What's the next step?

[The Soviet's Gentleman]

Sooooooo my computer is pretty bad. Like it can't even run tf2, fist full of frags, or Gmod decently. Now my laptop is fairly new (2012) and I KNOW that doesn't mean nothin' but here are my computer specs:
Model: Satellite C855D
Processor: AMD E-300 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics 1.30 GHz
Installed memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (3.59 GB usable)
System type: 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor

I put in all the important stuff like RAM and Processor stuff, but if you need to know other things i'll try to figure it out.

Now as far as i'm aware of, my processor is pretty bad, and in case you couldn't tell I don't know much about the actual hardware of the computer, but I really REALLY want to step up my game plays n' stuff. What do I upgrade? How much is it? I have Windows 8 if that matters too much.

Thanks for the support.




-TSG

[L0WHAWK]

Infortunatly, about all you can do to help your system, is add more memory..

[HATTRİCK HKS CARAMEL® DELUXE]

To play decent, you need a processor having at least 2 cores of 4.0 GHz each and a DirectX 11 video card. If it's a quad core processor, you need to have at least 3.1 GHz per core.
8 GB of RAM are required if you are running Skype, TeamSpeak, Google Chrome or any other applications while playing.

[The Soviet's Gentleman]

Początkowo opublikowane przez - (GFL) Hattrick HttrckCldHKS -:

To play decent, you need a processor having at least 2 cores of 4.0 GHz each and a DirectX 11 video card. If it's a quad core processor, you need to have at least 3.1 GHz per core.
8 GB of RAM are required if you are running Skype, TeamSpeak, Google Chrome or any other applications while playing.

Ah alrighty, so in order to upgrade to 2 cores with 4.0 GHz, how much would that cost? And since I use a laptop with Windows 8, is there any sort of specific type of core I should get?

[chiefputsa☒lag]

laptops generally cannot be upgraded aside from storage (ssd/hdd) and memory modules.

if you want to assemble a new desktop computer (best) or buy a pre-built one (more expensive), just post your budget and preferred games.

[HATTRİCK HKS CARAMEL® DELUXE]

Still not sure about Laptops. I've just described the requirements for a decent gameplay above. You choose. For PCs, a Dual Core CPU (AMD Athlon II X2 270 costs like $50 and can be overclocked up to 4.0 GHz by increasing the frequency and the voltage through the BiOS).
A DirectX 11 (HD 1080p) video card should be like $100.

[The Soviet's Gentleman]

Początkowo opublikowane przez chiefputsa:

laptops generally cannot be upgraded aside from storage (ssd/hdd) and memory modules.

if you want to assemble a new desktop computer (best) or buy a pre-built one (more expensive), just post your budget and preferred games.

I generally just play tf2, and i'd probably play more games if my computer could handle them better (Such as Bioshock Dead Rising and RE) but in terms of budget I'm not quite sure. I mean, I don't want to get the "Ultimate PC Gaming Experience That Allows You to Play games that need 8 gigs of ram while skyping with someone and watching vines all at the sametime while mainting a solid 60FPS" So I guess not any of that crazy Alien Ware stuff. But if I HAD to list a budget I'd saaaaaaay maybe...I dunno 300-400 top? I know that isn't a lot compared to how much computers cost (And to be honest, if it's JUST for gaming I don't see the point of it costing that much, but I still prefer my keyboard and mouse instead of a controller for shooting games)

Then this guy:

Początkowo opublikowane przez vadim:

To OP: you cannot upgrade your Toshiba laptop. You can only sell it and buy another.

Now I don't know about selling laptops and who would want to buy a used one (with the exception of pawn shops, but they'd give just 70 dollars for something like this if it can't even run a game from 2007) but I guess what i'm trying to say is: I got people saying I can upgrade it depending on how I want to play and then I got people saying I can't upgrade it all. Sooooo now, i'm figuring out if I should try to build one, buy a new one, or upgrade this thing. Thanks for the help thus far.

[HATTRİCK HKS CARAMEL® DELUXE]

Początkowo opublikowane przez vadim:

What CPU did you mean? AMD? Intel? Intel with the same clockrate will have 70-75% more performance than AMD.

