Help me upgrade, I'm so noob :(

[Cappuccino]

I want to upgrade my rubbish PC, however I never built a PC in my life. (That's ok though, I know someone that is helping me put all the parts in when I get my parts)

Anyway, the spec's I have are -

CPU: AMD FX-4100 3.60 GHz
Motherboard: Gigabyte Technology
Model: M68MT-S2
Memory: DDR3 8192 MBytes
RAM: 8GB
Graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 SE
64 Bit Operating system
(Do you need to know anything else?)

I know nothing about building PC, but I do know that if you have a crappy CPU etc you can't just buy a top end graphic card and start playing games and whatnot. Am I right?

Anyway, I want to upgrade my PC. I want to play games on high settings, maybe not Ultra, but better than what I'm playing now.
I was thinking changing my CPU and Graphic card. I would like to get the GeForce GTX 480, GeForce GTX 570, GeForce GTX 660, GeForce GTX 660 Ti or the Radeon HD 7850. The reason I chose these Graphic card is because they are kinda at my budget right now. So, yeah which of those are the best for playing games smoothly and high settings? Games I have right now are, CoD, Battlefield, L4D, Diablo, LoL, Just Cause, Max Payne and Arma 2. For the CPU I would like a i3 or i5, but don't know which one is the best for price and performance etc. Saying that, can I even upgrade my CPU? Do I need to buy a AMD models or? ;(

Like I said, if I do want to buy what I listed above, what part of my PC do I need to upgrade in order to run my PC? or don't I need to?
May someone kindly help me out here? I will reply as fast as I could.

Sorry for my bad grammar, I hope you understand what I'm trying to say, I am from Sweeden

Thanks


EDIT - Screenshots on my specs
http://gyazo.com/69a4734c9529081caab7cf7ef39c020f
http://gyazo.com/b0375bc54f713d132f1293e65f875943
AND
I have a MODEL No. SL -8500BTX
TOTAL 500W

 

[Piotrsama]

Did you mention what monitor (resolution) you have?

What PSU?

No, if you have an AMD motherboard, you can't put an Intel proc. on it.

 

[Cappuccino]

Did you mention what monitor (resolution) you have?

What PSU?

No, if you have an AMD motherboard, you can't put an Intel proc. on it.

Hey, I see
So I can't upgrade anything then? What can i upgrade?

Also, I have a 1080p monitor and I'm not sure what PSU? Is the PSU the 1000 Wat thing? How do i check? Sorry I'm uber noob :biggrin:

 

[bononos]

Hey, I see
So I can't upgrade anything then? What can i upgrade?

Also, I have a 1080p monitor and I'm not sure what PSU? Is the PSU the 1000 Wat thing? How do i check? Sorry I'm uber noob :biggrin:

Yes just give the wattage and the brand/model of the psu.

 

[Cappuccino]

Yes just give the wattage and the brand/model of the psu.

How do I find out my wattage brand model etc? I have a program called CPUZ but I dont where it is located at?

 

[scragnoff]

Hi SophieSmith!

How much is your budget? Could you post how high you're willing to shell out for a video card and how much for the cpu and motherboard?

 

[vshah]

the PSU model/specs won't be available in cpuz. You'll have to take the side panel off of your computer case. you should see a box with a bunch of red/yellow/black wires coming out of it. it will have a label that will have a chart like this:

tell us the model, and the max 3.3v, 5v, and 12v outputs.

 

[Cappuccino]

Hi SophieSmith!

How much is your budget? Could you post how high you're willing to shell out for a video card and how much for the cpu and motherboard?

Hello, I don't have a budget to be honest, the video cards I mention above are the ones I will likely to get maybe?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I would start with the GPU and see if you need more performance. Provided your PSU can handle it, simply upgrading the GPU to a 7850 (2GB, not 1GB) would net ~50% minimum to over 100% maximum gain. If that's not enough performance, upgrading to an FX-6300 would net an additional 20-30% gain, and adds two more cores.

