Upgrade time

JonoB · 22 Dec 2011 at 11:57

Righto, time to upgrade my old rig (E6600 dual core with 4GB DDR2).

Looking for best bang for buck.

Thoughts are as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155
Mobo: Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard [GA-Z68AP-D3]
Ram: Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

Perhaps an SSD if money allows: any recommendations?

I have an ATI4870 (1GB) graphics card and a 650 PSU, so should be ok on that side.

Any thoughts or comments?

James J · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:00

Personally, I'd get the retail version of the i5 2500k as you get a 3 year warranty compared to the 1 year OEM version. Sure the cooler that comes with it is garbage but it's useful as a backup. What CPU cooler did you have in mind btw?

As for SSDs, I highly recommend the crucial M4 range. I own the 64gb M4 myself and its blisteringly fast with the latest firmware on it (0009). Motherboard looks fine, as does the RAM.

JonoB · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:26

Thanks for the reply.

No idea why I put the OEM version - changed to retail (although out of stock atm).

I thought that the stock cooler would be ok, as I'm not going to OC. As long as its quiet, then I'm happy. Otherwise, any recommendations?

JonoB · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:29

Oh yeah, will I be able to activate my existing copy of Win7?

Doomedspeed · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:43

You will need to re-install. If its a retail copy you should be able to re-activate easy.

mogwai · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:46

Is it an OEM or Retail copy?

lethiX · 22 Dec 2011 at 12:49

Doesnt seem a great time to upgrade with Ivy Bridge and PCI-E 3.0 coming soon.

JonoB · 22 Dec 2011 at 13:01

I bought the Family pack of Win7 (where you get 3 copies) - so I assume that is retail version?