Looking to upgrade motherboard and graphics card

[Blaircroft]

Ok ive got some extra cash and looking to upgrade my 4 year old Mobo and 2 year old GPU. Not that this setup hasnt served me well it has but im running into driver compatibility issues with the mobo as of late. I lean pretty heavily on the AMD/Nvidia side but if i can find a better deal on the other side im open. Ok here is what i have and what im looking at off the top.

What i have:

Mobo: MSI K9N Sli Platinum
CPU: Dual Core AMD2 5800+ 3.0 ghz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT Alpha Dog Edition (512mb)
Memory: 4x 1GB OCZ XTC Sli DDR2
Cooling: Antec Fan Card, 2x 120mm factory mounted
HDD: WD: 1.5TB/250GB
CDROM: Lite-On Light Scribe Multi DVD All Write
Monitor: Acer 22" Widescreen
Case: Ultra Grid ATX V-Series
PSU: Apevia Warlock Power 900W
OS: Windows 7 Pro Media Center Edition 64-bit

Heres what im looking at:

Mobo: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5687458&Sku=B69-4108

GPU: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=15429&Sku=B52-0262 PROMO

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=15447&CatId=3775

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=15396&CatId=3775

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143190

 

[DonInKansas]

Budget? Also, TD runs kind of high on most all their prices. Try Newegg.

 

[jellyrole]

What's your budget? Also, you probably don't want to put yourself through the 750i chipset bullshit. I personally had a ton of bad experiences with that mother and frankly its a dead socket. Let us know what your budget is and we can help you out a bit better!

 

[afw]

+1 on buying from newegg ... check these
CPU+MOBO combo (same price but better Processor and mobo) --->http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.352757

RAM --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211364&cm_re=ddr3-_-20-211-364-_-Product

VGA ($150 after rebate .. performs the same as GTX 260)--> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127484&cm_re=5770-_-14-127-484-_-Product

 

[Blaircroft]

The main things im looking at are the Mobo/CPU and GPU and i probly dont want to spend more then $300 on the mobo/CPU and $380 on the GPU. How reliable is Biostar im going to check out some benchmarks and stuff? Would i need to invest some into a better cooling system if so i probly wouldnt want to spend more then $150.

 

[theonedub]

Willing to buy used? I've got a couple things for sale

 

[Blaircroft]

Willing to buy used? I've got a couple things for sale

Yea im a little weird about buying used electronics nothing against you man but i like to have the peace of mind.

 

[Trigger911]

I've been buying stuff here like crazy all my friends are all very satisfied I was skerd (scared) at first too but make sure the person has been around and has a decent rep.

The dub's stuff looks pretty clean and looks like he takes care of his stuff imho ...

 

[Blaircroft]

here is a review of the GPU im looking at from Newegg $200 less then the 295 and with the step up program i could upgrade by the time that price comes down a hair.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/01/30/bfg-tech-geforce-gtx-285-ocx-1gb/1

 

[afw]

You're better off buying a 5850 than getting a 285 ... it performs better ... consumes less power ... produces less heat ... DX11 ... eyfinity ... massive overclocking potential .... and costs $80 less than the BFG OCX .... (the list goes on) ...

Are you an NV guy ??

 

[Blaircroft]

Ive just herd from friends that ATI cards get returned alot and they typically have driver issues. Havnt really expirenced any myself b/c i usually go Nvidia. Yea thanks for the suggestion im not bias ill look into it

 

[Blaircroft]

wow everywhere ive looked the 5850 seems to be getting better reviews then the GTX 285 im pretty much sold on the GPU now i just need to get a processor,mobo,memory to go with it so the I5/7 processors are a hassle anyone else haveing bad expirences with it?

 

[JrRacinFan]

To actually make it feel like an upgrade:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.353163


Remember though if all you are going to be doing is gaming I suggest keeping what you have and upgrading your video card.

 

[Blaircroft]

ok heres what ive put together

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 2.66ghz $279.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE

Mobo: Asus Rampage II Extreme $354.99
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...5da513bd90b65f5177633731666d26f058ead0fc27db1

GPU: XFX - RADEON HD5850 PCIE 1GB DDR5 317.97
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=808&item=BX4105

Memory: OCZ Gold 6GB DDR3 $160.99 before $30 Mail-in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

This is somewhat over my budget lol but its top of the line products from what ive read. I could shave it down if anyone can think of anything but ive got the money to blow on this.
grand total: $1113.94

 

[T-Bob]

Excellent parts, you will be very happy with that upgrade. Though you may want to consider a good HSF cooler, if you plan to overclock the CPU.

 

[afw]

go with this MOBO ... check the user reviews ... the MOBO is just awesome ..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131614&cm_re=x58-_-13-131-614-_-Product

and i dont think OCZ is the best in the memory business .. go with either CORSAIR or G-Skill
check these ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231247&cm_re=ddr3-_-20-231-247-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222&cm_re=ddr3-_-20-145-222-_-Product

you save around $50 with the above MOBO and the RAM costs pretty much the same...

or you could go with i7 860 (socket 1156) which performs pretty much the same as 920 ... even better in some instances ... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214&cm_re=i7_860-_-19-115-214-_-Product

socket 1156 motherboards cost less .. so you can save some money there and dual channel DDR3 cost less and u can save some there as well ...

good luck with the build ...

