll save cash, and honestly, there isn't a massive performance jump from Haswell over Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge anyway.
Adam Moore3 Adam Moore3 Regular
322 messages
joined Jun 2014
#3 ·
Jerry Watson2 said:Hey there,
I'm thinking about swapping out my motherboard and CPU in my current setup. I've been eyeing an Intel Core i5 Haswell build, specifically looking for a board that's got a front-panel USB 3.0 header and at least 4+2 USB ports on the back.

Here's what I'm running right now:

Intel Core i3 3220
Gigabyte GA-B75-D3H
2x4 GB HyperX Fury DDR3 1600
WD Caviar Blue 500 GB
MSI R9 270 x

What's the specific reason for the upgrade? I'm guessing the USB ports aren't the only thing driving this. If you're chasing better gaming performance, you won't see a massive jump just by swapping the CPU and mobo. Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I'd just hunt down a used i5 and drop it into your existing motherboard. You aren't really getting anything groundbreaking from Haswell compared to what Ivy Bridge offers.

EDIT: My bad.
Jerry Watson2 Jerry Watson2 NewcomerOP
6 messages
joined Jan 2016
#4 ·
I was thinking about just grabbing some slightly older parts, since honestly, Skylake feels way too pricey for what you actually get out of it.
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#5 ·
http://forum.pcekspert.com/showpost....13&postcount=1

With this i5 2500, you could maybe try dropping the price down to $300, or just go with 😛 hands-on
.
EDIT:

Man, what a ridiculous market 😁. Anyway, there's a user named Zagi_d on the local forums selling an i5 2500 for $317.
Adam Moore3 Adam Moore3 Regular
322 messages
joined Jun 2014
#6 ·
The link isn't showing up 🙂 This is just a textbook case of "upgrade fever." 😁 Honestly, if the author isn't chasing massive gains in gaming performance, swapping anything out is just crazy because there won't be any noticeable difference compared to how things were before the upgrade. No matter what they swap. 🙂
fadedorca66 fadedorca66 Regular
372 messages
joined Nov 2022
#7 ·
Jerry Watson2 said:I was thinking about just grabbing some slightly older parts, since honestly, Skylake feels way too pricey for what you actually get out of it.

I guess if you're going to bother upgrading at all, you might as well go for the latest stuff on the market. Since Skylake isn't really that huge of an upgrade anyway, maybe just grab a used i5 and call it a day? You could always just pick up a USB card for like $10.
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#8 ·
What on earth? Your motherboard actually has a USB 3.0 header 😁
analogtiger19 analogtiger19 Active Member
134 messages
joined Dec 2016
#9 ·
Kimberly Gomez34 said:What on earth? Your motherboard actually has a USB 3.0 header 😁

His case probably doesn't have the 😬
Jerry Watson2 Jerry Watson2 NewcomerOP
6 messages
joined Jan 2016
#10 ·
Kimberly Gomez34 said:What on earth? Your motherboard actually has a USB 3.0 header 😁

That’s exactly why I’d just grab a new board that has it built-in. From what I can see, they're hovering around $167. I did a little digging comparing CPUs, and honestly, looks like grabbing an Intel Core i5 4460 makes way more sense than the 6400. I know I won't see a massive jump in gaming (stuck on my Intel Core i3 3220 right now), but since the newer Ivy Bridge stuff is sitting near $567 (and I'm definitely not touching used parts), and then you've got Haswell and Skylake 1500... I'm thinking about just jumping to a newer socket instead of stressing over how much longer this current motherboard will hold up.
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#11 ·
Processors basically never fail, so there's really no reason to be nervous about buying used ones, especially if you can test them out first, like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/processors/listing/17741423

