Upgrade or new build?

DaveB653

DaveB653

DaveB653

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23 Apr 2014
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37
Ok firstly, thanks in advance for the help, from browsing these forums its seems great advice is always given :)

So onto my topic, I currently have a PC bought from OC a few years ago (March 2011), a Cataclysm Hogger, stock spec bar an upgraded graphics card (not sure but 760 or something rings a bell?)

Now I know im also having a bit of trouble with it resetting itself and slow running, windows keeps asking me if i want to change my options to speed up performance.

So is this system worth upgrading or am I better to buy brand new?

Spec im after is mainly for playing WOW, although the step daughter has potential to be a gamer so want it a little future proof if possible, along with minor photo-shopping (nothing serious just touching up family pics) I will use the 500gb hard drive and have monitor mouse and keyboard to use (although I may upgrade the monitor (or duel screen). Im also guessing the case will be good to use?

Budget is around 600-700 (without monitor) and I am willing to try a self build although Ive never done it before so e prepared to be pestered :p

Think thats it, do your worst :) oh and recommendations for a monitor would also be gratefully accepted :)
 
Im not totally sure to be honest Kefan,

If i recall its an i3 processor, 500gb of HDD, like i said an nvidia graphics card 1gb 760 gtx sounds familiar but i dont know, does that card make any sense?

Is there a way I can check up on the builds OC used to make?

Dave
 
Ah no i upgraded it, to the 460 1024mb, still pretty weak now im guessing? Also with the pc resetting itself randomly and the "slow system" type warnings, I assumed (maybe wrongly, what I know about comps could written in caps on the back of stamp) my RAM was on its way out too.

Hmm so you think i should hold out till June? But yeah the DVD drive is hardly used and the case seems in good nick too :) Anyway of testing the PSU, cos im guessing that powers the whole thing?

Thanks already fr the quick response :)
 
Ok so rather than starting a new thread I'd bump this one upto the top :)

So any new advice for me, im awau offshore just now so bits and pieces could be ordered ready for me getting home on the 9th July.

As stated its mainly for playing WOW, (and the kids seem to like the SIMS but Im assuming thats not an issue for any machine now?)

As Kefan stated I could probably re-use the case, DVD and at a push the HDD (hard disk drive?) Would prefer to get new RAM just to be on the safe side, I'm assuming the issues with my PC are coming from this, and besides I think there's only 4gb of it.

Budget is around the same, 600-700 pounds, not including monitor, keyboard etc.

With the monitor is there anyway of finding out what model I currently have and whether its decent or not? Its not top of my list but something that might need replacing due to tech advances, I believe its 3 and a half years old or so :)


As always many thanks in advance

Dave
 
Budget is flexible could probably stretch it to 800 to get the best bang for my buck :) Thats 800 without monitor :)
 
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Thanks very much :)

If the link you gave me hasnt changed since 2011 then the first one is my pc , bought off here in March 2011 (I think), standard spec bar the upgraded graphics card, nvidia 460,

Its fairly slow, not sure what settings I run Warcraft on now but I think its pretty low. My main concern was the random-ish blue screens that occur (random as in they can randomly happen, but I can almost guarantee it happening after coming off Warcraft)

But I also get windows popping up every now and then asking me if I want to change resolution as my pc is running slow (or words to that effect).

To be honest I think its just a good time to upgrade and I'm making excuses so I can justify it to myself, the pc gets me by, but I want ultra graphics on wow and no lagging, or poor graphics :p

Thanks in advance

Dave
 
Looks good :)

Is that GPU the one I've seen a lot of on here or am I thinking of the 290? what are the differences performance wise.

This may also be a silly question but how would I transfer/reinstall my items onto the SSD, and what are the benefits of SSD over a normal HDD (this is just for my info)

Also would that GPU be suitable for doubling up (SLI?) in the future, and is it worth it for online games?

I'd also defiantely get the cooler so I couldnt mess up figuring out if its 1155 or not :p As you can probably tell my pc knowledge is rather limited :)


Sorry for all the questions :p

Thanks so much for the help
 
Oh also just thought of another question, when online gaming what is getting hit the most pc wise? I just like to have an idea of why people reccommend certain bits and pieces, and also for general knowledge.

And...... one more question :p

Any idea how much RAM the m/b comes with? I couldnt see it on the link :)

Think I'm done......... for now hehe
 
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Ah ok thanks for clearing all that up for me :)

Yeah I accidentally moused over the RAM pic and found the 8gb bit :p

So in your opinion would it be worth upping the gpu to the 290, just to make it last a bit longer, or is it not really worth it?

My HDD is only 500gb as well, and its half full just now so would be better just replacing that as well?

So I take it when I transfer or load things onto a PC with SSD and standard HDD I'll get a prompt asking me where I want to put it?

If so can you lock it? Otherwise it will end up full of rubbish that the kids download :(

Also is it worth getting more RAM? or again am I just overdoing it? Seems a lot of people think RAM means a faster machine (me included in that) :p
Thanks very much
 
Ahhh ok I get the whole RAM thing now :)

Just for comparaison could you link me a decent 290, not really sure what to look for spec wise and theres a few to choose from :)

And buying wise, how often do the deals on here change? As in im away for 4 more weeks so is it worth buying the bits on offer just now and waiting to see if any others come on offer or should i just stump up the cash now and have it all waiting for me? :)
 
Just re-read an ealier post doomed, and you mention a better fan, any recommendations for that too?

Should be buying this soon ish :)

Oh and can I re-use my windows CD on my new PC? Or will it transfer over with my HDD without a problem?

Thanks again so far, and sorry for pestering, just wanna do it right hehe
 
so, gonna be ordering this soon, anymore feedback on the 280 vs 290, worth the money or total overkill?

Anf stronger fan recomendations?

and still wondering about whether i need to buy a new copy f windows or will my current version work?

Thanks again in advance :)
 
yeah all im using now is the dvd drive and hdd :)

Gonna et the stuff doomed recommended and just upgrade the cooler for if i sli later in life, only decisions left are which cooler and whether to spend the extra and swap the 280 for a 290:)

Just seeing if anyone has recommendations for the cooler and gpu :)
 
Sorry kefan, what do you mean you dont sli them?

the windows version is 64-bit but still7 :) The other stuff sounds a little complex to me as Ive never done a self build before.

Quick question for you all, my friend is selling a nvdia GPU, 760 series, is it any good or upto the 280/290 standard?

Thanks all for your input

Dave
 
oh ok, thanks for that, so whats the difference between sli and crossfire? I thought it was nvidia and amd's branding names and that was the only difference :p

To be honest I think I'd rather pair a new chip with a new motherboard, the idea of replacing one sounds like its going to add to the stress, and i want to make my first build as painless as possible :)
 
thanks doomed,

I think I'll initially go with the 280x as you suggested then if necessary i can double it up xfire?

Could you recomend a stronger fan for me please, and if its not to much to ask basket it all? Im offshore at the moment so i cant download apps etc :(

Then all i need to do is swap across my HDD right?
 
ok so buying in the next couple of days so just need the fan update :)

Also is it as simple as when its built, simply turn on and install windows or am I gonna have to mess with BIOS etc?

Oh and will i need a new windows or will i be able to transfer my windows 7 across, or re install it?

Many thanks for alll the help so far.
 
OK so gonna buys these bits tonight/tomorrow depending on time, how do i do it from here, can I even do it without the basket app?

Also appreciate if someone could give me an idea of an upgraded fan so i dont have to replace it if/when i xfire any cards :)

Still a little nervous about building it to be honest so any tips or hints to follow?

Thank you for all the help, especially doomed :) :D
 
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