Where is my computer weak?

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:03

Hello everyone and thankyou for taking the time to read my thread. I'm looking for help with a small range of questions and i'm hoping that you can help.

My Computer is a number of years old, and i'm beginning to feel the burn as a rather hardcore gamer, as i'm trying to get as much quality as I can from my system.

I've got about £250 to spend and need advice on where best to spend it for my system. The I5 2500k has been on my mind though I myself am not as adept into hardware than most of you.

You can find my Dxdiag here.

Also, what good advice can be given on making a watercooling system? Can Overclockers implement the system for you at a charge?

Thankyou all so much for your help,
Tyminski

Orcvader · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:09

Which 5800 card do you have? The 5850 or 5870? Dxdiag doesn't really state everything. What PSU do you have? Although both graphics card is enough for 1920x1200 for now, so don't think you need to go for a more power hungry one until next gen.

Looking at the Dxdiag mess, I think it may be your dual core 3ghz holding you back. An i5 2500K seems to be the perfect choice, although you may need to buy new RAM as I can't tell if you have DDR2 or DDR3 RAM.

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:13

Hi Orcvader, thankyou for the fast response.

I'm running a Sapphire 5850.

Is there an area in my PC where I can get more information you require?

Rik1254 · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:13

Give us a detailed spec instead of dxdiag.

The i5 is probably the only way to go just looking at what is given.

OCUK offer pre watercooled cases and watercooling kits if you want to fit it into your current case.

Download CPU-z to get some more detailed information (like cpu, motherboard, ram type, etc...) Unless you fancy ripping it apart and telling us the model numbers?

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:14

Rik1254 said:
Give us a detailed spec instead of dxdiag.

The i5 is probably the only way to go just looking at what is given.

OCUK offer pre watercooled cases and watercooling kits if you want to fit it into your current case.

Hi there Rik,

Do you know where i'm able to find you more detailed information?

Thanks

Rik1254 · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:16

Just edited my last post.
If you download CPU-z, it will tell you some information. The only other way to get the information is to open the case up and look.

Ginger-Menace · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:16

down load cpu-z, this will tell you ( and us) what cpu u have what motherboard you have and the make speed and gen of ram ( ddr1/2/3)

Randomface74 · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:18

You need:
2500K
RAM
Motherboard
GPU

Optional:
SSD

By the time you've done that, you may as well leave your existing rig as it stands - meaning you need to buy everything for a new rig.

Watercooling comes at a premium, and isn't necessary, so I generally consider it a waste for regular folk.

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:21

Ok, thankyou for showing me to CPU-Z. Report here.

Also: If you could be so kind as to link me to the most reasonable item it would be deeply appreciated.

Rik1254 · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:24

Yeah, definately i5 upgrade.

Im not sure if you'll be able to get a decent i5 set up for £250 though.
Will you be getting a SSD anytime soon, or any likelyhood of having to use onboard graphics?

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:25

Rik1254 said:
Yeah, definately i5 upgrade.

Im not sure if you'll be able to get a decent i5 set up for £250 though.
Will you be getting a SSD anytime soon, or any likelyhood of having to use onboard graphics?

I've considered an SSD to help with my games, what would you store on your SSD?

And i'm confused as to onboard graphics, what exactly is this?

Daze · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:26

Get it a gym membership...

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:27

DaZe said:
Get it a gym membership...

lol

Rik1254 · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:28

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £184.99

Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £89.99

Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G) £26.99

Sub Total : £251.64
Shipping cost based on delivery to paypal address, ******* with:
FREE SHIPPING (DX Secure Next Day)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : FREE
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £50.33
Total : £301.97

You could always sell your current parts for the extra £50?

Rik1254 · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:29

Tyminski said:
I've considered an SSD to help with my games, what would you store on your SSD?

And i'm confused as to onboard graphics, what exactly is this?

Onboard is using the VGA/ DVi/ HMDi port on your motherboard instead of your graphics cards.

On the SSD, most people store the OS and some bigger games that take a while to load.

Orcvader · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:30

Looks like you will need new RAM after all...

Alright, assuming you will reuse your 5850 until next gen cards and your PSU is "fine" enough to use...

i3 2120: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-366-IN

Gigabyte Z68AP-D3: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-364-GI

Corsair XMS3 2x2gb: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-203-CS

All for £244.37 inc VAT & delivery.

Couldn't fit any of the i5s into your budget. My god the 2500K is so expensive now...

Tyminski · 23 Oct 2011 at 22:35

Thankyou all so much for your fantastic support in such a short space of time.

I deeply appreciate it everyone, unless anyone has more to add this is now over.

Thankyou,
Tyminski

GTO656 · 24 Oct 2011 at 00:50

I would agree with Orvader those components are more than enough forr your needs, Brilliant CPU(very quick) great RAM and Mobo for that budget.

fowler002 · 24 Oct 2011 at 01:10

what psu do you currently have(take the side panel off the case and look)? dependent on the make/model you may need a new one.