• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Upgrade or re-build / new buy

J

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Hello,

I built a computer back in 2004 using Mechbgon's guide (thank you!). In 2010 I bought a new system from ibuypower. It's been a while and I am getting to the point where I desperately need to upgrade my system. Would you guys do a completely new build / buy or upgrade your system based on my current seutp (see below). I mostly game / do some photo editing. My wife uses the system for my business quickbooks. I want to build or buy a high end system for gaming. If I build, my brother in law will be helping me out. I will need to upgrade my 27" monitor as it's only 1080p. I'll be spending 2,000 - 2,500 either building or buying.

Question.

Is my old system worth upgrading or just too old: (for the video, it's 2 cards in crossfire).

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/24/2016, 12:12:09
Machine name: JRPHOENIX-PC
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 10586) (10586.th2_release_sec.161024-1825)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: X58A-UD3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6142MB RAM
Page File: 5371MB used, 6915MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: 11.2
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
Miracast: Not Available
Microsoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported
DxDiag Version: 10.00.10586.0000 64bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6898)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Type: Full Device
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6898&SUBSYS_22891787&REV_00
Display Memory: 4840 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2024 MB
Shared Memory: 2816 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: S27E390
Monitor Id: SAM0C1C
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
 
If it's not meeting your needs, about the only thing you can really do is add a new video card and SSD. You didn't say if your gaming or photo editing is being held back by your current setup.

If you are upgrading your monitor to 4k, you are probably at the point of building a new computer.

If you plan on playing current games at 4k, you are realistically looking at 2 x GTX 1070 or a GTX 1080, although the dual 1070s is most likely a better choice for many (dependent on games, of course).
 
Lemme think. . . . I'm pretty sure the 930 Nehalem was a quad-core. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure. I think the hexa-core model was called Gulftown.

There are numerous configurations people will recommend. I'm not recommending anything, but I'll share my latest build -- almost complete.

i7-6700K -- [binned, de-lidded and re-lidded with CLU TIM for better cooling]
ASUS Sabertooth Z170 S
16GB 2x8 DDR4-3200 G.SKILL TridentZ 14-14-14
ADATA SP550 SATA SSD boot-system disk [temporary, as I wait to see what the Samsung 960 Pro M.2 NVMe provides at the right price.
2TB 2.5" Seagate Barracuda
1TB 2.5" HGST HDD
250 GB Crucial SSD -- for SSD-caching with PrimoCache for both Win 7 and Win 10 (dual-boot on the ADATA)

I used an "old" Coolermaster Stacker 830 case, modded for airflow and the prospect of liquid-cooling.

For the cooler, I craw-fished on my water-cooled plans and used a ThermalRight Le Grand Macho (~$70). Together with the modded CPU, I can clock to 4.7 Ghz and a peak package temperature of ~ 75C with affinitized LinX -- better than an external EXOS dual-fan water-cooler benchtest in a review of either the i7-6700K or the same with the Sabertooth board.

Graphics card -- Gigabyte GTX 1070 Mini-OC

PSU -- Seasonic Flagship PRIME TITANIUM 750 SSR-750TD Active PFC 80 PLUS Titanium 750W
[Can't believe that I overpowered this sucker, but it's closer to what it should be than my Sandy Bridge with an 850X.]

I can tell you I'm happier than a pig in shit with this system at the moment. I expect to be even happier when I can spring for a 960 PRo to use as both dual-boot-system and caching volumes for the slower storage including the ADATA.

Of course, it all depends on your wallet, your wants -- and your needs. I think I spent just about what you planned to spend -- check the prices. Of course, I already had the case and all but two of the fans.

Save yourself $150, get the retail-box i7-6700K "as-is," but you won't be able to clock it like I do mine. You might fare well with a less expensive PSU of similar quality. You might be able to cut the graphics card price almost in half with a GTX 1060. SATA SSDs are cheap -- the ADATA cost me about $110. The RAM was maybe $120 or $130.

Again -- wait for the opinions of others, which should be forthcoming.

Here's a photo:

Lights-Camera-HDD-Action%201.jpg


jrphoenix said:
Hello,

I built a computer back in 2004 using Mechbgon's guide (thank you!). In 2010 I bought a new system from ibuypower. It's been a while and I am getting to the point where I desperately need to upgrade my system. Would you guys do a completely new build / buy or upgrade your system based on my current seutp (see below). I mostly game / do some photo editing. My wife uses the system for my business quickbooks. I want to build or buy a high end system for gaming. If I build, my brother in law will be helping me out. I will need to upgrade my 27" monitor as it's only 1080p. I'll be spending 2,000 - 2,500 either building or buying.

Question.

Is my old system worth upgrading or just too old: (for the video, it's 2 cards in crossfire).

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/24/2016, 12:12:09
Machine name: JRPHOENIX-PC
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 10586) (10586.th2_release_sec.161024-1825)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: X58A-UD3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6142MB RAM
Page File: 5371MB used, 6915MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: 11.2
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
Miracast: Not Available
Microsoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported
DxDiag Version: 10.00.10586.0000 64bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6898)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Type: Full Device
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6898&SUBSYS_22891787&REV_00
Display Memory: 4840 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2024 MB
Shared Memory: 2816 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: S27E390
Monitor Id: SAM0C1C
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
UsandThem said:
If it's not meeting your needs, about the only thing you can really do is add a new video card and SSD. You didn't say if your gaming or photo editing is being held back by your current setup.

If you are upgrading your monitor to 4k, you are probably at the point of building a new computer.

If you plan on playing current games at 4k, you are realistically looking at 2 x GTX 1070 or a GTX 1080, although the dual 1070s is most likely a better choice for many (dependent on games, of course).
Click to expand...

It is holding me back in gaming. I can only play war hammer total war at minimal settings. I do want to upgrade my monitor to 4K or at least 1440. Would you just do a complete overhaul or keep the quad core CPU @2.8?
 
jrphoenix said:
It is holding me back in gaming. I can only play war hammer total war at minimal settings. I do want to upgrade my monitor to 4K or at least 1440. Would you just do a complete overhaul or keep the quad core CPU @2.8?
Click to expand...

You could squeeze a few more years out of the Nehalem for use with older games or just "for regular usage." If it were me, I might convert it to server-duty to replace my WHS-2011 on an old NVidia Striker Extreme board. Instead, I have a Z68 board and IB i5-3470 waiting in the wings for a Win 2012 R2 Essentials installation.

That Nehalem technology is about six years old, though. As much as you might try to upgrade, don't you think it's "about time" for a new system?
 
BonzaiDuck said:
You could squeeze a few more years out of the Nehalem for use with older games or just "for regular usage." If it were me, I might convert it to server-duty to replace my WHS-2011 on an old NVidia Striker Extreme board. Instead, I have a Z68 board and IB i5-3470 waiting in the wings for a Win 2012 R2 Essentials installation.

That Nehalem technology is about six years old, though. As much as you might try to upgrade, don't you think it's "about time" for a new system?
Click to expand...


Yes 6 years is probably too old to upgrade. I never thought about a server. That's a great idea. Thank you.
 
I just build this rig, well under 2K and runs anything you throw at it..
And the best of all, its great fun overclocking.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MCXMwV
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/MCXMwV/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($329.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H5 Universal 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z170 OC Formula ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($218.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($93.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Crucial MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($124.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.78 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB GAMING X 8G Video Card ($664.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1657.27
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-03 02:17 EST-0500
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top