So, with all the amazing games coming out, I realized my computer is going to need an upgrade to play them. The problem is that I've never built or upgraded computers before. I had the one I have now built.
So... how do I do it? I'm planning on upgrading the Ram to 16 gigs (from 4), upgrading my Graphics Card (Currently an AMD 6770. Not sure) to a better model (not sure which one... I've heard a few suggestions, but, bleh. Indecision.), upgrading my i3 processor to an i7 (not sure which one, again.), replacing my power supply with either this or this off of a suggestion I got, installing an extra fan or two, and upgrading my operation system from 32 bit Windows 7 to 64 bit Windows 7 (Orrr Windows 8. I'm really not sure if I like Windows 8 all that much though.)
So... ummm. With all the suggestions I've gotten from other places I've asked, all the research I've at least tried doing, and looking at all this right now (and the PRICE.) I'm completely and utterly overwhelmed. Anyone have any tips on how to upgrade computers? And maybe be willing to help me figure out the specific parts I'm even upgrading to?
Okay, one time PC builder here going to help you. If you want to upgrade your PC, everything a bit too old can't be upgraded due to lack of components, if you want to build from scratch, read trought the rest of my post.
First, you choose the processor. I suggest going i7, since you want a tiny bit more process power just in case. Then it's the mother board followed by the RAM. You need those three things to get started. After you decide which of these three things you want (they must be compatible before you make your last decisions), you choose the extra parts necessary to get a really good PC: video card (or cards, if you want more than one) (be carefull, two types of processors are found on video card, AMD based and Intel based, if you go with an Intel processor, grab an Intel based card, if you go AMD... well you understand what I mean), sound card, power supply (80+ gold modular power supply recommended here), disc drive (you can spend to get a blu-ray drive instead of a dvd drive, usually comes with Power DVD, allowing you to watch your blu-ray movies on your PC), card reader, hard drives (recommeded: 1 SSD to boot your PC, one 500 go for programs and one 4tb for data storage), OS (gaming PCs runs best on Windows 7, get a versoin with both 32 and 64 bit discs), case, case cooling and processor cooling.
You also want to make sure everything is compatible, so be sure to keep track of what you want in your PC and if they are compatible. That's the main part of the building. After that, you want to choose the accessories and other necessities: Keyboard, Mouse, Headset, PC screen, game controllers, external storage, speaker.
I'm going to post here the link to my build for you to have a reference of a PC built last year (mine): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sZ4FZL
If you build from scratch, plan for at least 5 to 10 years and invest around 2500$ to 3000$. You can purchase your parts seperatelly over time if you want to wait.
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http://www.diyallday.com/how-to-build-a-computer/ is a helpful guide for the actual construction of a computer. If you're just swapping out parts, things should be a little easier. It's also good some performance benchmarks for processors and things. https://pcpartpicker.com/ is an amazing resource, as you can enter the parts you know you have/want (i.e. the things you aren't replacing) and it will limit the other selections to things that are compatible with those parts. It also lets you compare prices of similar parts and see customer ratings.
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When I upgrade, I first look at the video card rankings and then figure out what works best for my budget. The cards around the middle of the chart are usually the best from a cost-benefit perspective, but buying a better card now will mean you'll have longer before you need to upgrade again. The Video Card and Power Supply seem reasonably priced, and are similar to what my machine has, and I can do the maximum specs on anything I want to play (although I should upgrade the RAM soon, too).
In any case, stay with Windows 7. Always skip a windows generation: they always try something new and terrible and then fix it a year or two later with the next release.
Do you mean physically how to upgrade? That's as easy as going to youtube. The power supply is probably the most tricky, but it's just a matter of figuring out how your case opens to reveal the power supply. Adding a fan can be very difficult, too, if your case doesn't have a space for it already. Does your computer have a lot of grills to allow air flow, somewhere you could just drill into to screw on a fan?
Do you mean physically how to upgrade? That's as easy as going to youtube. The power supply is probably the most tricky, but it's just a matter of figuring out how your case opens to reveal the power supply. Adding a fan can be very difficult, too, if your case doesn't have a space for it already. Does your computer have a lot of grills to allow air flow, somewhere you could just drill into to screw on a fan?
