Computer from 2012 upgrade advice

RadicalCookie · 24 Sep 2017 at 18:59

Hello all,

I was about to buy a bigger SSD but figured it might be a good opportunity for an upgrade. My current PC I built since 2012, actually has done me good.

Processor: i5 2500k 3.3GHz
Graphics: HIS 6950 IceQ Turbo 2GB
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (refurbished, i stupidly fried the first one by accident)
RAM: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 850W V2 High Performance '80 Plus Bronze

I have 2 monitors, quite happy with gaming at 1080p as long as I hit 60FPS. I was thinking about upgrading the graphics card to a 1080 ti and play a couple of VR games (I can borrow a rift/vive from work). I haven't overclocked anything. I tried looking into but must admit it is scares me as I might mess something up. I've seen other people with a 1080ti and 2500k and being able to play VR but they had their processors overclocked; would I be able to play without overclocking?

If I do end up buying the graphics card, I could incrementally make upgrades as opposed to upgrading in one go. I'm up for recommendation for 1080ti, although one of my monitors is DVI-D and the other is currently connect with VGA (can do HDMI)

Thanks

edit: forgot to add power supply

ExRayTed · 24 Sep 2017 at 19:23

1080ti is overkil at 1080p. A 1070 will be perfectly fine.

Plec · 24 Sep 2017 at 23:06

As above.

And with the money saved, from not buying a 1080TI, strap on a better cooler (if you haven't already) and clock that 2500K to an easy 4.3/4.5GHz. It will allow the GTX 1070 to breath more - giving better FPS/performance.

And with the other savings double your memory to 16Gb - ideally 2 x 8GB - and sell you 8Gb sticks.

You will still have cash left over not buying a TI and better performance too within games.

RadicalCookie · 25 Sep 2017 at 19:24

Haven't really thought about upgrading the cooler, but now that you mention it it's not a bad idea. The one I have is pretty loud. Which one should I get?

Also, can I put off upgrading my RAM? Do I need 16GB?

Plec · 25 Sep 2017 at 19:59

RadicalCookie said:
Haven't really thought about upgrading the cooler, but now that you mention it it's not a bad idea. The one I have is pretty loud. Which one should I get?

What's your case size? You need to check cooler maximum height.

But these are two great value coolers:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler= £28.99
1 x Cryorig H7 Single Tower Heatsink with 120mm Fan= £34.99

RadicalCookie said:
Also, can I put off upgrading my RAM? Do I need 16GB?

Yes, of course. You can get by with 8GB - but know that a lot games are utilising/needing above 8Gb now.

But you can certainly get by with 8Gb if needed.

RadicalCookie · 25 Sep 2017 at 21:10

I have a Corsair Carbide 500R Midi Tower Case, pretty sure the ones you have mentioned will fit. How quiet are they? I got one of the Akasa venom voodoo and it's pretty loud.

Plec · 25 Sep 2017 at 23:54

RadicalCookie said:
I have a Corsair Carbide 500R Midi Tower Case, pretty sure the ones you have mentioned will fit. How quiet are they? I got one of the Akasa venom voodoo and it's pretty loud.

You already have capable cooler - you would be after a Noctua, Phanteks or be quiet to get the performance you want plus relative silence.

Spankme · 26 Sep 2017 at 00:22

BE Quiet! Pure Dark Rock 3 is a very quiet cooler, but then again for the price the Evo 212 is not that far off and its a hell of a lot cheaper..

Harl0 · 26 Sep 2017 at 08:49

I run the Evo 212, its very quiet and keeps my i5-3570K under 40c even under load.

Plec · 26 Sep 2017 at 09:11

Harl0 said:
I run the Evo 212, its very quiet and keeps my i5-3570K under 40c even under load.

Under what clock and voltage?

As they are quiet if cooling CPU at stock/volts - but they usually become audible when countering higher clocks/volts under load.

RadicalCookie · 26 Sep 2017 at 19:03

Plec said:
You already have capable cooler - you would be after a Noctua, Phanteks or be quiet to get the performance you want plus relative silence.

I suppose I could buy the fans only. Just got back home and checked my CPU cooler, it had those rubber mount things that's keeping the fan to the braket. I guess I'll buy the Noctua then since I remember a lot of people swear by them

TallPaul1878 · 26 Sep 2017 at 19:08

If Noctua fans make you vomit due to their baby sick coloured design you could take a look at a Cryorig

Harl0 · 27 Sep 2017 at 14:19

Plec said:
Under what clock and voltage?

As they are quiet if cooling CPU at stock/volts - but they usually become audible when countering higher clocks/volts under load.

Currently running a 4.2ghz overclock with 1.31 vcore. Under max load, you can barely hear the fans, and temps dont go above 72c.

EDIT: I had a little look last night and I do have an additional fan fitted so operate a push/pull on this cooler.

Quartz · 27 Sep 2017 at 14:31

ExRayTed said:
1080ti is overkil at 1080p. A 1070 will be perfectly fine.

But the OP is also going to use VR. A 1080 Ti will be a better choice for VR than a 1070 thanks to reduced reprojection rates.

Plec · 27 Sep 2017 at 19:58

Harl0 said:
I run the Evo 212, its very quiet and keeps my i5-3570K under 40c even under load.

Is this gaming load?

Harl0 said:
Currently running a 4.2ghz overclock with 1.31 vcore. Under max load, you can barely hear the fans, and temps dont go above 72c.

EDIT: I had a little look last night and I do have an additional fan fitted so operate a push/pull on this cooler.

At those volts/clock you won't be stressing the EVO - and with the second fan it won't be spinning at full speed - if the 40 degrees under load is under normal load (not synthetic benching).

And at low operation the fans are quiet. It's a great, classic cooler for the money.

Is the 72 degrees under synthetic test load?