What can I upgrade?

Ice_Black · 24 May 2013 at 18:07

My spec is kinda old but what can I upgrade my PC for better performance?

- I don't play games, I do some video encoding, photoshop, coding, and watching HD movies.

My budget is about £200 to £300

I just want better CPU and motherboard only. Use same other existing hardwares if possible

Current spec
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3-Ghz
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR2
ATI Radeon HD 4670
128GB SSD - Samsung 830
1TB Samsung Hard Drive
CORSAIR HX 520W MODULAR PSU
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M3A78-T
Windows 8

mgsdetail · 24 May 2013 at 18:30

ExRayTed · 24 May 2013 at 18:35

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £169.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £86.99
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G160C9K) £49.99
Total : £318.37 (includes shipping : £9.50).

A bit over budget but fits the bill

Doomedspeed · 24 May 2013 at 18:40

ExRayTed said:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £169.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £86.99
1 x Patriot Intel Extreme Masters 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (PVI38G160C9K) £49.99
Total : £318.37 (includes shipping : £9.50).

A bit over budget but fits the bill

Good idea..

you could always get a cheaper B75 or H61 motherboard. To bring it nearer to budget.

pastymuncher · 24 May 2013 at 18:54

Wait until Haswell is out in a couple of weeks. Don't buy into a dead socket.

Ice_Black · 24 May 2013 at 19:25

Thanks for suggestions but I want i7 and what about Asus motherboard? Is it better than Gigabyte for long term and reliable?

I don't mind if it gone over budget.

I have a Coolermaster Elite 335 case - that still work?

Ice_Black · 24 May 2013 at 20:06

pastymuncher said:
Wait until Haswell is out in a couple of weeks. Don't buy into a dead socket.

Why is it worth to wait for haswell? How is it better than Ivybridge

biuro74 · 24 May 2013 at 20:42

You can try Phenom II x6 1100T, on Ebay upto 138 pounds (new other), or less for used one. Your motherboard supports it, and for encoding video it's hard to find anything better in generally such low price (138 pounds). IvyBridge would perform the same in 2nd pass x264 tests, or a bit better in 1st pass, we don't talk about gaming. It's much more cheaper alternative than Intel, and doesn't require system reformat & reinstall & reconfiguration, IMO worth considering, because if you won't like it, you might re-sell it with practically no loss.

Motherboard - you can consider M5A9x series with native SATA 3 support, I presume you want to make SSD working harder

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-501-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=2046

It's 81 quids, or something (GB, MSI) cheaper for about 60 pounds. Nobody says it's faster than Intel with this ridiculous Gigabyte D3H "star" , but fairly cheaper and equal in above mentioned point (coding), and maybe system will start up once motherboard changed with no OS reinstall need ;-)

BTW, better Intel rig would be:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-310-MS&groupid=595&catid=689
(50)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-390-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=1859
(225)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-337-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1517
(36)