Upgrade Advice Needed

[Phant0m444]

I'm looking to upgrade my current CPU/memory configuration. I plan on keeping my current video card, PSU, case, and monitor. I like to play the latest PC games, and I'm upgrading with BF3 in mind. I won't do any overclocking. Here's my current setup:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
RAM: 4GB DDR2
Video: Nvidia GTX 460 768MB
PSU: 600W OCZ

For the upgrades, here's what I'm considering so far:

CPU: Intel i5-2500k
RAM: 8GB DDR3
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z68P-DS3

I have some questions about my upgrade choices:

1.) Is the Intel i5-2500k a good CPU choice for gaming? I don't want to spend more than $250 on the CPU generally...

2.) What speed/type of DDR3 should I pair with the CPU? Is PC3 12800(DDR3 1600) a good choice?

3.) Depending on the CPU, what are some of the better/popular choices for the mobo? I don't care about overclocking features... I just want reliability. I also need to have old/legacy PCI slots since my favorite old sound card uses one.

4.) Should I avoid upgrading my CPU/memory and instead upgrade the video card? My CPU is over 2 years old, and 4GB RAM seems kinda low now, so I think its time to replace them. My GTX 460, while not exactly powerful, is the newest component in my current setup and I think I could hold on to it a little longer...

 

[Ken g6]

1.) Is the Intel i5-2500k a good CPU choice for gaming?

Yes! Except...

I won't do any overclocking.

Then you might want to drop down to the 2500(non-k) or 2400. But why not overclock, even a little? 4GHz, for instance, is really easy these days.

2.) What speed/type of DDR3 should I pair with the CPU? Is PC3 12800(DDR3 1600) a good choice?

Generic DDR3-1333 is a good choice. If you want to upgrade to Ivy Bridge later, 1600 might be better - we don't know yet, but it's not that much more expensive. Prices range from the $30s (in a Newegg bundle) to $42 for 1333, to ~$50 for 1600 low-voltage.

Mobo depends on whether you want to overclock or not at all.

4.) Should I avoid upgrading my CPU/memory and instead upgrade the video card?

No, I think you're on the right track. Except for the no overclocking thing. (Did you know your video card can be overclocked too?)

 

[lehtv]

1.) Is the Intel i5-2500k a good CPU choice for gaming? I don't want to spend more than $250 on the CPU generally...

If you won't do any overclocking, get the i5-2500 or i5-2400. If you do get the 2500K and decide to overclock (it is very easy), you'd do well to invest in a budget aftermarket cooler as well.

2.) What speed/type of DDR3 should I pair with the CPU? Is PC3 12800(DDR3 1600) a good choice?

The RAM for Sandy Bridge should be dual-channel 1333MHz or 1600Mhz CL9 1.5V. Almost any kit that fits those requirements will do, just get whichever is the cheapest. Anything with faster clocks or timings is not worth the extra cost.

3.) Depending on the CPU, what are some of the better/popular choices for the mobo? I don't care about overclocking features... I just want reliability. I also need to have old/legacy PCI slots since my favorite old sound card uses one.

PCI slots are found in most motherboards. You'd be fine with almost any $100-130 P67/Z68 chipset board from Gigabyte, Asrock, or Asus. If you really want to save cash, get a microATX H67 board for $80 or so - this isn't an option though if you plan on going dual-GPU in the future.

Should I avoid upgrading my CPU/memory and instead upgrade the video card? My CPU is over 2 years old, and 4GB RAM seems kinda low now, so I think its time to replace them. My GTX 460, while not exactly powerful, is the newest component in my current setup and I think I could hold on to it a little longer...

The GTX 460 768mb is a bit underpowered for BF3, I think you'll be able to play it on medium settings at best, perhaps low textures and no AA, given the low amount of VRAM. Probably depends on the map, as well as your resolution. But you'd need to upgrade to 6950 2GB or GTX 570 1.28GB to get enough performance to actually justify the upgrade. I think your current CPU can handle a 6950, but if it's in your budget, I'd recommend to get the i5-2400 as well, it's a big improvement over E8400 in every way including gaming, and it'll last you a long time. If not, you could hold out on the CPU upgrade until Intel Ivy Bridge.

See here for a comparison of E8400 and i5-2400: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/56?vs=363

And here for 460 768mb vs 6950 2GB: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/293?vs=315

 

[Phant0m444]

If you won't do any overclocking, get the i5-2500 or i5-2400. If you do get the 2500K and decide to overclock (it is very easy), you'd do well to invest in a budget aftermarket cooler as well.


The RAM for Sandy Bridge should be dual-channel 1333MHz or 1600Mhz CL9 1.5V. Almost any kit that fits those requirements will do, just get whichever is the cheapest. Anything with faster clocks or timings is not worth the extra cost.

Why should I get the i5-2500 or 2400 instead of the 2500K if I don't overclock? The prices are practically the same, and newegg is offering $15 discount on the 2500K. Does the 2500K run hotter or use more power or something?

In regards to the RAM, I understand that timing is not really important... but does low voltage matter?

Also, in your post you kinda seemed to indicate that upgrading the video card might be better. I just feel like my CPU/memory combo is ancient, and its always easy to upgrade the GPU... so I'm leaning towards upgrading the CPU/memory right now. I play games at low resolution(1024x768), so I think I could get by with medium settings on BF3 with 768MB GTX 460 for awhile. I never use AA either...

 

[Ken g6]

does low voltage matter?

Only if you're completely and utterly obsessed with minimizing power use and/or heat. I am; you're probably not.

The discount code puts the 2500k over the regular 2500. The 2400 is still a little cheaper. I suggest getting one in the linked bundle with RAM.

I play games at low resolution(1024x768)

Oh, I think you should be fine then. Since you're not using high resolutions, you don't need to SLI or Crossfire. So I suggest the ASRock Pro3, $105.

 

[lehtv]

Why should I get the i5-2500 or 2400 instead of the 2500K if I don't overclock? The prices are practically the same, and newegg is offering $15 discount on the 2500K. Does the 2500K run hotter or use more power or something?

Of course if it's the same price as 2500 then go with the K version.

Also, in your post you kinda seemed to indicate that upgrading the video card might be better. I just feel like my CPU/memory combo is ancient, and its always easy to upgrade the GPU... so I'm leaning towards upgrading the CPU/memory right now. I play games at low resolution(1024x768), so I think I could get by with medium settings on BF3 with 768MB GTX 460 for awhile. I never use AA either...

At such a low resolution, you're obviously CPU bottlenecked. I would upgrade to a 1080p monitor and a 6950 2GB, and postpone the CPU upgrade until Ivy Bridge. If you don't want to get a better monitor for some reason (you really should upgrade the monitor), then upgrading the CPU to a 2500(K) will increase FPS tremendously.

P.S. Upgrade the monitor

 

[Phant0m444]

Thanks for the advice ken g6 and lehtv. I like the combo CPU/RAM deal you found Ken. :thumbsup:

Looks like I will get the 2500K with 8GB RAM and a new mobo. A GPU upgrade will always be possible later...

 

[mfenn]

Thanks for the advice ken g6 and lehtv. I like the combo CPU/RAM deal you found Ken. :thumbsup:

Looks like I will get the 2500K with 8GB RAM and a new mobo. A GPU upgrade will always be possible later...

Don't forget the monitor! :thumbsup: