Upgrading my old computer

K

kennysp

Geek Trainee
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 :)
 
Wicked Mystic said:
You need that quad core CPU first, don't pay too much. Probably not available new so hunt used one. Any Core 2 Quad QXXXX is good.

6GB memory is enough.

What's exact model of PSU?
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response!

Regarding the cpu, i have this options of used quads:
Q8200 (with cooler) = $105
Q9300 (with cooler) $185
Q8300 (no cooler) = $101
Q6600 (no cooler) = $123
Q8400 (no cooler) = $148
(those are the cheaper prices in dollars i can get in my country)

I should also change the graphic card since it's been having some issues the last months..

I don't know a bit about PSU's, mine says:
PS-500SS-500W - ATX 12v 2.0v
I dunno if that's enough information..
 
Yes, that's exactly my PSU.
What brand and type of PSU would you recommend? :) (used or new?)

The prices are really fucked up where i live..
FX-8320 (new) = $272
i5-4670K (new) = $384
i5-4670K (used) = $359

And i can't import anything from outside, so i'm stuck with those prices.
 
kennysp said:
Yes, that's exactly my PSU.
What brand and type of PSU would you recommend? :) (used or new?)

The prices are really fucked up where i live..
FX-8320 (new) = $272
i5-4670K (new) = $384
i5-4670K (used) = $359

And i can't import anything from outside, so i'm stuck with those prices.
Click to expand...

For recommending PSU, I need to know what's available.

Those Core 2 Quad prices:

Q8200 (with cooler) = $105
Q9300 (with cooler) $185
Q8300 (no cooler) = $101
Q6600 (no cooler) = $123
Q8400 (no cooler) = $148
Click to expand...

Q8200 is OK price, Q9300 too expensive, Q8300 OK also, Q6600 worth to consider and Q8400 too expensive also.

So from those it's Q8200, Q8300 or Q6600. Core 2 processors are slow with anything lower L2 cache than 6MB per 2 cores. So Q8xxx is out of question. Q6600 is best choice of those. Altough FX-8320 (and even Phenom II X4) is much faster in practice, both require new motherboard. It's up to you if it's worth it or not.
 
I'm getting more and more convinced by the idea of just leave this whole computer aside right now and start buying new components for a new machine.. it doesn't seem that this one could get a lot better with that motherboard.
 
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