Unsure where to go from current build.

ryryryan

ryryryan

ryryryan

Associate
Joined
10 Jan 2010
Posts
791
Okay so I've got a fairly decent rig at the moment but I'm coming up to my 21st birthday in a few months, so no doubt some money will come my way and I'd like to upgrade my PC. I've never actually built a system before so upgrading it myself will be new to me (the most i've done so far is add some RAM!).

Now my current build is this (bought it complete):
AMD Phenom II x4 940 3.0 OC'd @ 3.3Ghz
Radeon HD4890
6GB DDR2 800mhz RAM
750GB HDD (unsure of speed, nodoubt pretty slow though)
Decent DVD-RW drive
Unsure of mobo, but I know it's just 1 PCI-e slot.
I think I got a 650W PSU. Don't think it's a particularly awesome (Cant check - no PC for a few more days)
Coolit Domino A.L.C.
Antec 900 Case
Windows 7 64bit

Now it does run most games lovely, but me being me I want to upgrade!
Really, I'd love to get a new mobo that supports DDR3 RAM and more importantly Crossfire.
However, to have both would mean I need to upgrade my CPU (due to my CPU being an AMD2+ chipset), which I really don't need to do at the moment! So I'm a bit stuck where to go from here.
I got a few different options that I've thought of:

-Get an SSD for Windows 7. Would have a noticable increase for a few hundered £££.

-Upgrade graphics card to a 5870, having a noticable affect on gaming (in 1900x1080 anyway). Then much later do the 3rd option.

-Save up for a good while, and eventually fork out on something like this first... upgrading CPU, RAM, mobo and cooling unit:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-031-OE&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=
In this case, I think I should also then get this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-018-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084
The plan here would to eventually (if I can scrounge up another £700 or so from the back of the sofas!) have 5870 on crossfire at a much later date, or just get one 5870 and keep it as is and then wait for the 6000 series.
If I did do this last method, ideally I'd like to get an SSD as well to install w7 on, but that will just be waaaay out of my reach unless I really save up! Basically, this option empties my wallet and would take a very long time to get the money (though still maybe doable).

So what do you think? Or shall I just hold out with my current system? I can't decide :confused:

EDIT: Also got another question; say I upgrade my mobo, I have to then do a fresh install right? I got w7 through a free upgrade scheme with my PC, so would that allow me to do a fresh install of windows 7 with the upgrade disc or will I have to unfortuanatly buy Windows 7? That would suck to have to buy it when I already have it.
 
Last edited:
ryryryan said:
EDIT: Also got another question; say I upgrade my mobo, I have to then do a fresh install right? I got w7 through a free upgrade scheme with my PC, so would that allow me to do a fresh install of windows 7 with the upgrade disc or will I have to unfortuanatly buy Windows 7? That would suck to have to buy it when I already have it.
Click to expand...

you do not HAVE to do a fresh install but it is recommended. is it an actual upgrade disc, or is it the full disc? i was under the impression that even though it was part of an upgrade scheme you still recieved the full version, if not your licence is for a full version so you can use any windows 7 disc as long as you use your licence.
 
Haha but I only got it in the summer! And already it sounds out of date (ish). Sad times.

And I think it's an upgrade disk, which had to specifically be used on 64bit vista. When the time comes I'll ring them up and see if my product code would work.
 
it was more the fact you wanted something to crossfire and DDR3 so might as well milk your birthday buddy :D your are 21 big milestone :D

anyways ideally a 5870 would be most significant way of improving your framerates etc etc

the SSD would improve the speed your system loads and runs :D

and erm ditch vista get win7 :D
 
Eh? I have windows 7! Was one of the best things i've ever done to my pc :) Im just worried that cause I got windows 7 by using an upgrade disk I got free with my pc, I don't know if it will allow a fresh install.

And as much as I'd love to get that amount off my folks for my bday, there's usually just a 200 pound limit. Can't see it being anymore! Though at easter I'll also work for 3 weeks at my pub earning me about £250. So I suppose I got a £500 ish limit here (maybe 600 if parents are more generous xD ).

I've just ordered myself the logitech z-2300 speakers though and at the end of the month will be ordering the new acer gd245hq. Can't wait :)
 
Last edited:
Well I could give you a picture of my current build (on Tuesday anyway)... But trust me, you won't like it!! The cable management is, well, nonexistant! I bought it from a website you choose the parts and they build it. It's great, apart from the cable management. It makes me :'( I'll post pics in a few days when I get it sent from home lol.

So any other suggestions?? Where would you guys go from my build?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom