Thinking of upgrading my rig!

[TreD]

hello Pcmech!

i am currently running a rig of,
(i can find links if you need them also)

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 DC 6000+ 3.01ghz
Mobo: Asus Crosshair 2 Republic of Gaming edition
Ram: 4gb DDR2 kingston hyper x PC6400
GPU: ATI 5850 powercolor
HD: 400gb hitachi HDT725040VLA SCSI
PSU: Coolmaster Realpower M700

thinking of upgrading to the new intel sandybridge cpu i5 2500k

so new spec will be

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor
Mobo: Asus P8P67 (not sure wether to go standard or pro?)
Ram: Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (1600MHz RAM Speed, CAS 9-9-9-24 Timings, 1.40-1.65v VDIMM)
GPU: ATI 5850 PowerColor
HD: 400gb hitachi HDT725040VLA SCSI (thinking of upgrading if its needed)
PSU: Coolmaster Realpower M700

(thinking about maybe getting a h50 / h70 heatsink aswell money permitting for overclocking the cpu to around the 4.2 /.3 market (havent overclocked before so would be following guides ect so wanting to play it safe ect)

got a budget of roughly £400 - £500

is there anything anyone can see that might be a problem with my build i am mainly looking for a preformance upgrade whilst gaming (upcoming games aswell as current games on max settings) and general computer usage.

Thanks in advance and hopefully i made sense

TreD

[glc]

You will get a better gaming performance improvement by upgrading your video card, not your motherboard and CPU.

[TreD]

Thanks for the quick reply glc, i am wondering though will i notice any preformance differance with my intended changes?

Would you suggest just throwing all my money at a new GPU as i only updated my gpu last feb (i know tech flys) but the rest of my parts are seeming a few years ago now just thought i'd ask for a reason for your reply and if it is a straight gpu upgrade anything you would suggest?

Thanks

TreD

[EzyStvy]

Check out how your video card compares to others:
Charts, benchmarks 2010 Gaming Graphics Charts (High Quality), Battlefield Bad Company 2

There are several other benchmarks at the site.

[cantputt04]

What monitor are you running and at what resolution? That's quite a dated CPU but not so much a dated video card. If you're at higher resolutions with decent AA, it's possible you could hit a CPU bottleneck, especially if you beef up the GPU a whole lot.

Or I could be way off and don't really know how strong an Athlon 64 is.

[TreD]

i am using a Packard bell Maestro 242DX 24" running at 1920x1080 res currently and yeah well i thought i'd ask as i know i have had my CPU for a good 2+ years now i am sure of it and any chance of upgrading ill need a new mobo ect anyways.

and for ezystvy i aint too good with benchmark tests but i always presume the cards with bigger numbers are better than mine and i understood that my GPU is like 2 cycles out of date now but surely it isnt so bad?

i am looking into the upgrades for a general all round preformance increase but i mainly game on my rig wouldnt mind branching out into photoshop and stuff eventually though if any of this helps.

Thanks again

TreD

[Khalil]

You don't need to spend that kind of money on a CPU and motherboard, the GPU you have is more than good enough to game very well with. Sandy bridge is great but another option is to save a lot of money and go with an Asus AM3 motherboard with an AMD Athlon II Quad Core then you would not have to worry about any bottle necking!

[TreD]

Well i was planning on that budget due to sort of future proofing it as apparently the i5 2500k is practically the best cpu on the market according to the hype? and i'd need the new mobo anyway if i upgrade cpu or not for the price differance between the 2 choices amd build and intel build would i see a noticable differance with the intel over the amd?

(i know you're more of an amd guy though) just thought i'd ask i am still torn :/

Thanks

TreD

[TreD]

I have been talking it over with a friend and the differance in price we think will be roughly £130 if i buy an amd build (£251 inc shipping) intel build is (£380 inc shipping) is there any parts you'd recommend for the AMD build as i am at a loose end with mobo's atm also would an Amd phenom quad be better than the athlon quad?

Thanks

TreD

[TreD]

Okay so from what i have been looking at i am thinking maybe just getting the updated version of my current board, (If i am to go AMD)

Asus CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA 890FX Socket AM3
Asus CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA 890FX Socket AM3 8 Channel.. | Ebuyer.com ~(£150)

and then CPU either,

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3 6MB Cache Retail Box Processor
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3.. | Ebuyer.com (£71.79)

or

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3 8MB L3 Cache 125W
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3.. | Ebuyer.com (£124.98)

Would it be worth buying the £70 cpu and unlocking to dormant cores? or is the 965 better due to lower voltage ect?

and then for the ram i am sure ill just pick up some corsair DDR 3 what freq would you recommend? i am hoping to have a mess around with overclocking aswell so are these products good for that or am i again thinking slightly overkill and you'd recommend something cheaper still?

Also if anyone has any info regarding new intel builds that could help with a comparison or any info i would really appreciate it.

Thanks

TreD

[Khalil]

The Phenom II X2 is plenty enough for any gaming you might want to do, the 965 would be better for video editing and heavy duty multitasking.

The Asus Crosshair is too expensive, I recommend this one Asus M4A87TD/USB3 870 Socket AM3 8 Channel Audio ATX.. | Ebuyer.com unless there is something that you specifically need from the crosshair features it is a waste of money.