EDIT>> Since the 560 SE isn't included in the charts, the link above compares the 550 Ti instead of 560 SE. The 560 SE outperforms the 550 Ti by a small margin, so the results are very similar.

 

[Cappuccino]

the PSU model/specs won't be available in cpuz. You'll have to take the side panel off of your computer case. you should see a box with a bunch of red/yellow/black wires coming out of it. it will have a label that will have a chart like this:

tell us the model, and the max 3.3v, 5v, and 12v outputs.

It says MODEL No. SL -8500BTX
and at the bottom it says TOTAL 500W

 

[AtenRa]

The Gigabyte M68MT-S2 you have DOESNT support the FX processors, how the hell do you have that motherboard with the FX4100 ??

CPU support
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3645

Can you post the CPUz screen of your CPU and Motherboard ??

 

[Cappuccino]

I would start with the GPU and see if you need more performance. Provided your PSU can handle it, simply upgrading the GPU to a 7850 (2GB, not 1GB) would net ~50% minimum to over 100% maximum gain. If that's not enough performance, upgrading to an FX-6300 would net an additional 20-30% gain, and adds two more cores.

EDIT>> Since the 560 SE isn't included in the charts, the link above compares the 550 Ti instead of 560 SE. The 560 SE outperforms the 550 Ti by a small margin, so the results are very similar.

When you say GPU, that means the graphic card right? Sorry im a newb lol. Also, upgrading to an FX-6300? What would you reccomend? :ninja:

 

[Cappuccino]

The Gigabyte M68MT-S2 you have DOESNT support the FX processors, how the hell do you have that motherboard with the FX4100 ??

CPU support
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3645

Can you post the CPUz screen of your CPU and Motherboard ??

Here sir
http://gyazo.com/69a4734c9529081caab7cf7ef39c020f
http://gyazo.com/b0375bc54f713d132f1293e65f875943

I'm really confused right now

 

[AnonymouseUser]

The Gigabyte M68MT-S2 you have DOESNT support the FX processors, how the hell do you have that motherboard with the FX4100 ??

CPU support
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3645

Can you post the CPUz screen of your CPU and Motherboard ??

Good catch. In this the case, there is no point upgrading the CPU only.

When you say GPU, that means the graphic card right? Sorry im a newb lol. Also, upgrading to an FX-6300? What would you reccomend? :ninja:

With that motherboard, it doesn't look like you can upgrade the CPU to anything worthwhile. Just upgrade the GPU (yes, graphics card) and see if that's enough performance for you. The 7850 can be used in future systems or future upgrades when you decide to upgrade the rest of the system.

 

[Cappuccino]

Good catch. In this the case, there is no point upgrading the CPU only.



With that motherboard, it doesn't look like you can upgrade the CPU to anything worthwhile. Just upgrade the GPU (yes, graphics card) and see if that's enough performance for you. The 7850 can be used in future systems or future upgrades when you decide to upgrade the rest of the system.

You sure I can't upgrade my CPU? Also, I want this GPU GeForce GTX 660 Ti,( dont ask why lol) will that work? Also, I need a new power supply right?

 

[AtenRa]

I will suggest you change to a better motherboard like ASUS M5A97 R2.0, i dont know if the FX4100 is working as it should in your motherboard.

You will also need a better GPU for 1080p gaming.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

You sure I can't upgrade my CPU? Also, I want this GPU GeForce GTX 660 Ti,( dont ask why lol) will that work? Also, I need a new power supply right?

That motherboard doesn't support the newer CPUs, so unless you upgrade the motherboard as well, there is nothing worth upgrading to.

As for the 660 Ti, it's a great GPU no doubt, but you won't get your money's worth out of it. With the FX-4100, it probably won't perform much better than the 7850, so you would just be throwing money away. You'd be better off putting the ~$100 difference towards a new motherboard and CPU instead of the 660 Ti, and then you'll also need a new PSU (that PSU looks like a generic 500W unit, so don't push it).

