Upgrade a grand system.

[Brashen]

Hi all,

It's been quite awhile since I've needed the advice of the brain trust but here I am.

I'm due for a system overhaul. The system I bought was way back in 2008 and its been great so far. But since then I've noticed it becoming somewhat sluggish so the questions I put to you:

I definitely need to upgrade my GFX card. But what would the preferable option be here? Wait till spring for the new breed to be unleashed or go with a top gunner now?

I need more RAM. I want to go up to 24GB since that's the most my current MB will allow me. Should I add to the current setup or get rid of them and buy a whole new set? recall these Mems were bought back in 2008. I prefer to stick to 1600 MHZ range.

CPU. This one is a bit trickier. I dont feel like I need to change this one since it's a beast by its own right. But I defer judgment to you wise few who've been following the trends way more thoroughly than I have.

Anything else I would have missed?

Ah, my computer needs are as follows: Digital art, I'm a concept artist and a 3D modeler and I do play games, mostly the Total War series.

Budget: Not an issue.

Thanks lads!!

 

[Dangman]

Your sig is up-to-date, correct?

Some additional questions from the stickied "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST" that you didn't answer:
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
6) Will you be overclocking?
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? UEFI? etc.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?

Also, please provide the specific Corsair RAM model that you bought.

Though off the bat, I'm gonna recommend replacing that PSU: It's a Thermaltake TR2 series PSU. Rarely are those any good. I haven't been able to find out any info whatsoever if that TR2 1000W can actually output 1000W of power or it's just fluff like with other TR2 PSUs (i.e a 500W that can only provide 400W, a 430W that can only provide 180W, etc). Since budget isn't an issue and the fact that there are way too many unknowns surrounding that Thermaltake PSU, I highly recommend a new PSU. Now which new PSU I'll shall recommend will be dependent on your answers to the above questions.

Also, you should be considering a SSD as well: That'll make a very noticeable improvement in overall system responsiveness.

 

[Quartz-1]

Your CPU has only recently been superseded and is still in the top rank per Tom's. Don't bother replacing it, just buy the extra memory.

You will need a copy of Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate to use more than 16 GB.

Looking at the motherboard specification, you're missing out on USB 3, but USB 3 cards are cheap and you have 3 usable PCIe slots.

If you're going for an uber rig, consider 2x Geforce 690 SLIed, otherwise 2x 4 GB GTX 680, and buy a further two monitors. Total War et al support multi-monitor gaming.

That said, might you consider separating the gaming and artistic into two PCs? That way you could run a professional graphics card in one and a gaming graphics card in the other.

 

[Brashen]

Thanks lads for the replie,

@Danny:

1) I live in Beirut, but I buy all my stuff from the states.

2) As soon as possible but I will hold out if new tech is approaching soon,

3) No I don't have the time and my system needs to be ultra stable for work.

4)I don't think I'm going to change the mobo, unless you think I should

5) I've got a Legit copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit.

I've misplaced the box for the Corsairs but I'll try looking for it.

The PSU hasn't troubled me at all, but I'll change it if your adamant on the matter.

As for the SSD I'm a bit hesitant on that but will consider it.


@Quatrz-1:

Yeah I wasn't going to change it but thanks for the additional info.

Yup I have Windows 7 Ultimate.

Thanks for the suggestion but as I said I'm not sure about changing the mobo.

I should have mentioned that I'm looking for a 1 card solution since the programs I use dont utilize the extra card.

A 2 PC configuration would be nice but would cramp up my tiny apartment. I am moving out next year to a bigger place but it's still being renovated.

Thanks chaps for the advice. I mostly concerned about my RAM and video card situation.

 

[Quartz-1]

I should have mentioned that I'm looking for a 1 card solution since the programs I use dont utilize the extra card.

Fair enough. Then a 4 GB GTX 680 is probably the card for you.

A 2 PC configuration would be nice but would cramp up my tiny apartment. I am moving out next year to a bigger place but it's still being renovated.

You might consider a Shuttle XPC - or even two - as they're small. Use a KVM so you only have one set of keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

Thanks chaps for the advice. I mostly concerned about my RAM and video card situation.

Geforce GTX 680, +12 GB RAM, 4-port USB 3 card, done.

Just a thought, but as your space is limited, have you considered a second monitor, mounted above your current one? Not for gaming but for extra screen estate.

 

[Dangman]

Considering that you paid a grand for your current CPU, I'd say just keeping using your system until Intel's Haswell CPUs comes out next year.

Please find out what model RAM you have. That'll determine what RAM you need to buy if you want to continue using those Corsairs in your current.

With that said, if those Corsairs are from 2008, then more than likely you will have to completely replace them when you upgrade to Intel Haswells next year if current Intel CPU sensitivity to RAM voltage continues. Current Intel CPUs have a max RAM voltage of 1.5V whereas a lot of the Corsair Dominator RAM were rated at 1.65V and above.

SSD wise, I recommend the Crucial M4, Samsung 830, Plextor M3 and M5, Corsair Performance Pro, and Intel 520 series SSDs.

Yes I am adamant about replacing the PSU. I recommend the Corsair HX750 as a replacement.