First time attempting to Upgrade/Build onto new Desk Top.

A

ajsoprano

New Member
Hey I am looking to upgrade my MotherBoard and Processor and have not idea what I should get. I would like to get something nice that will keep me fast and happy for at least a couple of years. I dont do gaming or video editing..I download some random stuff (movies "legit" programs) read different sites, and stream to my ps3..I plan on buying the ps4 right away so I will then be streaming to my room and my living room. I was thinking about either making a unit with my parts from the current hp desktop or buying sometihing like this http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-MC001-...8&qid=1362404539&sr=8-1&keywords=ARCTIC+MC001 , its like $170 with 8 gb ram...

here is what I have now...was thinking about upgrading motherboard and processor asap..or doing the Arctic Unit and forgetting about streaming, help please.

Field Value
Computer
Computer Type ACPI x64-based PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 Professional
OS Service Pack -
Internet Explorer 10.0.9200.16484
DirectX DirectX 11.0
Computer Name HOME
User Name krisr_000
Logon Domain HOME
Date / Time 2013-03-04 / 06:30

Motherboard
CPU Type QuadCore AMD Athlon II X4 630, 2800 MHz (14 x 200)
Motherboard Name Foxconn 2A92
Motherboard Chipset AMD 760G/780G/780V/785G/790GX/880G/890GX, AMD K10
System Memory 12288 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)
DIMM1: PNY Electronics 64C0MHHHJ-HS 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (10-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz) (5-5-5-14 @ 380 MHz)
DIMM2: PNY Electronics 64C0MHHHJ-HS 4 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (10-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz) (5-5-5-14 @ 380 MHz)
DIMM3: SK Hynix HMT125U6BFR8C-H9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
DIMM4: SK Hynix HMT125U6BFR8C-H9 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (9-9-9-24 @ 666 MHz) (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
BIOS Type AMI (09/07/10)

Display
Video Adapter AMD Radeon HD 6670 (2048 MB)
Video Adapter AMD Radeon HD 6670 (2048 MB)
Video Adapter AMD Radeon HD 6670 (2048 MB)
3D Accelerator AMD Radeon HD 6670 (Turks)
Monitor HP 2310 (DVI) [23" LCD] (3CQ01938KL)
Monitor HP 2311xi IPS LED Backlit Monitor [NoDB] (CNT248326S)

Multimedia
Audio Adapter ATI Radeon HDMI @ AMD Turks/Whistler/Thames - High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Adapter Realtek ALC888 @ ATI SB750 - High Definition Audio Controller

Storage
IDE Controller AMD SATA Controller
Storage Controller Microsoft Storage Spaces Controller
Disk Drive ST3000DM 001-1CH166 SATA Disk Device (3000 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-III)
Disk Drive ST375052 8AS SATA Disk Device (750 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA-II)
Disk Drive Toshiba Ext HDD USB Device (931 GB, USB)
Disk Drive Generic- Compact Flash USB Device
Disk Drive Generic- MS/MS-Pro USB Device
Disk Drive Generic- SD/MMC USB Device
Disk Drive Generic- SM/xD-Picture USB Device
Disk Drive INTEL SS DSC2CW180A3 SATA Disk Device (180 GB, SATA-III)
Disk Drive Seagate Backup+ BK USB Device (931 GB, USB)
Optical Drive hp CDDVDW TS-H653R SATA CdRom Device
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions
C: (NTFS) 167.3 GB (133.2 GB free)
D: (NTFS) 353 MB (102 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 686.9 GB (594.8 GB free)
F: (NTFS) 11751 MB (1427 MB free)
H: (NTFS) 99 MB (57 MB free)
L: (NTFS) 931.5 GB (879.6 GB free)
M: (NTFS) 931.5 GB (366.3 GB free)
X: (NTFS) 2794.4 GB (2794.1 GB free)
Total Size 5523.6 GB (4769.5 GB free)

Input
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Keyboard Logitech HID-compliant Unifying keyboard
Mouse HID-compliant mouse
Mouse Logitech HID-compliant Unifying Mouse

Network
Primary IP Address 10.0.0.2
Primary MAC Address 1C-C1-DE-63-94-90
Network Adapter 802.11n Wireless LAN Card
Network Adapter Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter
Network Adapter Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (10.0.0.2)
Network Adapter TAP-Win32 Adapter V9

Peripherals
Printer Adobe PDF
Printer HP Officejet 4620 series Class Driver (Copy 1)
Printer HP Officejet 4620 series Class Driver
Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Printer Send To OneNote 2013
FireWire Controller VIA VT6308 Fire IIM IEEE1394 Host Controller (PHY: VIA VT6307)
USB1 Controller ATI SB750 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB750 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB750 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB750 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB750 - OHCI USB Controller
USB2 Controller ATI SB750 - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
USB2 Controller ATI SB750 - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
USB3 Controller NEC uPD720200F1 USB 3.0 Host Controller
USB Device Logitech Unifying USB receiver
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Input Device (Logitech Download Assistant)
USB Device USB Input Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device

DMI
DMI BIOS Vendor American Megatrends Inc.
DMI BIOS Version 6.09
DMI System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
DMI System Product p6510y
DMI System Version
DMI System Serial Number 4CE0280T9H
DMI System UUID AEE65A25-397677E0-87D949E5-9EAEE65D
DMI Motherboard Manufacturer FOXCONN
DMI Motherboard Product 2A92
DMI Motherboard Version 1.01
DMI Motherboard Serial Number
DMI Chassis Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
DMI Chassis Version
DMI Chassis Serial Number
DMI Chassis Asset Tag 4CE0280T9H
DMI Chassis Type Desktop Case
 
If you don't game or video editing, I don't see any problem with your existing PC with Athlon IIx 4 630 with 12GB RAM and 6670. I would suggest you get a SSD instead of upgrading CPU and Mobo.
 