Who says that?
I meant a processor and a video card for a decent gameplay at a low price.

[HATTRİCK HKS CARAMEL® DELUXE]

They might want to get a better Laptop or a Desktop PC.
You still haven't answered my question.

[L0WHAWK]

The rule of thumb.. A laptop is what it is.. No upgrade possible.. Only expansion..
By expansion, this is more memory and a bigger hard drive...

Now this isn't a 100% accurate way of looking at a laptop, but is how I see them..

The laptop you own, isn't meant to be a gaming laptop, and there is nothing you can
do, to make it into one. Your best bet is to build a home PC, or purchase a used
home PC off of Craigslist, or some other 3rd party selling station..

You mentioned upto a $400 build... With that amount, you CAN build a computer
to fit your needs, and also be able to expand on it, when $ and desire exist...

[Rove]

Początkowo opublikowane przez The Soviet's Gentleman:

But if I HAD to list a budget I'd saaaaaaay maybe...I dunno 300-400 top? I know that isn't a lot compared to how much computers cost (And to be honest, if it's JUST for gaming I don't see the point of it costing that much, but I still prefer my keyboard and mouse instead of a controller for shooting games)

Here's everything you need in a good entry level PC:
A8-7600 good basic PC build
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rove/saved/2QyWGX
Base Total: $379.03
Mail-in Rebates: -$25.00
Total: $354.03
Notes: micro-ATX form factor, no DVD drive, integrated graphics at 550~ GFLOPS.

However to get into serious gaming & make the most of all those other fine parts you will have to upgrade from the integrated graphics to a real dedicated GPU that's at least a R7 260X or better at some point. This build has you covered though with a PCIe x16 version 3.0 slot ready and waiting and a 500W PSU with all the spare power you need to run any of the following high perofrmance GPUs: R9 270, 270X, 280, 285 or GTX 760, 970 980.

In the meanwhile the A8-7600 APU's integrated graphics can play games at a modest level. It's about as powerful as a R7 240 (DDR3 version) and does around 550~ GFLOPS.

For only a little more you can go for a build that has a dedicated GPU already and won't need a upgrade later for longer.

"Gamebox" budget PS4/XB1 console replacement PC
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rove/saved/QR6rxr
Base Total: $475.18
Mail-in Rebates: -$45.00
Total: $430.18
Note: micro-ATX form factor, no DVD drive

"Gamebox" budget PS4/XB1 console replacement PC. Version 2
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rove/saved/WmdG3C
Base Total: $502.87
Mail-in Rebates: -$65.00
Total: $437.87
Notes: Full ATX size, no DVD drive

You can add a DVD drive to any of these builds for $15~ so you can install Windows. From your old build if it's a desktop you might be able to re-use your case & DVD drive. You can certainly re-use your copy of Windows as long as you have the install disc.

For about $520 you can get a pretty sweet deal right now. I know that's over $100 off budget but I jsut wanted to show you:

FX 6300 & R9 270X (R9 280 temporary) build for gaming
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Rove/saved/9tWJ7P
Base Total: $619.85
Promo Discounts: -$13.99
Mail-in Rebates: -$85.00
Total: $520.86
ATX (with DVD drive)

With the promo on that R9 280 this is one sweet build. It's nice even with the regular R9 270X. The R9 280 just makes it extra sweet. Graphics cards are what make the games go.

Anyways just wanted to show you what was out there at affordable prices.

Starting with that "A8-7600 good basic PC build" will be fine. It will get your foot in the door, allow you to game some & has ready room and power for the GPU upgrade that would really make it shine as a gaming PC. GPUs are what make the most performance difference so the nicer the GPU you add into it later the better it will perform. I suggest the minimum you aim for to be a R7 260X with ideal being a R9 270 or higher AMD card OR GTX 760 or higher Nvidia card cause that should really get the most out of it. Just don't go too overkill. $250~ maximum budget for a GPU and like I said you could get a $100~ R& 260X and probably be happy.

