New System Upgrade

I

ibwalkn2

Weaksauce
Joined
Jul 14, 2001
Messages
108
I am looking to do an upgrade on my system, but I am not sure which the best path to take is. As always I can throw a ton of money at this and get the best-of-the-best parts, But that is not what I am want to do here. I use to game allot, but lately I have been converting my DVD collection to stream on my home network. So that takes up most of my time and I now game on my Xbox 360. So with that said, I am looking to get more out of my computer for video conversion and maybe some more gaming later. I do not want to break the bank and doesn't have to be a long term upgrade. I can always replace MB/CPU later when the prices fall some more. I would like the option to overclock if I want to, but it's not a deal breaker for me. So any help or input here would be greatly appreciated...

Common parts that will be used in all systems:
(2) PNY 9800 GT EE 1gb (SLI)
(2) Seagate 160gb 7200rpm SATA
WD Green 1tb 7200rpm SATA
Hitachi 640gb 7200rpm SATA
Samsung 18x CD/DVD-RW
IO Gear PCIe 2-Port eSATA Raid Card
Hauppauge HVR-1250 PCIe TV Tuner Card
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
BFG EX-1000 1000 watt PS
Cooler Master Sniper Scout Case

Current parts to be upgraded:
EVGA 680i 122-CK-NF68-AR
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 LGA 775 2.4Ghz
Zalman CNPS-9500 Cooler
OCZ Platinum XTC PC6400 DDR2 (2x1gb)

How will these options compare to my current setup and which would be my best upgrade path. I do need help making a choice with the memory (make & speed) and cooler for all options.

Option 1: The one I am currently leaning towards.
AMD Phenom II x4 925 2.8Ghz
MSI NF750-G55 AM3 SLI
Corsair DDR3 1600MHz (2x2gb)
AM3 Cooler?
$250.00 without the cooler

Option 2:
Intel i5-750 2.66Ghz
MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 SLI
Corsair DDR3 1600MHz (2x2gb)
LGA 1156 Cooler?
$440.00 without the cooler

Option 3:
Intel i7-860 2.8Ghz
MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 SLI
Corsair DDR3 1600MHz (2x2gb)
LGA 1156 Cooler?
$480.00 without the cooler

Is there $190 worth of performance between the 925 and i5? The i7 is at the top of my budget with the CPU Cooler. I like the 925/AM3 since I can pull the 925 and just drop in a faster AM3 CPU later and not be out a ton of cash. The ram is just what's on sale at Frys now, not sure if it will work or not so let me know if there is something better to use. Thanks again for your input...
 
Since you will be using a videocard, just grab a motherboard. You already have more than you need for the HTPC. Just grab a P5Q se or other P45 board.
 
Yeah, I just checked the FAQ on your motherboard, and it doesn't support Yorkfield quads (I'm guessing you already did the same). So, that said, the Phenom is damn powerful for multithreaded workloads. The Core i5 and i7 will toast the Phenom in games (thanks to TurboBoost), but for everthing else, they are in the same ballpark.

I don't think the i5 is $200 faster.
 
Thanks for the replies, Yeah no Yorkfield for me... That's what sent me down this rabbit hole in the first place. I just wanted to upgrade the CPU, but there just was not any good solutions that I saw or anything that would do much more than what I already had. How about the Corsair DDR3 1600MHz Ram? Will it be good for the 925/MSI setup? Also, any ideas on a good AM3 CPU Cooler?
 
Thanks for the help...

I just got back from Fry's I had to return some memory that was locking my system up and I Picked up Option 1.

AMD phenom II x4 925 Boxed
MSI NF750-G55
Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 dual channel kit (2x2gb)
(2) 120mm 2000rpm case fans (for the cooler below)
For $218 (with my $55 store credit)

Then I went to BB and got the following cooler
Corsair H50 CPU Water Cooling System (heard great things about it)
For $43 (after my Rewards Coupons)

So I am pleased with this setup for now and I only had to shell out $261 after taxes. I will wait till this weekend to set it all up, who knows Fry's could run a better CPU/MB deal on Friday so I will just return this combo and get that one. I will do some more research on AMD chips to see which AM3 CPU will overclock the best and just upgrade to that a little later when the price is right. Thanks again for your input, it helped me out allot...

Peace!!!
 
Will do... Just rounding up some extras that I still need to pick up now, like

OCZ XTC Rev. 2 memory cooler
(2) Antec 120mm Tricool fans
(2) 3 pin Y adapter
Artic Silver 5
Some black sleeving and heat shrink

Then I will add a few of my own touches to the inside of Cooler Master Sniper Scout case to it a little different. We will see if it all works out as I have planned... :)
 
tricools? bleh, get Yate Loons instead. jab-tech.com or petras has them for cheap. quieter and push more air than tricools.

if you can't find as5, mx-2 is a great alternative.
 
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