PC Upgrade

KugarWeb

KugarWeb

KugarWeb

Associate
Joined
10 Jan 2011
Posts
54
Hi all,

Okay so my PC has recently been playing up and basically the processor has gone bang. I've weighed up the solutions and it comes down to either replacing my previous processor (Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300) or just replacing pretty much everything.

One problem with replacing the processor and keeping the motherboard is that I'm unsure if the motherboard is bad and so don't want to waste £50-60 on a new processor only for it to die. That, and it's been about 4 years since I did a proper upgrade on the machine and it's beginning to show it's age.

So, below is the current setup I have (ie. PSU, HDDs etc):

Corsair 750W PSU
2x SATA HDDs (5400RPM and 7200RPM)
3x DVDRW drives
CoolerMaster Elite 335 Case
Crucial 4GB & PNY 2GB DDR2 RAM 1066Mhz RAM
Asus 560Ti TOP II 1024MB Graphics Card

Eventually I want to replace the case with a CoolerMaster Dominator (CM690 II) or something similar but that can hold off for a while. Here's the setup I'm looking to buy, though it won't be altogether as I can't afford it.

Gigabyte Z68X-UD3P Intel Z68 Motherboard - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-342-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat= - £90.00 (THIS WEEK ONLY!)

Intel Core i5 2550k 3.40Ghz (Sandybridge) - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-402-IN - £179.99

Ideally I'd like to keep as much of the original setup as possible such as the PSU and the memory...even if there isn't a great performance jump!

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. All being well I'll be looking to buy at least the motherboard this week so I can get it in time for the offer - along with some RAM if it is really needed.

Cheers,

KugarWeb.
 
Last edited:
Yes they are all SATA.

Nice selection!

Couple of questions - what's the reason for changing from the 2550K to the 2500K processor?

What is different between the Gigabyte motherboard I picked out and the Z69A-D3H-GEN3? I.e what will I be getting for my extra ten quid?

Will I need to also upgrade my PSU to support the changes?
 
KugarWeb said:
Yes they are all SATA.

Nice selection!

Couple of questions - what's the reason for changing from the 2550K to the 2500K processor? Cheaper and has onboard video

What is different between the Gigabyte motherboard I picked out and the Z69A-D3H-GEN3? I.e what will I be getting for my extra ten quid?You get Lucid Virtu and Onboard Video

Will I need to also upgrade my PSU to support the changes?No
Click to expand...
 
KugarWeb said:
Yes they are all SATA.

Nice selection!

Couple of questions - what's the reason for changing from the 2550K to the 2500K processor?
Click to expand...

Saving a Tenner, The only difference is the extra 100Mhz clock speed. Worth saving a tenner IMO.

KugarWeb said:
What is different between the Gigabyte motherboard I picked out and the Z69A-D3H-GEN3? I.e what will I be getting for my extra ten quid?
Click to expand...

You get a gen 3 compatible PCI-E Slot. This will only become active with a IVy bridge CPU though, If you don't think you'll be going Ivy bridge i would save another tenner.

KugarWeb said:
Will I need to also upgrade my PSU to support the changes?
Click to expand...

Your PSU will be fine, more than fine.
 
Doomedspeed said:
You get a gen 3 compatible PCI-E Slot. This will only become active with a IVy bridge CPU though, If you don't think you'll be going Ivy bridge i would save another tenner.
Click to expand...

It dosen't make any diffrence between the boards in relation to the PCI E 3 as the BIOS update will make the other board PCI E 3.0 ready.
 
jamesfreddie said:
It dosen't make any diffrence between the boards in relation to the PCI E 3 as the BIOS update will make the other board PCI E 3.0 ready.
Click to expand...

Really;) what about the difference in wired lanes direct to the top 16X slot and ones that pass through switches?
 
jamesfreddie said:
I thought you just updated the BIOS then you could use Ivybridge and get PCI E 3.0?
Click to expand...

Then you need to learn theres only 8X lanes wired directly to the top slot, the others go through switches that arent Gen3.0 compatible;)

8X Gen3.0 is equivalent to 16X 2.0

The other board gets 16X Gen3.0 or 8X/8X Gen3.0 in SLI/Crossfire.
 
Hmm interesting. I'll probably wait until the Ivybridge processors turn up (read reports that they're delayed at the moment). I'm guessing this will then mean that Sandybridge processors will become cheaper?

In that case it looks like I'm going to have to postpone my motherboard purchase too :(
 
KugarWeb said:
Hmm interesting. I'll probably wait until the Ivybridge processors turn up (read reports that they're delayed at the moment). I'm guessing this will then mean that Sandybridge processors will become cheaper?

In that case it looks like I'm going to have to postpone my motherboard purchase too :(
Click to expand...


Sandybridge CPU prices have been pretty steady now for awhile, IB CPUs (depending on model) could come in cheaper and more expensive than current SB chips, just sort of "slot into" the pricing structure?
 
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