Upgrading.. motherboard + processor what can I keep?

T

Tom B

n00b
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
62
I'm looking at upgrading my motherboard and processor (for now).

The motherboard is slightly faulty, nothing major but irksome enough to warrant a replacement and I may as well upgrade in the process

I currently have:

i7 920
Asus P6T SE motherboard
6gb Corsair XMS3 DDR3
XFX HD 5870
Corsair H50 CPU Cooler
Corsair HX 650 PSU
12GB mixed DDR3 ram. All Corsair, all PC3-12800 but different sticks (2x2gb Corsair XMS3 that was part of a 6gb tri-channel kit and a stick fried + 2x4gb Corsair Vengeance)


How much can I re-use?

Can I get away with just replacing the motherboard and processor. As a rough idea I was looking at a Z87 board with a i7-4770K.

I'm a casual gamer these days but I when I do play games I want them to run well. I plan on upgrading the GPU once GTA5 PC comes out and I've seen some benchmarks before deciding on a card.

Which of the following can I reuse:
- Corsair HX 650 (If I'm using the same GPU this should be fine, I assume?)
- Corsair H50 Water cooler (I'm guessing I'll need to replace this?)
- XFX 5870 GPU. Yes it's showing it's age now but it works and I'm sure I can use this until GTA5 comes out.
- The RAM, currently it's a bit of a mix and match although all the same speed. If I can get away with it I'll keep this and replace it at the same time I upgrade the GPU


Thanks!
 
If the RAM is rated at 1.5v or less then yes, you can use it on an Z87 board with a 4770k. If it's higher, you'll want new RAM.

How old is that PSU? if it's older than 5 years you might want to consider replacing it. They don't last forever and the longer you use it the higher it's failure rate will be. It could take out the whole system.

The H50 should work with 1150. If not I am sure you can get a bracket for it.

What kind of budget do you have?
 
Thanks for your answers, I hadn't considered RAM voltage to be an issue.

After a google search, the Vengence 8gb (2x4gb) RAM Is 1.5v exactly, the XMS3 is 1.65v (I'd need to reboot to tell but I'm fairly sure I have them both running at 1.5v or possibly less. I have no OC at the moment.) If the RAM runs at 1.5v in my current system will it work on the Z87 board. Is there any harm in trying? Damaging the RAM isn't really a problem as long as it won't damage a new motherboard.

That PSU is from December 2010, so just over 3 years old (the rest of the system from November 2009). Hopefully, it should have some life left in it yet. That said, it's had a lot of hours running time. At the time I bought it, the PSU came highly reviewed so I'm hoping that will be ok. What wattage PSU would I need for this system? (Assuming the 5870 for now and a modern GPU at some point in the future)

I don't have a fixed budget, looking at the CPU and Motherboard prices I was thinking around £400 but if it goes up to £500 with a PSU or some RAM it's not the end of the world. Really, I'm looking for something that will last a good few years, the i7 920 was probably the best investment in a computer component I've ever made, I never thought I'd still be using the same CPU for over 4 years. I'd rather spend more money on something similar again.
 
RAM running higher than 1.5v could potentially damage the CPU.

You should be fine at 3 years. 650W is more than enough for your planned setup, even if you intend to upgrade to a high end GPU. 550W would technically be good too.

Well if no fixed budget then go with a new CPU, Motherboard, RAM and PSU just to be on the safe side. Then when GTA5 is released for the PC check out GPU benchmarks and buy a new GPU at that time.
 
Skillz said:
RAM running higher than 1.5v could potentially damage the CPU.

You should be fine at 3 years. 650W is more than enough for your planned setup, even if you intend to upgrade to a high end GPU. 550W would technically be good too.

Well if no fixed budget then go with a new CPU, Motherboard, RAM and PSU just to be on the safe side. Then when GTA5 is released for the PC check out GPU benchmarks and buy a new GPU at that time.
Click to expand...


Thanks, I'll probably stick with the PSU at least for now but replace the RAM.

Skillz said:
Coolermaster Stacker 830
Click to expand...

Yep! that case has served me well over the years, I have no desire to replace it any time soon!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top