Thinking of a new build

[CJW]

I'd like to upgrade my computer so that I'll be able to play the new DOOM game coming out next year.
Here are my computer's specs at the moment:

Case: Antec Super Lanboy
PSU: XFX Pro 450W Core Edition Full Wired
Mobo: ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0
CPU: AMD FX 4100, Socket AM3+, 4-Core Black Edition - 3.6GHz
Mem: 2x Kingston HyperX DDR3-1866 (PC3-14900) - 8GB Total
Video: ASUS Radeon HD 6670-2GD3
Sound: Onboard Audio
SATA: Western Digital - 750GB, 64MB Cache
SATA: Western Digital - 500GB, 32MB Cache
ODD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
MCR: RocketFish (RF-CRDRD) USB 2.0 AIO
OS: 7 Pro 64Bit w/SP1
LCD: Envision H190L @ 1280x1024

I don't have much money to spend (between 400.00 & 450.00) & was wondering if I could get some suggestions.

I'm looking to get a new case. Possibly one of these:
Cooler Master Thermal Master ATX Mid-Tower
Thermaltake Commander MS-I Snow ATX Mid-Tower
Thermaltake Core V31 Black Mid-Tower ATX

I know that I need to get a new mobo, some of my USB connections don't work & I'd like to get USB 3.0.
I'm fine w/onboard audio but would like to keep using my ASUS Radeon HD 6670-2GD3 video card.

I also want to reuse my:
750GB SATA drive which has 7 Pro 64Bit SP1 on it
RocketFish Memory Card Reader
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Optical Drive (though I may get a regular Blu-Ray/Blu-Ray writer,
I haven't decided just yet)
XFX Pro PSU

What I'm looking to upgrade most is my Mobo & CPU - I lean towards AMD CPUs.
If I can reuse my existing memory, that would be great - but if not, I'll deal w/it.

I also came across this deal.
Would this make a good upgrade, even though the 8300 runs at 3.3GHz & the 4100 runs at 3.6GHz?

 

[Mellon Head]

I have a couple of suggestions, since you lean toward AMD. We can also look at upgrading for the future as well.

1. Upgrade your power supply to 650 or 750 Watts (Corsair TX series, EVGA, Seasonic are all good brands)
2. Upgrade your motherboard
3. Get a new video card

That really should be all you need to do. The CPU that you have is a solid performer, for an AMD chip, and nothing out there uses more than four cores anyway, so an 8 core CPU would be a waste of your limited budget.

For a motherboard, you could look at something with a 990X or 990FX chipset. ASUS and Asrock are good choices. One of those should run you about $130 - $150 USD, maybe less if you get it on sale. Here is my new board:

ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0 AM3+ AMD 990FX + SB950 7 x SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - Newegg.com

Not too expensive, and a solid performer.

As far as graphics cards go, if you want to stay with AMD, you could look at the new R9 300 series. They're cheaper than Nvidia cards and perform quite well. If you want more bang for your buck, look into the R9 200 series. They are being replaced by the R9 300 series, and prices have really fallen. I have an R9 280 that runs all of the latest games at max settings with great frame rates. This is it's slightly more muscular big brother as an example:

XFX Radeon R9 280X R9-280X-TDBD 3GB 384-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Black Double Dissipation Edition Video Card - Newegg.com

That card is down $100 from just six months ago.

In any case, if you upgrade the video card, you will likely need to upgrade your power supply. You will for sure with the suggestions I gave you.

You can make a pretty decent gaming machine out of most of what you already have. I would just recommend upgrading those three items (plus a case, if you wish) and you should have a great gaming machine that should last you at least a few years.

 

[AddRAM]

No way would I stick with Radeon.

EVGA - Products - Graphics - GeForce 900 Series Family - GTX 960

EVGA - Products - Graphics - GeForce 900 Series Family - GTX 970

EVGA - Products - EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2 Power Supply - 220-P2-0850-X1

EVGA - Products - EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2 Power Supply - 220-G2-0850-XR

MSI USA - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

MSI USA - Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

The hyper links are being screwy right now, you may have to click on a blank space on the page once you get there.

 

[CJW]

Since the holidays are coming up soon & along w/it ... sales!, I'm going to wait just a bit & hopefully save a little more spending money.

I did come across this LG Blu-Ray Burner which looks to be at a good price, but I have a few questions:

As an OEM item, I know it does not come w/any software. But can anyone tell me:
1. What software will I need to watch Blu-rays, DVD & CDs, to burn Blu-Rays, DVDs & CDs?
2. Is this drive compatible w/Windows 7 Pro 64Bit, right out of the box/will I need a diver/software?

 

[AddRAM]

Not many good reviews on that drive.

You just hook it up and windows will install any drivers.

You don`t have to buy any burning software for cd`s or dvd`s just use windows.

I use VLC for movies, works great.

VideoLAN - Official page for VLC media player, the Open Source video framework!

As far as burning and playing blu-rays, I think you`ll have to buy some software, if nothing comes with it.

This says it`s free, proceed with caution.

DAPlayer - Free HD Bluray Video Multimedia Player Software

 

[ThrashZone]

I actually got a LG Blu-ray burner oem it's like a bulk packaging deal that really there is no box :shock:
I got it at Micro Center and yes it was cheap
Not sure if it's any good or not I have only played 1 dvd on it and it played just fine
It was not a Blu-Ray but still worked fine :/
I believe this is it ?


http://www.microcenter.com/product/445944/WH14NS40_14x_Internal_Blu-Ray_RewriterLG WH14NS40 14x Internal Blu-Ray Rewriter 625509 - Micro
Center

Nope here it is
http://www.microcenter.com/product/445944/WH14NS40_14x_Internal_Blu-Ray_RewriterLG UH12NS30 Internal 12x Blu-ray Combo Drive 664086 - Micro
Centerhttp://www.microcenter.com/product/445944/WH14NS40_14x_Internal_Blu-Ray_Rewriter
http://www.microcenter.com/product/445944/WH14NS40_14x_Internal_Blu-Ray_Rewriter
Device manager says this one
WH16NS40 16x Internal Blu-Ray Rewriter 077297 - Micro Center

 

[Layback Bear]

I have two LG BluRay opticals and have yet to find a program I can watch BluRay movies.

This is the one in my old computer. It does everything perfect except I can't watch BluRay DVD's. It cost me $100.00

Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST BD-RE WH12LS30 ATA Device
Media Type BD Writer
Name HL-DT-ST BD-RE WH12LS30 ATA Device
Availability Running/Full Power
Capabilities Random Access, Supports Writing, Supports Removable Media
Read capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, BD-R, BD-ROM, BD-RE
Write capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, BD-R, BD-RE
Config Manager Error Code Device is working properly
Config Manager User Config FALSE
Drive D:
Media Loaded FALSE
SCSI Bus 1
SCSI Logical Unit 0
SCSI Port 1
SCSI Target Id 0
Status OK

The LG-BluRay in my newer computer which cost $85.00 also does everything perfect except play BluRay DVD's.

If someone knows a program that I can get so I can watch BluRay DVD's please post it.

When I installed Windows 7 it took care of the drivers for the LG BluRay drive.

 

[AddRAM]

I posted a link above to supposedly free software, good luck.

Incredible, a Blu-ray player comes without software to watch Blu-rays

PowerDVD is the best, but it`s not free.

PowerDVD 15 Ultra - World?s No. 1 Movie & Media Player

 

[ThrashZone]

Yea it should of came with a software disk
I uninstalled most of the crapware that came with mine since I have no Blu-ray disks for it to read
I just got mine because it's supposed to read most any disk and it was what the dude pulled out less than 40.us so :/