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Upgrading

643 views 23 replies 5 participants last post by  bedectalf 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

New here

It's been 2 years since I built my last CPU. Now, games kept me thinking if I should already upgrade. Here's my current rig:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5Ghz
MSI G41M-P33
Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) 1333Mhz
Palit GTX 260 216SP 896MB 448bit

Should I upgrade everything or just certain parts? I play games at high settings with no Anti Aliasing but not at 1080p (my monitor is just 20").

Thanks for the comments guys.
 
#2 ·
What FPS are you getting? That CPU should be fine with even better GPUs, so you might upgrade just that
smile.gif
 
#3 ·
You could go for a full upgrade for a few reasons:
*small L2 cache and slow FSB which limits performance of an otherwise good processor (if OCed)
*non-OCable motherboard
So an upgrade to the new Ivy Bridge Core i3 may not be so expensive or a bad idea, but it looks like the GPU is your main brake for games. You could get a 7850 or a 560Ti (about 200$) and run it on your current setup, see how it fares - you can always upgrade the rest if you find the setup still lags.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnin426850 View Post

What FPS are you getting? That CPU should be fine with even better GPUs, so you might upgrade just that
smile.gif
On a stable setting, about 30-40 FPS which is fine for me. But if there are a lot of effects going on I see some stutter. What GPU (Nvidia) would you suggest? I'm not into the newest ones. Just enough to get decent frames.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

On a stable setting, about 30-40 FPS which is fine for me. But if there are a lot of effects going on I see some stutter. What GPU (Nvidia) would you suggest? I'm not into the newest ones. Just enough to get decent frames.
660 is killer. It all depends on the budget really
smile.gif
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by dragosmp View Post

You could go for a full upgrade for a few reasons:
*small L2 cache and slow FSB which limits performance of an otherwise good processor (if OCed)
*non-OCable motherboard
So an upgrade to the new Ivy Bridge Core i3 may not be so expensive or a bad idea, but it looks like the GPU is your main brake for games. You could get a 7850 or a 560Ti (about 200$) and run it on your current setup, see how it fares - you can always upgrade the rest if you find the setup still lags.
Thanks for the tip. I'm able to overclock the procie but never bothered to stay with it anyway. Isn't Core i3 a dual core processor?
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

Thanks for the tip. I'm able to overclock the procie but never bothered to stay with it anyway. Isn't Core i3 a dual core processor?
Yes
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

Thanks for the tip. I'm able to overclock the procie but never bothered to stay with it anyway. Isn't Core i3 a dual core processor?
Yes it is.. It's got Hyperthreading which sort of acts like a quadcore then. You'd be far better off with an i5 though.
Seeing as you ran stock on the Core 2 Quad for quite some time, I'd suggest to get a H77 board paired with a i5 3450 and 8GB of RAM for a start, that and you'll probably want to jump on a 7950 for $300. If you want nVidia a 660ti is your best bet here, or a GTX670.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt-Matt View Post

Yes it is.. It's got Hyperthreading which sort of acts like a quadcore then. You'd be far better off with an i5 though.
Seeing as you ran stock on the Core 2 Quad for quite some time, I'd suggest to get a H77 board paired with a i5 3450 and 8GB of RAM for a start, that and you'll probably want to jump on a 7950 for $300. If you want nVidia a 660ti is your best bet here, or a GTX670.
It's been running at stock since I bought it. Just tested OC once. And you're right. I intent to stay with 4 physical cores and I'll go for quad i5. I was thinking at GTX 560 but I guess it won't cut it. I'm also staying with monitor (1600x900) until this year I think. Graphic cards really gives me a headache when choosing as I'm on a tight rope at this time. But +2 on 660 right now.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

It's been running at stock since I bought it. Just tested OC once. And you're right. I intent to stay with 4 physical cores and I'll go for quad i5. I was thinking at GTX 560 but I guess it won't cut it. I'm also staying with monitor (1600x900) until this year I think. Graphic cards really gives me a headache when choosing as I'm on a tight rope at this time. But +2 on 660 right now.
The 660 or the 660ti? The Ti is a fair bit better..

Defiantly go for the the i5 3450 as it gives you the best bang for your buck, (if you want an Intel quad).
It's faster then the Sandy Bridge processors (only by a bit) and it's got a better IGP (Intergrated Graphics).
Yeah, the GTX560 is getting a bit older now. I'd keep away from it, also you might like to look into the older Sandy Bridges if they're a reduced price. They offer very similar performance to the Ivy Bridges and actually make less heat (in general).

