Revamping PC System

[LameKuma]

Hello All,

Was looking to give myself an early Christmas and update my current rig. Mostly, I want something that'll obviously that'll be an improvement on current games and wasn't sure if I really needed to upgrade. I've been finding that games such as Starcraft 2, CIV5, Shogun Total War would run into lag mode after awhile so I thought maybe upgrading to an Ivy Bridge CPU might do the trick.

Questions I had, what are the recommended motherboard/CPU/Case types I can look forward to. Not interested in Overclocking at all and just want to run at stock speeds. (or should I leave myself breathing room in the way future ... doubt I want to fiddle with OC'ng honestly).
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Shopping List:
Antec 302 Gaming Case - $58.89 Amazon.com
Intel Core i5-3570 - $199.99 Amazon.com
Cosair Vegenance DDR3-1600 8GB (2x4GB) - $39.99 - Amazon.com
Motherboard: Unknown
Cooling: Unknown

Current System:
Intel Core Duo 2 E8500 (OC'd to 3.80Ghz)
8GB DDR2-800 RAM

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Critique away! Any recommendations on motherboards would be helpful. Also, is stock cooling enough? My apartment gets terribly hot during the summer (80-85 degrees) so cooling might be an issue if I'm playing during the weekend days. Right now, I have a cheap AIO Asetek solution for cooling but wasn't sure if grabbing those new updated Cosair H60i would do the trick (or overkill).

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1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mostly gaming and watching movies/videos.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread:
$400-600 USD

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
United States.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
Intel/NV

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Intel SSD 330 128GB (OS + Productivity Apps)
WD Velociraptor 500GB (Game)
WD Green 2TB (Storage)
NVIDIA GTX 470
Creative Labs X-Fi Gamer Sound Card

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

8. What resolution will you be using?
1920x1200

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.
Over the next month or so.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
No software needed. Already have Win7 Pro 64bit.

 

[Termie]

You'll get a huge bump going from an e8400 to an i5, especially for the strategy games you listed.

I'd say that if you're spending $200 on a 3570, you might as well spend $20 more on a 3570k to get the overclocking option. It's very easy to just raise the multiplier a few notches and be done with it: http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5-...keywords=3570k

EDIT: just saw that Newegg has a promotion on the AsRock Extreme3 board with free RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157330

As for cooling, there are lots of options, but I really don't think you need a liquid cooling system. I actually ran my 3770k all summer long in 80-85F ambients, and it was fine. I use a Hyper 212+ cooler. The Hyper 212 Evo is even better and very inexpensive: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...=hyper+212+evo

So there you go: $220 CPU + $100 MB/RAM + $30 cooler = $350, and a totally different gaming experience, and under budget no less.

 

[Ken g6]

Or, if you are sure you will never overclock, you can:
- Get the 3570, save $20. (Technically it can overclock 4 bins/400MHz anyway with an overclocking mobo.)
- Get a cheap B75 mobo (save $40)
- Not get the $30 cooler. Just use the stock cooler that comes with the CPU. It may get hot, but the CPU's designed to handle that.

And that brings your total under $300. That also leaves you room in the budget to upgrade to a GPU that won't roast you in the summer. You might be able to afford a $320AR PNY GTX 670 at this point. (Maybe drop to an i5-3470?) Otherwise there are plenty of 660tis to choose from.

 

[Termie]

Or, if you are sure you will never overclock, you can:
- Get the 3570, save $20. (Technically it can overclock 4 bins/400MHz anyway with an overclocking mobo.)
- Get a cheap B75 mobo (save $40)
- Not get the $30 cooler. Just use the stock cooler that comes with the CPU. It may get hot, but the CPU's designed to handle that.

...

I was thinking of suggesting something similar until I saw that his e8500 is at 3.8.

He's going to regret not having the OC option down the line when it would only have cost another $50 total for CPU/MB. He could certainly start with the stock heatsink and upgrade when he decides to OC.

Edit: If he's serious about not overclocking and wants a nice deal on a B75 motherboard, this Gigabyte model with the free 8GB deal is the best option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540

 

[LameKuma]

Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah, unfortunately I'm being very budget conscious this holiday season and the idea of the stock CPU would really prevent me from going overboard. If I can save $75-125 that would be swell especially since maybe after the holidays, I can swap my GTX 470 with a 660ti or 670 down the road (praise the lord for a quieter/cooler graphics card).

