new build adivce

[gorango27]

Hello all! i need assistance.

I want to upgrade but i am not entirely sure if i what i am doing is worth it.

Here is what i am currently running:

MotherBoard: EVGA 750i FTW
CPU: Intel Q9550 quad core
Cooler: Zalman 9700nt
RAM: OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 4Gb
GPU: Geforce 8800GTS 512Gb
PSU: Corsair HX620W
Main HDD WD VelociRaptor 300Gb
2nd HDD WD Caviar Black 1Tb

I want to upgrade to this:

Motherboard: ($269.99) EVGA P55 FTW 200 SLI 141-LF-E658-KR LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188057&nm_mc=OTC-B1zrat3&cm_mmc=OTC-B1zrat3-_-Motherboards+-+Intel-_-EVGA-_-13188057

CPU: ($289.99) Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115213&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=

GPU: ($269.99) EVGA 012-P3-1472-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549&nm_mc=OTC-C173T&cm_mmc=OTC-C173T-_-Video+Cards-_-EVGA-_-14130549

RAM: ($130.99) OCZ Reaper Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227541

I plan on reusing the cpu cooler and hard drives as well as everything else (case, drives, etc.)

Now my question is it worth it to be upgrading? if not what should i be upgrading? I really love my CPU but i want to take advantage of DDR3 (is DDR3 even worth it). Thoughts?

i currently play on a 21.5'' monitor at 1920x1080 (alienware optx). I want to use my 8800GTS as a Physx card and maybe add a 2nd 470gtx in like 3months or so (is this worth it?). So what wattage PSU should i get?

I'm an Nvidia/intel fanboy and i like evga and corsair as brands but i willing to go else where if there is something out there that might fit my needs better.

 

[Haiku214]

I've said this a dozen times here in the forum. Wait 2 more months for Sandybridge. Your system should be fine for the next two months right? Of course! However, you can upgrade your GPU now.

 

[gorango27]

Sandybridge? never heard about it...

how much of a price difference is it going to be from what i have selected as my upgrade CPU?

 

[4LC4PON3]

I would Wait also to be honest. I would keep your current Rig but atleast toss in a GTX 470. There is no real world gaming difference between DDR2 and DDR3.

also OCZ has fallen short of quality over the years I would Grab this Kit instead.

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1&cm_re=gskill_ripjaws-_-20-231-311-_-Product

Thats if you decide to Build.

 

[Dangman]

Now my question is it worth it to be upgrading? if not what should i be upgrading? I really love my CPU but i want to take advantage of DDR3 (is DDR3 even worth it). Thoughts?

No. DDR3 RAM does not provide a noticeable real world performance increase. It is not worth upgrading your CPU + mobo + RAM at all right now. The Q9550 is still fairly fast CPU and can hold its own against even the i7 870.

i currently play on a 21.5'' monitor at 1920x1080 (alienware optx). I want to use my 8800GTS as a Physx card and maybe add a 2nd 470gtx in like 3months or so (is this worth it?). So what wattage PSU should i get?

Just go for a Corsair 950TX 950W PSU so that you never have to worry about a PSU upgrade again.

Sandybridge? never heard about it...

how much of a price difference is it going to be from what i have selected as my upgrade CPU?

No idea TBH. Intel hasn't annouced pricing yet.

 

[gorango27]

i really hate that the corsair 950tx is not modular.

as i did a little more research i am thinking of just saving all the money and getting a 580gtx instead for what im going to be doing (sc2, civ5, an occasional mmo here and there) will my current psu (corsair 620hx) be enough or should i upgrade to this, for futures sake: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015?

850w should be plenty for what im going to be doing, right? most, if not all, of my first person shooters are done through consoles anyway, so i guess sli is not that important... right?

Thanks for all the help

 

[Dangman]

as i did a little more research i am thinking of just saving all the money and getting a 580gtx instead for what im going to be doing (sc2, civ5, an occasional mmo here and there) will my current psu (corsair 620hx) be enough or should i upgrade to this, for futures sake: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015?

For the games you mentioned, I honestly don't see a need for the GTX 580 at all considering that those games don't tax the GPU that heavily. A single GTX 470 would be more than enough for SC2 and CIV 5 at 1920x1080. The Corsair 620HX is barely enough for GTX 580 IMO. Just get the AX850. Yes it will be enough power.

most, if not all, of my first person shooters are done through consoles anyway, so i guess sli is not that important... right?

Really dependent on whether or not you want the fastest performance possible, best bang for the buck possible, future upgrade plans, least amount of heat/power usage possible, etc.

 

[gorango27]

cool. i'll just get the graphics card then. technolust got to me

imma get the 580gtx just for the sake of not having to upgrade that for a while.

thanks for the tips and advice

 

[tiraides]

DON'T GET THE GTX 580.

DON'T FORGET THE POWER SUPPLY.

Why ask for help only to ignore it afterward?

 

[gorango27]

im not going to forget the power supply. and whats wrong with getting the next level of the card that was recommended?

 

[tiraides]

You don't need the "next level" card for your gaming needs.

Just follow Danny's advice and pick up the GTX 470.