Potential New Computer Build - To build or not to build?

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

wildest_jjk

Soldato
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Hi guys,

So I get the feeling it's time to upgrade my computer. It is about a year and a half old and was my first build. If anyone is interested the thread I made for it can be found here:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18283157&highlight=computer+build.

These are the specs:

1 x MSI ATI Radeon HD 6870 Twin FrozR II OC 1048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with FREE Shogun 2
1 x Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3GHz Socket 1155 6MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor
1 x MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 (socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard - (Sandybridge) ** B3 REVISION ** with FREE Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler
1 x OCZ 60GB Vertex 2E SSD 2.5" SATA-II Read = 285MB/s, Write = 275MB/s 50,000 IOPS
1 x G.Skill RipJawsX 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM)
1 x XFX Pro 650W Core Edition Power Supply
1 x Coolermaster CM 690 II LITE Version
1 x Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM / 16x DVD±RW Lightscribe SATA-II Optical Drive - Black (OEM) [SH-B123L/BSBP ]

Now this is working fine but there are various reasons why I want to upgrade. To start with I feel that the CPU and graphics card aren't that great anymore. There seems to be a lot better hardware on the market and I don't like being left behind ;). One of the other main reasons is that I would like to run at least one 2560x1440 monitor which will be used for gaming. This would then me accompanied by a further 1-2 23/24 inch monitors. Ideally I want to run games at max settings as well.

If anybody think's this can be accomplished without the need to fully upgrade then please let me know :) I am open to various options.

Anyway if I go ahead with the build here is a basket that I have put together relatively quickly. I think most of the parts are reasonable, but some of you guys may think they are overkill. There may even be some compatability problems (I hope not). Here they are:

YOUR BASKET
2 x Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 7970 Windforce 3X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with Crysis 3 & Bioshock PC Games £329.99 (£659.98)
1 x Intel Core i7-3770K 3.50GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £269.99
1 x OCZ ZX Series 850W '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £149.99
1 x MSI Z77A-GD65 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £139.99
1 x Cooler Master HAF 922 Case - Black £89.99
1 x Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10) £79.99
1 x Asus Xonar DG 5.1 PCI Sound Card with built in Headphone Amp - OEM £22.99
Total : £1,430.62 (includes shipping : £14.75).



One final thing, if I do go ahead with a new build is there any reason to hang on for new components to be released? Such as Haswell or a new graphics card series? This is probably total rubbish but might as well put it out there!

Any help will be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks!
 
My biggest concern is the sound card being PCI has no where to go on that motherboard.

You can have this Seasonic PSU for the same price - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-SS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2383


So a few changes,


YOUR BASKET
2 x Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 7970 Windforce 3X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with Crysis 3 & Bioshock PC Games £329.99 (£659.98)
1 x Intel Core i7-3770K 3.50GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £269.99
1 x Seasonic X-Series 850w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £149.99
1 x CM Storm Trooper Full Tower Gaming Case - Black £119.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £112.99
1 x Asus Xonar DSX 7.1 PCI Express 1.0 Sound Card Retail £43.99
1 x GeIL EVO Leggera 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GEL38GB1600C9DC) £35.99
Total : £1,410.61 (includes shipping : £14.75).

 
Last edited:
Might want to get smaller RAM since the tall heatsinks might cause problems with aftermarket CPU heatsinks.

I would also personally get a CPU cooler so I could overclock a bit and since the stock is pretty noisy/horrible.
 
Thanks for the response.

stulid said:
My biggest concern is the sound card being PCI has no where to go on that motherboard.

You can have this Seasonic PSU for the same price - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-SS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=2383


So a few changes,


YOUR BASKET
2 x Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 7970 Windforce 3X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with Crysis 3 & Bioshock PC Games £329.99 (£659.98)
1 x Intel Core i7-3770K 3.50GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £269.99
1 x Seasonic X-Series 850w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £149.99
1 x CM Storm Trooper Full Tower Gaming Case - Black £119.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £112.99
1 x Asus Xonar DSX 7.1 PCI Express 1.0 Sound Card Retail £43.99
1 x GeIL EVO Leggera 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (GEL38GB1600C9DC) £35.99
Total : £1,410.61 (includes shipping : £14.75).

Click to expand...

I agree with the soundcard it was kind of an after thought. Did also miss the PSU. What was the reason behind lowering the amount of RAM?

Smoogels said:
Might want to get smaller RAM since the tall heatsinks might cause problems with aftermarket CPU heatsinks.

I would also personally get a CPU cooler so I could overclock a bit and since the stock is pretty noisy/horrible.
Click to expand...

I do need to add a CPU cooler anyway, it's a good point. Any suggestions?

Thanks :D
 
wildest_jjk said:
I agree with the soundcard it was kind of an after thought. Did also miss the PSU. What was the reason behind lowering the amount of RAM?
Click to expand...


8GB is all you need for a gaming PC, in fact you can still carry over your 2500K/RAM and board as there is nothing wrong with them? But if you are intent on upgrading then go for it.


If I was in your shoes I would get the new GFX card, case and a newer SSD and see how that goes.
 
Last edited:
stulid said:
8GB is all you need for a gaming PC, in fact you can still carry over your 2500K/RAM and board as there is nothing wrong with them? But if you are intent on upgrading then go for it.


If I was in your shoes I would get the new GFX card, case and a newer SSD and see how that goes.
Click to expand...

This makes perfect sense. I would hang on to the 2500k for another year.
The only upgrade to my current system will be the Gpu but not until later in the year.
 
Thanks for all the useful responses.

So you guys seem to be in agreement. These are the parts I would need based on stulid's recommendation:

YOUR BASKET
2 x Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 7970 Windforce 3X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card with Crysis 3 & Bioshock PC Games £329.99 (£659.98)
1 x Seasonic X-Series 850w '80 Plus Gold' Modular Power Supply £149.99
1 x CM Storm Trooper Full Tower Gaming Case - Black £119.99
1 x Asus Xonar DSX 7.1 PCI Express 1.0 Sound Card Retail £43.99
Total : £990.44 (includes shipping : £13.75).



Don't know if I am sure on the case. Cable management doesn't seem to be great although I suppose this time I will have a modular PSU...

Any suggestions for SSD's as well?

Thanks :D
 
Last edited:
wildest_jjk said:
Don't know if I am sure on the case. Cable management doesn't seem to be great although I suppose this time I will have a modular PSU...

Any suggestions for SSD's as well?

Thanks :D
Click to expand...

There are plenty of good SSD's

Samsung 840 and 840 pro
Plextor M5 pro
Corsair Neutron and Neutron GTX


Find a case you like and check that it has good room for a huge air heatsink and accepts long GFX cards.

Maybe watch some videos online.
 
 
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