Please Spec me - Upgrading old OC system

[Pex86]

Hi,

I would really appreciate some help upgrading my old OC System, "Titan Goliath" Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz @ 3.60GHz Quad Core DDR3 System, which i bought in 2009.

Key Components

:- Intel Core i7 930 2.80GHz Overclocked to 3.60GHz!
:- Gigabyte EX58A-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
:- Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel
:- Corsair TX 650W ATX2.2 SLI Compliant PSU

The case is a Cooler Master Elite 335 Case - Black.

I upgraded the GFX card last year to a HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card.

If i run the GFX card on full power the PSU fails - other than that the system runs fine.

I do not need an OS / monitor / peripherals / GFX Card. I am willing to upgrade / replace everything else.

I do not have a budget in mind, i just need something that will last a good few years for playing games etc.

I have been considering this bundle - Z77 Gamer" Intel Core i5 3570K 3.40GHz @ 4.50GHz DDR3 Ivybridge Overclocked Bundle

Thanks.

 

[implosiveturnip]

Get a new PSU no matter what. And make sure it's a good one, like a seasonic or a be quiet. PSU goes pop, it might take your whole system with it. But that won't be covered under any warranty.

 

[DaleTheWhale]

Get a new PSU no matter what. And make sure it's a good one, like a seasonic or a be quiet. PSU goes pop, it might take your whole system with it. But that won't be covered under any warranty.

The current PSU he has is a good PSU and wouldn't cause any damage if it was to go pop. However it might be struggling with the load, so should be changed, Corsair aren't bad, however some of their units, are a bit dodgy, but that's across the board.

I'd be looking at this for an upgrade:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4670K 3.40GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £197.99
1 x Gigabyte Z87-HD3 Intel Z87 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £91.99
1 x XFX Pro 850W Core Edition '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £74.99
1 x Patriot Viper "Black Mamba" Generation 3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17000C11 2133MHz Dual CHannel Kit (PV38G213C1K) £65.99
1 x Corsair Hydro H60 V2 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler £59.99
Total : £502.94 (includes shipping : £10.00).



Let me justify the PSU: Very good price, made by seasonic & can handle 2 graphics card down the line. You only need 550w currently however, all the low wattage units that are decent are out of stock. I don't see the point of a 650w PSU as it can only handle one card, not 2, so it's like a 550w, and a 750w XFX was £5 more than the 850w, so you future proof yourself & it's for a good price.

 

[implosiveturnip]

The current PSU he has is a good PSU and would cause any damage if it was to go pop.

I don't doubt that corsair make decent PSUs, but I'd rather be safe than sorry personally. There is always a risk it could take something out with itself, even if that risk is small.

Corsair aren't bad, however some of their units, are a bit dodgy, but that's across the board.

Well that's what I was thinking, since it seems to be on paper a more than adequate PSU for that setup, but If it's cutting out under load maybe it's on it's way out. Either way, it can't cope and needs replacing.

I may be a little paranoid when it comes to PSUs though. I think I'd go Hulk and shoryuken my Gran if my PSU ruined my system.

 

[Pex86]

Thanks for the fast replies.

I am assuming that it is the PSU - If i go into the ATI manager and turn all the GFX card settings to full, then play a game the screen will distort etc then go to blue screen. There is no risk currently as i just turned the settings down as a temporary solution. Obviously a new PSU is an essential part of my upgrade.

Thanks for the spec ThaReaperGuy - Can i just ask the benefits of going with the Haswell over a 3570? I just see numbers but do not have any insight regarding the workings of the processors. I should probably get a HDD as my current one is only 500GB.

Can i also ask your thoughts on my current case?

Thanks.

 

[DaleTheWhale]

@turnip, I see your point completely. I back Corsair to an extent as they have never let me down, however would much prefer a seasonic/XFX PSU anyday of the week.

@Pex, Hmmm, I don't think it is your PSU. Define what settings you are changing, if you are overclocking your GPU that way, it might be that your GPU can't handle it and crashes, I don't think your PSU is to blame.

Haswell is a newer tech over ivybridge, so would be sensible to get the newer chip and board.

An 1TB HDD and 120GB SSD should do you nicely?

 

[Pex86]

Hi Reaper,

I am not on my PC at the moment so i cannot see the exact settings - If you go into Catalyst control centre there are overdrive settings to increase 'over-clock' settings. If i turn these up i get the above issues.

Do you favour any particular manufacturer of HDD and SSD's?

Thanks.

 

[DaleTheWhale]

Hi Reaper,

I am not on my PC at the moment so i cannot see the exact settings - If you go into Catalyst control centre there are overdrive settings to increase 'over-clock' settings. If i turn these up i get the above issues.

Do you favour any particular manufacturer of HDD and SSD's?

Thanks.

It sounds like your GPU doesn't like it being overclocked to max, and with a 7850 you shouldn't need to overclock it at all, it will blue screen as you've upped the clock speed and memory speed but it needs more volts. I'd leave these settings at stock if I were you, as you could damage the card.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Samsung 120GB SSD 840 EVO SATA 6Gb/s Basic - (MZ-7TE120BW) £86.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache - OEM (ST1000DM003) HDD £49.99
Total : £146.58 (includes shipping : £8.00).



How's this look?

 

[Pex86]

Ok thanks for the advice regarding the GPU.

Spec is looking great - I might as well get a new case too and then put the old GPU back in my current system to keep it whole.

Would i be looking at overclocking this spec or just leaving it stock.

Thanks again.