Upgrading from Pentium D to i7; what video card?

[Captain.Abrecan]

So, my specs are in my sig. I can't play Dead Space, the processor is holding the system back wicked bad. I don't have a problem playing Crysis on 1024x768 medium/1280x1024 low settings, but it seems I need to upgrade to enjoy the newer games.

So I put this together, please give me suggestions regarding whatever you please:
Once You Know, You Newegg

The computer in my profile is the first one I ever built, back in 2006, and it has served me faithfully since it's humble beginnings with a nvidia 6600gt . I have never used windows vista or 7, and I have never set up a SSD before. So this is going to be all new to me.

I would keep the thermaltake armor, but being in my house since 2006 has thoroughly damaged it. The power supply is skipping out randomly as well, so I only have until this Friday to start ordering parts. Already backed my stuff up.

As I get more $$ I will be buying more of that same memory stick to flesh out the rest of the board. I am thinking a GTX 570? Then another in late April/early May.

 

[cheesy999]

why do you need a 1200w psu for that build?, its not as if your running quad 580's, that build + dual 570's should run on a 750w/850w easily

 

[Captain.Abrecan]

I like the efficiency it offers. I work in I&C @ Babcock Power, and if there is one thing I have learned it is: Do Not Go Cheap On The Panel.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Ive never setup an SSD either, but I would imagine it would be just like any other hard drive.

As for the CPU and motherboard, Id swap them out for Sandy Bridge. Much better performance. You dont really need an i7 either if your just doing gaming and web stuff so if youre not doing encoding get an i5 2500k. Its unlocked so you can OC as high as you want.

Do you really need the ultimate version of Windows 7? Windows 7 Professional is cheaper.

Im not sure if it matters, but for RAM, go with 2x2GB or just get a set of 2x4GB for 8GB right off the bat.

 

[brandonwh64]

I would go I7 970 over 960, you get 32nm and 6core/12thread

also go ATI 6950 and then unlock shaders

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I understand what your saying, but 1200 watts? A good 750 watt PSU will more than likely be plenty. Corsair TX or HX 750 is definently up to the task, and a hell of alot less expensive.

 

[Captain.Abrecan]

Ive never setup an SSD either, but I would imagine it would be just like any other hard drive.

As for the CPU and motherboard, Id swap them out for Sandy Bridge. Much better performance. You dont really need an i7 either if your just doing gaming and web stuff so if youre not doing encoding get an i5 2500k. Its unlocked so you can OC as high as you want.

Do you really need the ultimate version of Windows 7? Windows 7 Professional is cheaper.

Im not sure if it matters, but for RAM, go with 2x2GB or just get a set of 2x4GB for 8GB right off the bat.

I will be running Solidworks and Bentley AutoPLANT on the weekends with a Quadro FX 4800 switcheroo.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Im not sure if it matters, but for RAM, go with 2x2GB or just get a set of 2x4GB for 8GB right off the bat.

Actually, it does matter, and the RAM he has selected(or anyother 2*2gb kit for that matter) WILL NOT WORK for a 1366 build. 1366 is triple channel. That is a dual channel RAM set up he has selected.

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I will be running Solidworks and Bentley AutoPLANT on the weekends with a Quadro FX 4800 switcheroo.

Then yeah youll want an i7.

Actually, it does matter, and the RAM he has selected WILL NOT WORK for a 1366 build. 1366 is triple channel. That is a dual channel RAM set up he has selected.

In the sense of its better to go the pair of ram route or single stick?

 

[cheesy999]

As for the CPU and motherboard, Id swap them out for Sandy Bridge. Much better performance. You dont really need an i7 either if your just doing gaming and web stuff so if youre not doing encoding get an i5 2500k. Its unlocked so you can OC as high as you want.

Just tried finding one for him - all of the boards with 8/8 or more on the pci-e slots are sold out so he cant do the dual 570's he wants

Also instead of that crucial 2 of these (OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II ML...) in raid 0 will be larger and faster

 

[Captain.Abrecan]

Actually, it does matter, and the RAM he has selected(or anyother 2*2gb kit for that matter) WILL NOT WORK for a 1366 build. 1366 is triple channel. That is a dual channel RAM set up he has selected.

Thank You! I changed it to a kingston kit.

Also, thank you brandonwh64 for the 970 information. Took that too.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

In the sense of its better to go the pair of ram route or single stick?

no, to run triple channel, he has to have a amount of RAM that is a multiplier of 3, ie. 3 gig or 6 gigs or 9 gigs and so on

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Thank You! I changed it to a kingston kit.

welcome

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

no, to run triple channel, he has to have a amount of RAM that is a multiplier of 3, ie. 3 gig or 6 gigs or 9 gigs and so on

I was actually referring to a non 1366 motherboard. I should have made that more clear so that was my fault.

 

[Captain.Abrecan]

Just tried finding one for him - all of the boards with 8/8 or more on the pci-e slots are sold out so he cant do the dual 570's he wants

Also instead of that crucial 2 of these (OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II ML...) in raid 0 will be larger and faster

TY, yeah rated read is 285, write is 275. I picked the other one though because the 355 max read is where I need it, and the 75 write speed is no consequence to me. I might get the one you suggested as an add-on, but I need solidworks and bentley to run off of the one I picked.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I still suggest dropping your PSU some. Unless you plan on running quad SLI GTX580 or something like that, this PSU will do the job just as well as the 1200 watt PSU you have picked out, at about a third of the cost.

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2....

 

[cheesy999]

TY, yeah rated read is 285, write is 275. I picked the other one though because the 355 max read is where I need it, and the 75 write speed is no consequence to me. I might get the one you suggested as an add-on, but I need solidworks and bentley to run off of the one I picked.

raid 0-will make the drives have an effective top speed of (2x285) which is 570MB/s and thats a bigger number then 355 last time i checked

 

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

So far ive come in way under the price tag of what you have above minus a motherboard and GPU. But once I factor those in, it will probably change.

 

[jsfitz54]

I like the idea of switching OS to ***Pro*** vs ulitmate.

Newegg Memory sale code: DM15MR11US = 15% off any desktop memory.

My 850watt PSU is quite adequate.

 

[Captain.Abrecan]

raid 0-will make the drives have an effective top speed of (2x285) which is 570MB/s and thats a bigger number then 355 last time i checked

I guess I will have to figure out raid then. I might come back here once I get the parts together for that maneuver.

I am taking the collective advice regarding the power supply, thank you guys.

 

[Captain.Abrecan]

I like the idea of switching OS to ***Pro*** vs ulitmate.

Newegg Memory sale code: DM15MR11US = 15% off any desktop memory.

Are there any technical differences between those operating systems?

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I am taking the collective advice regarding the power supply

figured you would after realising the $200 or so it would save you.

 

[jsfitz54]

Are there any technical differences between those operating systems?

If you want to encrypt files Ultimate has "Bitlocker".

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Are there any technical differences between those operating systems?

I have ultimate(got it free). To be honest, I really don't use it's features much. Personally, I'd probably be satisfied with the Home edition

 

[jsfitz54]

I have ultimate(got it free). To be honest, I really don't use it's features much. Personally, I'd probably be satisfied with the Home edition

Home edition can only see 16GB ram. If every you wanted to max out sys. memory???

Pro sees 128 or 164GB can't recall.