If he is already doing such an extensive upgrade then he might consider getting a new case with more fans and/or slots for more fans. I am not sure on this, but if he is upgrading the processor then he probably will need a new motherboard as well. When I upgraded my computer last year, I just went with a bigger case since I was changing so many parts that I was essentially building a new computer and simply recycling hard drives and peripherals.
Do you mean physically how to upgrade? That's as easy as going to youtube. The power supply is probably the most tricky, but it's just a matter of figuring out how your case opens to reveal the power supply. Adding a fan can be very difficult, too, if your case doesn't have a space for it already. Does your computer have a lot of grills to allow air flow, somewhere you could just drill into to screw on a fan?
If he is already doing such an extensive upgrade then he might consider getting a new case with more fans and/or slots for more fans. I am not sure on this, but if he is upgrading the processor then he probably will need a new motherboard as well. When I upgraded my computer last year, I just went with a bigger case since I was changing so many parts that I was essentially building a new computer and simply recycling hard drives and peripherals.
That was my thinking as well, but I wanted to get an idea of what KT's working with. But we're already working with budget constraints on the current stuff, so I wanted options.
I'd really rather not swap out my motherboard. I thought you didn't have to for the processor.
I have looked on youtube for a few things. Honestly, at this point, I'm seriously debating just finding a computer to buy instead of building one myself. This whole sort of experience has convinced me I'm pretty incapable as far as stuff like that goes
Purchasing a computer might lead you to purchase one of these clones that come with Windows 8, unless of course you ask a PC techinician to build it for you. If you do ask a PC tech to build it, then consider that it's going to cost you more.
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Casual crazy magic player, otaku maniac, unrully cosplayer, what did you expect me to be?
I'd really rather not swap out my motherboard. I thought you didn't have to for the processor.
I have looked on youtube for a few things. Honestly, at this point, I'm seriously debating just finding a computer to buy instead of building one myself. This whole sort of experience has convinced me I'm pretty incapable as far as stuff like that goes
Why don't you start by listing what you currently have(motherboard, ram, video card, cpu, etc), and from there we can figure out upgrade / replacement options.
RAM isn't as expensive as you might think, that's a very easy & cheap upgrade to do. Most of the time you're going to want to upgrade Motherboard/CPU at the same time, so that will be more expensive. You may also need to upgrade your graphics card. A lot of the time if you upgrade non-RAM hardware you'll have to put in a better power supply to compensate for it, which is expensive also. Hard drives are nearly universal, as long as you're backing up your stuff between each reinstall you can coast on the same drives for years.
The trick is to pick the couple of items that need to be upgraded the most & perform upgrades at as low-cost & high-value as possible. In a best-case scenario, you'll be upgrading 1-2 parts every 12-18 months at a cost of a couple hundred dollars to keep your machine within the high-quality performance output for any new game you might want to play. The initial investment is the hardest part. If you're very far behind in technology, try upgrading to medium-quality performance in a game you can't currently play.
Don't worry about the actual assembly. Have another device with you that's capable of an internet connection for any sticky stuff you run into--anything with a screen reasonably large enough to view Youtube should work; there are plenty of tutorials out there. If you're capable of assembling flat-packed furniture or if you were good at Lego as a kid you should be fine building a computer.
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So... how do I do it? I'm planning on upgrading the Ram to 16 gigs (from 4), upgrading my Graphics Card (Currently an AMD 6770. Not sure) to a better model (not sure which one... I've heard a few suggestions, but, bleh. Indecision.), upgrading my i3 processor to an i7 (not sure which one, again.), replacing my power supply with either this or this off of a suggestion I got, installing an extra fan or two, and upgrading my operation system from 32 bit Windows 7 to 64 bit Windows 7 (Orrr Windows 8. I'm really not sure if I like Windows 8 all that much though.)
So... ummm. With all the suggestions I've gotten from other places I've asked, all the research I've at least tried doing, and looking at all this right now (and the PRICE.) I'm completely and utterly overwhelmed. Anyone have any tips on how to upgrade computers? And maybe be willing to help me figure out the specific parts I'm even upgrading to?
