Doing a small upgrade, but a bit unsure on parts.

[KeithTalent]

I have not been following that closely, so just wondering if these parts are ok bang for the buck; likely just going to upgrade the Motherboard/CPU/GPU.

Current PC

Mobo: ASUS P7P55D-E LX LGA1156 P55 ATX DDR3
CPU: Core i5 650
RAM: 2x (so 8GB) G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL Ripjaws PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24
GPU: ATI HD5770 1GB
PSU: Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W
Monitor: Dell 2407WFP (so 1920x1200)

Upgrades I am looking at

$300 Intel Core i7 960 Quad Core Processor LGA1366 3.2GHZ Bloomfield 8MB LGA1366 4.8GT/S Retail Box http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=51240 - upgrading

$190 Gigabyte X58A-UD3R ATX LGA1366 X58 DDR3 4PCI-E SATA3 USB3.0 Sound GLAN CrossFireX SLI Motherboard http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=49016

GPU I am leaning towards the HD7970 when it comes out on the 9th; for $550 it seems like a decent deal and a sizable upgrade.

Thoughts on those parts? Look ok for my system, or should I be looking at something else? Budget is around a grand, but flexible; I'll be playing all kinds of things on it.

Thanks in advance for the help!

KT

 

[BoomerD]

Why go with the last-gen i7? The Sandy Bridge i7 is faster and more powerful...

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/157?vs=287

Plus, parts are usually cheaper than the 1366 platform.

(edit...perhaps not cheaper from the Canuck sites)

 

[KeithTalent]

Why go with the last-gen i7? The Sandy Bridge i7 is faster and more powerful...

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/157?vs=287

Plus, parts are usually cheaper than the 1366 platform.

(edit...perhaps not cheaper from the Canuck sites)

Not sure, I did not realize there were different types of i7s. So are those 1155? Need to know what chips and motherboards to look at. :hmm:

KT

 

[fourdegrees11]

i7 2600k is only $320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070

A nice mobo is only $125

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

Better for cheaper, cant go wrong.

 

[KeithTalent]

i7 2600k is only $320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115070

A nice mobo is only $125

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271

Better for cheaper, cant go wrong.

What's the difference between the 2600 and the 2600K? It's about a $25 difference between the two, but I cannot see any discernible difference between the specs.

KT

 

[Murz]

The "K" means it is unlocked and can be overclocked.

 

[KeithTalent]

The "K" means it is unlocked and can be overclocked.

Ok, don't care about that at all, so I'll look at the other one, thanks.

KT

 

[DaveSimmons]

2500K and 2600K allow overclocking, the 2500 and 2600 do not.

The K chips also have HD3000 graphics instead of 2000, but that doesn't matter if you're using a GPU.

FYI, for gaming a 2500 / 2500K is about as good as a 2600K -- see:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=287

 

[KeithTalent]

2500K and 2600K allow overclocking, the 2500 and 2600 do not.

The K chips also have HD3000 graphics instead of 2000, but that doesn't matter if you're using a GPU.

FYI, for gaming a 2500 / 2500K is about as good as a 2600K -- see:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=287

Oh wow and it's over $100 cheaper! That's crazy. Odd that my current CPU seems to outperform it in several benchmarks. :hmm:

KT

Edit: ignore that last remark, I am a moron. ^_^

 

[BoomerD]

Oh wow and it's over $100 cheaper! That's crazy. Odd that my current CPU seems to outperform it in several benchmarks. :hmm:

KT

Edit: ignore that last remark, I am a moron. ^_^

We've known that for a long time...

The Sandy Bridge I5-2500/2500K processors are fabulous performers...

Of course, being a wealthy Canuckistanian ATOT Moderator, you should go with this:

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=65014&vpn=BX80619I73960X&manufacture=Intel

 

[infoiltrator]

Generally the "K" chips are recommended because overclocking to 4.2 -4.4 is so simple and easy.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Generally the "K" chips are recommended because overclocking to 4.2 -4.4 is so simple and easy.

