Time to upgrade or not worth it?

Falkano

Falkano

Falkano

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Joined
25 Aug 2011
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7
Hi guys, new here and looking for some advice!

I was wondering if it is “time!” to upgrade/build a new pc again.

Right now this is my current spec

Intel core 2 quad GO Q6600 2.4 GHz (not over-clocked)
P5N32-E-sli
PC2-6400 DDR2-800 DIMM RAM Memory Module – 3GB PNY
Caviar Green Internal 3.5" SATA Hard Drive - 1TB
Radeon HD 5850 xtreme (got it from here!)
Antec 900 Gaming Tower Case
Jeantech 600w atx psu
Artic cooling freezer 7
Philips dvd writer drive
And an acer x203h monitor

Now I got most of that in 2009 I think (except the gfx card and hard drive) and it cost a lot! Probably around £600 or so.

Now the main thing I use my pc for is playing games like most of you. Don’t really do any video editing or anything like that. I just want to be able to play the games that come out. Right now it isn’t too bad, can play Crysis etc. But times are a changing! The two games on the horizon which I am thinking about are Battlefield 3 and Guild Wars 2.

So do you think my rig could handle those games or should I think about upgrading? If so to what? Or should I just get a new monitor?

Truth be told I don’t know much about pc’s and specs. I just Google it and see what others say. I have been able to build the systems over the years by doing that and thankfully now can just about do it on my own. I have never over-clocked before, wouldn’t have a clue how to. Should I maybe look at doing that rather then spending loads of cash on an upgrade?

If I had a budget I would put it at around £400, maybe pushing to £500.

Any help, advice/opinions would be really appreciated!
Cheers!
 
the CPU is still pretty capable so for an upgrade i'd get a new PSU and a second 5850 in crossfire if your motherboard supports crossfire at x8/x8 or greater. i see it supports SLI but thers no mention of crossfire

however, if its still doing everything you need then theres no real reason to upgrade
 
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Cheers for the reply!

I don't think it does support crossfire
This is it here
http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5NE_SLI/#specifications

As i said the main reason i am thinking of upgrading is so that i can play Battlefield 3 when that comes out to a good enough level. If my pc will struggle with that then i imagine most games in the future might too?

The other thing i have been thinking about is the monitor. The max it can go is 1600 x 900. Where as the card can go to 1920x1080. Maybe if i was to change something it should be that then?
 
I decided long ago my intended route will be to never bother upgrading a mobo or cpu on their own. What I mean is I have purchased a very decent case, psu, bluray drive, graphics card and main storage is via a nas. If I need an upgrade it will be a case of always re-using these and popping in a new cpu and mobo combo
 
if you do upgrade the psu would most likely need to be upgraded as not too sure about jeantechs, you really don't want to go skimping on the psu as you rumthe risk of the psu blowing and taking the rest of the pc with it.

in terms of the upgrade route:

i2500k(well if you're not going to be ocing you could go for a non k CPU, not sure which would be good),

asus p8z68-v(maybe pro if it offers features you'll find useful)/asrock extreme 4 gen3(can pop in an ivy bridge CPU in the future and pci-e 3.0 graphics card),

8gb dual channel ddr3 ram(4gb prob should be enough but ram is pretty cheap at the moment so might as well for future proofing),

600-700w decent brand psu(antech, corsair, enermax, seasonic etc),

amd 7xxx/nvidia 6xx graphics card in the near future, the 5850 should be good enough for now.

the CPU,mb,ram,psu should be £400-£500(dependent on the motherboard & psu, the CPU and ram is ~£200) then new graphics card prob £200(unless you go top end).

Upgrading the CPU will unlock a bit more of the power of the 5850, not sure exactly how much but have seen benchmarks that show the benefits of the old i5/i7(I.e 750/920) over the q6600 so a sandy bridge should give a bit more of a boost. Wouldn't be huge but could mean you end up with a playable fps without having to dial down the settings.
 
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Get that CPU overclocked to 3Ghz+ and it should help because I'm sure there's a bit of a bottleneck on teh gfx card due to the CPU speed. That's a very cheap way of upgrading.

I suspect you will struggle with something like BF3 on max details although your not playing at massive resolutions which will help.

I'd suggest something like a pre-overclocked bundle if you're hesitent to try it yourself.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-073-OE

and a new PSU

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-038-CS&tool=3

Then later you can add another 2nd hand 5850 for cheap to get xfire.
 
Cheers guys really appreciate the advice!

I will have a look into the overclocking then and see how that goes. If it blows up then i have to get a new one!

I like the look of the 4.50ghz bundle, its in the price range.

My other question is what about the hard drive? Whenever i do benchmark tests they always seem to indicate the HDD is the low point scorer of the system. Should i be changing that too while im at it?
 
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2500k and a better cooler would be a good pitch, crank it to over 4ghz. i would say to look at 8gb ram but on ddr2 it would be expensive, so you might be looking at a whole new mobo/ram/chip combo
 
evilpenguin said:
2500k and a better cooler would be a good pitch, crank it to over 4ghz. i would say to look at 8gb ram but on ddr2 it would be expensive, so you might be looking at a whole new mobo/ram/chip combo
Click to expand...

That is what i am thinking.

Eventually DDR2 will get left behind so eventually i am going to have to upgrade anyway. Might as'well do it now so as the newer games come out i am ready for them for a couple of years!
 
Just thought i'd give a little update!

In the end i decided on going for
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz @ 4.60GHz Sandybridge CPU
- Motherboard: Asus P8Z68-V PRO Intel Z68
- RAM: Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual kit Channel.
- Cooler: Corsair A50 CPU Cooler
- Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
Which was about £450.

Hopefully that should be alright for Battlefield 3!
 
Yeah i am looking at the PSU next. Just going to have to wait a bit until the next pay day now!!

Will probably go for the Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750W one that was linked above.
Then maybe do the Crossfire thing that was mentioned.

That is the problem with upgrading though, you always end up doing more then you first thought you would! :)
 
yeah I've just spent £1k, monitor which was needed as old moitor went on the fritz(tho I went a bit overboard getting a u2711 :) ) and 2x 6950(not needed but couldn't resist :) ).

next upgrade will be a i2500k, motherboard and 8gb ddr3 ram(so the 2x 6950 aren't bottle necked) :)
 
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