upgrade or new system?

noj · 10 Nov 2011 at 15:55

Oh great and wise guru's of all things PC, forgive this (self proclaimed) idiot for asking daft questions.

Ok, so enough of that.

My current system works ok but I'm getting that itch to upgrade it some more. I use it primarily for gaming - MMO's and stuff like DeusX, TF2 probably skyrim

Q6660 on a socket 775 Asus P5Qe mb with 4gb ram
2 x Sata drives
1 x BeQuiet 850 modular PSU
1 x 6950 2mb gfx (a recent upgrade)
1 x p100 Antec case (from memory its a P100) its big, black and has filters on front and 2 rear and 1 top fan)

The main thing I'm looking at is a CPU, MB and Ram upgrade, but whilst I'm ok with swapping out ram and GFX mucking around with the PSU and MB cables and fitting a CPU and Fan scare me a bit.

So the question is either to try and flog this stuff (no idea how much I'd get) and buy a new system or just try to update the MB, CPU and Ram.

Budget is, well, tbh flexible. Anything up to 1500 on a new system

I've read a lot of threads here and people say its easy to self build, but is it really that easy to do. How do you figure out where all those fiddly looking connectors go on the MB! I dont want to pay out and then fry a component.

Suggestions?

fowler002 · 10 Nov 2011 at 16:31

its not too difficult but I'm sure stulid or someone will be along with links to 'how to build pcc' you tube link.

is this mainly gaming and normal pc usage or do you lots of video encoding/editing/photo editing etc(i.e things that would make use of hyperthreading)?

if you don't do much/any encoding etc then the i2500k will suffice, otherwise go with th e i2600k/i2700k

motherboard http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-368-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990 seems to be the popular choice

or msi are doing 20% cashback offer if you buy by the 21st so http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-191-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

or www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-188-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1990

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18338613

ram 8gb pc3-12800 1600mhz no need to go for higher speeds as don't see real world benfits, dependent on cooler(i.e. air cooler or closed loop liquid cooler such as the corsai h60) you may need to be wary of the fins on rams duch as the gskill ripjawx or corsair vengence(not a problem with closed looped coolers.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-060-GS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517

cooler http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-006-AN&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

or cheaper http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-005-AN&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

if you have the money add a 2nd 6950 2gb

the prices on the ram and cooler end next wednesday, the msi offer ends 22nd(you need to have bought the mb between 7th - 21st).

sti007 · 10 Nov 2011 at 16:40

Personally I would keep what you have at the moment and see what ivybridge is like. You have a decent mobo there and the q6600 is still a capable cpu overclocked. If you have the upgrade bug then add another gpu. Make sure your cooling is up to scratch and overclock that processor!

noj · 10 Nov 2011 at 19:10

well it turns out i got the CPU wrong, its a Q9400 - bad memory of mine!

Does that make a difference to your advice?

I looked in the bios to see about overclocking it and, frankly, it scared me. Lots of options about stuff i have no clue on (I've read the sticky in the OC forum)

sti007 · 10 Nov 2011 at 20:02

Even better! Seriously you do not need to upgrade anything yet. Save your pennies for Ivybridge. Your system is perfectly fine for the time being. As I said earlier, make sure your cooling is up to the job and overclock that processor. There are plenty of overclocking guides online to get you started. Its not as daunting as it looks!