What should I upgrade on black friday?

[makwy2]

Time to upgrade!

I have about $100 (USD) for upgrading my computer and I've been waiting on black friday to catch me a deal! My question to you, my fellow forumites, is what should I upgrade?

My system specs are listed under my username for the BlackDeath, my primary machine and the one I plan on upgrading but if you are so lazy with pre/post-Turkey lethargy that you can't click it here is a list of my components:

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W 12V V2.2
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
CPU Cooler: Stock (but I just got a CM Hyper 212+ yesterday, it is still new-in-box)
MoBo: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 790X ATX
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaw Series 4GB DDR3 1600
GPU: XFX HD-577A-ZHFC Radeon HD 5770
Case: CM HAF 922
HDD: Seagate 7200.11 1.5TB, OCZ Solid 2 60gb SSD
OS: Win7 Ultimate 64-bit

So here are my thoughts:

1. More RAM, either an addition of 4gb or 8gb, dual-channel kits
2. Another HDD for RAID 1, data security
3. Corsair H50, or other ultra-quiet CPU cooler
4. Another GPU, for Cross-fire
5. A second lightscribe DVD-RW drive

What do you think? Do you have any other ideas? Suggest them below!

As long as what you list costs under a hundred bucks total, I'll consider it!

Note: I am NOT interested in a blu-ray drive.

 

[(FIH) The Don]

use the 212+ its amazing for the price

add another video card imo, should give you a good boost

 

[ZakkWylde]

^ agree

 

[TheLaughingMan]

Buy some new socks and a nice pair of slacks.

 

[makwy2]

Man, I thought this would be the perfect place to find some suggestions on what to do with my money...

Buy some new socks and a nice pair of slacks.

Instead, I got my parents' advice!

PS: I know the 212+ is great... I just have some money burning a hole in my pocket and goodness help me I'd like to spend it on something nerdy!

 

[n-ster]

100$ is not alot and you yourself have stated good investments...

I'd budget for a Phenom 6 core (if you live near Microcenter, buy one and get the free mobo with it and sell the mobo lol) or Extra RAM or perhaps another 5770

Or perhaps new headphones + soundcard? If you like music even just a little bit, this is a great investment

P.S: your #2,3 and 5 aren't very appealing to me

 

[MohawkAngel]

Save life for this SSD and buy a dual fan HDD cooler you can found anywhere on ebay or other computer stores. If you dont already have heatsinks for the ram buy some or buy a kit of fans that goes over the ram and cool it down.

 

[Radi_SVK]

Instead, I got my parents' advice!

Easy man,Im sure he was just joking

 

[makwy2]

Easy man,Im sure he was just joking

So was I My parents would tell me to either NOT spend it or do something "useful" with it.... never was sure what that meant.

Instead I just want to spend it on electronics playthings

 

[erixx]

with that money, i guess another HDD to store stuff.
but your box is really screaming for a video card upgrade, it's all nice stuff except that. Well, IF you game

 

[Radi_SVK]

Instead I just want to spend it on electronics playthings

Go ahead dude,Im sure that your parents are happy as long as you dont waste your money on tobacco,alcohol or worst case drugs...Hey but why dont you save up and maybe buy something else..but to be honest checking your specs,it is good the way it is...defo dont buy more RAM,it would be pointless..or another DVD drive,you dont need two for sure..you have plenty of storage,good enough PSU for your system..so is your new cooler you just got..the only think comes to my mind if you really want to spend,is another VGA.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Sell your card and buy one of these... MSI N460GTX Hawk GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-b...

 

[Fourstaff]

Not much you can upgrade really, except the graphics card but a good upgrade is more than what you are prepared to shell out.

 

[TheLaughingMan]

You are in a bad spot. New AMD mobos are coming out at the beginning of next year, Bulldozer Q2 of next year, new graphics cards in the next few weeks. Saving up for an overhaul is good idea at this time.

If you really need to spend it, get a nice Blu-ray drive or burner for your rig.

 

[(FIH) The Don]

as the others say, wait with upgrade

and get a extra harddrive, you can never get enough space

 

[cable]

invest in a bigger power supply

 

[makwy2]

invest in a bigger power supply

700W isn't enough?! I thought it was overkill when I bought it!

 

[Fourstaff]

700W isn't enough?! I thought it was overkill when I bought it!

Still is. There are members in this forum who will only run i7 with 1000w psu. Ignore them.

 

[Neo4]

$100 puts you in a tough spot to upgrade. You already have pretty decent hardware. If you're a gamer I'd sell the 5770 on eBay (been watching for weeks now on 5770 prices and the damn things are selling for near new prices) and get a 6850 or 6870 if you can. Or you could ask your dad to slip you a few bucks and get another one for some CrossfireX lovin (you could get a new 5770 for ~ $130).

Not much else you can do other than getting another hardrive and RAID 1 it like you suggested. New hardware in the months ahead is another valid point but you and I are alike in that we are constantly upgrading. Ain't that right.

Update: Oh hell no, you have the mobo that I'm asking around for people's experiences. I'm looking to upgrade and that ASUS board is in my price range. What's your opinion of it as far as reliability and overclocking? I'd rather have a Crosshair IV but that's not going to happen unless I win the Lotto.

 

[computertechy]

invest in a bigger power supply

shadedshu

his psu could run my rig.

----------------------------------------------------

i would get another 5770, or invest in a 6 core.

 

[makwy2]

Thanks everybody for your advice! I have decided to go with a 1.5tb RAID 1 Drive and a 2tb usb 3.0 external drive!

Thanks again!

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