So I've had this exact computer for a long time now. I believe that I purchased this bad boy about 6 years ago (maybe 5). Anyway, it can't play Civ 5 on full settings without sounding like it's nearly about to blow up after an hour (civ is not a game you play for only one hour).

I was wondering if any of you wonderful people have any tips on how to make this build better now (spending no more than $400)? Or, alternatively, if there's an entirely new computer that I can build from scratch for under $800 and have it be a serviceable one? If I have to spend more than $400 to greatly upgrade the current PC, I would rather build a new one so that I can have both (meaning I'd need a new case; I would not need any monitors [unless windows 8 OS], keyboard, mouse or speakers though).

To properly begin a new build post:

Budget: ~ $800
More specific use (what games, what programs): Civ 5, Civilization: Beyond Earth (coming soon), future games.
Planned time until purchase: Would like to do it now, unless there's something great coming out within a couple of weeks that would be worth holding out for in my budget.
Do you need an Operating System?: Yep.
Do you have any specific preferred components?: Nope - just ones that will last long.
Do you need a sound or wireless card?: I don't believe so, but if someone could elaborate it'd be appreciated.
Do you want stock cooling or do you plan on overclocking?: I do not plan on overclocking.
Do you need a monitor? mouse? keyboard?: I do not need any of these; however, I would like to be able to use three monitors at once. My current build has three inputs, so it is physically connected to two monitors + a TV at the same time... but I can only have two working at the same time. I would like to have the option to duplicate/extend among three different screens at the same time, if possible. I guess I should actually add that if Windows 8 is the preferred OS to build on now, I would like one touchscreen monitor, and the budget can be adjusted to include that.
Zip code/location? (Shipping costs): 07922, and I have no problem picking up parts in stores (I've been told by users here that I am in an ideal situation to pick up parts in store).

And then a picture of my current build:



Thank you for your time and help :D! I will gladly donate to the person whose build I choose (hope you have paypal - fg is a no go as you can see).

You could save yourself a huge hassle right now if you purchased a 3rd party cooler and learn to overclock your processor.

Thinking about it, it's probably just your processor overheating, stock heatsink sucks.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nhCqNG

Can reuse Ur PSU if u like, and just upgrade the 750ti gpu to something sexy like 280x/770/760

HD 5850 to GTX 750ti isn't much of an upgrade, the 5850 is still a beastly card.

Ya I know that's y I told him to upgrade it to the other 3 mentioned above, it's the build from the other guy wanting a csgo build

I was thinking that a cooler would solve a lot of my problems, but I'm not sure what to get.

Also, I have never overclocked because I was told that it greatly increases the chances of the computer being ruined. I guess with a proper cooler and the proper settings it may not be that risky, but I've always been hesitant.

Can someone suggest a cooler that would work well with my build?

start by getting a cooler master 212.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

you wont probably wont need to upgrade just yet, but thisll greatly reduce the sound and efficiently cool your cpu.

Thanks! Going to buy this and Arctic Silver 5 + Arctic Silver cleaner. Does that sound about right?

the cpu cooler comes with pre-applied thermal compound on the heatsink. use some coffee filters (dampened with 99% rubbing alcohol) to clean the surface of the cpu.

things you should purchase if not already obtained:
CM 212 heatsink
99% rubbing alcohol
coffee filter (or something that doesnt breakdown)

heres a video


This post was edited by NewKID on Sep 17 2014 10:28am

Haha, I can't believe I didn't notice that, I guess I was too tired. I was up for 32hours, I get a little tired at that point.

Do you mean longevity? I've had lots of q6600 cpu's overclocked for years with fair sized voltage increases, they've yet to die. It's a free performance boost, just takes a little know-how.