Recommendations on new desktop

[Chiron]

Recently started to play Civ 5 and my 4.5yo system started to show its age. Will like to a simple upgrade to improve it. What are the recommendation?

current config:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
Gigabyte EP45-UD3
Asus HD4850 512Mb
Kingston VRM PC2-6400 DDR2-800 2Gb X 2
AeroCool 650W PSU
Samsung 2443BW display
Cooler Master 690 casing
Plextor M5P SSD
Windows 7 32bit

Am looking at CPU, RAM and graphics card upgrade. Not into FPS or RTS games, more of turn based games (less intensive i guess), movies download and web browsing.

Also want to ask, is it better to get a MB with wireless inbuilt capability or use a dongle? (currently using the cisco dongle) Thanks!

 

[tannl88]

Also want to ask, is it better to get a MB with wireless inbuilt capability or use a dongle? (currently using the cisco dongle) Thanks!

change mobo equates to changing the processor liao, in order to get one with wifi. would be costly le. if the dongle works, y fix it?

 

[Chiron]

Yeah am thinking of upgrading the cpu as well. Wifi using dongle the speed not consistent, maybe due to my aging mb. If ex, will stick to using dongle.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Yeah am thinking of upgrading the cpu as well. Wifi using dongle the speed not consistent, maybe due to my aging mb. If ex, will stick to using dongle.

WiFi function is usually found integrated on mITX and high-end sophisticated motherboards. So there's no compelling reason to have them integrated, especially when you don't require those enthusiast features and spend the unnecessary money. Moreover, you got to RMA the entire motherboard should the WiFi module turns lemon one day. For both convenience and cost-saving sake, i'll recommend you reuse your current dongle or possibly get a new one or homeplug if throughput is still unstable.

 

[Chiron]

Thanks, pals, for the feedback. If I wan to get the i3 or i5, which version do u recommend? Also which mb as well? Thanxs

 

[nippp0n]

Thanks, pals, for the feedback. If I wan to get the i3 or i5, which version do u recommend? Also which mb as well? Thanxs

What is your budget?

 

[Chiron]

For the MB, cpu n graphics card, probably less than 1k.i think should be enough. My Cu cooler I'm using cm v8. If can reuse will be gd

 

[Entry Level PC]

For stable connection it's better to use WIRED LAN.

 

[Chiron]

Yes wired best, but after changing to optic, need additional cost to trunk to the room, so I left it in the living room. My laptop wifi not affected, so probably I guess it's due to my aging mb. The cisco dongle I just bot it less than half 3 months ago.

 

[nippp0n]

For the MB, cpu n graphics card, probably less than 1k.i think should be enough. My Cu cooler I'm using cm v8. If can reuse will be gd

CPU & Mobo: i5-3450 & Asrock B75M-DGS @ $300
Ram: Kingston 1600mhz value ram 4GB @ ~$40
Windows 7 32 bit only utilize up to 4GB of ram.
GPU: Powercolor 7850 PCS @ $249*
PSU: FSP Raider 450W @ $68*
IMO, it will be better to replace an aging PSU.

Total: $657
Buy from Tradepac. Those with * are bundle prices which is available if you buy full system from them. However, you can try to bargain and ask them to give you their bundle pricing.

 

[Chiron]

Thanks nipp0n. For the psu I will consider abt it. Asrock mb good? Nv heard of the brand, been out of diy market since end 2008. I used abit before the current gigabyte.