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Trying to upgrade my build, suggestions welcome!

post #1 of 9
Thread Starter 
Last time I was looking into a build I was suppose to have a good deal of money to put in, but unfortunately it did not come through. Now I am at least trying to have a better gaming rig. Here are my current parts;

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 NVIDIA nForce 980a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5/OC GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
ultra 600w

Dragon Rider Full Tower case
Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED
500gb hard drive and 2TB backup drive

A couple months ago I was looking at getting a nvidia 690 evga sig series (I was planning a 3k build) but life said no XD. Now I'm just kinda stuck. I'm down to a 500.00 budget, and cant seem to get my mind in gear for other ideas.

So any ideas on better nvidia cards mainly. I want to be able to enjoy my graphics. I like to play the newer games, watch hd movies, and play with photoshop.
Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
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none 
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Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
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post #2 of 9

Look into 660ti and Ati's 7950

 

These will serve you very well in 1080p.

A35A
(28 items)
 
Office Laptop
(3 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i5 3570k @4.4 Asus Sabertooth Z77  Asus GTX Titan Corsair 2*4gb DDR3 1600mhz CL9 
Hard DriveHard DriveHard DriveCooling
Samsung 1TB OCZ Agility 3 SSD 120GB Corsair Force GT 60 GB (boot) Corsair H100 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
2x Noctua NF-P12  4x Cooling Swiff 1201 12cm Fans Windows 8 Pro 64 bit Asus VG278H 3Dvision 2 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Samsung 40C8000XW 3D Led TV Logitech G710 Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W Cosmos II 
MouseMouse PadAudioAudio
Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse Khan Rapid Pad Creative Soundblaster Zx Edifier M3200 Speakers 
AudioAudioOtherOther
AKG AGS Headset Asus Vulcan Headset Linksys AE3000 Wireless Router Logitech C920 Full HD Webcam 
OtherOtherOtherOther
HP Photosmart 7510 all in one printer Team Group Card Reader (USB 3.0) Wireless Xbox 360 gamepad Nokia Lumia 920 
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A35A
(28 items)
 
Office Laptop
(3 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
i5 3570k @4.4 Asus Sabertooth Z77  Asus GTX Titan Corsair 2*4gb DDR3 1600mhz CL9 
Hard DriveHard DriveHard DriveCooling
Samsung 1TB OCZ Agility 3 SSD 120GB Corsair Force GT 60 GB (boot) Corsair H100 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
2x Noctua NF-P12  4x Cooling Swiff 1201 12cm Fans Windows 8 Pro 64 bit Asus VG278H 3Dvision 2 
MonitorKeyboardPowerCase
Samsung 40C8000XW 3D Led TV Logitech G710 Cooler Master Silent Pro 1000W Cosmos II 
MouseMouse PadAudioAudio
Logitech G700 Wireless Gaming Mouse Khan Rapid Pad Creative Soundblaster Zx Edifier M3200 Speakers 
AudioAudioOtherOther
AKG AGS Headset Asus Vulcan Headset Linksys AE3000 Wireless Router Logitech C920 Full HD Webcam 
OtherOtherOtherOther
HP Photosmart 7510 all in one printer Team Group Card Reader (USB 3.0) Wireless Xbox 360 gamepad Nokia Lumia 920 
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post #3 of 9
Given your previous "vision" of your gaming rig updates. I would recommend that you save the $500 you have until you make/get more money to buy what you want. Otherwise, you will always have buyers remorse and it will cost you more later.
 
PBR Streetgang.
(8 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
intel 3570k EVGA Z77 EVGA 660 FTW Signature 2 Samsung 2x4 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingCooling
Plextor M5P WD Scorpio wd7500bpkt 750Gb Noctua NH-D14 Noctua NF-A9x14 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Noctua NF-P12 W7-64 SincMaster 930  
PowerCase
silverstone st65f-g Fractal Design Node 304 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom 550 x2 Biostar 880+ 550ti Samsung 32nm 
Hard DriveCoolingOSCase
60GB SSD Noctua U9b W7 64 MB Tray 
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PBR Streetgang.
(8 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
intel 3570k EVGA Z77 EVGA 660 FTW Signature 2 Samsung 2x4 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingCooling
Plextor M5P WD Scorpio wd7500bpkt 750Gb Noctua NH-D14 Noctua NF-A9x14 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Noctua NF-P12 W7-64 SincMaster 930  
PowerCase
silverstone st65f-g Fractal Design Node 304 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom 550 x2 Biostar 880+ 550ti Samsung 32nm 
Hard DriveCoolingOSCase
60GB SSD Noctua U9b W7 64 MB Tray 
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post #4 of 9
Thread Starter 
perhaps siggie but then again. I'm lucky to make over 8k a year providing a family of 5 and two cats. There was supposed to be a one time gift to me a few months ago but family matters happen and I didnt get it. Unless my income suddenly increases exponentially I'm not going to be able to afford anything. Here soon, that 500.00 would get re purposed to other things. So I can enjoy an upgrade or few months down the road, use it for a bill. I should just give up and put it towards living but since that is the only thing I do normally. I'm trying to at least treat myself.
Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
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Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
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post #5 of 9
Without upgrading your motherboard:

EVGA 560 Ti 2GB (About $200)

and an SSD (M4 128GB) (About $100)

That would be a healthy upgrade without swapping MB or CPU

Your motherboard is limiting your options. I am sure there are others better qualified to make recommendations though.
 
