Upgrade advice (original title!)

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:21

So, after nearly 6 months of saving and tough tech choices I have finally decided what to go for.

I am going to order it all on Monday so if anybody has any final pointers or even changes they think I would benefit from please feel free too share.

Thanks in advance.

lee32uk · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:28

You need a 'K' cpu if you intend on overclocking. I would swap the SSD for the Evo, as it is only £2 more.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £169.99
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £67.99
Total : £237.98 (includes shipping : ).

lee32uk · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:29

You not too bothered about colour coordination ?

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:31

lee32uk said:
You not too bothered about colour coordination ?

Not really. Should I be? lol

Truth told overclocking hadn't even occurred to me.

lee32uk · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:36

Tonytank said:
Not really. Should I be? lol

Truth told overclocking hadn't even occurred to me.

You don't have to colour coordinate, it's all down to personal preference

A 'K' cpu makes more sense in a Z87 Motherboard, and it is only £12 more. You don't have to overclock it at all, but it is there if you need it in the future...think free extra performance

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:45

When you put it like that it makes perfect sense.

The only thing I am really rubbing my stubble over is the graphics card. I have deliberately picked a monster of a card because I have in the past attempted to save on cards and suffered for my scrimping.

Ideally I want to be able to knock the seven shades out of the likes of Watch Dogs.

Idleman · 25 Apr 2014 at 14:47

Same price, but clocked slightly higher and comes with a 3 year warranty.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Inno3D GeForce GTX 780 iChill HerculeZ X3 Ultra 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (C78V-1SDN-L5HSX) £379.99
Total : £389.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Or a 290.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus Radeon R9 290 DirectCU II OC 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card - Red £347.99
Total : £357.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 15:00

Ahh thanks for the heads up sir.

The AMD looks awfully tempting but I have it feels like Nvidia is the safer bet right now.

lee32uk · 25 Apr 2014 at 15:06

This would be my card of choice. It is £50 cheaper than the ichill.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire Radeon R9 290 Tri-X 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (11227-03-40G) £329.99
Total : £329.99 (includes shipping : ).

Review - http://www.kitguru.net/components/g...ire-r9-290-tri-x-oc-review-1600p-ultra-hd-4k/

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 15:20

You make a solid case there. Also 3 free games aren't to be sniffed at. Even if the range is a little lacking.

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 15:50

Is the power supply I have chosen upto the job?

Idleman · 25 Apr 2014 at 15:56

If you are getting a cheaper card, then maybe look at getting a decent 650W Psu, with the money saved. Maybe a modular unit. This will give you a bit of headroom, especially if you get round to OC'ing Cpu and Gpu.

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 16:14

That was what I was thinking. Could you suggest any?

Actually thinking about it my current system already has one of these

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/product_index.aspx?psn=0001&pid=283&lid=1

Would this be good enough?

lee32uk · 25 Apr 2014 at 16:15

These links show 403W total power consumption for a Sapphire 290X and i5-3570K cpu overclocked to 4.2GHz when running Unigine Valley.

The non x 290 will be slightly less power hungry, as will a GTX 780.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/03/11/sapphire-radeon-r9-290x-tri-x-oc-review/2

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2014/03/11/sapphire-radeon-r9-290x-tri-x-oc-review/8

lee32uk · 25 Apr 2014 at 16:16

Tonytank said:
That was what I was thinking. Could you suggest any?

Actually thinking about it my current system already has one of these

http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/product_index.aspx?psn=0001&pid=283&lid=1

Would this be good enough?

Oh Yes

That PSU is made by Enermax, who are very good indeed.

Tonytank · 25 Apr 2014 at 16:27

Good stuff. Thats a bit of money saved.

So my current power supply will run the sapphire powered rig? Lovely!

Tonytank · 26 Apr 2014 at 16:34

So this is my final buying list...

I shall also be using my existing power supply, the Sapphire 625W Power Supply

I shall be ordering on Monday. I cannot wait to build Gertrude 2!

Tonytank · 26 Apr 2014 at 16:38

Strange follow up question.

I haven't built a PC since 2009. Has much changed? Is installing to an ssd drive any more complicated than installing to a normal HD?

Sliver · 26 Apr 2014 at 17:09

Tonytank said:
Strange follow up question.

I haven't built a PC since 2009. Has much changed? Is installing to an ssd drive any more complicated than installing to a normal HD?

Just make sure that you check your BIOS and ensure your SSD is set to AHCI. Also, if you are installing an OS onto your new SSD, then disconnect your HDD till you are done as this can cause problems.

Idleman · 26 Apr 2014 at 17:12

Tonytank said:
Strange follow up question.

I haven't built a PC since 2009. Has much changed? Is installing to an ssd drive any more complicated than installing to a normal HD?

Before installing OS to ssd, make sure ACHI mode is selected in the bios. Also, don`t connect your hdd, until after the installation has finished.
I would also, for an extra £5, get this cooler.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Raijintek Themis Direct Contact CPU Cooler £19.99
Total : £25.97 (includes shipping : £4.98).