[Rove]

Here is a helpful website for getting a general idea of PC building. I don't always agree with them but their advice is decent:

Logical Increments.
http://www.logicalincrements.com/

[ZigZach]

Początkowo opublikowane przez vadim:

All APUs are overpriced and have very low performance per $ value. A8-7600 is Celeron class CPU, much slower in games than Pentium G3258.
As a rule of a thumb: never buy APUs for gaming computers if you going to buy discrete graphics later.
APUs can be used for casual games, but even for them there are better configs.
Read this article[www.tomshardware.com] if you are going to build custom desktop.

Your intentions are very clear, "use Intel or your PC will suck". Am I close to what you're thinking? The fact is for the OP benchmarks(probably) mean next to nothing, they are looking for a decent rig that will get them a foot in the door of PC gaming. They have listed there budget as $300-400(I assume usd), this already is a challenge, and adding in Intel price points makes it near impossible to build a comparable PC to what an AMD APU can offer(not implying it can't be done).

I use an AMD A8-5600k in my HTPC and often use it for gaming without a dedicated GPU. While you are limited by the integrated graphics games such as TF2, Gauntlet, Trine 2, and other more casual titles perform very well. If this were the OP's first step into PC gaming an APU is a very viable choice, especially if they intend to add a dedicated GPU down the line for more advanced gaming.

To the OP:

As it has already been stated you are very limited with your current laptop. I actually do IT for a small business that purchased desktop PCs that use the E-300 cpu and I will attest, it is vastly underpowered even for simple office use. I would not advise selling it(the laptop), as it is still capable of basic functions, and you will not get very much money for it(as you supected), but I would never use it for gaming.

Rove makes some very good suggestions, and despite people criticizing his recommendation of AMD products, his build suggestions are very capable for what you describe. This being said Intel does perform more efficiently than AMD, but at a higher price. I currently use a combination of different systems, but my main uses an AMD FX-6200 and I have been very happy with the performance it provides.

[ZigZach]

Początkowo opublikowane przez vadim:

Początkowo opublikowane przez ZigZach:

Your intentions are very clear, "use Intel or your PC will suck". Am I close to what you're thinking?

Sorry, its not my fault that AMD cannot compete with Intel and doesn't have gaming CPUs anymore. AMD had great CPUs before, like Athlon XP or Phenom, but that was long ago.
That time Intel had ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Netburst and Pentium 4, but now times have been changed.
Pentium g3258 costs twice less than A8-7600 (while been at least twice more powerful). g3258+asus GT730 costs relatively the same as A8-7600. But I suggest to buy R7 260X for less than $100 instead and get REAL gaming system.
Which will be several times more powerful (FX-6300 level after OC), run most modern games with acceptable FPS and detalization, easily upgradable in the future (while APU & FX ain't upgradable at all) and much more future-resistant.

The Intel G3258 is a good suggestion if you want to build a cheap entry level Intel build, but it requires overclocking your CPU to get the performance benefits, and I get the feeling the OP is not necessarily interested in this, but I could be wrong. This would also require sacrificing graphical capabilities when using the GT 730, and would still cost more than the A8-6600k build. I also don't understand how an APU build is not upgradeable, from what I understand AMD is now going to focus on making APUs, and the FM2+ socket is the most recent update.

Your claim that your suggestion is more "future-resistent" suggests that sockets don't become obsolete, or outdated within a few years, which they most often do. My suggestions/comments are based on the impression I am getting from the OP, so my suggestion is to build something that will do what he wants right "out of the box" so to speak. This may not be using the most efficient cpu, but will, regardless, perform to what the OP is describing, and still contains the potential to be upgraded in the future.

[_I_]

what cpu upgrades are worth it for a fm2+ build?
750k is a little faster, but still poor performance for a $90+ cpu
similar with am3+, 6300k is cheap, but upgrading to a 8350 is not worth it

games like core speed
amd cores cannot keep up with intel cores
pentium g3258 overclocked to 4+ghz has the fastest cheap cores around
or i3 if hes not into overclockign can be upgraded to i5/i7 if/when needed

[Viala]

OP, my advice would be to save up until you can get a decent solid base rig bought. Spending too little at the start will only lead to bottlenecks and more money spent down the line.
While you're waiting you could look into the countless awesome old PC games on offer, or buy an xbox controller and get into emulating some old SNES titles etc.