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Upgrade my Q6600 system?

D

DaConfusion

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Messages
212
I was thinking about doing a new build...but I decided to check out the buy/sell forums.

First question, is it a good idea to buy used components?

If so, here is what I am interested in buying:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1656264&highlight=2600k

i7 2600k for 265$ shipped

Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1866 $60 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

XFX 6970 $280 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3 Motherboard, $125 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite

What I have currently is in the signature minus the 9800GTX (it died). I now run GTX 460. I also already own Hyper 212 coolers (bought on an impulse brain fart).

I plan on buying a SSD (M4 128GB) and possibly a better power supply if I go dual 6970 video cards.

Purpose of this system will be gaming and engineering applications (UG NX, Pro/E, Matlab, FEA and vehicle dynamics/kinematics)



1) What will you be doing with this PC?
Gaming and engineering

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Negotiable. Either <1k for upgrade or 1.5k for new build

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Naperville, IL, USA

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.
Minimum: CPU, RAM, motherboard, video card
Optional: Power supply, SSD, second video card, extra monitors

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Thermaltake 650w PS
various 500 gb HDD
CM 690 case (very old, maybe 4 years minimum)
Hyper 212 cooler, new in box


6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes, trying for 4.5 to 5 ghz

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Samsung SyncMaster 2494SW - 24" 1920 x 1080
Thinking about buying at least 1 more in the near future

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now, or when Ivy bridge happens

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
Xfire

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
You know it!
 
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Going entirely used is a hit-or-miss affair. If you've done your research and know that the sellers are reputable, you can obtain a lot of parts for a fraction of their retail price. But in many cases, you won't have the warranties to fall back on (with the exception of the RAM and storage drives, if they aren't more than a couple of years old).

In addition to what you're looking for, I would also recommend that you find a different power supply. Thermaltake doesn't make many good power supplies, and should you decide to go with CrossFire, 650 watts isn't enough to be safe.

The CM 690, despite its age, is still a very good case. If anything, you may want to replace the fans (depending on their age). However, you will have to buy a 2.5" drive adapter or bracket for the SSD; neither the Crucial M4 (which is a good choice) nor the first-gen CM 690 comes with one.

That brain fart is actually a very good idea. You'll be able to obtain a good overclock on the i7-2600K using the Hyper 212 Plus.

Are the prices that you've listed the used price of the items that you're looking at? If so, grab the motherboard and video card. The Corsair Vengeance is not worth the money, and you don't need RAM that fast. Try to find a 2x4GB kit of DDR3 1333 or 1600 RAM (at 1.5V) for less than $40 used. And make sure that the RAM that you buy have low or no heatspreaders, as tall ones could interfere with the placement of the Hyper 212 Plus.
 
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hyper 212 coolers. I think it was a slick deal. I usually do a lot of builds for co-workers. Figured the 2nd would come in handy.

Failed.
 
If that's your only brain fart, then you're in better shape than most people.

Now, are the parts that you're considering buying based on their retail or used prices?
 
used prices off one post, but that guy doesn't want to sell to me since I don't have enough hits on a heatware account.

Either way that should be the going used prices. Give or take a few.
 
Again, don't look for RAM any faster than DDR3 1600, new or used. If you can't find a good price on used RAM, go ahead and buy a new set, which is available for less than $45.

The used prices on the other components look good. Use them as barometers for the other FS/FT threads that you visit.
 
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