Either way you'll want a H77 chipset, or a Z77. These are leaps and bounds better then the older 6x chipsets. As for the RAM get 8GB of DDR3, personally I'd suggest the Samsung Eco RAM as it's nice and low profile, runs cool and looks pretty sweet. It also overclocks like no tomorrow if you're into that
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#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt-Matt View Post

The 660 or the 660ti? The Ti is a fair bit better..
Defiantly go for the the i5 3450 as it gives you the best bang for your buck, (if you want an Intel quad).
It's faster then the Sandy Bridge processors (only by a bit) and it's got a better IGP (Intergrated Graphics).
Yeah, the GTX560 is getting a bit older now. I'd keep away from it, also you might like to look into the older Sandy Bridges if they're a reduced price. They offer very similar performance to the Ivy Bridges and actually make less heat (in general).
Either way you'll want a H77 chipset, or a Z77. These are leaps and bounds better then the older 6x chipsets. As for the RAM get 8GB of DDR3, personally I'd suggest the Samsung Eco RAM as it's nice and low profile, runs cool and looks pretty sweet. It also overclocks like no tomorrow if you're into that
tongue.gif
There is no 660.

560 Ti is better than 560. 660 is Ti only. AFAIK.
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnin426850 View Post

There is no 660.
560 Ti is better than 560. 660 is Ti only. AFAIK.
Oh, I thought the 660 was released? It might have been eVGA E-Mailing me about a late "NEW GTX 660Ti" release..
Just Google'd "GTX660" and its set to release REAL soon so
tongue.gif

Anyway, yeah. For $200 i'd get a 7850 or wait for a 7870 on sale. nVidia suck at this price range, just the same as last generation AMD win in the mid-high range. nVidia only just pull ahead with the high end cards this time (AMD has closed the gap quite a bit) and the premium for nVidia cards is less now.
 
#14 ·
Definitely going to 8GB as 4GB DDR3 costs about 25 bucks or maybe go straight to single stick 8GB. I've been with MSI when it comes to motherboards. I won't do OC so a decent mobo with 2-way SLI will do. I'm rather surprised that a lot of new chipset has been introduced. But I guess I'm just outdated
smile.gif
. Any suggestions with a decent mobo? (no OC, 2-way SLI and lots of USB and SATA).

On a side note:
What case can you recommend that's not bulky or smaller than mid towers? My Aerocool PGS V LE is too heavy, and takes all day cleaning.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

Definitely going to 8GB as 4GB DDR3 costs about 25 bucks or maybe go straight to single stick 8GB. I've been with MSI when it comes to motherboards. I won't do OC so a decent mobo with 2-way SLI will do. I'm rather surprised that a lot of new chipset has been introduced. But I guess I'm just outdated
smile.gif
. Any suggestions with a decent mobo? (no OC, 2-way SLI and lots of USB and SATA).
On a side note:
What case can you recommend that's not bulky or smaller than mid towers? My Aerocool PGS V LE is too heavy, and takes all day cleaning.
I'd suggest two 4GB sticks as this runs the RAM in dual channel mode which is a fair bit faster.
As for the boards, MSI aren't good anymore (I don't know if they ever were good). I'd stick with a Gigabyte as they're the brand I've had the least problems with myself and they tend to have a bit better build quality than an AsRock board. I'd probably suggest a Z77x-D3H for you though baseline board, good and reliable but cheap and has SLI
thumb.gif
 
#16 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt-Matt View Post

I'd suggest two 4GB sticks as this runs the RAM in dual channel mode which is a fair bit faster.
As for the boards, MSI aren't good anymore (I don't know if they ever were good). I'd stick with a Gigabyte as they're the brand I've had the least problems with myself and they tend to have a bit better build quality than an AsRock board. I'd probably suggest a Z77x-D3H for you though baseline board, good and reliable but cheap and has SLI
thumb.gif
MSI has been good to me ever since. But if there are other cheaper but reliable boards I guess I'd go for it. So far, here are my choices:

Asus P8Z77-M pro
Asrock Z77 Extreme 4
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

MSI has been good to me ever since. But if there are other cheaper but reliable boards I guess I'd go for it. So far, here are my choices:
Asus P8Z77-M pro
Asrock Z77 Extreme 4
I'd keep away from Micro-ATX and stick with ATX. The Extreme 4 is the better board out of those two though!
smile.gif
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

Yeah. I can only shell out $200 for a card. *sigh*
If I did shell out another $100 I should upgrade for another 2 years.
GTX 480/570 will be the best nvidia cards at that price point
wink.gif
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

How would 2 GTX 570 fare? I'm not into full blast when it comes to graphic settings. I don't use FSAA.
well a single 570 will almost max every game out today with 60FPS if you are playing under 1080p. SLI 570s are about the same performance as a stock 680. I had SLI 570s previously, and they run pretty hot, But I had no problems with any games at 1080p.
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironman517 View Post

well a single 570 will almost max every game out today with 60FPS if you are playing under 1080p. SLI 570s are about the same performance as a stock 680. I had SLI 570s previously, and they run pretty hot, But I had no problems with any games at 1080p.
Nice. 30-40 frames would really suffice. As I intent to stay with my monitor (1600x900) for quite some time, I guess a GTX 570 would do. *sigh* I would have to upgrade my PSU (TT 500W modular).
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedectalf View Post

Nice. 30-40 frames would really suffice. As I intent to stay with my monitor (1600x900) for quite some time, I guess a GTX 570 would do. *sigh* I would have to upgrade my PSU (TT 500W modular).
Yeah and if you plan on SLI you are going to want a TX750W or another quality psu.
 
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