BNIB HP Pavilion p6710f Desktop (circa 2011) possible upgrades...

[Bertha]

I have a BNIB HP Pavilion p6710 Desktop that has been sitting for 5+yrs in a cool dry place and I want to make it work as well as possible for my new-to-PC-gaming son. My hope is to upgrade the CPU, GPU and power supply to a point that he/we can play the new HD games. Specifically, the new Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 PC edition (and a couple flight sims of mine). We have a PS3, but having so many titles, a PS4 is not in the cards. Our existing desktop has an AMD Athlon II X4 640 / 3.0 GHz / 95w / Quad core processor w/ AM3 Socket. My mobo is an N-Alvorix RS880 uATX w/ an AMD 785G Chipset and 1333/1066/800MHz Front-side bus peed. I was told a GPU will have sound upgrade covered through HDMI connection. I'm using an ASUS VS278Q-P LED Monitor w/ 2 HDMI inputs / 1ms response / 80.000.000:1 contrast ratio / 1920x1080 max res. Desktop already has integrated Video/Audio, but I can upgrade using these expansion slot options.

• 1 PCI Express x16 slot for graphics card
• 3 PCI Express x1 slots
• 1 PCI Express x1 minicard slot

I'll be upgrading the ATX power supply to 500w, 600w or 650w as necessary. Additional fan(s) too, if need be.
I am willing to spend $200-300.

So!?! Does anyone have a good idea of what I SHOULD DO to make this Desktop worthy for gaming w/o the need to buy a whole new machine? ANY and ALL assistance/advice will be SO VERY APPRECIATED and in advance, I want to say THANK YOU to ALL/the one(s) that can spare the time to help me out. My son AND I are very grateful!!!
PS Are there any obvious problems associated w/ leaving a BNIB unit sitting for so long? Thanx again!

 

[Cycloid Torus]

Motherboard, CPU and RAM look pretty good. I think you will need more PSU wattage and a discrete video card.

Best idea: get P&Z #1 (which will run on your internal HD 4200 but poorly) and let your young man wring out the BNIB for a few weeks. Then involve him in making the upgrade. He will experience the improvement - and appreciate it more.

My young one started that way (on an older IBM AT) and is now IT Manager for a mid-sized manufacturer in the mid-West.

 

[Bertha]

Dang! You're quick! Thank you, Cycloid. The boy has Played PvZ #1 on PS3 to death, but he already got the new #2 PC game from G-ma 'n G-pa. D-oh! (They thought it works on PS3 and I CAN'T tell them it doesn't!) I LIKE your idea to have him get familiar w/ the PC controls, but he's just HOUNDING me to "PLAY IT DAD!", "JUST PLAY IT!" I know it won't work well as it is, so would you recommend a GPU w/ (or w/o) a CPU upgrade? I've got access to a 1 yr old EVGA 500w power supply (brother upgraded) that's still under warranty (if it'll be enough power) and I have no plans to run dual monitors off this unit. I do want to adapt/install our PS3 controllers, if that makes any difference in upgrade choices. ANY advice from you I am truly grateful and appreciative for! My brother's advice was to "Trash it and Buy a NEW one!" but it IS NEW, just not 2016 new...HIS wife is rich! Mine's just great... and you're GREAT for helping, THANX Cycloid! James 'n Dex

 

[Cycloid Torus]

Some folks will disagree, but I would look at the GTX 950 (yes, it is only 128 bit, but it is 2GB DDR5 and DX12 - and it is moderate in the power department as it requires less than 100 watts). The spare 500 watt PSU is a 250 watt improvement on your existing PSU.

Should be fun.