Time for an upgrade - what do I do?

Ducky89

Ducky89

Ducky89

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5 Nov 2014
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249
Location
Shropshire
Hey all,

Just moved house, now managed to save a bit of money to upgrade my PC. Not really sure what path to go down so looking for some help from you knowledgable lot.

Current specs are as follows:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 Quad 955 Core ~3.2GHz
GPU: GeForce GTX 470
MOBO: Asus M4A87 TD Evo
RAM: 4GB DDR3 (not sure on speed)
OS: Win 7 Pro 32bit

120gb SSD and 500gb HDD (soon to add a 1tb extra drive).

I was hoping to upgrade for not much money, but then seem to keep creeping the cost up so my two routes of thinking are either:

1./ Upgrade CPU to an 8320/8350 with a Hyper 212 and O/C it slightly, change the OS to 64bit and ramp the RAM up to 8/16gb. Total cost ~£150. Will it significantly improve my PC speed?

2./ Go the intel route, and get a 4430 (or similar) bundle with a new MoBo, leaving everything stock. Fresh install of Win7/8.1 on SSD in 64bit. Cost £300ish?

I've got a Fractal R4 case, enough fans for push/pull and a decent Corsair 600W psu so those bits will remain. I mainly use the PC for gaming, nothing too intensive (only run it in Potato mode for TF2 mainly at the moment; yes I know, grow out of it, I'm 25 >.>). But want it to be future proof for the next sort of 2 years; tbh I think my CPU is getting on a bit and had a few heat issues recently so not sure.

I'm aware i'll probably need a new GPU at some point too, 760 prices seem pretty good at the moment so add that cost to both scenarios unless there's any other recommendations?


TL;DR - Want to upgrade for the best VFM, open to suggestions for above specs

Sorry for the ramble, cheers for reading peeps.

Joe.
 
I cant see any FX CPU's supported by your board - http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/M4A87TD_EVO/HelpDesk_CPU/


Here is a ok Intel bundle,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus H81M-K Intel Core i5 DIY Micro ATX Motherboard, CPU & RAM Bundle £225.97
Total : £235.57 (includes shipping : £8.00).




Or you get a Z97 and K series CPU,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £173.99
1 x Avexir Gold Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17200C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U21331104G-2CEY) - Yellow/Gold Light £65.99
1 x Gigabyte Z97P-D3 Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £61.99
Total : £311.57 (includes shipping : £8.00).




As for GFX cards,

YOUR BASKET
1 x **B Grade** Asus Radeon R9 280X DirectCUII OC 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express G (GX-333-AS) £129.95
Total : £139.55 (includes shipping : £8.00).




Or,

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire Radeon R9 280 Dual-X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £149.99
Total : £159.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).



And you get a gold games voucher to claim 3 free games.
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Are all your drives SATA as I see your current board does have IDE also.
 
stulid said:
I cant see any FX CPU's supported by your board - http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/M4A87TD_EVO/HelpDesk_CPU/


<cut>


Are all your drives SATA as I see your current board does have IDE also.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that stulid; Didn't realise that my current mobo wouldnt support a switch to an 83XX CPU. Dodged a bullet there.

Would the general consensus be that if I have to swap my mobo anyway that going the intel route would be better?

I believe everything's currently SATA, but my drives are a bit of a mess so could do with sorting everything out from fresh again.
 
Ducky89 said:
Would the general consensus be that if I have to swap my mobo anyway that going the intel route would be better?
Click to expand...

You could go either way. An 8320 would save you £40-£75 over the i5 options, but in a small number of games the performance difference can be quite large:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2014/07/03/intel-core-i5-4690k-review/5

In the majority of games though there's practically no difference:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7963/...ew-core-i7-4790-i5-4690-and-i3-4360-tested/11

The more you turn up the resolution and GPU power the less the difference:

http://www.tweaktown.com/tweakipedi...-with-gtx-980-vs-gtx-780-sli-at-4k/index.html

To summarise, in % terms, paying the extra for Intel is rarely worth it.
 
Re. Futureproofing, is it worth going for the way 4440 over an 8320? Or spent the bit extra and get a 4690k?

I've pretty much ruled out an 8350; but still a bit confused if I'm gonna have to swap my mobo regardless!
 
If you go for a 4690K you should get a Z97 board also.

So you can overclock it.

Z97 is rumoured to also support broadwell CPUs.
 
Ducky89 said:
Re. Futureproofing, is it worth going for the way 4440 over an 8320? Or spent the bit extra and get a 4690k?

I've pretty much ruled out an 8350; but still a bit confused if I'm gonna have to swap my mobo regardless!
Click to expand...

No such thing as futureproofing ;) New CPUs very often need a new motherboard. With DDR4 on the way this is more true.

As Stulid says either get a Z97 board and K CPU so you can overclock it, or a locked motherboard (H81 or B85) and locked CPU (e.g. 4440).

You're right to rule out the 8350 but don't rule out the 8320 if funds are tight.
 
Thanks again Stulid for the reply; I think I'm going to go down the 4690k route, hopefully it will last me well in to the future then.

Does this bundle work well:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-006-GI

And if so, what RAM would you recommend (2666mhz?)

I'd keep my GTX 470 for the moment, with a view to upgrade to a r9 280x in the future. Will 600w then be enough to power this?

Cheers,
Joe.
 
Ducky89 said:
I'd keep my GTX 470 for the moment, with a view to upgrade to a r9 280x in the future. Will 600w then be enough to power this?
Click to expand...

Assuming this is for gaming you're doing it all the wrong way round. You should be prioritising the GPU.