Thank in advance
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First, you choose the processor. I suggest going i7, since you want a tiny bit more process power just in case. Then it's the mother board followed by the RAM. You need those three things to get started. After you decide which of these three things you want (they must be compatible before you make your last decisions), you choose the extra parts necessary to get a really good PC: video card (or cards, if you want more than one) (be carefull, two types of processors are found on video card, AMD based and Intel based, if you go with an Intel processor, grab an Intel based card, if you go AMD... well you understand what I mean), sound card, power supply (80+ gold modular power supply recommended here), disc drive (you can spend to get a blu-ray drive instead of a dvd drive, usually comes with Power DVD, allowing you to watch your blu-ray movies on your PC), card reader, hard drives (recommeded: 1 SSD to boot your PC, one 500 go for programs and one 4tb for data storage), OS (gaming PCs runs best on Windows 7, get a versoin with both 32 and 64 bit discs), case, case cooling and processor cooling.
You also want to make sure everything is compatible, so be sure to keep track of what you want in your PC and if they are compatible. That's the main part of the building. After that, you want to choose the accessories and other necessities: Keyboard, Mouse, Headset, PC screen, game controllers, external storage, speaker.
I'm going to post here the link to my build for you to have a reference of a PC built last year (mine): http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sZ4FZL
If you build from scratch, plan for at least 5 to 10 years and invest around 2500$ to 3000$. You can purchase your parts seperatelly over time if you want to wait.
https://pcpartpicker.com/ is an amazing resource, as you can enter the parts you know you have/want (i.e. the things you aren't replacing) and it will limit the other selections to things that are compatible with those parts. It also lets you compare prices of similar parts and see customer ratings.
Currently Playing:
Legacy: Something U/W Controlish
EDH Cube
Hypercube! A New EDH Deck Every Week(ish)!
In any case, stay with Windows 7. Always skip a windows generation: they always try something new and terrible and then fix it a year or two later with the next release.
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[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
how should I upgrade, though? Like, I was fine with figuring out RAM, Graphics Cards, Processors. I am NOT fine with Power Supplies, fans, etc.
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TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
If he is already doing such an extensive upgrade then he might consider getting a new case with more fans and/or slots for more fans. I am not sure on this, but if he is upgrading the processor then he probably will need a new motherboard as well. When I upgraded my computer last year, I just went with a bigger case since I was changing so many parts that I was essentially building a new computer and simply recycling hard drives and peripherals.
That was my thinking as well, but I wanted to get an idea of what KT's working with. But we're already working with budget constraints on the current stuff, so I wanted options.
TerribleBad at Magic since 1998.A Vorthos Guide to Magic Story | Twitter | Tumblr
[Primer] Krenko | Azor | Kess | Zacama | Kumena | Sram | The Ur-Dragon | Edgar Markov | Daretti | Marath
I have looked on youtube for a few things. Honestly, at this point, I'm seriously debating just finding a computer to buy instead of building one myself. This whole sort of experience has convinced me I'm pretty incapable as far as stuff like that goes
WUBRGCommander Decklists - PaperWUBRG
CCCCCommander Decklists - TheorycraftCCCC
Sig Credit: Pegasus Bishop
Why don't you start by listing what you currently have(motherboard, ram, video card, cpu, etc), and from there we can figure out upgrade / replacement options.
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RAM isn't as expensive as you might think, that's a very easy & cheap upgrade to do. Most of the time you're going to want to upgrade Motherboard/CPU at the same time, so that will be more expensive. You may also need to upgrade your graphics card. A lot of the time if you upgrade non-RAM hardware you'll have to put in a better power supply to compensate for it, which is expensive also. Hard drives are nearly universal, as long as you're backing up your stuff between each reinstall you can coast on the same drives for years.
The trick is to pick the couple of items that need to be upgraded the most & perform upgrades at as low-cost & high-value as possible. In a best-case scenario, you'll be upgrading 1-2 parts every 12-18 months at a cost of a couple hundred dollars to keep your machine within the high-quality performance output for any new game you might want to play. The initial investment is the hardest part. If you're very far behind in technology, try upgrading to medium-quality performance in a game you can't currently play.
Don't worry about the actual assembly. Have another device with you that's capable of an internet connection for any sticky stuff you run into--anything with a screen reasonably large enough to view Youtube should work; there are plenty of tutorials out there. If you're capable of assembling flat-packed furniture or if you were good at Lego as a kid you should be fine building a computer.