Is it worth getting a new cpu or sticking with a 2600

[barnsley]

G'day ladies and gentlemen,

My friend has this rather awful acer mini desktop and it can't play any games as the graphics card is utter bum (sub-apu for sure). He is fed up and wants a new computer and while normally I'd just help him replace the 'card and psu the case is tiny and can't be upgraded. The only good thing in it is the processor, a i7 2600(non k) . My question is, is it worth using the 2600 out of the desktop and replacing all the other stuff or would it be better to get a new cpu as well? Bare in mind that he would probably only be able to get a 4300/i3 at best but at the same time I'm aware the 2600 is getting on a bit.

Any advice would be appreciated .

 

[Feronix]

Nothing wrong with an i7 2600 yet. It's still a great CPU and will definitely beat an i3.

As far as I know, there aren't any Haswell i3 chips yet, so you'll have to go socket 1155 anyway.

 

[samwisekoi]

The 2600 remains a fine CPU. I have a 2600 and a 3770K and mostly the GPU impacts performance (not counting OC.)

Why not start with a 660Ti if it will fit? It is a great GPU anyhow, and it might save the expense of a whole new build.

- samwisekoi

 

[barnsley]

This is the 'case': http://www.acer.co.uk/ac/en/GB/content/model-datasheet/DT.SGKEK.018

The current card is a 6450 4gb. the card itself is tiny, around the size of a gt 610, hence the need to upgrade a lot of other things as well. I've made a list of what we'll need:

new case (I was planning on going mATX as he likes the smaller sized pcs): bitfenix prodigy or similar
cpu cooler (maybe a seidon 120m)
motherboard
operating system (because locked to motherboard)
gpu
psu
maybe an ssd

Basically, its a new build. :l

 

[demonking]

go with the prodigy.
its a fantastic case and it mans you have alot more freedom on GPU.