Looking for a lasting PC build that's cheapest possible

S

solehide

New Member
Our (home) PC is 4 year old. It's working fine now, works just like new PCs with similar specs I occasionally see (in colleges etc). But I think it will start to show its age soon.

My current PC: CPU: AMD Athlon II 170. RAM: 2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 532MHz. Motherboard: Acer Aspire Series (CPU 1).

So I was looking over internet for cheap PCs and did not get satisfactory answers. That's why I am asking, I have never built a PC before, may not try this one soon; this is more of a curiosity sort of question, if you permit such questions.

The only heavy stuff I (I am the 'heaviest' user) do is Virtual Machines. I also play old games that works even in XP computers (freedom fighters). I think I will need 4 GB RAM. If it's possible without much cost increase, I will love to have HDMI (to use TV as monitor), USB 3.0 and, sorry if it's super foolish, small SSD just for OS.

Edit: any links to similar posts or PC builds? How good is GIGABYTE GA-AM1M-S2H ATX AMD Motherboard?

Edit: If I sounded like an expert it was accidental and unintended, I don't know (I am only beginning to understand) much about computers, computer parts.
 
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Probably be cheapest to upgrade your CPU and throw in some more RAM. The 170 is a single core so you'd see a lot more peppiness with a decently clocked dual or quad, and at least 8 GB of RAM or more depending on your VM workload.
 
Thanks...

Is there anything I should check before buying a RAM? Will I have to replace the old RAM or can I use it together?
 
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LambySRI said:
Whats your budget?
Click to expand...

Quoting myself:
this is more of a curiosity sort of question, if you permit such questions.
Click to expand...

Under 300$ (I am hoping I won't have to spend anything.) It would be nice if I could just add some more ROM, but I am not very sure whether it will improve my PC (maybe, ROM upgrade will only be effective if I have this much clock-speed?).

And many thanks for your links :)
1. 2TB!!! I don't think we will ever need that much (maybe I am being Bill Gatesish ;) )
2. That processor is sweet in my inexpert eyes.
3. Could I use a Gigabyte MB instead of Azuz (is Azuz better? what are the important things I should look for in an HD?)
 
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Since you have an OEM computer such as Acer, then we would need to know what exact model of Acer you have to see if you can upgrade processor and ram or just build new.
 
johnb35 said:
Since you have an OEM computer such as Acer, then we would need to know what exact model of Acer you have to see if you can upgrade processor and ram or just build new.
Click to expand...
I am very sorry, there is nothing more written (that I find meaningful. Maybe, ASP: 170UKB2 means something to you?) on the CPU. I tried an installer from Acer and, it didn't recognize the system.

Anyway, using Speccy:
Motherboard:

Manufacturer Acer
Model Aspire Series (CPU 1)
Version 1.0
Chipset Vendor AMD
Chipset Model 780G
Chipset Revision 00
Southbridge Vendor AMD
Southbridge Model SB700
Southbridge Revision 00
System Temperature 36 °C

BIOS
Brand Acer
Version P01-A0
Date 12/16/2011

PCI Data
Slot PCI
Slot Type PCI
Slot Usage Available
Data lanes x16
Slot Designation PCI Express X16
Characteristics 3.3V, Shared, PME
Slot Number 0

Slot PCI
Slot Type PCI
Slot Usage Available
Data lanes x1
Slot Designation PCI Express X1
Characteristics 3.3V, Shared, PME
Slot Number 1

Slot PCI
Slot Type PCI
Slot Usage Available
Bus Width 32 bit
Slot Designation PCI
Characteristics 3.3V, Shared, PME
Slot Number 2

Slot PCI
Slot Type PCI
Slot Usage Available
Bus Width 32 bit
Slot Designation PCI
Characteristics 3.3V, Shared, PME
Slot Number 3


RAM:

Memory slots
Total memory slots 2
Used memory slots 1
Free memory slots 1
SPD
Number Of SPD Modules 1
Slot #1
Click to expand...
 
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beers said:
Swapping from AM3 to a dual core FM2 setup isn't exactly cost effective.
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You are replying to LambySRI, aren't you? Now I learned that they refer to sockets for installing processor (correct?). So for checking compatibility with MB, I will just have to look at the socket info of a processor?
 
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There is usually a sticker somewhere(either on the side of the case or back of it) with the model number listed.
 
johnb35 said:
There is usually a sticker somewhere(either on the side of the case or back of it) with the model number listed.
Click to expand...
Yes, on the upper part, with a long barcode and all. That's where I got ASP: 170UKB2 from. And in the back side there is some more numbers: WO#4153.

So that Speccy info isn't useful?
 
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