PBR Streetgang.
(8 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
intel 3570k EVGA Z77 EVGA 660 FTW Signature 2 Samsung 2x4 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingCooling
Plextor M5P WD Scorpio wd7500bpkt 750Gb Noctua NH-D14 Noctua NF-A9x14 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Noctua NF-P12 W7-64 SincMaster 930  
PowerCase
silverstone st65f-g Fractal Design Node 304 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom 550 x2 Biostar 880+ 550ti Samsung 32nm 
Hard DriveCoolingOSCase
60GB SSD Noctua U9b W7 64 MB Tray 
  hide details  
Reply
 
PBR Streetgang.
(8 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
intel 3570k EVGA Z77 EVGA 660 FTW Signature 2 Samsung 2x4 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingCooling
Plextor M5P WD Scorpio wd7500bpkt 750Gb Noctua NH-D14 Noctua NF-A9x14 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Noctua NF-P12 W7-64 SincMaster 930  
PowerCase
silverstone st65f-g Fractal Design Node 304 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom 550 x2 Biostar 880+ 550ti Samsung 32nm 
Hard DriveCoolingOSCase
60GB SSD Noctua U9b W7 64 MB Tray 
  hide details  
Reply
post #6 of 9
Thread Starter 
thank you, thats a realistic upgrade for me. Could you tell me why the motherboard is limiting though? I am curious on what its not allowing.
Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
  hide details  
Reply
Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
  hide details  
Reply
post #7 of 9
If you can sell your mobo/cpu/gpu/ram (you should be able to get ~$250 for all of it.) That gives you $750.

i5 3570K: $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

ASRock Z77 Extreme 4: $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

8Gb (2x4Gb) G. Skill Ripjaw 1600Mhz: $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

64Gb Samsung 830 SSD: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147162

Gigabyte 7950: $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125414

Total: $755

This will serve you much better and last you much longer than simply upgrading a part or two on your current system.
Omniflowtent
(17 items)
 
   
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
3570K [4.6Ghz, 1.3v] Z77 Extreme4 670 FTW [H80 mod] [1254, 7348] GEIL Evo Corsa 4x4Gb [1866Mhz,9-10-9-28] 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Samsung 830 128Gb [x2 in Raid 0] WD Black 1Tb DVD-RW Multi Drive Antec Kuhler 620 
CoolingOSMonitorKeyboard
Swiftech Helix 120mm x7 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 LG W2361V CM Storm Quickfire Rapid [CMX Blacks] 
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Audio
Turtle Beach X12 
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Omniflowtent
(17 items)
 
   
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
3570K [4.6Ghz, 1.3v] Z77 Extreme4 670 FTW [H80 mod] [1254, 7348] GEIL Evo Corsa 4x4Gb [1866Mhz,9-10-9-28] 
Hard DriveHard DriveOptical DriveCooling
Samsung 830 128Gb [x2 in Raid 0] WD Black 1Tb DVD-RW Multi Drive Antec Kuhler 620 
CoolingOSMonitorKeyboard
Swiftech Helix 120mm x7 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 LG W2361V CM Storm Quickfire Rapid [CMX Blacks] 
PowerCaseMouseMouse Pad
Thermaltake Smart M850 Omniflowtent [My Custom Creation] Mad Catz RAT 3 Steel Series QcK+ 
Audio
Turtle Beach X12 
CPUGraphicsRAMHard Drive
i3 2330m 2.2Ghz Intel HD 3000 2x4Gb G Skill DDR3 1333Mhz 128Gb Sandisk Sata III SSD 
Optical DriveOS
DVD-RW Windows 7 x64 SP1 
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post #8 of 9
Your motherboard is limited to 1333 Ram (whereas 1600 is the newer "standard"). AMD has not yet eclipsed the PCIX 3.0 AFAIK, so those video cards are not yet useable for your system. The video card I referenced will increase your graphics, but it is not like the 7000 series or GTX 600 series. A side option is going to Intel and reuse some of your components, but you would not get a newer video card given your budget.
 
PBR Streetgang.
(8 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
intel 3570k EVGA Z77 EVGA 660 FTW Signature 2 Samsung 2x4 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingCooling
Plextor M5P WD Scorpio wd7500bpkt 750Gb Noctua NH-D14 Noctua NF-A9x14 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Noctua NF-P12 W7-64 SincMaster 930  
PowerCase
silverstone st65f-g Fractal Design Node 304 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom 550 x2 Biostar 880+ 550ti Samsung 32nm 
Hard DriveCoolingOSCase
60GB SSD Noctua U9b W7 64 MB Tray 
  hide details  
Reply
 
PBR Streetgang.
(8 items)
 
 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
intel 3570k EVGA Z77 EVGA 660 FTW Signature 2 Samsung 2x4 
Hard DriveOptical DriveCoolingCooling
Plextor M5P WD Scorpio wd7500bpkt 750Gb Noctua NH-D14 Noctua NF-A9x14 
CoolingCoolingOSMonitor
Noctua NF-A14 FLX Noctua NF-P12 W7-64 SincMaster 930  
PowerCase
silverstone st65f-g Fractal Design Node 304 
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom 550 x2 Biostar 880+ 550ti Samsung 32nm 
Hard DriveCoolingOSCase
60GB SSD Noctua U9b W7 64 MB Tray 
  hide details  
Reply
post #9 of 9
Thread Starter 
Thank you for explaining that siggie, you have given me much to think of
Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
  hide details  
Reply
Entry Gamer
(13 items)
 
  
CPUMotherboardGraphicsRAM
phenom x4 3.2 ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 MSI N460GTX Cyclone 768D5 4gbs dual channelal 
Hard DriveOptical DriveOSMonitor
wd 320 sata dvd burner win 7 32bit [upgrading soon] asus 22" flat screen hdtv 
KeyboardPowerCaseMouse
hp ultra 600w old grey case logitech wireless 
Mouse Pad
none 
  hide details  
Reply
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