Upgrading PC - Need advice

Droolinggimp · 7 Feb 2013 at 11:46

Hi all. Not posted in here much but now is the time for my PC to get better and I need your help.

Currently I am using a pre-built "Primo 6100a" AMD A4-3300 2.50GHz DDR3 Dual Core System I got last year from our good friends here. I have also got a Sparkle GeForce GT 440 1GB GPU and two WD hard drives, one 1TB and one 500GB (the 500Gb was in with the pre-built system. The system has a OcUK 500w PSU. Basic black case.

Not sure if they still make the system I have so cant link to the exact specs but I know they have similar value ones now with possibly a higher spec, not be much though I don't think. I guess you experienced guys know what I have got and how it fares against other Value systems.

I am looking to fully upgrade these components:

CPU
MOBO
GPU
PSU
RAM
CASE
HARDDRIVE (SSD?)

Now, I am not 100% sure which order to upgrade. I was going to just get a new GPU so I could actually play games other than WoW. Something with a little kick so to speak but after having issues with W8 and the GT 440 I have gone back to W7 for the time being.

SO.... the plan is to upgrade a little every month in the order you guys think is best. The budget is around £100 - £150 per month with the chance of a £200 purchase along the lines at some point.

Yeah I could save and buy a pre-built system but prefer to get bits and build myself.

So guys. What do you think I should go for and in what order..

apeksdiver · 7 Feb 2013 at 11:49

Get an SSD first and then save the money until you can do it all in one go. Prices may well come down. Are you loking at staying with AMD? Intel will be releasing the Haswell CPU's in July.

Doomedspeed · 7 Feb 2013 at 12:17

Nice idea, the problem is technology moves on so quickly, so it's best to save up the money and buy it all in one go..

Though if i was doing your plan i would do: (all prices are OCUK estimates)

Month 1: GPU & PSU

7850 2GB - £140
XFX 550w core - £50

£190

Month 2:Core

3570k - £170
Z77 D3H - £70
8Gb 1600 Mhz RAM - £40

£280

Or Haswell Chips (should be simular prices)

Month 3: The Rest...

128Gb/120Gb SSD - £80
Case ~£50
CM 612s - £30

£160

How does that look? This should still leave it playable while upgrading.

Maybe wait until July Until Haswell is out, that may be your best bet as your PC will be out-dated before it's fully done.

pryere · 7 Feb 2013 at 12:37

apeksdiver said:
Get an SSD first and then save the money until you can do it all in one go. Prices may well come down. Are you loking at staying with AMD? Intel will be releasing the Haswell CPU's in July.

An SSD would vastly improve your current set-up in one step.

Doomedspeed · 7 Feb 2013 at 12:41

pryere said:
An SSD would vastly improve your current set-up in one step.

Still not being able to playing any demanding games? I don't see that a HUGE improvment for his situation..

Droolinggimp · 7 Feb 2013 at 13:04

An SSD at this point will only improve my loading times and that's not really an issue with WoW currently.

I might look into saving for the core components such as CPU, Mobo and Ram and just get the PSU and GPU first. I have no idea what you guys are on about when it comes to names of things. Whats a Haswell? One the subject of intel or amd I have lwsy gone for amd for some reason. No idea why. Any major difference in the two?

Doomedspeed · 7 Feb 2013 at 13:11

Yeah, an SSD now, wouldn't help.

Haswell is Intels next CPU line (out in July).. The current Intel CPU line is Ivybridge..

Intel reigns over AMD in gaming stakes. The current AMD's aren't great and not better value either..

Intel is the way to go..

Droolinggimp · 7 Feb 2013 at 13:14

Ok thanks. I shall take that into consideration when choosing the gear.

Doomedspeed · 7 Feb 2013 at 14:23

What do you think of my plan for you above?

Is that something you could do/afford?

Droolinggimp · 7 Feb 2013 at 16:39

Yeah its a possibility certainly. My only worry is that last time I built my own system people were on about 1000w PSUs and how much better they are but I have seen a lot of high end systems with smaller ones such as 500-750 etc. Are the newer PSU better these days? Last rig I built was over 6 years ago, maybe more.

Also I would like a core system that is upgradeable in the future. like adding more ram. 8Gb is enough for my needs but come the chance later I would need a mobo that would support more and obviously upgrading the CPU is a must over time.

Doomedspeed · 7 Feb 2013 at 17:08

Droolinggimp said:
Yeah its a possibility certainly. My only worry is that last time I built my own system people were on about 1000w PSUs and how much better they are but I have seen a lot of high end systems with smaller ones such as 500-750 etc. Are the newer PSU better these days? Last rig I built was over 6 years ago, maybe more.

Also I would like a core system that is upgradeable in the future. like adding more ram. 8Gb is enough for my needs but come the chance later I would need a mobo that would support more and obviously upgrading the CPU is a must over time.

No need for a 1000W PSU.. Back in the day components such as CPU's and GPU were Power Hungry and people assumed that as there performance increased so would the power needed. That's not the case anymore.

A 500W PSU will power any system (with one CPU and One GPU)
If you want to go SLI/Xfire (2 of the same GPU) you'll need 750W (about)..

Why would you want to Change you CPU?

If anything you'd want to change the GPU, that would make more sense.

Though if you want to be able to upgrade your CPU wait til Haswell, as that brings a new Socket 1150. This will be used by both the Haswell CPU line and Broadwell (successor to Haswell)