If you had my setup, what would you change/upgrade?

[DublinDude]

Hi all,

I get the upgrade/change buzz every so often. I am just looking at my setup and considering what I could chane/upgrade if at all.

Here is where I am at:

Motherboard: Gigabyte Z68AP
GPU: HD6970 Turbo
CPU: i5 2500k
Memory: XMS3 8GB
Sound: X-Fi XtremeGamer
PSU: Corsair 620watt
Storage: Samsung 128 SSD & F4 2TB, F2 1TB x2
Monitor: Samsung 24" p2450 & Samsung 22" 226Cw
Speakers: Logitech Z-2300
OS: Win7 64bit
Case: ATCS 840
Keyboard: Corsair K90
Mouse: Deathadder (Black Edition)

I am considering changing the mouse, as its slightly big in my hand, to may be the Corsair M65. I am also looking at upgrading my sound card to the new Logitec Z series. Perhaps even upgrading my monitor to a 27" at a higher resolution. But none of these are definite, I am the research stage lol

I play a few games, listen to a bit of music and do a bit of photoshop etc. I do like a quality system that doesn't get sluggish.

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I would just wait for Haswell. If h
haswell uses ddr3, then I'd get more ram.

 

[DublinDude]

I would just wait for Haswell. If h
haswell uses ddr3, then I'd get more ram.

What is that?

 

[Charlie98]

I don't see anything that really needs upgrading given probably 99.9% of the tasks you probably do (you did not state.) It looks pretty solid all the way.

Depending on how full your SSD is, you could upgrade that (probably not necessary if it's just an OS drive.)

I'd spend the money on peripherals...

 

[Ken g6]

Haswell is the next-gen processor from Intel. I wouldn't worry about it.

Do you have a tower heat sink or other aftermarket cooler on that 2500K? If you're interested in overclocking at all you should think about getting one.

I use a cheap mouse, onboard sound, and a rather small monitor, so I have no suggestions either way on those.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Matching monitors.

 

[lehtv]

I'd upgrade to 7970 and OC the 2500K to 4.5GHz. If you don't like the mouse go ahead and upgrade that too. If you like them small and simple, consider Zowie AM-GS

 

[JimPhreak]

I'd upgrade to 7970 and OC the 2500K to 4.5GHz. If you don't like the mouse go ahead and upgrade that too. If you like them small and simple, consider Zowie AM-GS

^This. If your CPU is at stock, OCing it to 4.5Ghz+ and getting a new video card would be a nice upgrade.

 

[hondaf17]

Is your power supply modular? If not, consider getting one. Gives you a good reason to open up the PC, tinker around, do some good cable management, and clean out all the dust.

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, I would upgrade to the 7970 as well. Then again, my desktop pretty much exists as a place for me to play games and nef on AT.

 

[TheStu]

Yeah, I would upgrade to the 7970 as well. Then again, my desktop pretty much exists as a place for me to play games and nef on AT.

I didn't realize that the 7970 was that much more powerful than the 6970 (I just checked some benches though... dang). I have basically the same computer as the OP, but I'm pretty satisfied with the performance for now, certainly satisfied enough to not want to spend $450.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Gpu 7950/670+
Ram 16gb samsung
Monitor 27" 120hz or IPS
Ssd crucial m4 512gb

 

[lehtv]

What? Pointless to upgrade to a big fat expensive SSD like that, and the amount of RAM he's got now is probably enough for his uses. The 27" 120hz/ips idea is decent though, but for a 1440p IPS he'd need two GPUs to play demanding games on decent settings

 

[Eureka]

The 6970 is sufficient for any game at 1200p, if you're willing to tune down a few settings on the more demanding games. Unless you want to max out every game, keep it for now.

 

[vailr]

If you wanted something new to play around with, you could try dual-boot Hackintoshing your system.
Although: nVidia video cards are generally easier for that purpose than AMD video cards.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Apart from the GPU suggestion, or the overclock, I really can't see anything... golly, some folks are really bitten by the upgrade bug!

 

[Bonesdad]

get a girlfriend...