[madd-hatter]

This is my first custom built PC. The system is approximately a year old (I turned it on for the first time 7/21 last year, I will have to throw it a birthday party!

Any ideas?)

Anyways, I built it for high end gaming in mind, but I haven't used it much in this way to this point. I tried out Crysis and ME2, no issues with running either, but neither kept my interest and I've been using it mostly for media.
This Fall I hope to play a hefty amount of BF3 on it, but before I do, I would like to know the opinion of the OC community on what needs to be replaced/added/fixed. My (non overclocked) Window's Experience Index reads: 7.5, 7.8, 7.7, 7.7, 7.3

As I mentioned before, this is my first rig, I'm very proud of it but I know there is always room for improvement. I don't claim to know as much as most of you. I built it with the combined help of many friends and forums users, including this site, of course.
So, what would YOU address first (I'm thinking of doubling my RAM with the same product, I'm up to hear all suggestions)

Photo's during completion

Casing and cooling:
- http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-High-Tower-Black/dp/B001EPUQAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1274921287&sr=8-1]CoolerMaster HAF 932[/URL]
- Apevia Blue LED 120mm case fans - x5
- http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Nickel-Aluminum-Heatpipes/dp/B001KUV2KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277347253&sr=1-1]Cooler Master V8 HS/F[/URL]
- Kingwin 1000w PS 80 plus bronze certified w/ blue LEDS and fan
- Corsair Dominator Ram Cooling

mobo & components:
- http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-P6X58D-Premium-1366-Motherboard/dp/B002WSHXQ2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277348245&sr=8-1]ASUS p6x58d Premium motherboard[/URL]
- Sapphire Radeon Toxic 5850 2GB
-

- Artic Silver 5 Termal Compound
- Corsair Dominator 3x2gb, cas 7, ddr3 1600 RAM

HDD, SSD:
-

-

- 80 GB Intel SSD

Drive Bays:
- ASUS 24X DVD Burner
- Lite-On DVD+RW/CD-ROM Drive (Limited compatibility with Win 7, I messed up here)
- Lite-On 4x BD-ROM Drive (Limited compatibility with Win 7, I messed up here)
- IcyDock 2.5 to 3.5 internal bracket
- Koutech Internal Multi-Card Reader

Software:
- http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-7-Home-Premium/dp/B002DHGMK0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1270262987&sr=8-2]Win 7 Home Premium[/URL]

Thank you very much for your time.
-Donald

 

[Techprimus]

GPU.... either 6000 series or CF another 5000 series, especially if you want to be playing BF3.

Another 5870 CF will be my next upgrade.

 

[adridu59]

Your system is fine... I just suggest you to upgrade the GPU if it isn't powerful enough.

 

[jammo2k5]

How much is one looking to spend on a "Birthday present"?

 

[madd-hatter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammo2k5;14246559
How much is one looking to spend on a "Birthday present"?

Less than $500 between now and a couple weeks before BF3

 

[thrasherht]

I would say everything you have looks great. The only two things that make me want to upgrade, is the CPU cooler, and the GPU, other then that you have a nice rig.

I would go for either a 570 or a 6950/6970.
for the cpu cooler, I would go with something like a silver arrow.

 

[jammo2k5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by madd-hatter;14246600
Less than $500 between now and a couple weeks before BF3

To be honest with you, the longer you sit on that money the more you will get for it. I mean PC parts drop in price FAST with the exception of obsolete parts, so if your rig is satisfying right now id keep the money for emergency purposes untill we are closer to the BF3 release date then upgrade accordingly.

 

[kenolak]

I wouldn't upgrade anything other than maybe getting a bluray burner.
Unless there's a reason to upgrade, wait for prices to fall!

 

[madd-hatter]

So the consensus is that I'm doing pretty well but I could take optional steps to improve.

If I were to upgrade between now and October, I should look into:
Selling my Sapphire Radeon 5850 and replacing it with a Sapphire Radeon 6970
And possibly selling my CM v8 cooler for a Thermalright Silver Arrow
I don't see me putting a BD burner to much use in the near future. It would be a wish list item, maybe for Christmas.
No one thinks I should add an additional 6gb of RAM by purchasing a second set of the Corsair I already have?

Thoughts on this post?

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[jammo2k5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by madd-hatter;14247675
So the consensus is that I'm doing pretty well but I could take optional steps to improve.

If I were to upgrade between now and October, I should look into:
Selling my Sapphire Radeon 5850 and replacing it with a Sapphire Radeon 6970
And possibly selling my CM v8 cooler for a Thermalright Silver Arrow
I don't see me putting a BD burner to much use in the near future. It would be a wish list item, maybe for Christmas.
No one thinks I should add an additional 6gb of RAM by purchasing a second set of the Corsair I already have?

Thoughts on this post?

Thanks for your help guys.

The Video card will be a definite on the list but buy nearer to the time when you will definately use the extra horse power. Heatsinks are one of those things that Hardly drop in price so there no time frame on that one if you need to satisfy your new hardware addiction right away. Also on the RAM subject if you find yourself running out of RAM then upgrade but unless you are using it for Video encoding or 3D rendering i dont see that happening.

 

[lemans81]

If your cpu is running stock and you intend to keep it that way I wouldn't mess with the V8. I agree the weakest point in your system is the graphics. I think the 6gb of ram is plenty.

 

[robert125381]

I would also recomend a gpu upgrade.