Gaming PC build (+Questions!)

[Minato]

Hi gents, hoping you could help me out with a few questions I have. Built my last PC a number of years ago, so not really up to date with the current market and so will be getting a prebuilt system from OcUK this time around.

My current specs:
i7 920 D0 (Proliminatech Megahalems cooled)
Gigabyte UD3R
Radeon 5850
6GB Trichannel Kingston RAM
Samsung 128GB SSD
WD 1TB HDD
Antec 902

It's lasted me well these last few years but it's starting to struggle with newer games, even Skyrim has stutters and lags when paired with some graphics mods. The original plan was to give this PC to the missus as she just does light gaming and watching tv/films mostly, and drop around £1000 on a new build. The other option is to get her one for around £700, and a new graphics card for this one.

So questions:
1. If I just add a new GFX card to the above, would it be able to comfortably run all new games at max settings (1920x1080) for at least a year or two? Something like http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-348-SP The best thing about the 5850 is it's stable as a rock and doesn't overheat, so I never get those bloody "display driver has stopped working and has recovered" anymore. Most important thing for me to be honest!

2. Depends on answer to Question 1 If no, i'll be spending around £1k so was thinking of something like this?

 

[Minato]

Hi!

Are you overclocking your CPU?

Your options in my eyes are: upgrade to a 290/780, overclock the nuts of your CPU and wait it out till major improvements from the 920

One of my systems runs a very similar setup to yours (i7 950 and had a 5870), I upgraded the graphics card to a r9 290 and that system is great in games.

Obviously a new i7 would be ideal and would produce better minimum and average frame rates, but nothing super duper insane. Upgrading platforms obviously means you get use of newer tech like full sata 3 speeds, uefi bios and etc. As for lasting 2 years with just a graphics card upgrade, hard to say.

I think going from a i7 920 to to a 4690k (new version of a 4670k, the above build they have listed is using the older version) is really not worth it. Either you go to a i7 4970k or don't bother.

And I do have to mention that you would get far more bang for your "buck" building it yourself, it very easy but naturally not everyone has the time for that though.

Ow and a note for the above build, upgrade the ram to something faster. 2133 C9 or 2400 c10 (TeamGroup have a new set at a great price currently) ideally. I also don't like that they use a 550w PSU, not that it wouldn't be fine, but after a few years of capacitor ageing and overclocks on gpu and CPU I bet you would be vvvvery close to its limit. I'd be happier with a good quality 650w for piece of mind!

I do believe that you can ring customer support and they can change the configuration to anything you have in mind.

Also for a fee I think overclockers will assemble a custom selection of parts you choose. If you would like I can put together/list something that I would be comfortable spending 1k on?

Hi

I currently haven't overclocked my CPU. I know the D0 Stepping i7 was meant to be very good for this purpose but I never really saw the need and left it at stock.

Your suggestions make a lot of sense, and thank you for the recommended build! I'm always glad to come back here, especially when i'm not up to date on the latest hardware since I know there'll always be a knowledgeable individual ready to help!

I'll ring OcUK tomorrow and ask them about a quote for the build.

Many thanks.