low budget but upgrade PC?!

[slacker92]

Hi everyone! was wondering if i could get some help to upgrade my PC so that i can play atleast some decent games, although my PC is rather old. I am on a tight budget!

Mainboard:
gigabyte GA-945GC
Intel Pentium 4 3.4GHz (Socket 775)

Graphics card:
EVGA geforce 7950GT 512mb

RAM:
2.5GHz

Power:
350W

i wanted to play crysis 2 and hitman absolution. when i checked out game-debate.

it said only my cpu processor was incompatible and so was wondering if i could only change the cpu, will i be able to run the games?

Hence, i need to get a socket 775 cpu. i think core 2 duo. roughly how much will it cost? and do you think i should get a 2nd hand one? since i am really tight on budget??

Plus i would like to know how do i go about installing the new cpu. Thanks in advance!

 

[deepblue_82]

do u know what are u talking about?
with what u have now.. there.. is nothing to upgrade..
in other words.. cant upgrade..
u need a brand new pc... i dont think u can reuse anything there..

i think u will need at least 1k.. if u wan to play games like c3..
if not.. 6-800 might be able to make it.. but dont think u can play with a c3..

 

[slacker92]

Yea I definitely can't play c3 but was hoping to play at most c2. The games debate forum stated that my CPU processor was in compatible but the rest were. That's why.. And I found some core 2 duo that states is compatible with my mainboard. So can that be done?

 

[deepblue_82]

no way u are touching c2.. with ur p4.. u can play c1 at the most.. i tried b4... yes it seems ur mb can Support Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme/ Core™ 2 Duo FSB 1066 Processor ..
u can get them at the 2nd hand market.. cheap cheap..
+ rams too.. u can up to 4 gb...
u can get a 2nd hand gfx too.. but u need to up ur psu..
but i see no point in upgrading this system..

 

[BuGGi3]

i think you can consider a new system. yes c2d might be compatible, but these are minimum specs. you may run the game, but may not be smooth enough to enjoy the game.

You can try for an E8400. How to install? I think there's youtube videos that would show you the entire process on removal and installation. Just don't forget to apply thermal paste!

 

[slacker92]

Thanks! Will be upgrading maybe at year end. But not too soon, so saving up for it now.. In the mean time was wondering what else I could do. Thanks for your replies!

 

[NVDefender]

If you're tight on cash and want to play games, i'd suggest you to get a console.

 

[undead102]

Even then console games are expensive as well. 6x to 8x per game for PS3. If you are interested i have some C2D mobo and CPU + ram for sale at 2nd hand price.

 

[NVDefender]

Even then console games are expensive as well. 6x to 8x per game for PS3. If you are interested i have some C2D mobo and CPU + ram for sale at 2nd hand price.

Console games, can buy 2nd hand also; after that still can sell them away. PC games ain't much cheaper unless you camp steam sales. A weak PC won't carry you far.

 

[fockyerdod3r]

I got an E8400 chip sitting around. PM me if you are interested.

 

[tony_ong]

console game can rent also

 

[undead102]

console game can rent also

Can share where can rent PS3 game? Cannot find any place that rent lei. Have to buy and sell now very troublesome.

 

[tony_ong]

Can share where can rent PS3 game? Cannot find any place that rent lei. Have to buy and sell now very troublesome.

hahas heard from my fren the other time.. not sure now still got or not..
at sim lim tower i think

 

[escksu]

I am selling an old bundle.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/c...5gt-e63-2-x-2gb-ram-4190246.html#post75801143

If you are really keen I can drop the price a little. Hopefully it could help you to get a little close to playing Crysis (just need decent graphics card).

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

I have a Q6600 G0 stepping (TDP 95W) lying around, intending to sell but never went round to.

I am thinking of getting Haswell in Q3/Q4, so --->
I will be selling my mobo + CPU (with orginal HSF) if I do upgrade to Haswell.

 

[escksu]

TS, suggest you seek out garage for 2nd hand stuffs, can save up $$$ this way.

 

[slacker92]

Yea probably gonna upgrade just the processor for now then get a new system next year cause I'm the only one playing games and I will be away for sometime for my studies. So its just for the time being. My mobo has socket lga775. Which processor can I get??

 

[Cookiejar]

Yea probably gonna upgrade just the processor for now then get a new system next year cause I'm the only one playing games and I will be away for sometime for my studies. So its just for the time being. My mobo has socket lga775. Which processor can I get??

Most important is your budget (which you yourself doesn't seem to have decided on haha = P). From what I see surfing vr-zone:

< $50 E7X00 processors
$60-80 E8X00, Q6X00
$80-$100+ Might be able to get some Athlon X4 or Phenom X3/4 bundles with mobo. Won't do better than E8400 in old games but you have a newer mobo and more cores.

$80-$100+ Q8X00, Q9X00. (At the prices that people usually ask for them, I would just go for an AMD bundle)

A better GPU is also highly recommended. Something like a GTX 460 or HD6850 would be good enough I suppose.

 

[slacker92]

I can't find any E7X00 processors. Found one that was model 6400. Specs are as follow: 3 cores,L2 Cache 2mb,
2.13Ghz, 64 bit, 65nm Lithography. Was for $40. How about this?

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

Check what your mobo supports.

E6400 is a dual core. Intel never released any tri-core CPU, only AMD (salvaged quad cores). The E6400 is still weak for modern gaming, IMO, though much better than your Pentium 4...

Or you want a Q6600 G0 stepping? I have one, but it is a quad core and the TDP is 95W so your mobo and its bios must be able to support it.