The idea of going with a cheaper board is actually quite appealing. Do you have any other recommendations? Was thinking of possibly getting a second SSD and I noticed that Gigabyte B75 only had 1 SATA III port.

The second SSD would probably be work related and since I'll be working with a lot of databases and crunching numbers.

OH! And I forgot ... power supply. What's a recommended power supply and at what W? Will 500 be enough or should I leave more headroom and get something at 600-650? Definitely not putting in a second graphics card, etc.

 

[Termie]

You've got to pay to play, unfortunately, and when it comes to motherboards, you have to pay for more SATA3 slots. B75 won't cut it for you, it seems, if you want the most of multiple modern SSDs. That brings me back to the AsRock board I linked earlier with free RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157330

Why do you need a new PSU? The only possible reason is that your 470 is a power hog, LOL.

Simple solution: buy this Corsair 600w for $30AR/Code: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139028

It's not high-end, but it will do the job.

Remember, you gave us a budget of $400-600. I gave you a total build for $350, but you're now saying you want to spend less and buy more (a PSU). I think you should edit the original post to reflect your new budget and your new requirements. I'm not sure you're going to get everything you want, but we can help you make the right compromise.

 

[LameKuma]

Oh yeah, sorry for the confusion. I was sort of typing as I was thinking (yes, not the best way to go at it).

Thanks for your recommendations on motherboard, etc. I think I'll go with the B75 and go that route since the second SSD was all speculation anyways. Just wanted to see what my options were.

Also glad to find out that the stock fan/hs was sufficient enough to cool even in ambient temps of 80+.

Thanks once again.

 

[Ken g6]

The free RAM offer gets you a board with more memory slots and overclocking options for an effective $60, with free shipping. It's worth the extra $5!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

You know that he can sell his 470 as well as the other parts to help cover for the upgrade

 

[mfenn]

I've been finding that games such as Starcraft 2, CIV5, Shogun Total War would run into lag mode after awhile so I thought maybe upgrading to an Ivy Bridge CPU might do the trick.

Does this mean that the games run fine at the beginning of a session and that performance degrades over time? If so, you are probably throttling due to high temperatures. Clean and reapply your thermal paste and back off on the OC. See if things are more consistent then.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Does this mean that the games run fine at the beginning of a session and that performance degrades over time? If so, you are probably throttling due to high temperatures. Clean and reapply your thermal paste and back off on the OC. See if things are more consistent then.

I had this kind of problem in skyrim and Divinity 2 with my old system(E4500, 9800gt).
The games would play fine then gradually slow down to the point of total unplayability. I never did identify the problem. I cleaned the system and checked for overheating but all temps seemed normal. I think I might have been running out of graphics memory, since my card was only 512mb.

 

[LameKuma]

Yeah, I already cleaned out the system and it has an AIO cooling system so my temps are actually pretty low (the old system). And it's only when I have a trillion units on the screen at once.

So I found that microcenter is selling a Core i7 3770K for $229.99 locally (30 minute drive) ... going to have to just pick that up lol. The price is way too good for me to pass up.

 

[Termie]

Yeah, I already cleaned out the system and it has an AIO cooling system so my temps are actually pretty low (the old system). And it's only when I have a trillion units on the screen at once.

So I found that microcenter is selling a Core i7 3770K for $229.99 locally (30 minute drive) ... going to have to just pick that up lol. The price is way too good for me to pass up.

Yes, the MC deal is a no-brainer if it's within reasonable driving distance. Just keep in mind that the motherboard bundles won't apply, so as much as MC would like you to walk out with a bag full of goodies, you'd still be better off buying the MB/RAM combo I linked above from Newegg for $100 shipped.

 

[mfenn]

Yes, the MC deal is a no-brainer if it's within reasonable driving distance. Just keep in mind that the motherboard bundles won't apply, so as much as MC would like you to walk out with a bag full of goodies, you'd still be better off buying the MB/RAM combo I linked above from Newegg for $100 shipped.

Why wouldn't they apply? Getting the mobo + CPU at MC is pretty much a wash compared to the Extreme4 + RAM combo. You're saving $40 either way.

 

[Termie]

Why wouldn't they apply? Getting the mobo + CPU at MC is pretty much a wash compared to the Extreme4 + RAM combo. You're saving $40 either way.

They aren't giving the discount with the $230 3770k, unfortunately.

 

[mfenn]

They aren't giving the discount with the $230 3770k, unfortunately.

I see. They did indeed subtly change the text on this weeks ad.