Is this for gaming? What games? What monitor have you got? These are the kind of questions that should have been asked at the beginning. Not that the bundle is a bad choice, it's a very good spec.
 
joeyjojo said:
Assuming this is for gaming you're doing it all the wrong way round. You should be prioritising the GPU.

Is this for gaming? What games? What monitor have you got? These are the kind of questions that should have been asked at the beginning. Not that the bundle is a bad choice, it's a very good spec.
Click to expand...

Sorry Joey, didn't see your previous reply as we posted at the same time. Not ruled out the 8320 on a budget. Just trying to work out my budget, got a few bits to sell so depending on how that goes will pick which path I go through with.

It will be for gaming; nothing intensive at the moment. But I'll want the new Assassins Creed next year (probably the 'prettiest' game I'll play)... Aware I need a new monitor (DGM 19" current monitor is about 5 years old, and not doing my eyes any favours) but want to get what I currently use up to speed and then work on the GFX in time for next year (new GPU & monitor at the same time).

If I have a good foundation I can add bits as I can afford them, right? :)


Cheers again

EDIT: On that note, what monitors would you guys recommend (24"?) for a low budget? Asus, BenQ?
 
Last edited:
Also, don't forget you'll need to upgrade your operating system to 64bit as you're currently running 32bit, without 64bit you'll only be able to utilise 3.5GB of RAM.
 
Vesper said:
Also, don't forget you'll need to upgrade your operating system to 64bit as you're currently running 32bit, without 64bit you'll only be able to utilise 3.5GB of RAM.
Click to expand...

Thanks Vesper - yeah, I'm aware :-) Got the chance to upgrade through work for cheaps as I use my PC for work as well. Not sure whether to go 7 or 8.1 though. Better the devil you know I suppose.

Can anyone recommend a decent monitor under £200 (pref closer £150)?
 
Ok guys, think i've narrowed it down to two choices. The first is my ideal spec, which I can't afford at the moment, but would save up if it's worth the extra...

Intel first:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Gigabyte Z97X-SLI - Devils Canyon Core i5 4690K Bundle **£14 Saving** £264.58
1 x Sapphire Radeon R9 280 Dual-X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £161.99
1 x TeamGroup Xtreem LV 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-21300C11 2666MHz Dual Channel Kit (TXD38G2666HC11CDC01) £65.99
Total : £502.15 (includes shipping : £8.00).




Cheaper AMD build:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Sapphire Radeon R9 280 Dual-X 3072MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £161.99
1 x AMD Piledriver FX-8 Eight Core 8320E Black Edition 3.20GHz (Socket AM3+) Processor - Retail £104.99
1 x Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0 AMD 970 (Socket AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard £74.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan RED 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17100C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLRED38G2133HC11ADC01) £65.99
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler £24.97
Total : £442.52 (includes shipping : £8.00).





Am I missing anything? I'd go for the following monitor:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus VN247H 24"Widescreen Super Narrow Bezel LED Monitor - Black £155.99
Total : £165.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).



with both builds probably, but won't be able to afford to get that at the same time.


Cheers again.
 
¬_¬ Just noticed there's only £60 difference, am I missing something on the intel build and just being really stupid? I know there's no cooler on there, and there is with the AMD...

If there are more pennies to be pinched with the AMD (cheaper mobo, ram etc.) to reduce the price but not significantly drop the performance (relate it to my current build in first post please) that'd be good. Having looked up the recommended settings for the new AC:Unity game, my current PC falls under 50% of the requirements... :-(

Choices, choices...
 
i'd get this instead:

YOUR BASKET
1 x XFX Radeon R9 290 DD 4096MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (R9-290A-EDFD) £199.99
1 x Intel Core i5-4690K 3.50GHz (Devil's Canyon) Socket LGA1150 Processor - Retail £185.99
1 x TeamGroup Vulcan GOLD 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-17100C11 2133MHz Dual Channel Kit (TLYD38G2133HC11ADC01) £67.99
1 x Gigabyte Z97P-D3 Intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard £61.99
Total : £515.96 (includes shipping : ).



price as above with code: XFX290PROMO
you get £16 off + free shipping (discount already taken into account with price above).
also with the graphics card, you get and amd gold code (3 games) + civ: beyond earth. these 4 games are worth £60-70 if you sell them on. so your outlay could be less than your amd build above.

you'll also should/need to get a heat sink to overclock the i5k.

recommend: YOUR BASKET
1 x Raijintek Themis Black Heatpipe CPU Cooler PWM - 120mm £19.99
Total : £25.97 (includes shipping : £4.98).


*IF* your case can support a 160mm tall cooler, if not, a 92mm cooler should fit:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Raijintek Aidos Direct Contact CPU Cooler - Black £14.99
Total : £20.96 (includes shipping : £4.98).





also re: monitor, this would be a good match with the xfx 290
YOUR BASKET
1 x AOC G2460FQ 24" Widescreen 144Hz 1ms Gaming LED Monitor - Gunmetal £179.99
Total : £189.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).



if you dont need 144mhz monitor, i previously had this before i upgraded, therefore can recommend 5/5*
YOUR BASKET
1 x IIyama Prolite E2473HS 24" Widescreen LED Monitor - Black £119.99
Total : £129.59 (includes shipping : £8.00).

 
Thanks for the quick reply tamzzy; is the mobo in the bundle much better than the one you've listed for the price difference?

Definitely consider the monitors you've listed, is there any reason I should choose 144Hz over the Prolite?

I'll probably be buying piece by piece, not altogether, are there any other suggestions for GPU's that fall in to a lower price bracket than the 290?
 
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