desktop upgrade help ^.^

SomethingWrongHere

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MB dead....need new desktop :s13:

budget 500 only

want to recycle two sata2 hard disk.

Might want to recycle PSU 450W (3 yrs old)

thinking of getting mini/micro casing and MB with good integrated graphic chip :s13: and 8gb RAM.

want to use it to play sid.meier’s.civilization:beyond.earth and download stuff, browse internet :s22:

any suggestion?

TIA
 

jtjt00

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Better list down all your current parts here.
How do you know motherboard is dead?
 

SomethingWrongHere

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Better list down all your current parts here.
How do you know motherboard is dead?

psu fan, mb fan working but keyboard/mouse no lights, no dislpay, just a guess :s22: (anyway its 4yrs old)


was using current MB integrated graphics with DDR1 RAM :s13:
 

SomethingWrongHere

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current rig
biostar TA790GX 128M using integrated graphic
andyson powerplus 500w
tempgroup ddr2 800mhz x 4gb
wd 1TB x 2
 
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ValorZeroAdvent

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current rig
biostar TA790GX 128M using integrated graphic
andyson powerplus 500w
tempgroup ddr2 800mhz x 4gb
wd 1TB x 2

Keep the hard drives if they are good and don't have too much bad sectors.
Psu definitely might need to throw away (did a little Google search and I heard this psu is a nuclear one...)

Do you multitask a lot? Do you play any other game of significance? Do you keep a lot of tabs on your browser while playing a game? How big do you think your rig should be?
 

SomethingWrongHere

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Do you multitask a lot? Do you play any other game of significance? Do you keep a lot of tabs on your browser while playing a game? How big do you think your rig should be?

intend to keep hard disk. i normally use for browser games and climb bukit timah :s13: and want to try sid.meier’s.civilization:beyond.earth :)

was looking at amd new apu but SL seems like bo sell...

itx or m-atx case
 

Alternative X

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mobo diode light not light on (always on if working), psu fan still working. my guess is failed mobo.

integrated graphic save space if going mini or micro casing
Hard to say, PSU with voltage regulation/supply issues will also be able to light up your rig, spin the fans but just cannot power on the rig.

CPU+ Mobo: MSI FM2 A88XM-E45 + A10-6800K (314)
RAM: 2X G.SKILL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 CL11 VALUE RAM (4GB) (100)
PSU: FSP 450W 80+ HEXA PLUS (58)
Case: CM N200 (55)

Total cost: $527

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, get PC Themes to assemble for you for a fee.

Notes:

1) You want the strongest iGPU in the market, so the AMD A10-6800K is chosen as the A10-7850K is just a slightly more power efficient CPU without any major increases in performance. The iGPU in the A10-6800K is about roughly equivalent to a R7 250 GPU (DDR3 VRAM version) and thus should be packing quite a lot of (integrated) graphics power for your games.

Also, if feeling adventurous, both the CPU and the iGPU can also be overclocked for better performance. Do remember to buy a aftermarket CPU cooler if doing OC though.

2) The MSI FM2 A88XM-E45 is chosen as it is a socket FM2+ mobo and thus is compatible with both FM2 CPUs (the A10-6800K being one) and FM2+ CPUs. This means that in the future, you can get an upgrade simply by updating the mobo BIOS and inserting a new FM2+ CPU, no need for a new mobo, save lots of $$$.

3) 2X sticks of 4GB DDR3 RAMs are used as AMD APUs require the presence of at least RAMs in a dual-channel configuration for good graphics performance.
 
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ValorZeroAdvent

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Ps, blind.

Seeing that you are only looking for integrated gfx I think an AMD A10 cpu would be nice, plus that mantle support on that sid Meyer game.
Get decent performing ram as well because the gfx chip uses your cpu ram as it doesn't have a vram. It performs a bit better with higher memory speed, the last time I heard.

For the case, it's up to you what you want, because it's personal. I'd replace the PSU and get a CX 430w from corsair.
 

SomethingWrongHere

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Ps, blind.

Seeing that you are only looking for integrated gfx I think an AMD A10 cpu would be nice, plus that mantle support on that sid Meyer game.
Get decent performing ram as well because the gfx chip uses your cpu ram as it doesn't have a vram. It performs a bit better with higher memory speed, the last time I heard.

For the case, it's up to you what you want, because it's personal. I'd replace the PSU and get a CX 430w from corsair.

thanks Valor for the input :)
 

SomethingWrongHere

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called PC themes, Mobo: MSI FM2 A88XM-E45 no stock :(

any alternatives? don't mind up abit budget

called corbell and they not bringing this mobo :(
 
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Alternative X

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Huh, MSI A88XM-E45 no stock? Sian, the MSI A88XM-E45 is actually very good value when considering the amount of features on the mobo itself.

Can consider the Asrock FM2A88M-HD+ (3+2 power phases, $290 with A10-6800K) or the Gigabyte F2A88XM-D3H (4+2 power phases, $337 with A10-6800K). Do note that as both mobos do not have a VRM heatsink, please go easy on the core voltages if you want to overclock the CPU to prevent overheating the VRMs. Even better idea to get VRM heatsinks and a case fan blowing down on the VRMs if you want to go for a higher overclock with these mobos.

If not overclocking, these mobos are perfectly fine for usage with the CPUs at stock settings, no mobo modifications needed.
 
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