The price difference is so small that I usually agree, even though I don't plan to overclock when I do my 1155 upgrade next year.

Paying an extra $50 for a SLI-capable motherboard won't pay off for most people, but having the option to bump up your CPU speed 20% in 2 years to get more life out of it is more likely to be worth the $10.

 

[mfenn]

I agree that the i5 2500 or K and ASRock Z68 Extreme3 are the way to go in this situation.

I'm not so sure about the value proposition of a 7970 though. Yeah, it is fast, but it isn't twice as fast as the $240 6950 2GB (unlockable reference model) unless you are running at 2560x1600. Coming from a 5770, the 6950 2GB is going to completely blow you away anyway. Get the 6950 2GB now and save the other $300 for the inevitable 7000 series speed bump later next year.

Also, one component that I didn't see mentioned is an SSD. Given your budget, you really should be considering one. Something like the M4 128GB will give you a huge boost in overall system responsiveness.

 

[KeithTalent]

Thanks for the tips guys, I've learned a bunch. The NCIX Boxing Day sale started early, so I ended up grabbing a 2500K, MSI board, and a 6970 for $600 all in, which seems like an ok deal to me.

I did take a brief look at SSDs, but the size is so small for the price I'm not sure there is any point in me getting one. :hmm:

KT

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Thanks for the tips guys, I've learned a bunch. The NCIX Boxing Day sale started early, so I ended up grabbing a 2500K, MSI board, and a 6970 for $600 all in, which seems like an ok deal to me.

I did take a brief look at SSDs, but the size is so small for the price I'm not sure there is any point in me getting one. :hmm:

KT

im not going to get one

im patient enough to wait for windows and other programs to load....

i currently wait around 30 seconds for everything to load and run on my current pc sooo. lol

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the tips guys, I've learned a bunch. The NCIX Boxing Day sale started early, so I ended up grabbing a 2500K, MSI board, and a 6970 for $600 all in, which seems like an ok deal to me.

I did take a brief look at SSDs, but the size is so small for the price I'm not sure there is any point in me getting one. :hmm:

KT

Nice haul.

You should really get an SSD though. It's one of those things where once you have one, you don't understand how you did any computing without one. Case in point, I am visiting relatives and only have my HDD-equipped MBP with me. I am sorely tempted to run out and buy an MBA right now because the HDD slowness is really getting on my nerves!

 

[KeithTalent]

Nice haul.

You should really get an SSD though. It's one of those things where once you have one, you don't understand how you did any computing without one. Case in point, I am visiting relatives and only have my HDD-equipped MBP with me. I am sorely tempted to run out and buy an MBA right now because the HDD slowness is really getting on my nerves!

Thanks, can't wait to get the upgrades in!

You know after doing some more reading I actually had an SSD in my cart, but then I thought of having to re-install Windows and re-download all of my Steam games and SW:TOR stuff, countless GBs to download, and said fuck it. Maybe I'll get one in a couple of months when I won't be as fussed about having to re-download all that stuff. :hmm:

KT

 

[mfenn]

Well with SW:TOR and Steam, you won't have to redownload if you are clever. Just make a backup copy of the old stuff, reinstall Steam/Origin, close the application, and then just copy the backups back over top of the fresh install. Once you start Steam/Origin back up, it will look around and see that everything is magically up to date!

But yeah, it can be a little annoying with an SSD because you have to install your big games to another location. Worth it IMHO though.

 

[ElFenix]

SSDs are worth their weight in gold. so much better computer experience.

 

[KeithTalent]

Well with SW:TOR and Steam, you won't have to redownload if you are clever. Just make a backup copy of the old stuff, reinstall Steam/Origin, close the application, and then just copy the backups back over top of the fresh install. Once you start Steam/Origin back up, it will look around and see that everything is magically up to date!

But yeah, it can be a little annoying with an SSD because you have to install your big games to another location. Worth it IMHO though.