 

[Blaircroft]

Sweet action! I overlooked that mobo for some reason i remm seeing it. The reason i decided to go with the 920 is ive read that its designed for multi gpus. Also ive herd that you can overclock it past 3.0 wit hthe stock turbo.

 

[afw]

well the i7 860 too is similar to the i7 920 in specs ... 4 cores ... 8 threads .. turbo modes ... 8mb cache ...etc ..

the differences are ... 860 is clocked @ 2.8GHz compared to 2.66GHz in 920 and in turbo mode the 860 overclocks itself to 3.46Ghz ... and FYI the 860 too can handle muliple GPUs ... and the 920 has more memory lanes ....

and hey im suggesting 860 (socket 1156) only if you are short of money ... 920 is a great processor and could overclock well with good cooling ... if you have enough money go with the 920 ... ... and post some pics and overclocks of your rig once its done ...

860 specs ---> http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41316
920 specs ---> http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37147

and heres a review on 860 ---> http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3641&p=1

 

[JrRacinFan]

ok heres what ive put together

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 2.66ghz $279.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE

Mobo: Asus Rampage II Extreme $354.99
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...5da513bd90b65f5177633731666d26f058ead0fc27db1

GPU: XFX - RADEON HD5850 PCIE 1GB DDR5 317.97
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=808&item=BX4105

Memory: OCZ Gold 6GB DDR3 $160.99 before $30 Mail-in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

This is somewhat over my budget lol but its top of the line products from what ive read. I could shave it down if anyone can think of anything but ive got the money to blow on this.
grand total: $1113.94

What is going to be the main sole purpose of your upgrade? I know I kind of asked you in a "beat around the bush" way.

 

[brandonwh64]

ok heres what ive put together

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 2.66ghz $279.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...CODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE

Mobo: Asus Rampage II Extreme $354.99
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...5da513bd90b65f5177633731666d26f058ead0fc27db1

GPU: XFX - RADEON HD5850 PCIE 1GB DDR5 317.97
http://www.pcnation.com/web/details.asp?affid=808&item=BX4105

Memory: OCZ Gold 6GB DDR3 $160.99 before $30 Mail-in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365

This is somewhat over my budget lol but its top of the line products from what ive read. I could shave it down if anyone can think of anything but ive got the money to blow on this.
grand total: $1113.94

Similar specs of my PC ATM. I have the littler rampage II GENE board and my memory is crucial D9s

 

[ShiBDiB]

920 is a beast of a chip, next thing im looking to upgrade too

and 1000 posts

 

[Blaircroft]

Thanks afw for all the valuable resources they really helped me alot. I think the sole purpose of the upgrade started out to be the unstable video drivers then ended up being a total makeover to at least some of the latest parts in my price range, you see ive never overclocked or had a a rig that was this powerful i might like to try it i cant wait to see how my games look.

 

[afw]

Thanks afw for all the valuable resources they really helped me alot. I think the sole purpose of the upgrade started out to be the unstable video drivers then ended up being a total makeover to at least some of the latest parts in my price range, you see ive never overclocked or had a a rig that was this powerful i might like to try it i cant wait to see how my games look.

Ur Welcome .... and one more thing .... don't buy the VGA card for now ... wait another couple of weeks ... as you may know ... nVidia are releasing their DX11 cards on the 26th ... and if their prices and performances are competitive ... ATi will surely drop the prices on the new 5800 series cards ... who knows .. you might be able to get a 5870 with what you have ... ...

But there is another rumor that the nVidia cards wont hit stores until 2nd week of April ... so its upto you to decide ...

And where exactly do you live ... you can buy i7 920/930/860 processors from Microcenter stores and save another $100 or so ...

processors ---> http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?coordinate_group=HB3C
store locations ---> http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/index.html

good luck ...

 

[JrRacinFan]

Thanks afw for all the valuable resources they really helped me alot. I think the sole purpose of the upgrade started out to be the unstable video drivers then ended up being a total makeover to at least some of the latest parts in my price range, you see ive never overclocked or had a a rig that was this powerful i might like to try it i cant wait to see how my games look.

Oh ok so your building the rig just for gaming then? As said above wait another week or so. Oh and I suggest an Athlon II x4 6x0 if you are on a budget or i7 930 if you have basically no limit. Also, if you game at 1080p and below, I suggest looking into an ATi HD5770.

 

[assaulter_99]

If you're only gonna game, why don't you build yourself a nice amd rig? It would be a tad cheaper tbh. The number of fps difference between amd and intel in gaming is pretty much insignificant. It has been stated by jr just above ^^^. All in all, it just depends on your pockets really