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Should I upgrade?

K

Kiri

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
176
Hi, I have a custom built system that I put together about 3 years ago, and am wondering if its time to upgrade.

The current specs are:
- Core i7 920
- Asus P6T Motherboard
- 18GB RAM
- AMD ATI Radeon HD 4800 series Graphics card
- New 630W Japanese power supply (my corsair 650w died last week, so I had to replace it)
-128 GB SSD HD (OS + apps)
- 2 x 640 GB WD HDD

- LG L246WH Monitor
- Lancool case PC K62

I play games from time to time, but the main priority is photo editing (lightroom, photoshop), and some video editing (premiere), plus occasional audio program (audition, ableton)


The system is running pretty well still, but processing large files in photoshop can take a while, so I'm wondering if it's worth updating my MB and processor. How much improvement do you think I would notice with a recent combo? (something fairly affordable)

Also, I would like to add a 2nd 24" monitor, but at the moment I already have my monitor and TV hooked up to my graphics card, so I would need a 2nd graphics card to run an additional monitor wouldnt I?

I think the other parts of the system should be fine as they are.

What do you think?
Thanks
 
What's the model number of that PSU?
What's the model number of the RAM you're using?

Yes you will need an addtional card for additional monitors.

A new system based on the Core i5 3470 would provide roughly a 10% to 25% performance increase depending on the application over your current CPU. With that said, you could push back a possible upgrade to 2013 if you overclock your Core i7 920. In 2013, that's when Intel's new Haswell CPUs will be out. Depending on your answer to the last question I asked, it may or may not be cost-effective for you to upgrade to the current Intel Ivy Bridge platform.
 
Hey Danny, I think you actually helped me put this system together originally :)

The PSU is from a brand called "kuroutoshikou" model# KRPW-p630w/85+
I have two sets of RAM.
3x 2gb 8-8-8 ocz 12800 (ocz3g 1600LV6K)
3x 4gb 1333 (sp004 GBL)
Theres not much info on that 2nd set of ram sorry/

Based on what you said though, I think I will wait until next year to upgrade. It's not urgent,
I may consider a new video card though.
If I wanted to put another one in, would I have to buy two new ones, or can I just add another one to the existing one?
 
Kiri said:
Hey Danny, I think you actually helped me put this system together originally :)
Click to expand...
Apparently I did :)

Kiri said:
The PSU is from a brand called "kuroutoshikou" model# KRPW-p630w/85+
Click to expand...
I can't read Japanese so I can't find out who actually makes that PSU. On paper it looks ok but it does have several red flags (unknown manufacturer, no info about what temperatures it was rated

PSU wise, are you sure that Corsair PSU isn't still under warranty?
Kiri said:
I have two sets of RAM.
3x 2gb 8-8-8 ocz 12800 (ocz3g 1600LV6K)
3x 4gb 1333 (sp004 GBL)
Click to expand...
Yeah for any new Intel platforms, you'll basically have to get new RAM as that OCZ RAM is rated at 1.65V. Current Intel CPUs have a max RAM voltage of 1.5V. Any higher and you risk long-term CPU damage. More than likely future Intel CPUs will have that limitation.

Considering the possible issue with the RAM and the unknown quality of that PSU, you're right, wait till next year and do a CPU, mobo, RAM, and PSU upgrade.

Kiri said:
I may consider a new video card though.
If I wanted to put another one in, would I have to buy two new ones, or can I just add another one to the existing one?
Click to expand...
Any new $50 to $60 card made within the last 2-3 years will be fine for a second monitor as long as you're not planning on gaming on that second monitor.
 
Thanks Danny.
The Corsair PSU may be under warranty, but unless they pay for shipping, it would probably cost me more to send it in than to just buy a new one.

I'm going to wait till next year to upgrade everything else then. Are those new CPUs expect early or late next year?


I think I'll just get a new video card and monitor for now. I'm not too sure about what monitor set up I should go with, but I'll ask about that in the monitor forum.
 
Cool.
One other thing, would I be able to get a significantly better graphics card than my current one for $100 or so (and use the current card for my additional monitor)?

Currently I'm using an ATI HD 4800 series card

thanks!
 
Kiri said:
Currently I'm using an ATI HD 4800 series card
Click to expand...
Can't answer your question until I know which "ATI HD 4800 series card" you have. There's five different video cards with varying degree of performance differences that fall under the "ATI HD 4800 series" family of cards. So please find out what exact model HD 4800 series card that you have.
 
Sorry, the only identifier I can find on the card says "AX4850 512MD3", so I'm guessing its an HD 4850 with 512mb RAM.
 
Kiri said:
Sorry, the only identifier I can find on the card says "AX4850 512MD3", so I'm guessing its an HD 4850 with 512mb RAM.
Click to expand...

Ok, assuming that you're talking about a brand new card and the U.S market, yes you can buy a $100 video card (specifically the HD 6770) that'll be faster than your current HD 4850. You should see roughly a 20% to 30% performance increase with the HD 6770 1GB over your current HD 4850 512MB depending on the game.
 
Thanks Danny! I'll keep a look out for a 6770. I just checked online locally, and there seems to be a few between $80-$100.
 
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