Upgrade itch.....what's my best move??

StevieP · 22 Jan 2017 at 11:37

Per title really, got back into PC gaming recently with The Division (which my current setup in sig handles pretty well on my 1440p monitor) but it seems an age since I've messed with my components - what is my next logical upgrade??

JTrickle · 22 Jan 2017 at 13:00

A quick search states the MSI motherboard is a p67. So the next step is to increase the 2500K from 3.3 to at least 4.4.

If you only have 1 fan on your CPU cooler you might be able to move to 4.4+ with a 2nd fan and not much overall noise increase.

Other than that, are you running 8GB? Is the 256 ssd enough space?

StevieP · 22 Jan 2017 at 15:50

Yeah I know I should be overlocking my CPU - thing is I've never really felt the need to performance-wise in games and if I ever had a system crash I'd always be thinking that was the cause!

8GB DDR3 in terms of RAM - would jumping to 16GB make a noticeable difference?

And yes, I've already thought about getting a bigger SSD (I've got a couple of mechanical drives in there too for storage) but the prices seem to have taken a real hike recently!!!

mattyfez · 22 Jan 2017 at 16:06

If you don't feel the need for more performance ...you want to upgrade because [enter reasons here].

StevieP · 22 Jan 2017 at 16:18

mattyfez said:
If you don't feel the need for more performance ...you want to upgrade because I have the upgrade itch.

I know it probably doesn't make much sense but it seems so long since I've done anything major in terms of upgrading that I was sure my system would be outdated by now!

kefan77 · 22 Jan 2017 at 16:22

what's the budget?

StevieP · 22 Jan 2017 at 16:58

I don't know really - just wondered what worthwhile upgrades there were from my current spec?

kefan77 · 22 Jan 2017 at 17:03

nothing really, unless you are prepared to spend hundreds. As said OC that badboy.

alternatively try to get cheap 3770K and again, OC.

IvanDobskey · 22 Jan 2017 at 17:14

Overclocking it to 4.5ghz will give you a decent upgrade.

mattyfez · 22 Jan 2017 at 17:15

Get a swanky mouse keyboard monitor? Improve the interface between you and the pc?
Maybe sone nice speakers or desk?

andy_mk3 · 22 Jan 2017 at 17:21

I would at the very least OC your 2500k. It's free performance!

JTrickle · 22 Jan 2017 at 17:38

StevieP said:
Yeah I know I should be overlocking my CPU - thing is I've never really felt the need to performance-wise in games and if I ever had a system crash I'd always be thinking that was the cause!

I left my 3570K at stock until Fallout 4 came out and forced me to clock it. Then plenty of stuff last year: Xcom2, DeusX4, WarhammerTW, Froza3. And this is just at 60hz.

You are right about the time investment required to overclock properly. But there is mostly just the 2 voltage variables plus temperature to consider. Also if you are not aiming for the max overclock, you could just stability test at 4.6ghz before knocking back to 4.4 for an easy result.

StevieP said:
8GB DDR3 in terms of RAM - would jumping to 16GB make a noticeable difference?

Only if you want to leave stuff open in the background or run a 2nd monitor or record.

StevieP · 22 Jan 2017 at 18:14

Thanks for all the replies guys - looks like I'm not as behind the times as I thought I might be!

I am looking at getting hold of a 2nd hand mechanical keyboard - something backlit so I can play The Division in the dark and get the full effect!

It's been an age since I've overclocked - are there any beginner guides anyone can recommend??

Marcoloves360 · 23 Jan 2017 at 20:17

buy a freesync monitor 1440p 144hz is amazing then get a vega when it drops