Hmm, interesting. I've never really worked with dual drives; can't I just throw in the SSD, install Windows on it, then copy over all of that stuff or do I need to put it on an external and copy over from there? Sorry, a real noob with drives as I usually just buy a new one and re-install and download everything clean.

Also, does it really matter which one I get? Are they all similar?

How about this one for $136 http://ncix.com/products/?sku=65531&vpn=SV200S37A%2F128G&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1301

KT

 

[ElFenix]

Hmm, interesting. I've never really worked with dual drives; can't I just throw in the SSD, install Windows on it, then copy over all of that stuff or do I need to put it on an external and copy over from there? Sorry, a real noob with drives as I usually just buy a new one and re-install and download everything clean.

Also, does it really matter which one I get? Are they all similar?

How about this one for $136 http://ncix.com/products/?sku=65531&vpn=SV200S37A%2F128G&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1301

KT

SSD is usually kinda small for installing steam and your games to.

and yes, just install windows, install steam, exit steam, and then copy over all the game directories from the old drive to the proper location in the steam folder. next time steam opens it'll see that the files are there and let you play. also don't forget to check the my documents directory as saves are usually in there now.

for games that you're not playing right now, set them to not automatically update within steam. then you can move the files wherever you want, and move them back when you want to play or update.


that kingston is considered low end, using a rather slow (for a current SSD) JMicron controller. it's still much faster than a spinning disk.

 

[KeithTalent]

SSD is usually kinda small for installing steam and your games to.

and yes, just install windows, install steam, and then copy over all the game directories from the old drive to the proper location in the steam folder. also don't forget to check the my documents directory as saves are usually in there now.

for games that you're not playing right now, set them to not automatically update within steam. then you can move the files wherever you want, and move them back when you want to play or update.


that kingston is considered low end, using a rather slow (for a current SSD) JMicron controller. it's still much faster than a spinning disk.

Ok, thanks. No point in getting a slow old version. Is this one better:

Intel 320 Series GEN3 120GB 2.5IN SSD SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive Retail W/ Bracket http://ncix.com/products/?sku=60546&vpn=SSDSA2CW120G3K5&manufacture=Intel


Or this one: Kingston HyperX 120GB 2.5IN SATA3 SandForce SF-2281 SSD Solid State Disk Drive With Mounting Kit http://ncix.com/products/?sku=63093&vpn=SH100S3B%2F120G&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1301

KT

 

[ElFenix]

Ok, thanks. No point in getting a slow old version. Is this one better:

Intel 320 Series GEN3 120GB 2.5IN SSD SATA2 Solid State Disk Flash Drive Retail W/ Bracket http://ncix.com/products/?sku=60546&vpn=SSDSA2CW120G3K5&manufacture=Intel


Or this one: Kingston HyperX 120GB 2.5IN SATA3 SandForce SF-2281 SSD Solid State Disk Drive With Mounting Kit http://ncix.com/products/?sku=63093&vpn=SH100S3B/120G&manufacture=Kingston&promoid=1301

KT

the kingston is likely to be faster but i'm kinda wary of sandforce. then again it isn't an ocz so maybe it'll be fine.

no idea where that intel stacks up compared to the kingston v200. don't see any reviews of the v200 yet.

 

[KeithTalent]

the kingston is likely to be faster but i'm kinda wary of sandforce. then again it isn't an ocz so maybe it'll be fine.

no idea where that intel stacks up compared to the kingston v200. don't see any reviews of the v200 yet.

Well no idea what sandforce is, but I can pick something else if it's a concern. I just noticed the Intel is Sata 2, not Sata 3, which seems odd.

So it sounds like I should avoid OCZ; are there particularly brands that are exceptionally good and reliable over others? That way at least I know which ones to look at.

Thanks for all the help.

KT

 

[KeithTalent]

Ok how about this one: Crucial M4 SSD Micron C400 128GB 2.5IN Solid State Disk Flash Drive SATA3 6Gbps http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=6...facture=CRUCIAL%20TECHNOLOGY&promoid=1301

Thoughts?

KT