Looking for some advice on upgrades

[ellongbeard]

Hello all,

I am looking for advice on upgrading my current system.

Current:

CPU: AMD 965 BE P2
RAM: 8GB 1333mhx CL9
MB: Biostar TA970XE

GPU: GTX 285

Harddrive: 750GB SATA

Budget: 1k

(I would like to stay within the AMD family)

[Lathais]

What are you going to be using it for?
Do you need a new OS?
Do you need/want a new case?
Do you need/want a new monitor?
Do you need/want new peripherals?

Any particular reason why you want to stay with AMD? Intel is typically better for gaming, especially MMOs, as the individual cores are stronger and games only use 2-3 cores. AMD, since their cores are not as strong, just throws more cores at things, which are basically wasted in gaming.

[Lemmiwink]

If you would like to stay in the AMD family, most that budget could be saved as there are no huge upgrades for you gaming wise. I'd rather not upgrade my CPU/MB/RAM and get a new gpu instead.

[DeltrusDisc]

Aside from Lathais' questions...

Your best upgrades right now would be a current-gen GPU, possibly a new HDD/SSD, depending on the age of yours, but honestly - going Intel Ivy Bridge i3/i5 and Z77 motherboard would also give you a huge boost in performance, no joke.

[jholdaway]

Where are you from and what kind of games do you play? For 1K you could build a pretty nice gaming computer.

[ellongbeard]

What are you going to be using it for?
Do you need a new OS? No - using Win7 Enterprise now
Do you need/want a new case? No - I have a very nice Diablotek case
Do you need/want a new monitor? No - I have a nice 25in flat panel.
Do you need/want new peripherals? No - I have a Belkin N52 game pad

Any particular reason why you want to stay with AMD? Intel is typically better for gaming, especially MMOs, as the individual cores are stronger and games only use 2-3 cores. AMD, since their cores are not as strong, just throws more cores at things, which are basically wasted in gaming.

Do you need a new OS? No - using Win7 Enterprise now
Do you need/want a new case? No - I have a very nice Diablotek case
Do you need/want a new monitor? No - I have a nice 25in flat panel.
Do you need/want new peripherals? No - I have a Belkin N52 game pad

---------- Post added 2013-02-18 at 02:57 PM ----------

Where are you from and what kind of games do you play? For 1K you could build a pretty nice gaming computer.

Atlanta

[Deleted]

Well first you could upgrade your GPU, which will give a nice boost.
And as it is a 970 board, you could look at a 4300/6300/8320/8350 for a new cpu.

You could also try new and faster ram.

[jholdaway]

Here are 2 different builds. One Intel and one AMD
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($173.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($386.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $891.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-18 10:17 EST-0500)

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Fractal Design Integra R2 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $972.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-18 10:13 EST-0500)

If you can reuse your optical drive then you save the $18 and put it elsewhere in your build.

[Lathais]

Do you need a new OS? No - using Win7 Enterprise now
Do you need/want a new case? No - I have a very nice Diablotek case
Do you need/want a new monitor? No - I have a nice 25in flat panel.
Do you need/want new peripherals? No - I have a Belkin N52 game pad

---------- Post added 2013-02-18 at 02:57 PM ----------



Atlanta

Still didn't answer what you are going to be using it for. Gaming only? What games? Some games heavily favor certain video cards so it is information most would want before giving you a suggestion on a build.

[DeltrusDisc]

You have 7 Enterprise? How'd you come across that for personal use? O.o

[ellongbeard]

Still didn't answer what you are going to be using it for. Gaming only? What games? Some games heavily favor certain video cards so it is information most would want before giving you a suggestion on a build.

WoW is the only game I play religiously.

[Lathais]

WoW is the only game I play religiously.

Wow heavily favors nVidia, so the 670's in the build JHoldaway suggested are gonna be your best bet for a single monitor setup. Everything else is great about those builds as well. I would still favor the Intel as WoW is only gonna use 2-3 cores anyway, not all 8 and the Intel cores are individually stronger.

[ellongbeard]

Thanks everyone for the feedback,

I am pretty sure that this is what I am going to get:

1. Intel i7-2700k
2. Kingston HyperX Beast memory - 16gb (2400mhz)
3. MSI Radeon HD 7750
4. OCZ 480gb SSD
5. Asus P8Z77-V motherboard
6. 1 HDMI cable.

Sound like a solid build? The power supply and case I am reusing, since the power supply is an 850w, it should be more then enough.

Any more thoughts?

[n0cturnal]

Thanks everyone for the feedback,

I am pretty sure that this is what I am going to get:

1. Intel i7-2700k
2. Kingston HyperX Beast memory - 16gb (2400mhz)
3. MSI Radeon HD 7750
4. OCZ 480gb SSD
5. Asus P8Z77-V motherboard
6. 1 HDMI cable.

Sound like a solid build? The power supply and case I am reusing, since the power supply is an 850w, it should be more then enough.

Any more thoughts?

Why are you getting a 2700K instead of a 3770K? Do you really need an i7 or would an i5-3570K be enough for your needs?
Why get a 7750 when you have such big budget?
What is the point in getting 2400MHz RAM?
Do you really need a 480GB SSD? Which model is it?
What is the brand and model of your current PSU?

[DeltrusDisc]

Drop i7 to i5-3570K, you will not notice the difference.
Use money saved to up that graphics card, holy crap.
Drop to 8GB 1600MHz RAM, you won't notice the difference.
I personally avoid OCZ like the plague, but please make it their Vector 4 or that other new one, whatever the hell it's called.
imo, SSD-wise, Crucial m4 or Samsung 830 (if you can find it).

[Lemmiwink]

Samsung 840 and 840PRO are both good alternatives in each price range. I would buy the PRO though, but I have no problems recommending a Samsung 840 250GB as a good bang for bucks alternative.