Looking to Upgrade My Computer Further

[ChaZz182]

I asked a few months ago for some upgrade advice, and now I'm thinking of upgrading it further.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.

Gaming and general use. (Word processing, surfing the net etc.)


2. What YOUR budget is.

About $550 - $600 (Cdn)


3. What country

Canada


4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.

Ncix.ca, tigerdirect.ca, futureshop.ca


5. IF YOU have a brand preference.

No brand perference


6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

My current build is:

EVGA Nforce 750I SLI
Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB (x2)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB SATA2
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core
OCZ GameXStream 700W ATX12V 24PIN SLI Ready
LG G-H20NS10 Black DVD+RW
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 OC 975MHZ 2GB 4.8GHZ GDDR5[/FONT]
Windows Vista 32 bit Pro


7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

No plans to overclock at this time.


8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1680x1050


9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

In the next month and a half.


I was planing to upgrade my motherboard, processor, RAM and my operating system (either to windows 7 64 bit or windows 8 64 bit). I'm also open to upgrading my hard drive if it provides a performance increase, but currently I still have over 180 GB left.

Thanks to everyone for their help!

 

[mfenn]

What task(s) in particular are you looking to improve?

 

[ChaZz182]

Mainly looking to improve my gaming performance.

 

[mfenn]

OK, here goes:

Windows 7 Home Premium $100
i5 3570 $200 AP
MSI H77MA-G43 $89 AR
Geil DDR3 1600 8GB $45
Samsung 840 120GB $100
Total: $534 AR AP

The SSD will provide an all around responsiveness boost and now is the perfect time to put one in since you're going to be reinstalling the OS anyway.

 

[ChaZz182]

Shipping from newegg.ca seems to be quite expensive for some reason. The grand total will be around $603. I have looked up the part you have suggested and found some of them a little cheaper on another website, www.ncix.com. Spending the same amount ($534) there would cost around $571 for a total.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64BIT SP1 DVD OEM[/FONT]
$97.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=45271&promoid=1276

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD
$99.98
[/FONT]http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=77210&promoid=1276

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] MSI H77MA-G43 ATX LGA1155 H77 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI HDMI CrossFireX SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard [/FONT]
$94.99 AR
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=69922


Assuming those part are in fact the same as you listed. I was just wondering you could suggest a processor as well as some RAM from that site (www.ncix.com). I couldn't find the items you had listed on that website. I have dealt with them before and they're only a couple of provinces over, so the shipping is usually cheaper.

Thanks again!

 

[ChaZz182]

Looking again, seems newegg.ca might turn out cheaper. Thanks for the help, I'll review this tomorrow.

 

[ChaZz182]

Hi,

Just a few questions. I noticed some of the parts you suggested are different then the ones in your mid range building thread. I was just wondering why you suggested different parts and brands this time. I'm just kind of curious in why you would recommend certain parts, and not other. I'm interested in learning.

Is this a good time to upgrade, or should I wait a while (maybe new releases are around the corner and prices may drop soon).

Finally, I noticed you suggested windows 7, is windows 8 really that bad?

Thanks.

 

[Sleepingforest]

In my opinion, Windows 8 is only ever so slightly worse. Metro isn't the big deal people make it out to be, since it hides in the background most of the time (just stay in Desktop!)

The annoying part comes when you want to look at WiFi options or pair Bluetooth devices--or really, anything that Microsoft didn't forsee that you'd want in Desktop mode. Then you're yanked out of your comfortable environment and into Metro. But getting back is pretty easy (swipe with the mouse from the top left to the top right--don't aim, just kind of throw the mouse into the corner--and choose the Desktop thumbnail).

You can still search and everything--just start typing if you're in the Start Screen, or even swipe down the right edge of the screen with the mouse to reveal a search tool.

 

[ChaZz182]

And on another note, hardware prices change fast the newegg order has since gone up. And other sites has gone down. Most deals seem to only last for a few days.

