New build questions

[Gorango27]

Hello all!

I decided to post a more in depth thread of what im trying to do. Thanks to fffblackmage for the following post before i edited.

Here is what i am currently running:

MotherBoard: EVGA 750i FTW
CPU: Intel Q9550 quad core
Cooler: Zalman 9700nt
RAM: OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 4Gb
GPU: Geforce 8800GTS 512Gb
PSU: Corsair HX620W
Main HDD WD VelociRaptor 300Gb
2nd HDD WD Caviar Black 1Tb

I want to upgrade to this:
Motherboard: ($269.99) EVGA P55 FTW 200 SLI 141-LF-E658-KR LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188057
CPU: ($289.99) Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115213
GPU: ($269.99) EVGA 012-P3-1472-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130549
RAM: ($114.99) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231308

I plan on reusing the cpu cooler and hard drives as well as everything else (case, drives, etc.)

Now my question is it worth it to be upgrading? if not what should i be upgrading? I really love my CPU but i want to take advantage of DDR3 (is DDR3 even worth it). Thoughts?

i currently play on a 21.5'' monitor at 1920x1080 (alienware optx). I want to use my 8800GTS as a Physx card and maybe add a 2nd 470gtx in like 3months or so (is this worth it?). So what wattage PSU should i get?

I'm an Nvidia/intel fanboy and i like evga and corsair as brands but i willing to go else where if there is something out there that might fit my needs better.

 

[fffblackmage]

You'll need a new PSU with GTX470 SLI.

 

[muskie32]

There is alot of negitive stuff out there about Evga mobos. I have the Sabertooth 55i and totally love it.

 

[Gorango27]

whats all the negative stuff about the evga mobos? i never had a problem with the 750i i still use....

 

[muskie32]

Well...

EVGA motherboards are a bit of hit and miss, when they work they are very good however I have found that there is quality issues with these Motherboards sometimes and getting one that is stable is a bit of luck. Also in my experience the RMA Department is a little lacking in customer service

 

[Gorango27]

meh im not worried. i just want to know if what i want to do is worth it or not

 

[mfenn]

Spending $270 on a P55 mobo (or any mobo) is just crazy. Get the Sabertooth as muskie suggested and also drop down to the i5 760. Use the savings on a GTX 580.

IMHO, a separate PhysX card is not worth the extra heat and power draw that it generates. If you want to run the 8800GTS alongside a GTX 470 or 580, you'll need something like a 850W PSU.

 

[Gorango27]

so a 580gtx will be enough for the next 2-3 years or so what do you think? will adding the 8800gts help if at all?

Will i really need sli? most if not all my first person shooters are played on a console. my pc gaming is manily for sc2, civ5, an mmo here and there and diablo 3 when it comes out...

should i save all the money and just get the 580gtx and screw everything else? maybe just faster ram, e.g. DDR2 800 to DDR2 1066?

Thanks for all your help

 

[betasub]

Faster DDR2 isn't going to help your current system (unless you are already overclocking that Q9550 on a 400(1600) FSB).

Graphics upgrade, yes.
CPU/platform upgrade, not yet - even if you can't overclock that Q9550, it should see you through to January and the release of Sandybridge/LGA1155.

 

[Gorango27]

cool. i'll just get the graphics card then. technolust got to me

thanks for the tips and advice