Computer upgrade, could use some advice

E

ELox

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
359
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

$550 taxes and shipping included (This isn't set in stone but anywhere from 400-600 really.

3) Where do you live?
BC, Canada

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
I think I need CPU, RAM, Mo/Bo.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Current system is a Dual core 2.8ghz (plain dual core before core 2 duo), 2GB RAM, Intel Mo/bo

Reusing: Antec Sonata II case, 700W OCZ ModxStream power supply (actually this is a new part), XFX 8800GT, Seagate 250gb hdd.


6) Will you be overclocking?

Yes, just Air though nothing huge.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
have a 20" CRT Flat screen Dell monitor that I'm seriously considering upgrading to a 24" LCD but might wait until next year.


8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

Boxing day

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Crossfire support.


10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, Win 7 pro legit copy


So here's the deal.

I don't really NEED an upgrade but I built this PC 4 years ago and it's certainly showing it's age. I only upgraded the video since it was built. Looking for a good budget gaming upgrade.

I'm thinking about a i5 750 ($205)

http://www.atic.ca/index.php?page=LongDesc&sku=55351 ($107)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 ($98.99 This was 83.00 recently after 10MIR)

Maybe 8gb ram instead of just 4. Noticeable difference in performance for everyday use and gaming?

Also open to suggestions for comparable AMD builds such as:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674 955BE ($184.99)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189 ($99.99)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381 ($79.99 after $10 MIR)

I'm pretty sure the i5 750 is worth the extra cost but I'm open for suggestions.

I also saw a i7920 for 299.97 but doubt it's worth the extra $100 plus I'm not sure if mo/bo and ram would have to be increased in costs as well.


I will be upgrading the video to a 5850 when the price comes down a bit and they are available haha. Thinking about a SSD to use for OS And apps but waiting for prices to drop on these as well.

Opinions welcome, especially around mo/bo choices. Thanks.
 
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give amd a shot, the i5 and i7 do not show any worth while gaming performance over amd. Check this out,

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black $133.99

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 $98.99

GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX $139.99

HIS H577FN1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB $184.99

Total: $557.96

Notes:
the cpu overclocks like a champ(see my sig) plus most are capable of umlocking the 4thc ore for a quad.
The 5770 would be a huge step up from your 8800gt(which you could sell for $75-80 to offset part of the upgrade) Also, check out this HIS 5770 crossfire review pretty impressive and very usefull when you get that 24" lcd.
 
most? really? I thought the success rate wasn't that high? (unlocking the 4th core)

I agree, for straight up gaming w/ single vidcard, no real need for an i5. However, if you upgrade every 4-5yrs, then I'd definitely stick with the i5 if the cost difference is negligible to you. The Phenom2's perform on par with Core2, which is 3yr-old tech... just sayin since you're upgrade interval is wide, you should get the latest tech, since it actually is faster in other things aside from GPU bound gaming. ;)
 
I think I'll be fine with the 8800gt for now and hold off until the 5850's are available for a bigger upgrade over the 5770, besides at that price point right now I think the 4890's are performing better.

As far as processor it would either be a Phenom II 955BE for $185 or an i5 750 for $205. Maybe about another $25 for the 1156 motherboard but all in all the price difference isn't much. I think I'll know for sure when I see which is offering a better boxing day deal but I'm leaning towards the i5.

Any advice on good inexpensive about 130 or less motherboards that are easy to get a fair OC out?
 
This board looks good... but I haven't read any reviews on it yet, hehe. Yah, I'm partial to Gigabyte.

$135 - GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
 
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