If nothing else works, I guess just grab an SSD. 😁
Jerry Watson2 Jerry Watson2 NewcomerOP
6 messages
joined Jan 2016
#12 ·
So, I finally pulled the trigger on an Intel Core i5 4460 at Best Buy, but they didn't have a cheaper motherboard in stock, so now I've gotta go hunt one down myself.
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#13 ·
If you're looking to pick up a Gigabyte GIGABYTE GA-H81M-S2V, go for it.$117...or maybe go with the MSI MB H81M-P33.$123Honestly, they're pretty solid motherboards for that kind of price point.
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#14 ·
These don't have a USB3.0 header... the Asrock H81M-HDS for $133(ADM and Centro).
Jerry Watson2 Jerry Watson2 NewcomerOP
6 messages
joined Jan 2016
#15 ·
crimsonstag84 said:These don't have a USB3.0 header... the Asrock H81M-HDS for $133(ADM and Centro).

Man, this one has everything I need without breaking the bank. Thanks for the tip! I'll probably swing by Best Buy ($135) since they should have it in stock.
Jerry Watson2 Jerry Watson2 NewcomerOP
6 messages
joined Jan 2016
#16 ·
So, I grabbed the motherboard. Sorry, I know I'm being a pain, but my front case fan just died on me. Pretty sure it's a 120 mm—blue LED kind of deal. Does it actually matter which brand I pick up?
My case is a Spira Maverick 6009.
graniteharbor85 graniteharbor85 Active Member
116 messages
joined Apr 2014
#17 ·
Honestly, if you're looking at the budget options, just stick to something reliable like Xilenc Red Wing, Cooler Master, or whatever else is out there.
Jesse Green13 Jesse Green13 Newcomer
1 message
joined Jan 2016
#18 ·
Man, I’m itching for an upgrade too! 😁
I really need to be able to play WoW smoothly
Current Specs:
Motherboard:
Processor AMD Sempron 145, 2800 MHz (14 x 200)
Motherboard Model ECS A780LM-M (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 2 DDR3 DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset AMD 760G, AMD K10
System Memory 3328 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)
DIMM1: G Skill F3-10666CL9-4GBNT 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
DIMM2: G Skill F3-10666CL9-4GBNT 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
BIOS Type American Megatrends (11/09/10)
Communications port Communications port (COM1)
Communications port ECP printer port (LPT1)

Graphics:
Video Card AMD 760G (256 MB)
Video Card AMD 760G (256 MB)
3D Accelerator Chip ATI Radeon HD 3100 (RS780L)
Monitor Hyundai ImageQuest B71A [17" LCD] (160820060221)

Multimedia:
Sound Card ATI Radeon IGP HDMI @ AMD RS780 / RS880 chipset - high Definition audio Controller
Sound Card via VT1705 @ ATI SB750 - High Definition Audio Controller

Storage Subsystem:
IDE Controller standard dual Channel PCI controller
IDE Controller standard dual Channel PCI controller
Storage Controller AQP1IQ64 controller
Storage Controller via VT6421
Hard Drive HDS728080PLAT20 ATA Device (80 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Hard Drive WD 3200BEV External USB Device (298 GB, USB)
Hard Drive WDC WD400EB-00CPF0 ATA Device (37 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202H SCSI CdRom Device (DVD+R9:16x, DVD-R9:12x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:6x/2x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
Hard Drive SMART Status FAIL

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 38164 MB (7372 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 78526 MB (47505 MB free)
G: (FAT32) 298.0 GB (110.6 GB free)
Total Capacity 412.0 GB (164.2 GB free)

Peripherals:
Keyboard Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Robert Rodriguez2 Robert Rodriguez2 Regular
353 messages
joined Jul 2015
#19 ·
That basically means you're looking at a total overhaul—CPU, motherboard, GPU, hard drive... everything. Modern boards don't even carry IDE connectors anymore, and you might need a new power supply too.
What kind of budget are we working with here?
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#20 ·
You might not actually need to swap out the motherboard; there are plenty of used CPUs out there that would be a massive upgrade for it.

You’ll likely need a new processor, a GPU, and a power supply. Just let me know what kind of budget you're looking at and where you're located... maybe we can find someone local to grab some parts for cash.

You must log in or register to reply here.

Log in Register

🔗 Similar threads