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GPU/PSU Upgrade

K

Kerkain

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 3, 2011
Messages
143
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Will be gaming 90% and doing web-based work-related stuffs but mainly gaming.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
~$500 mark, this is flexible.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US, Indiana near Fort Wayne.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
I am looking to mainly upgrade the GPU and PSU. The CPU is a possibility but wasn't looking for one.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Everything is being resused aside from GPU and PSU

6) Will you be overclocking?
Maybe a smidge but nothing extensive, AMD Overdrive or Afterburner kind of OC.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
ASUS 23", 1980x1080. I have dual monitors.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as we have a solid discussion on appropriate hardware I'll be making orders.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
So far my current motherboard is sufficient for all of my current needs.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Windows 7 64bit, activated and legitimate.

Current hardware:
Monitors - ASUS 23.6" x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

SSD - Crucial M4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

Hard Drive - WD Green 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

Hard Drive - Samsung Spinpoint F3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws (2x2GB) (2x4GB) 12GB Total
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

CPU Cooler - ZALMAN 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

Motherboard - ASUS M5A97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

Case - Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

Sound Card - Razer Barracuda AC-1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829153003

PSU - Antec TruePower 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

GPU - XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...a&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite



The PSU that I was looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA24G28N5310
Was also considering the XFX Radeon R9 280.

However I'd like a second or third opinion on this. If there's another upgrade that you'd recommend I'm all for hearing about it if that makes sense. While I'm looking to upgrade the PSU and GPU I'll take suggestions on other hardware as well if you have them. As noted above, my budget is flexible within reason.

As always, I greatly appreciate the time and suggestions that you guys bring to the table!
 
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The specs on the 280 gpu say that it requires a minimum of a 750W power supply.
 
Kerkain said:
The specs on the 280 gpu say that it requires a minimum of a 750W power supply.
Click to expand...
Not quite true actually. GPU manufacturers will generally over-inflate the power requirements in order to account for the sheer number of crappy power supplies out there. In no way would a R9 280 require a 750W PSU if a good PSU is used. In a HardOCP review, a XFX R9 280 card with a heavily overclocked Core i7 3770K used up no more than 340W of power at full load. That was with the video card being overclocked:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2014...sipation_3gb_video_card_review/9#.VLLJiyvF_t8

As such, your current PSU is more than enough power for the R9 280 since you actually have a good power supply.

In regards to which R9 280 you should go for, this MSI R9 280 is the best bang for the buck R9 280 out now at $200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127789

Also, your budget is more than enough for a solid CPU + mobo upgrade:
$200 - Intel Core i5-4590 CPU
$76 - ASRock H97M Pro4 Intel H97 ATX Motherboard
---
Total: $276 shipped.
 
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Can't remember the last time I used Intel. I'll take the leap away from AMD, why not, should be fun.

I'll take you up on your suggestions on the MB and GPU, thank you for that.

Question to why you suggested the i5-4590 instead of the i5-4690 or i5-4690k? I'm assuming for price?
 
Kerkain said:
Question to why you suggested the i5-4590 instead of the i5-4690 or i5-4690k? I'm assuming for price?
Click to expand...
Kinda: The 4690 is not worth the extra money at all. The Core i5 4690K is not worth the money unless you plan to overclock. But since it appears that you were hesitant about overclocking, the 4690K isn't worth the money. 7
 
Valid points. 4590 it is. While on the subject, whats the recommended thermal paste to be going with these days?

I had forgotten in my original post that I have a Razer Barracuda AC-1 sound card installed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829153003

Since the board that you suggested is mATX will that card and the video card have problems getting installed? I'd also be open to suggestions on a new sound card, not that its necessarily needed, this things been a beast.
 
Kerkain said:
Valid points. 4590 it is. While on the subject, whats the recommended thermal paste to be going with these days?
Click to expand...
Arctic cooling MX4.
Kerkain said:
I had forgotten in my original post that I have a Razer Barracuda AC-1 sound card installed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829153003

Since the board that you suggested is mATX will that card and the video card have problems getting installed? I'd also be open to suggestions on a new sound card, not that its necessarily needed, this things been a beast.
Click to expand...

