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Resolved Question

Should I Upgrade, Build, or Buy?

Sep 9, 2017 7:46PM PDT

Hi everyone! I hope you can help me make a decision!

I want a desktop PC that'll make doing schoolwork and surfing the web seem like a breeze, while also being able to handle some games that don't require a monster gaming PC (think more Minecraft, and not Destiny 2). I realize that I was being incredibly vague, so I hope you understand what I'm kind of looking for.

We have an old PC that's about 7 years old, that we haven't used for a good while, and I was wondering which of the following you all recommend: (1) upgrade my current PC (specs below), (2) build a new PC, or (3) buy a new pre-built PC. My budget is about $600-$700, so I can't really afford ground breaking equipment.

Here is my old PCs specs:
Compaq Presario CQ5110Y
Link - https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01742890

I noticed a deal on New Egg for the following system (the deal will expire before I make my decision, fyi) for a little over $500:
Acer Desktop Computer TC-780-NESelecti5 Intel Core i5 7th Gen 7400 (3.00 GHz) 8 GB DDR4 256 GB SSD Intel HD Graphics 630 Windows 10 Home 64-Bit
Link: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883101369&ignorebbr=1

I love Windows 10 Home 64-bit as well, just so ya know, and the rest sounds good to me too, but will it meet my above (vague) expectations? Or could I upgrade/build a cheaper PC to meet these needs? I'd appreciate your opinions!

Note: This is my first post here on CNET, so if I messed up in any way, or if didn't provide enough information, feel free to let me know. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

QsForYou has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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A fairly nice older PC
Sep 9, 2017 8:24PM PDT

Based on what it has and what you want to use it for, I think you'd be OK with 2 upgrades. A more powerful PSU and a strong graphics card. I'll leave it to Proffit to suggest the best video card.

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Should I Upgrade My RAM Too?
Sep 9, 2017 8:56PM PDT

Thanks for the reply! That sounds way cheaper than what I was expecting, which makes me happy haha.

In addition to the PSU and video card upgrade, do you think I should upgrade my RAM from the initial 3 GB to 4 or 8 GB? If I keep this relic, I plan on upgrading my Windows Vista Home 32-bit OS to Windows 10 Home 64-bit. With this and the occasional low-requirements games, I'd probably benefit from a RAM upgrade right?

Sorry, lots of questions haha. This'll be my first time upgrading a PC, so I'm super excited!

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You could
Sep 9, 2017 9:56PM PDT

But 4GB seems to be the max for that motherboard. You might be able to use some faster RAM. I'd try just the other first, you might feel it's an unnecessary added expense.

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Roger That!
Sep 9, 2017 10:11PM PDT

Okie dokie, I'll give it a go without a RAM upgrade and see how it handles it first. Thanks for your help!

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Answer
Opinion
Sep 9, 2017 11:36PM PDT

I would not put a nickle into that old machine.

Start adding up the cost.
Psu.
Gpu.
Ram.
OS.

The Newegg machine gets what you want and it's cheap.

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PSU, GPU
Sep 10, 2017 9:28AM PDT

That's why I suggested only those two, because they can transfer later if wanted into a newer computer, so nothing really lost in cost.