replacing mobo, ram, cpu and graphics for around £400

ape1980 · 15 Nov 2012 at 13:49

Hi,
Started a similar thread in 'systems and bundles' forum but thought it probably belonged here really.

I am looking to refresh my system with some nice new things but I am rather out of touch with what is good at the moment. After something that will handle most games at 1080 with no problems, my current E6600 and HD4850 set up is starting to struggle!

I am happy with B-grade, don't have any particular preference re: AMD/Intel or ATi/NVIDIA, and budget around £500-550 including a new monitor. I have overclocked before but I am not all that likely to actually get around to it, so OC potential is not a massive deal. The less noise the better too, as it will double up as tv/media centre.

Thanks one and all

ape1980 · 15 Nov 2012 at 14:41

Got a nice 650W psu and a couple of decent-ish hdd, a ssd wouldn't go amiss though if I can squeeze it into the budget. Don't need a new case, and looking for a monitor around 22", nothing fancy like 3D or anything.

Thanks

ape1980 · 15 Nov 2012 at 14:58

Sweet, thanks Linwelin.
I was wondering, the RAM and the mobo both are XMP compatible... what does this mean exactly? I gather the RAM tells the mobo what overclocked settings are safe and fast and automatically applies them, is that right?

Appreciate your time, thanks

ape1980 · 15 Nov 2012 at 15:14

Thanks Indie,

I notice the main difference between the two suggested set-ups is i3/i5 (roughly £80 difference). Am I going to notice a difference when gaming or is it more something that would have an effect on running multiple programs or virtual boxes or whatever? Is it more of a future-proofing thing, like the i5 will still be ok in a couple of years but the i3 will be outpaced by software quicker?

ape1980 · 15 Nov 2012 at 15:21

Wow, thanks to both of you. You have saved me hours of headscratching, appreciate it.
I really noted with interest that you both suggest the same graphics card and monitor; they look like great deals, will go for them.
Also no mention of nvidia or AMD, which helps make my mind up on those fronts too.

I think I will go with the i5 with the Z77-D3H mobo (so glad you both said Gigabyte, I have only used them in the past and been 100% satisfied, so wouldn't want to change brand if I could help it), and I will leave the SSD until next year at some point.

Thanks again

p.s. Thanks Dunn2010, I am glad that seems like the logical choice to you too.

p.p.s. found the i5 for £140 elsewhere, nice!