So, upgrade to 7850 and see if that's enough for your gaming needs. If not, then upgrade the motherboard, CPU, and PSU.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

BTW, where will you be buying your part/s? Do you live anywhere near a Micro Center?

 

[Piotrsama]

i dont know if the FX4100 is working as it should in your motherboard.

Confused me as well, but after some investigation I found a newer rev of that mobo that seems to support the FXs.
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3967#
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3967

 

[AtenRa]

Confused me as well, but after some investigation I found a newer rev of that mobo that seems to support the FXs.
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3967#
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3967

Ahh nice, Rev 3.1 supports the FX(Bulldozer) but not the new Vishera. Anyway, better upgrade the GPU first like AnonymouseUser have said.

 

[Cappuccino]

That motherboard doesn't support the newer CPUs, so unless you upgrade the motherboard as well, there is nothing worth upgrading to.

As for the 660 Ti, it's a great GPU no doubt, but you won't get your money's worth out of it. With the FX-4100, it probably won't perform much better than the 7850, so you would just be throwing money away. You'd be better off putting the ~$100 difference towards a new motherboard and CPU instead of the 660 Ti, and then you'll also need a new PSU (that PSU looks like a generic 500W unit, so don't push it).

So, upgrade to 7850 and see if that's enough for your gaming needs. If not, then upgrade the motherboard, CPU, and PSU.

Ok, I made a decision I think. I will upgrade my Motherboard first so I can buy intel and upgrade my video card and power supply. Is that all? Do you have skype? I really need your help to what to buy and whatnot to buy etc. You seem to know a hell alot about building pc

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Ok, I made a decision I think. I will upgrade my Motherboard first so I can buy intel and upgrade my video card and power supply. Is that all?

Unfortunately, that is far from all. At this point, if you are replacing all of that, you may want to just sell or gift your current PC and start fresh.

Do you have skype? I really need your help to what to buy and whatnot to buy etc. You seem to know a hell alot about building pc

While I do feel confident in my ability to build PCs, I am far from the best. I would recommend keeping the conversation here instead of Skype so others more knowledgeable than myself can chime in.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Also, if you are going to upgrade everything, I would ask a mod to move this thread to the proper subforum so it gets the best exposure. In the meantime, be sure to read the sticky threads there.

 

[Cappuccino]

Unfortunately, that is far from all. At this point, if you are replacing all of that, you may want to just sell or gift your current PC and start fresh.



While I do feel confident in my ability to build PCs, I am far from the best. I would recommend keeping the conversation here instead of Skype so others more knowledgeable than myself can chime in.

Starting fresh is a good idea but i dont want to re buy everything. Do you have any good reccomendation for a decent motherboard and CPU that will work on my pc? oh and ive decided i will buy the 660ti if not i will buy something similar. Really really appreciated if you can help me till the end!
I would donate you some money via paypal if i have to

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Starting fresh is a good idea but i dont want to re buy everything. Do you have any good reccomendation for a decent motherboard and CPU that will work on my pc? oh and ive decided i will buy the 660ti if not i will buy something similar. Really really appreciated if you can help me till the end!
I would donate you some money via paypal if i have to

A typical complete PC consists of:

Case
Motherboard
CPU (Processor)
PSU (Power Supply)
RAM (Memory)
GPU (Video Card)
Hard drive
Optical drive (DVD/Blu Ray)
Operating System

(Optional: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers/headset, wifi adapter)

You are looking to replace half of those required items (motherboard, CPU, GPU, PSU) which is the majority of the cost of the PC. Selling your current PC would help cover some of the cost of a new PC, and you wouldn't have to deal with disposal/recycling of the old parts. Starting fresh also ensures you won't have compatibility issues.

If you still wish to upgrade instead of starting new, we'll still help, but it's just not recommended. What is your budget for all of this, and where do you plan to purchase?