Spec me a Christmas Upgrade!

King Damager · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:02

Ok, so first of, before everybody goes 'come back in two months and ask again when the technology is up to date,' I tend to keep up to date with tech, and know what's the good choice at the time. So I'd be looking for an equal equivalent at the time of purchase!

I'm looking to possibly upgrade something in my system, but am not sure I really need to, or even what to upgrade!

Current Spec is in Sig.

Here are the various things I've considered (with benefits of each):

CPU Cooler: I considered upgrading the A70 to something like an H80, however, I certainly don't need the cooling increase. I've never seen my CPU top 60 degrees, and I haven't really bothered over clocking my PC as right now I need stability. It would however be nice to see a reduction in noise within the case.
GPU: Would be looking to upgrade to possibly a 580, or maybe something from the 7000 series. Saying that I do have a preference for nVidia (even though Eyefinity does appeal), so I'd probably wait until the 600 series comes out. I also suspect with normal delays, the 600 series wouldn't be a bad choice for next Christmas, and at the moment the 480 is hardly struggling at all....
Mobo: I'm wondering whether it would be worth upgrading to a SLI Mobo, but then again, especially with the idea of possibly running three screens in future. However, that would require further investment etc... (Need another screen among other things, and would increase costs in future). Would probably be looking at an ASRock Ext 4 or equivalent. I also see issues with this, as frankly I don't need an SLI mobo at the moment without much more money being spent, and could easily just get an SLI motherboard when I upgrade the CPU in 3/4 years time.
PSU: Current PSU is going strong and has never missed a beat. It is second hand though, and I wouldn't mind upgrading to something with a bigger wattage for headroom for more power hungry cards in future. Again this would be a requirement if I ever wanted to SLI, so was considering something like an AX850W
Case: I could look into getting something else. I like my K62, as it's absolutely fantastic. However I feel perhaps I'm looking for something a bit more 'sleek' and not quite as harsh on the eyes... I've been considering either 650d - although think they're a bit too popular, and I'm a bit wary about the negative pressure noise issues, so have been considering perhaps a FT02B Windowed. Biggest problem with this case is that it would never satisfy my 'modding' fun, and I'd have to completely rearrange my desk because the Window is on the wrong side...

Budget for any upgrade would be about £250, (apart from perhaps a GPU upgrade where I might be able to push it slightly higher)...

So what do we think? xD

kd

95thrifles · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:17

Save your pennies, buy yourself a crate of beer (or 20 for that budget)

King Damager · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:35

95thrifles said:
Save your pennies, buy yourself a crate of beer (or 20 for that budget)

It's not my pennies though! It's somebody else's!

I was in need of ideas of things for a Xmas present and these were my ideas! xD

I'm leaning slightly to the CPU cooler, seeing as the temps/volume I can get the PC up to when it's all ramped up playing BF3... (Saying that I think a lot of that is the GPU)...

So was considering:
H80
2 Gentle Typhoon 120 1850RPM or 2 Noctua NF-P12's
3 Noctua NF-P14 FLX
Fan Controller of some kind

This would mean, I'd get a quieter CPU cooler, much better cooling through the case for the GPU at max.

I'd also be able to do some modding and paint the horrific Noctua colours away whilst maybe adding in some LED's xD

kd

95thrifles · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:41

You could maybe look at a proper WC set up, prob need a new case too, then when you upgrade gfx later, you could add that into the loop too, reduce temps & noise, Id say you could do it now, but if you plan to upgrade it any time soon it wouldnt really be worth doing

King Damager · 5 Oct 2011 at 11:42

95thrifles said:
You could maybe look at a proper WC set up, prob need a new case too, then when you upgrade gfx later, you could add that into the loop too, reduce temps & noise, Id say you could do it now, but if you plan to upgrade it any time soon it wouldnt really be worth doing

Hmm, certainly an idea! The only problem with that is I tend to move the computer around a lot, and until it's really got a more stationary housing, I wouldn't be entirely confident moving it around under full water cooling setup a good few times a year...

kd

Kobi · 5 Oct 2011 at 12:59

King Damager said:
Hmm, certainly an idea! The only problem with that is I tend to move the computer around a lot, and until it's really got a more stationary housing, I wouldn't be entirely confident moving it around under full water cooling setup a good few times a year...

kd

All depends on how you move the pc. If you're swinging it about your head while you move it...then yes a watercooled pc isnt for you. But simply picking it up and moving it afew feet, meters, rooms...houses away, as long as it upright, then it should be fine. You do get quite abit of sway with them. Infact when filling up for the first time, you're encouraged to tilt the pc back and fourth to get all the air bubbles out.

Personally i'd go for one of these:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-116-EK

Not only a great starter kit, but its perfect for a modder. This will open up the door for new cases, new fans and fan controllers. Then down the line you can easily upgrade them by adding GPU blocks, a better pump and more radiators than your house has. Plus if you want to you can add shiney, flashy lights. Remember watercooling itsn't just for SuPeR MaD OvErCloCkInG SkIlzz, its good for keeping a cool and quiet pc.