[TreD]

Thanks again for the quick feedback khalil its greatly appreciated considering our time differance just found my mates CPU box that was left at my place and he is using the phenom II x2 unlocked to 4 cores aswell so i think ill just go with that after following your advise.

and nope that asus board looks swell and is half the price so saved alot atm i knew coming round here first would be benifical, am i best getting 1600mhz DDR3 or 1333Mhz DD3 as i think i saw in another thread Glc recommend the 1333mhz for amd builds ?

Also with my saved cash would there be anything you would upgrade for a gaming rig for my current system? i think my specs are in my sig.

Thanks again

TreD

[TreD]

Okay so i am back again sorry i have alot of questions / builds in mind i know it can get annoying but i was thinking that as i am pretty much grabbing most of the barebones for a new system build if i can get the cash together i might just make a new rig and take some parts from my current rig whilst replacing them with some older parts i have kicking around and just have a backup comp / comp friends can use when over,

so basically what i have come up with with everyones help so far is,

Case: Coolmaster HAF 932 full tower
Coolermaster HAF 932 Full Tower Case - High Air Flow.. | Ebuyer.com

Mobo: Asus mobo Khalil recommended
Asus M4A87TD/USB3 870 Socket AM3 8 Channel Audio ATX.. | Ebuyer.com
(although curious if it will have enough fan connections for the fans in the case?)

CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE (will unlock the dormant cores)
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3.. | Ebuyer.com

RAM:Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5V Non-ECC Unbuffered
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5V.. | Ebuyer.com

PSU:More than likely use my current one Coolmaster M700

Gfx Card: Again will use my current 5850HD powercolor card

Optical drive:Samsung 12x BD-ROM DVD±RW DL & RAM SATAII Retail
Samsung SH-B123L/RSBP 12x BD-ROM DVD±RW DL.. | Ebuyer.com
(Reason for blu-ray is my brother is buying my Ps3 off me so i wont have anything to play my blu-rays on otherwise)

HDD: WD 640gb Caviar black Sata III
Western Digital WD6402AAEX 640GB Hard Drive SATAIII.. | Ebuyer.com

Aftermarket Heatsink: Corsair H50
Corsair CWCH50-1 Cooling Hydro Series H50.. | Ebuyer.com

total cost inc shipping is £514.05

if anyone has any thoughts or compatablity issues please let me know i am hoping to order this in 2 days when payday rolls around. if you have anything you'd replace i'd like to know that aswell.

Thanks

TreD

[Nuclear Krusader]

Aren't there any BD's from Asus or LiteOn? Samsung's drives have always been sketchy at best.

[TreD]

There isn't any Asus on ebuyer but there are some liteOn's i think although i think for the 12x and sata II version they are roughly £30 - £40 more

LiteOn 8x reader Sata I i think
LiteOn iHES208 8x BD-ROM with DVD±RW DL &amp.. | Ebuyer.com £89

or

there is an LG BR drive for £50 10x and Sata I
LG CH10LS20 10x BD-ROM with DVD±RW &amp.. | Ebuyer.com

Thanks for the reply

TreD

[Nuclear Krusader]

LG's are good too.

[TreD]

Is there any real differance i'd notice between a Sata I and a Sata II blu ray drive? if not ill probably go for the LG then.

if anyone else has any comments that would be great

Thanks

TreD

[TreD]

Originally Posted by TreD so basically what i have come up with with everyones help so far is, Case: Coolmaster HAF 932 full tower Coolermaster HAF 932 Full Tower Case - High Air Flow.. | Ebuyer.com Mobo: Asus mobo Khalil recommended Asus M4A87TD/USB3 870 Socket AM3 8 Channel Audio ATX.. | Ebuyer.com (although curious if it will have enough fan connections for the fans in the case?) CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE (will unlock the dormant cores) AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition 3.2GHz Socket AM3.. | Ebuyer.com RAM:Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5V Non-ECC Unbuffered Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz CL9 1.5V.. | Ebuyer.com PSU:More than likely use my current one Coolmaster M700 Gfx Card: Again will use my current 5850HD powercolor card Optical drive: LG 10x speed BR drive Sata I LG CH10LS20 10x BD-ROM with DVD±RW &amp.. | Ebuyer.com (Reason for blu-ray is my brother is buying my Ps3 off me so i wont have anything to play my blu-rays on otherwise) HDD: WD 640gb Caviar black Sata III Western Digital WD6402AAEX 640GB Hard Drive SATAIII.. | Ebuyer.com Aftermarket Heatsink: Corsair H50 Corsair CWCH50-1 Cooling Hydro Series H50.. | Ebuyer.com total cost inc shipping is £514.05 if anyone has any thoughts or compatablity issues please let me know i am hoping to order this in 2 days when payday rolls around. if you have anything you'd replace i'd like to know that aswell. Thanks TreD

******List Updated******

Edit****** - Am i right in thinking these AMD boards dont use the new EFI bios that Asus has launched for the easy overclocking and such? (not a big deal but thought i'd ask) looking at ordering this tomorrow morning when i finish working so any last minute suggestions to the system i'd be very greatful.

Thanks

TreD