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[bimbs]

Hi all,

I posted back in August about upgrading my rig (http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2264852) so that I could play skyrim and as luck would have it, applying thermal paste and cleaning out the dust fixed my problems.

I now want to upgrade the entire rig and just bought a Samsung 830 SSD, 256gb from Micro-center. Does anyone know the benefits of Windows 7 vs. 8?

Here is what I have:

MOBO: ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80569Q9550
VID :ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
RAM: 4GB unsure of kind
Windows XP 64bit
PSU: SeaSonic S12-430 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply
Case: Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
harddrive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3400620AS 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive


I'm thinking that I will either keep my current case OR go the mini-ITX route with this guy: http://www.amazon.com/Fractal-Design...al+design+node

or

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...d_sim_sbs_pc_1

Will I save a lot of money sticking with a normal ATX rig?

Basically, I need MOBO, CPU and VID card suggestions. I may buy the MOBO, CPU, RAM and New Windows now and wait a few months to upgrade the Vid card to save money.

Someone mentioned that if I buy the new windows I will need to use the same mobo/cpu.

Also, I heard that microcenter has a $20 coupon if I buy the CPU there, did anyone have any luck with this?

Sorry for the rant and THANKS for the help!

 

[Eureka]

You might save another $50-100 going with an ATX rig over a mITX, but that's mainly due to having to get better cooling and a modular power supply, due to the cramped space.

Microcenter right now has the i5-3570k for $170, and the $40 combo on any mobo again (so basically $170 + price of motherboard - 40). Cheapest z77 atx motherboard is usually $110. Cheapest z77 mITX motherboard at MC is $145 right now.

Memory is cheap. Look for 8GB of DDR3 1600/1866/2133 in the hot deals, will run you around $20-30.

Video card, hard to say without knowing your requirements. What games, at what resolutions? The 7850/7870/660/660Ti are strong for most games right now at 1080p. 7950/7970/670/680 if you move to 1200p and past it.

mfenn's mid-range computer guide is a good place to start as well. Most of my recommendations are in line with his.

But yeah, to reiterate, the mITX route will cost you an extra $100 at best ($40 more for motherboard, an extra $20 to go for a low profile air or AIO water cooler, and an extra $20-30 for a modular power supply, due to space constraints). This, of course, does not factor in the price of a new case.

 

[swanysto]

I had that processor, and if I remember correctly, it still runs DDR2. That would be a problem with the new processors, so might want to factor in DDR3.

 

[mfenn]

What's your budget? Does the OS or SSD cost need to be factored in to that?

 

[bimbs]

Thanks, guys! Price would be important...500! Here's the other questions.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Light Games/Vid editing/toying around/ etc

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
500 bucks!

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA

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.
N/A

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

*

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

8. What resolution will you be using?
27" monitor

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.
XMAS

 

[bimbs]

Hi again,

I just looked at this thread: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6490/small-form-factor-buyers-guide

And realized that it's probably cheaper for me to stick with my current case and build from there:

So, I will be using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129018
and the 256GB Samsung 830 SSD.

I have about 500 dollars left. Any more thoughts on Windows 8 vs. 7? Also, do you think I can reuse my PSU or will I need to upgrade?

Should I just grab the MOBO/CPU/VID from MFENN's mid-range build?

Thanks!!!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I had that processor, and if I remember correctly, it still runs DDR2. That would be a problem with the new processors, so might want to factor in DDR3.

Core 2s used DDR, DDR2 or DDR3, depending on the chipset of the motherboard they were plugged into. (They didn't have an onboard memory controller.)

The P5Q used DDR2 though.

 

[mfenn]

I have about 500 dollars left. Any more thoughts on Windows 8 vs. 7? Also, do you think I can reuse my PSU or will I need to upgrade?

Windows 8 is a fundamentally better OS than Windows 7 as long as you can get past the new "improved" UI. I'd say to go to a store and try out some Windows 8 computers. If it seems like something you could live with, then by all means pick it up. Otherwise grab Windows 7 while you still can.

Should I just grab the MOBO/CPU/VID from MFENN's mid-range build?

You certainly could do that (would need the RAM as well), but that'd end up blowing the budget by quite a bit. Figure $100 for the OS, which would leave you with $400. The best all-around upgrade IMHO would be something like this:

i5 3570K + GA-B75M-D3H combo $205 @ Microcenter
Samsung DDR3 1600 8GB $35
7850 2GB $175
Total: $415

 

[bimbs]

Awesome, thanks! Will I need to upgrade my PSU or can I keep the one I have?

Thanks again!

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Awesome, thanks! Will I need to upgrade my PSU or can I keep the one I have?

Thanks again!

Your power supply will be okay

 

[mfenn]

Awesome, thanks! Will I need to upgrade my PSU or can I keep the one I have?

Thanks again!

No worries, a Seasonic 430W is plenty for a 7850 setup.