Thank you for you response. I actually already have Windows 8 installed on an Intel 180 gb 520 Series SSD. Best upgrade I have made, So you dont think I need to upgrade huh? I was wondering if I would notice enough of a improvement or added benefits to justify spending 5 or 6 hundred. I guess the one improvment would be on SATA speeds, but is that noticable? See this is why I signed up on this site, for advice from real people who know about computers and not some sales man. I just get an itch to buy when on Newegg or similar sites. But I dont want to throw away money, I do really like my computer. It does a great job.
Is there a inexpensive way to get sataIII and maybe beter audio?
 
2 ways to get faster sata speeds. Buy a controller card, or buy a new motherboard. The first is the most logical path, unless you have a copy of retail windows (not OEM), as a motherboard will need windows also if you have OEM.

Sound, get a sound card. give us a budget and we can recommend some parts.
Edit: get one of these if at all possible. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102033 (Don't worry if the out of the box drivers give you trouble. There are other WORKING drivers out there to get)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006 if you need to save money.
 
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You COULD upgrade your GPU if you're doing some hardcore gaming, but if it's just casual stuff the 6670 is quite capable. Other than that, everything looks good. No need to upgrade unless you're willing to put in a new mobo and CPU.
 
ajsoprano said:
Are the combos a good deal? Is 300 to 400 a decent range? Is used a good option? I plan on using the ram and hds for the new one.
Click to expand...
They can be a good deal. That's a great range. Naw, you can do new and get all the warranties. Ok to ram + hdd.
imo>
If you like that 310 case real well then I'd say use it. The only thing is you won't be able to route the cabling very well, and the ps fits on top.
Heat rises so the ps will be using that air for its cooling. The cables will be managed from a dangling(for lack of a better term atm) position. The case will be more top heavy. So bottom mount is better for ps and case cooling, and cable management. If you want/can return it and spend a bit more for those features since they are worth it. Would still be around 300 w/case/cpu/mb. As an example take a look at the inside of this one and how it has cutouts in the mb mounting tray for cables to be routed behind and then mostly just the connector ends show. This keeps the hardware compartment area clear of any air obstructions and lets the air flow front to back optimally. Some cases have a vent on the bottom so the ps draws cool air direct from outside the case, then exhausts it out the back of the psu. I'd suggest start with a better case.

Using what you have you could,

Amd > 970A UD3 . Best $95 AM3+. Has all the features you need, and good power delivery that you can utilize by overclocking your 630 for more performance. Get a good aftermarket cpu cooler to keep the temps down while overclocked, and will also run quieter than stock cooler.
Better case/mb/cooler = $200

Intel > i3 3220 (10% off i3TEN2013 Promo Code) + GA-Z77X-D3H
Although 3220 is x2 it has hyperthreading so it can do 4 threads. .5GHz over your stock 630 may not seem much but it's a good boost. More so is the i3's architecture which has higher instructions per second so it's faster than Athlon for that alone. A good choice for your uses.
The board is more than needed atm but it would be a good pick for what it might do for you in the future if you change processors/upgrades. And does have an mir.
Better case/cpu/mb = $325
 
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So what do I want out of an upgrade? What do I use my computer for? Why spend money if I dont have to?


Couple of things about me: First of all = I have never thought of doing any kind of upgrading of a pc in my life, and suddenly in the past few months I have become very interested in every aspect of a computer build. Suddenly I find myself on newegg multiple times a day "just checking out the deals" and I now have the NewZon extension on my Chrome Browser..4 months ago I had only ever used IE browser. So to say that I am a bit green or a mental midget when it comes to hardware specs and what goes with what, or what makes a set up good would be truthful..I have no idea, I want to know, I want to be hands on. So like I said I really appreciate your responses.

So my computer streams to the ps3 ok, but sometimes fast forward is really slow, or on hd it wont fast forward, not sure if that is a cpu deal or what?

I am buying a Ps4 on the first day they are available (assuming I can get someone to stand in line for me)

The reason I bring that up is because I was originally thinknig about canceling cable and getting a HTPC and downloading movies from torrent sites and using a HD antenna (I live right next to NORAD and thats where our TV antennas are so I should get great reception) and that sounded cool, but the more I looked into it I felt like the ps3 and for sure the ps4 would do what the HTPC would do.
But then I thought with my current setup some of the high res movies dont cooperate like I would like them to . And the UI (I guess thats what you call it) on the PS3 media server is not that good looking. So yes I think I would rather have something like that arctic unit, with remote control, XBMC FRodo, that is dedicated to only being a media streamer.

The other thing is on my desktop setup now I have OfFice 2013 (legit copy) installed already and I use it everyday for a report for my clients. And from my understanding I cannot put that on a different computer or even a new build. Which sucks since I already paid for it. So not being able to take OFFICE to a new mobo and cpu is kind of a deterent. But not so much that I wont do it, I can just buy (or find) office again.


And to Benny ...I am not married to the case, I havent switched it yet....

What about this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16813130637&cm_sp=

and this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16819113285&cm_sp=
 
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