I'm completely new to buying/making computers, so I'm going to need a lot of help. I've been told that building my own PC will save me a lot of money, but I'm not even sure how I would go about building one. I might even be able to just upgrade parts of my current one, but I'm not sure. This is currently what I have:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) (Pretty sure this is good...)

Processor: Intel i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.7GHz (If someone could explain to me what the part after the 750 means, that would help. I think the 4 CPUs means quad core. I know the i7 is available, is it worth it?)

Memory: 6144 MB RAM (Not sure if this is good)

Page File: 3297 MB used, 8906 MB available (Not sure what this means)

DirectX 11

Model Number: s5680t

Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 5450 (I think this might be my biggest problem)

Approx. Total Memory: 3808 MB

I don't know if you need anything else, so let me know if you want more details.

Anyway, I want to have a very good gaming PC that I can use to play and record games with good graphics and no lag. I make YouTube videos, so this is why I want to be able to record. Right now, I have to play games like League of Legends and World of Warcraft on very low graphics. Am I better of making a new computer all together or just upgrading parts of the current one I have? I play a lot of games, but right now it seems whenever I bump up my graphics I begin to lag a lot. On more graphically intense games a lag on very low. I'm thinking I may just need a better graphics card, but no idea.

Just replace your graphics card. Your system is fine.

You are right, your video card is the main problem, the cpu and ram isn't the greatest but it should be fine for at least a few more years.

Post the model number of your PC and we'll be able to tell how far you can go on the upgrades or recommend a new build.

The model number is s5680t.

You only have a 220 watt power supply in that, you'd need to upgrade the power supply to put a better video card in that PC and because it's a slim case PC, power supply options are going to be limited, probably expensive and difficult to work on, especially if it's your first time.

edit: looks like power supplies for that type of PC max out at 300w, you'll definitely want to look at a new build if you want any meaningful upgrade.

You may want to look at building something from scratch.

This is how to build a computer. It's a bit prolonged, partly because they fuck around a little bit and partly because they explain a lot of things, but it's very helpful and informative.

and then read this for some info.

And if you build a PC, what's a ballpark estimate of your possible budget?

EDIT:@Kidavenger said:

You only have a 220 watt power supply in that, you'd need to upgrade the power supply to put a better video card in that PC and because it's a slim case PC, power supply options are going to be limited, probably expensive and difficult to work on, especially if it's your first time.

edit: looks like power supplies for that type of PC max out at 300w, you'll definitely want to look at a new build if you want any meaningful upgrade.

You may want to look at building something from scratch.

Apparently your power supply isn't up to snuff and your computer won't take one that is, so you'll definitely need to buy a new one or build one.

I might try to get part of it payed for as a Christmas present. How much would 1,000 dollars get me? Then, how much a difference would 1,500 and 2,000 be?

@SourTurtle said:

I might try to get part of it payed for as a Christmas present. How much would 1,000 dollars get me? Then, how much a difference would 1,500 and 2,000 be?

1000 would get you a fairly nice computer. The price of the computer in that video I posted is actually fairly high for a modern gaming computer; if you can afford to pay $1500 then you can get a really good machine.

If you really think you can put that much toward a PC then get one of these and one of these (find someone else to fill in the blanks, I've got to get off of this computer soon) and you ought not be wanting for, well, anything for a long time.

I had been toying around this build for a little while. It is still not as perfect as I would like it and I am certain there is cheaper parts (for the casing as an example, though I really like rosewell casings)

QUICK! Every one show off your pc build!

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/i14a

Been thinking about something like this http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nQ6v but I'm trying to force myself to wait for the new intel parts next year.

Also trying very hard to not buy a space navigator pro for myself to go with my wacom: