Updating PC Components

[The Moustache]

So, first things first, this is my current build.

Processor: AMD Athlon X4 635
Motherboard: Gigabyte MA-785GM-US2H
RAM: 8 GB DDR2
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD6870 1GB DDR5
PSU: Neo ECO 620W
HDD: Samsung HD502HJ 500GB

Now I'm aware some if not all of it is outdated by now, so I was wondering which components I can get around to upgrading.

I'm not looking for monstrous build that is capable of playing all the new AAA games on the highest settings, as I tend to play those on my consoles anyways.

If anything, I just want something more up to date but that is still capable of packing a punch if it has too. Once again, I'm not looking to build an all new PC from the ground up, (I certainly don't have the skills for that) I just want to know which components I should get about to updating.

[Steeps]

My personal recommendation goes to processor and motherboard.

[MaSSive]

Ditto. GPU is still good enough, so you might want to upgrade CPU. In package with it motherboard and RAM must go as well, so count that in too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor (€167.94 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (€124.43 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Total: €292.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-18 18:44 CEST+0200

[X-Alt]

Ditto. GPU is still good enough, so you might want to upgrade CPU. In package with it motherboard and RAM must go as well, so count that in too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor (?167.94 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (?124.43 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Total: ?292.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-18 18:44 CEST+0200

If the user prefers Intel for his new build (a bit more expensive, but more performance in less-optimized games), this should be his setup. Keep in mind, if the user wants to remotely OC either, he will need aftermarket cooling. On my 8320, my Hyper 212 EVO couldn't get me past 4.4GHz, but a H220 got me all the way to 4.9GHz. On the other hand, Devil's Canyon seems to OC quite a bit on single-tower air coolers from what I have seen..

@OP, If you can replace the motherboard and CPU, you can certainly build a PC from scratch. Heck, I'm 15 and I built my first rig in under 40 minutes..

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (?220.05 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (?129.00 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (?87.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Total: ?437.04
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-18 20:44 CEST+0200

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (€220.05 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€133.99 @ Pixmania DE)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (€87.99 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Total: €442.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-18 20:47 CEST+0200

[The Moustache]

I had a feeling that I was going to need to upgrade the CPU but I didn't know that my motherboard was so old. I'll keep things in mind but I am in no rush to upgrade at the moment, possibly when I have some spending money I will.

That being said, can someone give me a rundown what replacing the CPU and MOBO entails? I've never done anything that significant other than possibly replacing my PSU with a new one.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

Unplug, press power to discharge capacitors
Earth yourself
Remove side
Remove GPU and any other PCI
Unplug 24 pin mobo then 4 or 6 pin cpu fan power
Remove all screws
Remove mobo

Reverse to insert, but check screw holes and stand offs line up, watch you tube for processer mounting alignment and thermal paste application.

[Psyrus]

That being said, can someone give me a rundown what replacing the CPU and MOBO entails?

PLODDITHANLEY's instructions are what you need, but if you're planning on separating the old CPU and motherboard, I tend to run a torture test for about 5 mins on my CPU before taking it apart, so that the thermal grease/pad is nice and soft, which means that separating the two is easier and you don't yank the CPU out of the socket accidentally like my friends have done several times.

[PLODDITHANLEY]

And I forgot to say unplug all the connections on mobo:
Power, reset, HD LED, power LED
USBs
Audio front panel
SATA HDD plugs

So unplug everything to reconnect the mobo manual has all info needed.

Good idea heating paste to facilitate cooler removal, what is best/easiest/quickest for that?

[Psyrus]

Good idea heating paste to facilitate cooler removal, what is best/easiest/quickest for that?

Intel Burn Test or Prime95 both are good

[LITOralis.nMd]

If you choose to just upgrade your CPU:

On your motherboard, be aware you need to update your BIOS before you remove your current CPU.
It wasn't until later BIOS that your mobo supported the newer Phenom II X4 and Phenom II X6 CPUs.