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Biggest upgrade for $300?

N

Nalif

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 12, 2005
Messages
223
I'm trying to figure out what I want for Christmas. I was told my budget is $300 - here's what's in my system right now:

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Video: XFX HD-695A-CNFC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Processor: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT55TFBGRBOX

SSD: Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)


This system was put together last year around the same time - is there anything worth replacing that costs around $300 that would give a significant performance boost?
 
I personally do not see anything that is horribly in need of upgrading. Cpu will probably be the next upgrade you make, but considering the small performance increase to jump to the fx line I would hold off.

Possible upgrades: Im just rambling ideas here.
-Case?
-Cpu
-x2 6950
-Watercooler (if case can fit it)
-Another/bigger SSD
-Monitor? would be a fairly nice upgrade depending on what you got
 
Performance boost for what? Gaming? About the only thing you can do for $300 is add another 6950, as previously mentioned.
 
If you live near a Microcenter you could snag a 2500k combo for right around 300. When you sell your current cpu/mobo you will make it even cheaper.
 
If you game, get 6950 crossfire.

If you do video editing/compressiong etc, get a i5-2500k with MoBo

Otherwise, take the $300 and spring for a bigger pipeline (Any chance of Verizon Fios in your area? =D)
 
I wouldn't recommend going to a 2500k from a x6.

I believe you'll have buyers remorse.
I went from a 1055T, to a 2600k then back to AMD with a 1100T, and IMHO (unless the $300 is inconsequential), the x6's value supersedes the extra power from the 2500k
 
It all depends on what you use your computer for. If you just game, then yes a 1055T is more than enough for your purposes. But for people who use very CPU intensive softwares/applications, the difference between an OCed 2500K and a 1055T is huge.
 
Tsuyoi said:
It all depends on what you use your computer for. If you just game, then yes a 1055T is more than enough for your purposes. But for people who use very CPU intensive softwares/applications, the difference between an OCed 2500K and a 1055T is huge.
Click to expand...

Do you think? You're comparing an OC'ed version of an already better CPU to a CPU at a lower price point.

-_-
 
Well now that's the point of an upgrade isn't it. This wasn't a "pricepoint to pricepoint comparison of two equivalent products" in the first place. You were flat out stating that he would regret getting a 2500k no matter what he used it for. But for CPU intensive purposes the OCed version of a better CPU would obviously be a cost efficient upgrade.
 
Tsuyoi said:
You were flat out stating that he would regret getting a 2500k no matter what he used it for.
Click to expand...

I let him know about my experience. I render 2D/3D video, and deal with archives/compression all the time.

Tsuyoi said:
But for CPU intensive purposes the OCed version of a better CPU would obviously be a cost efficient upgrade.
Click to expand...

You're so insightful. "A better processor is better". You'd give Confucius a run for his money.

I'm saying that, relative to his current experience, the 2500k isn't worth it on a $300 budget no matter what he does. He already has a CPU that, even without OC'ing, according to the plethora of benches at various sites, particularly Anandtech, performs comparably at a much lower price point. Not to mention, he already has it.

He said
Nalif said:
is there anything worth replacing that costs around $300 that would give a significant performance boost?
Click to expand...

"worth replacing" & "significant performance boot" are both subjective. You have to look at it from his point of view.

When he was building this rig he said
Nalif said:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? play a lot of games. I'd like this computer to be able to handle Fallout Vegas on max settings at 1080P WHILE I'm recording my gameplay. The video card MUST have HDMI on it.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Nope.
Click to expand...

So he wouldn't overclocking the 2500k. But he would be playing "a lot" of games. Thus a second GPU is worth it.
 
I don't know if you're an AMD fanboy who hates Intel or what, but I don't see why you're making such a huge deal out of this. I gave him several upgrade options depending on what he would be doing, INCLUDING going for a second GPU. If you don't personally like the idea of upgrading to a 2500K, that's fine, but I don't see why you have to constantly give me a hard time about recommending it. It's not like I'm saying "screw everything, get the 2500k NOW! Doesn't matter what you do!"
 
Tsuyoi said:
I don't know if you're an AMD fanboy who hates Intel or what, but I don't see why you're making such a huge deal out of this. I gave him several upgrade options depending on what he would be doing, INCLUDING going for a second GPU. If you don't personally like the idea of upgrading to a 2500K, that's fine, but I don't see why you have to constantly give me a hard time about recommending it. It's not like I'm saying "screw everything, get the 2500k NOW! Doesn't matter what you do!"
Click to expand...

Am I making it a huge deal? You came after me after I told him my opinion since I've owned a 1055T and a 2600k.

I was just backing up my argument. No need to resort to calling me names.
 
I made a recommendation for a 2500k, you immediately and categorically said it's a bad call. I said it depends on intended purposes, you come back with some sarcastic quip about how my comparison is unreasonable. I state I'm not trying to make a pricepoint to pricepoint comparison, simply pointing out the performance difference between two products, and you become Captain Sarcastic with some disparaging remark about Confucious.

Dunno bout you, but where I come from, that's considered making a deal over something. Maybe you've spent too much time on the internet and got used to a certain way of typing, but to me if someone continually gives me sarcastic/disparaging remarks, I take it to mean they got a thorn in their side.
 
I don't think that there is anything you can really upgrade that will be significant. Perhaps buy a blu-ray drive/burner? If you're into movies and making your own movies it might be a great investment. Other than that maybe software or games. $300 is a lot of money and you won't see a huge performance increase over anything you currently have.
 
People, calm down. Just walk away and let it be. This argument is not helping the OP at all.
 
What resolution do you game at? If you were smart with your money you could pick up another 6950 2GB for a little more than 200 used (ive seen a few on the forums) wtih enough money left over for 8 more GB of ram, you'd have about 50 bucks left over to boot.

I have an XFX 6950 2GB as well - would love to get another but can't justify it because I only game at 1920X1080
 
What are you using your system for?

Which case, PSU, and HDD do you have? What monitor resolution are you using? (Are you using multiple monitors?)

At first glance, I see nothing that really requires an "upgrade."
 
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