Upgrade advice please guys..

Axeboy · 25 Sep 2010 at 12:53

Hi Guys

I currently have a setup with 8gb of DDR2, Q8200, 640gb HD etc etc. I plan to build my folks a new machine using these parts and will look to salvage other bits I have for either of the two builds.

Ultimately, I need the following:

Mobo & CPU
RAM
HD

My budget isnt really fixed, I can go up or down if its 'worth it'. I use the PC for mainly typical use such as HD movies and browsing, but also L4D2, Starcraft 2, BFBC2, CS, Fallout (3 and NV when it comes). I currently have a 5770 which I hope still has reasonable life left for now. Graphically I tend to play at 1920 x 1080 but some games i'll happily turn that down.

I was considering the following:

The plan here was a OC'd bundle for ease with the intel SSD for Windows 7 and the spinpoint for games/programs.

I was wondering if anyone can offer advice on this choice/setup, if its worth getting the small SSD, or should I get the 8gb option on the bundle etc etc? Or maybe choose another option for the cooler?

Advice appreciated guys...

Axeboy · 25 Sep 2010 at 12:55

Sorry, should have said, I only need 1 Samsung really... so price is around £500

Axeboy · 25 Sep 2010 at 19:53

Any advice guys? Worth paying a bit more for the i5 oc'd bundle, or even dropping to the i3 oc'd bundle?

Marine-RX179 · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:25

Depending on how long you expect to keep your system around for, and how/how often you upgrading graphic cards in the future.

If you are using a graphic card at level of 5870/GTX470 or below, you wouldn't really see much difference in frame rate comparing let's say a i3 530 overclocked to 4.40GHz to the overclocked Phenom II X6 or the overclocked i5 760 bundle.

The benefit of the overclocked Phenom II X6 and i5 760 bundle over a overclocked i3 bundle is that it will has "longer life" or will last longer, because of the extra cores will allow you to upgrade the graphic card more times, before the system itself no longer can keep up with the graphic card(s) (whereas the i3 530 at 4.40GHz will most likely start to become a limitation/bottleneck when used with graphic card(s) above GTX480 speed).

If you are certain you are not going to upgrade the graphic card to beyond GTX480's level within next 3 years, and/or if you think you will be bored and would like to upgrade your CPU/platform to something different in 2-3 years, then you could consider just getting the 4.40GHz i3 530 bundle and save yourself £70~£100.

But if you want a system that would last (and don't mind missing out on the latest tech etc), then you could consider the i5 760 overclocked bundle. As for Phenom II X6, the only benefit it has over the i5 760 is that it has 2 extra cores- which doesn't really benefit gaming much, unless the games support using 5th and 6th cores...and I think it will still be a long time before it becomes common placed for games.

Axeboy · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:40

Thanks marine, i would intend upgrading the GFX at some point, the reason for my reluctance is that it is a new card (RMA replacement for my 4870).

Any comments on the SSD while im at it?

1Day · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:46

The SSD will be used mainly for OS and application. Well it should only be used for that because of a number of reason. But let us move on. Based on that if you are using Win7 then a 40GB is too small. I would rather suggest a 60GB SSD, they are just about the right size for OS and all the applications used on a daily bases.

Currently OverclockerUK has a couple on special. I have bought both the OCX 2E and the Crucial C300 SSD in the last few weeks and can say both have been good value. I have not tried the new Corsair SSD yet so can not speak based on experience. But from my mates who have it is also a rockingly good SSD drive.

Now the normal hard drives - is there a reason that you want to go two 1TB drives? If you are going raid then I can understand it. So much cheaper to just get a 2TB and that will result in less heat produced in your case too.

Axeboy · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:52

Aye, I put 2 by mistake on the pic, only need the 1

Marine-RX179 · 25 Sep 2010 at 22:17

Yea the Crucial C300 64GB is one of the fastest (read speed) SSD around, if you'd overlook slightly slower than average write speed...but then again, I don't think the write speed is too important for such SSD of such a size, as you won't be writing too much things to there except the few times of installing application, softwares and games.

And Axeboy, to forward up on my earlier post, what I meant was that you should have a think about realistically how soon will you be upgrading the GFX to beyond a GTX480 speed card.

Also consider, would you prefer using the i3 530 overclocked 4.40GHz bundle for next 2-3 years and then upgrade to something like the platform of the gen after next gen, or you would prefer the i5 760 overclocked 4.0GHz bundle, and then may be hold onto it for 4-5 years attempt to skip next two gen before upgrading the system again?