 

[mfenn]

Just a few questions. I noticed some of the parts you suggested are different then the ones in your mid range building thread. I was just wondering why you suggested different parts and brands this time. I'm just kind of curious in why you would recommend certain parts, and not other. I'm interested in learning.

Two main reasons:
1. Deals change all the time and by country. What is a good deal one day in one country is no longer a good deal another day in another country.
2. You're not interested in overclocking, so there's no reason to spend extra money on an overclocking-focused CPU and motherboard.

Is this a good time to upgrade, or should I wait a while (maybe new releases are around the corner and prices may drop soon).

It's a perfectly fine time to upgrade. The next major thing to hit will be new Intel processors (Haswell) in June/July.

Finally, I noticed you suggested windows 7, is windows 8 really that bad?

IMHO yes. The user interface is demonstrably worse for a desktop in several ways. Off the top of my head: needing a full screen for a "start menu" which means that it is super disruptive to ever bring it up, not being able to search for everything on your computer by hitting the start button and typing (instead results are artificially segmented and require a mouse click), and completely non-intuitive hiding of metro program options into a secret "hot corner".

 

[ChaZz182]

I actually found this website today, http://ca.pcpartpicker.com which is very helpful. It lists the parts and prices from several Canadian retailers. I figured it would be better to buy everything from one retailer, but it looks like it might be cheaper to order from several retailers, especially since the shipping is free.

 

[mfenn]

I actually found this website today, http://ca.pcpartpicker.com which is very helpful. It lists the parts and prices from several Canadian retailers. I figured it would be better to buy everything from one retailer, but it looks like it might be cheaper to order from several retailers, especially since the shipping is free.

Whichever way gets you the best final price is the best way IMHO.

 

[ChaZz182]

How important is the ram you selected? It's looks like it would ship separately from newegg (and cost about 10 dollars more). I would like to pick up some ram from another supplier (either http://www.memoryexpress.com or http://www.directcanada.com/) where I would already be ordering others and not have to pay shipping.

As long as its 8GB 1600 DDR3, us that sufficient or as certain brands significantly better?

Thanks!

Edit:
Sorry few more annoying questions. I noticed certain CPUs have a K in there name and usually cost a bit more, what does that mean?

Is this CPU equivalent to the one you listed http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX40052 ?

 

[Sleepingforest]

RAM is functionally the same as long as the ratings are identical (same speed, timings, and voltage). Brand does not matter.

A -K CPU may have it's multiplier raised or lowered freely when on the correct chipset (for iX-3xxxK chips, the Z75 or Z77 chipset). Since you don't want to overclock, don't bother.

Yes, the CPU you linked to is the same as the one mfenn recommended. They have the same name, you know.

 

[ChaZz182]

They processor from newegg.ca mentioned something about turbo boost, I didn't know if that was a common feature to all of the same type.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Turbo Boost is like Intel's built in overclock. When necessary, the CPU will "turbo" to a higher speed, which enables it to complete the task it needs to more quickly and then return to idle--saving power and time.

Since the CPU you mentioned and the one from Newegg are 100% identical (same CPU, just a different retailer), it has the same features.

 

[bononos]

.....

As long as its 8GB 1600 DDR3, us that sufficient or as certain brands significantly better?

Thanks!
.....

I would stick to reputable brands like Corsair/crucial/mushkin/kingston/samsung..

 

[mfenn]

How important is the ram you selected? It's looks like it would ship separately from newegg (and cost about 10 dollars more). I would like to pick up some ram from another supplier (either http://www.memoryexpress.com or http://www.directcanada.com/) where I would already be ordering others and not have to pay shipping.

As long as its 8GB 1600 DDR3, us that sufficient or as certain brands significantly better?

Thanks!

No, it doesn't really have to be that exact kit. That one just happened to be the best deal on Newegg when I was looking. From either MX or DC, your best bet looks to be this Corsair Vengeance LP DDR3 1600 8GB 1.35V for $50.

Yes, the CPU you linked to is the same as the one mfenn recommended. They have the same name, you know.

Yeah, that's the nice thing about computer parts. If they have the same model number, they're identical in terms of features.

 

[ChaZz182]

Whats the difference between a micro ATX motherboard form and just a ATX form motherboard. Is it just the size?

I read on someone else build from PCPartsPicker, the motherboard and that exact brand of Corsair RAM didn't work together for some reason.

 

[ChaZz182]

Sorry to bother everyone with so many questions, I found a site that beats competitors prices by 25% of the price different and I'm building my computer around that site. It didn't have all that parts that were suggest, but please let me know what you think of this build:

Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Asus P8B75-M/CSM Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

I was able to put that together, with all the discounts for $524.21. It costs only about $5 for shipping.

So what does everyone think of that build? Any suggestions?

 

[mfenn]

Whats the difference between a micro ATX motherboard form and just a ATX form motherboard. Is it just the size?

Yes, the size and the stuff that goes along with that (mostly PCIe slots).

I read on someone else build from PCPartsPicker, the motherboard and that exact brand of Corsair RAM didn't work together for some reason.

Extremely doubtful that that report is true. It's more likely that the person just didn't know what they were doing.

 

[mfenn]

Sorry to bother everyone with so many questions, I found a site that beats competitors prices by 25% of the price different and I'm building my computer around that site.

That seems extremely fishy. What site?

It didn't have all that parts that were suggest, but please let me know what you think of this build:

Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
Asus P8B75-M/CSM Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

I was able to put that together, with all the discounts for $524.21. It costs only about $5 for shipping.

So what does everyone think of that build? Any suggestions?

Those parts are all good, though the memory is probably too expensive and definitely has silly heatspreaders that can get in the way.

 

[ChaZz182]

That seems extremely fishy. What site?



Those parts are all good, though the memory is probably too expensive and definitely has silly heatspreaders that can get in the way.

Here is the information: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Policies/PriceProtection.cm.aspx

I submit the requests and the order wont go through until they are authorized. I haven't done a whole lot of research on the site yet, but they appear to have physical stores in a neighboring province. This might end up falling throught, but if I can get it for less, might as well give it a shot.

I assume the heat spreaders on the RAM don't help then? I could go with the corsair RAM you suggest if they really tend to get in the way, and the RAM is fairly equal otherwise.

Edit: the RAM I think ended up being 50$

 

[mfenn]

Here is the information: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Policies/PriceProtection.cm.aspx

I submit the requests and the order wont go through until they are authorized. I haven't done a whole lot of research on the site yet, but they appear to have physical stores in a neighboring province. This might end up falling throught, but if I can get it for less, might as well give it a shot.

Oh, Memory Express is good, I think that I misunderstood what you wrote before. I read that "they'd beat the price by 25%", when what you actually said was they they'd beat it by 25% of the difference. Sorry about that.

I assume the heat spreaders on the RAM don't help then? I could go with the corsair RAM you suggest if they really tend to get in the way, and the RAM is fairly equal otherwise.

Edit: the RAM I think ended up being 50$

No, the tall heatspreaders do not help. RAM just does not get that hot. Short is better if you have the choice. I wouldn't worry about it if the order has already gone through though.

 

[ChaZz182]

Ya, I wish they beat the price by 25%, that would be nice.

If I go through with this I plan on ordering before April 1. I was thinking of going with that motherboard you suggested (The AsRock Z77 Pro 3) in your mid range building thread.

For some reason I am reluctant to get a micro ATX board, I'm afraid that it may not have enough connection (my case is the Antec 9000) that I need and limit me at some point. Am I just being paranoid, is the sufficient difference in those mother boards (The Asus and AsRocK) for the price (about 111 for AsRock including taxes and shipping)?

I would really appreaciate your feedback, that is the last piece I'm deciding one. Memroy express doesn't seem to have the largest selection of motherboards.