Hardware upgrade advice required

I really don't see any way to upgrade what you already have to what you need for the work you're trying to do. Minimum specs would be a hyperthreaded quad core with 32GB of RAM. Going by the ECS ECS > H61H2-M2
and Intel Sites Intel H61 Express Chipset Product Specifications it looks like you're limited to 16GBs ?? The i3 is a dual core hyperthreaded CPU and looking at the compatible chips Intel H61 Express Chipset Product Specifications the i5's aren't multi-threaded and upgrading to a https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i7.../dp/B007SZ0EHE is Really Expensive so not worth the cost given the RAM limit.

My advice is to start saving to build a new Rig.

Okay. I was just conversing with my friend regarding this upgrade and he said that AMD processors are consume more power than intel ones. Is that true? I also watched a video that said that within the same price, one can get a faster AMD processor than an intel one. It is in Hindi language and the YouTuber gives reliable reviews about gadgets and PCs.

Intel Vs AMD Processors? Which One is better for you? | Comparison - YouTube

However I watched another video which two processors of different brand were compared and AMD gave better performance and consumed lower power than intel.

Here's the link
AMD 1700 vs Intel 7700K - CPU Comparison - YouTube



This left me confused because if I pay more money initially in an intel processor, I would be saving electricity that would be consumed in an AMD processor otherwise over a long period of time.

Moreover, should I stick to my existing graphics card or buy a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti?


I am now seeing these two scenarios

1. An i7 or AMD equivalent with my old graphic card i.e. NVIDIA GeForce GT 730
2. Intel Core i5-8400 BX80684I58400 Processor with GeForce GTX 1050 Ti.

Which option from 1 or 2 would be better?

Link for i5 processor = http://amzn.to/2EfZTu1

Link for GeForce GTX 1050 Ti = ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1050 Ti mini ZT-P10510A-10L 4GB GDDR5 PCI Express Graphics Card Online at Best price in India|Computers Accessories -Amazon.in


Is there a reliable website to compare assembled PC hardware through some score and compare them with price?

Moreover, I'll have to buy a new motherboard. Can you suggest any entry level and mid range good models?



I’m really grateful to you all. I feel really happy and fortunate to have this opportunity to discuss my doubts with you guys. Thank you so much!

Someone from this post sent me a personal message. I read it and was composing my reply in Microsoft Word. When I went to the inbox folder, the message disappeared. Please send me again whoever it was.

essenbe said:

According to your CPUz screenshots, your Graphics card is running at X1 with a max of X8 and should be running at X16. You are basically getting very little use out of it right now. Which PCIe slot do you have it in? It should be in the slot closest to the CPU. Attachment 174395

I only have one PCIe slot in my motherboard. In this slot I've inserted my graphics card.

essenbe said:

The max length width won't.

CountMike said:

That should change with graphics load.

I am confused. I don't understand what you are saying.

essenbe said:

Hi Archz2, now I think you are trying to start a fight. :) There are people who love AMD CPUs and GPUs and will argue to the death about why AMD is better. There are also those who feel the same about Intel CPUs and will argue the same. It is the fight that will live forever probably. The truth is that they are both good CPUs and will both do a good job. The only time you would probably notice any difference is when you push them to their maximum abilities. Then the difference will show. In my opinion, if you look at price to performance, AMD will win. If you just look at raw performance, Intel will win.

I never intended to start a fight. I am just trying to make an efficient decision to buy good hardware components.

essenbe said:

As far as your graphics card goes, what we were saying is that graphics cards should have 16 lanes of traffic to the CPU. Yours has a max of 8 lanes and is running on 1 lane. The lanes you are actually using (1) can go up when it is being used heavily, but the max shown is the maximum it is capable of, which is determined by your motherboard and may be a setting in your BIOS which could fix that. I hope that makes it a little clearer.

I searched for those settings in my BIOS but could not find them. I am sharing photographs that I just took. I have never fiddled with these settings. The last someone fiddled with them was probably my computer vendor in 2012. Maybe he didn't.

According to Wikipedia and various websites the GT 730 actually uses an x8 chip (GK208) - GeForce 700 series - Wikipedia

In any case x8 vs. x16 is meaningless for such a low-end card.

CountMike said:

There are several versions of that card, it's quite possible it doesn't use or need all 16 lanes as it's pretty low end.

GeForce GT 730 | Specifications | GeForce

Mine is GT 730 GDDR5 variant.

CountMike said:

Check with real manufacturer of your particular card (Asus, Gigabyte, XFX, etc.).

I did check out. It is the DDR5 variant but I can neither find information about lanes on NVIDIA's nor on Zotac's website

GeForce® GT 730 2GB DDR5 | ZOTAC

I also cannot find such settings in my BIOS to increase the lane usage. Is there any other way to alter them?