Just spend the extra for this ATX motherboard then:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K23BUEK/?tag=extension-kb-20
 
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Hey guys,
So all the information in the OP is still relevant (didn't feel it necessary to make a new thread). Shortly after asking for advice had a bit of Murphy's Law happen with my finances. The parts I had hoped to get didn't happen, thankfully in hindsight. But now I'm back to a position that I can look into new hardware again.

I pulled up what I believe we discussed earlier this year but since its been almost a year I'd like to revisit this hardware and determine if its still a worthwhile purchase or if we got better options to look at.

Budget is ~700 right now and flexible.

PC Hound Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 ($201.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H97 PC Mate ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series ($0 - Owned)
Video Card: ASUS GeForce GTX 970 STRIX-GTX970-DC2OC-4GD5 ($329.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 650W EarthWatts Platinum Series EA-650 ($0 - Owned)
CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED ($0 - Owned)
Total: $624.95
Price may include shipping, rebates, promotions, and tax
Generated by PC Hound


Thanks for your suggestions and time.
 
diizzy said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117563
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813132577
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148863

Newer platform (Newer chipset, Newer CPU) and faster RAM.
Better mobo with Intel LAN (the MSI lacks that), M2 at ~the same price.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. Even though you already own the DDR3, I'd sell it and instead move to the skylake/DDR4 platform.

You can consider a 390 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125792, or an alternative 970 to save a few bucks too.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

Did you link the right mobo? The H170 is DDR3 and the RAM is DDR4.
This maybe? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...132575&cm_re=ASUS_H170-_-13-132-575-_-Product

As for the video card, AMD has a sour spot with me right now. My display driver crashes 10 times (generally crashing the game I play along with it) in a row before it calms down and works properly. I dunno why it persists even after an OS reload, but I'm blaming either the card or the AMD drivers itself.
 
Alright so this is where I'm at. Gonna stick with the PRO MoBo and I went with the G.SKILL 16GB memory. Cheaper than going with two of the Crucials. GPU I changed to the GIGABYTE since its currently the same price ($40 off right now) as the ASUS.

The case I'm debating on right now. Its $30 off.

Newegg Cart Subtotal: $817.95
Tax: $57.47
Getting this free, may be a decent replacement for my current cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835856005
Grand Total: $878.41

With all the "deals" I'm saving a bit over $100.

Thoughts or suggestions before I make this happen?

PC Hound Part List

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 6M ($204.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASUS H170 PRO GAMING ($122.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.SKILL 16GB (2 x 8GB) Ripjaws 4 Series ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 970 GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD (rev. 1.0/1.1) ($351.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 650W EarthWatts Platinum Series EA-650 ($0 - Owned)
Case: Fractal Design FD-CA-DEF-R4-BL ($93.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED ($0 - Owned)
Total: $861.92
Price may include shipping, rebates, promotions, and tax
Generated by PC Hound
 
diizzy said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128868
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128869
Both are better buys than the Asus H170 Pro Gaming and DDR4.

I'd not skimp on the memory, but oh well...

That's the same price as the Gigabyte card and more quiet.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121899
Click to expand...

How are those boards better buys, aside from the price difference. Is the PRO prone to failing consistently? (Edit: Lack of PCI slots on the PRO that I didn't notice. Will adjust.)

I'm not sure how I'm skimping on the memory either? The timings between the G.SKILL and the Crucial are almost identical and I don't imagine I'd see a significant performance (assumption) from one over the other. Is it just brand loyalty? What am I missing?

The ASUS you linked was the card I was going to go with originally, but the Gigabyte which has a slightly faster clock is the same price right now as the ASUS. Sound output for me is a non-issue.
 
Last edited:
They're cheaper, Gigabyte also opted for using Intel's 3.1 USB chipset (the ATX board) rather than using ASMedia.

I prefer Kingston, Crucial, Corsair mainly because of compatibility reasons (the non overclocking seies). G.Skill might be decent but you do see occationally issues with less known brands.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233833 if you want something that's in stock.
 
Thanks for explaining.

Flipped to the Gigabyte ATX board and the Crucial memory.

I think that about sums it up for me so I'll be headed to the checkout lane soon.

Appreciate the advice guys, thank you.
 
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