• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

What should my next upgrade be?

Jimmy2k9

Jimmy2k9

Joined
Nov 14, 2011
Messages
75 (0.02/day)
Location
Hamilton, Ohio
System Specs
System Name Enforcer
Processor i5 3570k
Motherboard ASrock Z77 Extreme4
Cooling Cooler Master Hyper 212 evo
Memory 8gb G.skill Ripjaws X 1600
Video Card(s) EVGA SC GTX 780 3gb
Storage Samsung 840 Evo 250gb SSD, Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Display(s) Asus VH226h 21.5" LCD (1920x1080)
Case CM Storm Enforcer
Power Supply Rosewill Hive 750w
Mouse Logitech G9x
Keyboard Corsair k70
Software Windows 7 home premium 64-bit sp1
Ok, so right now I have roughly $350 that I can sink into my rig but I can't make up my mind what to do. Its going to be at least a couple more months before I can afford anymore upgrades so I'm hoping to gain the most performance for my buck here.

So looking at my system specs, with $350 to spend and my build, what would you do?

My pc is used mostly for gaming on games like BF3, WoW, Diablo III, League of Legends.

Here are a few ideas I'd been kicking around...

Was looking at buying this cpu/mobo and cpu cooler for a total of $314
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0388577
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387554
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0373900

Or perhaps going for a gpu upgrade, but then I'm not really sure what I could even get away with without my cpu bottlenecking or also having to upgrade my psu. If its not to obvious I'm not exactly a computer guru like most people on this site, but I'm learning. :laugh:
 
Last edited:
How about a nice SSD? The biggest bottleneck in overall system performance is the amount of time it takes to pull data from the HDD... Just a thought. ;)
 
Jimmy2k9 said:
Do you think I'd need to upgrade my psu also in order to run that card?
Click to expand...

No. But I would stick with going the Ivy Bridge upgrade route. All the games you listed benefit from a faster/better CPU (BF3 especially for multiplayer) while the 6850 is still coping well with most of the games (again BF3 needs some settings lowered but you already know that).

Now the 3570K performs about 2x better than what you have in about everything so I say it's and affordable great upgrade to your whole PC enjoyment. As for a new card, wait a little longer the GTX660Ti is around the corner, 660 also probably in a few months prices will come further down. I switched from an E8400 to a 2500K with the same GTX275 (a card that's comparable with what you have) and had very noticeable jump in framerates and smoothness in many games.
 
I agree with others in that you should upgrade your CPU and mobo. It's a better option for the long run.

You could buy a PSU, which would be an even better long run option. The PSU you have now is decent for what it is, but you'll be put in the position of needing to upgrade in the near future. It also might convenience you to go with a modular design, which would benefit your rig as far as airflow and aesthetics is concerned. There really are some fantastic PSUs out there right now that offer high efficiency across various loads and implement a modular design; that said, don't splurge a large portion of your $350 on it. Buy a decent PSU, but don't go overboard (though I doubt I need to tell you this :)).

Anyway, take into account the advice given here, but ultimately make a decision that suits you!
 
I would definitely do the CPU upgrade route. no need to upgrade form the 6850 right now.
 
Ok so I'm going to go ahead and go the CPU/Mobo upgrade route.

How about my selection, the i5 3570k and ASrock Z77 Extreme4. Right now at Microcenter in-store I can get that combo for $282, leaving me with enough left over for a CPU cooler (being as everyone hates stock intel HS's). For that I had my eye on the CM Hyper 212 evo.

Are these all pretty solid choices or could I do better within my $350 budget? I say the budget is $350, but I'll take a lot less heat from the wife the less I spend. :laugh:
 
WOW, sooo trippy i was actually gonna buy the EXACT same things from the exact same place yesterday...my friend lagged on selling me his i7, and this was next up on the block.
 
xxdozer322 said:
WOW, sooo trippy i was actually gonna buy the EXACT same things from the exact same place yesterday...my friend lagged on selling me his i7, and this was next up on the block.
Click to expand...

So you didn't end up getting them?
 
Jimmy2k9 said:
Ok so I'm going to go ahead and go the CPU/Mobo upgrade route.

How about my selection, the i5 3570k and ASrock Z77 Extreme4. Right now at Microcenter in-store I can get that combo for $282, leaving me with enough left over for a CPU cooler (being as everyone hates stock intel HS's). For that I had my eye on the CM Hyper 212 evo.

Are these all pretty solid choices or could I do better within my $350 budget? I say the budget is $350, but I'll take a lot less heat from the wife the less I spend. :laugh:
Click to expand...

Everything is good. You can get the Hyper 212 plus which is maybe 10$ cheaper and does about the same job. Otherwise the prices are fantastic.
 
I'd get an SSD and maybe some new peripherals? Not sure what kinda stuff you have.
 
Rowsol said:
I'd get an SSD and maybe some new peripherals? Not sure what kinda stuff you have.
Click to expand...

Keyboard is a Logitech G510, mouse is a Logitech G9x.

Getting an SSD is certainly on my to get list, hopefully that will be my next upgrade following the cpu/mobo upgrade.
 
I would go with the microcenter deal and then a gtx 670 or 7950
 
I would upgrade the gpu last because of the games you play, with the exception of bf3. The cpu/mb was a good choice. Ssd's are getting cheaper every month. Soon I will hopefully be getting one myself.
 
I seen on facebook that you got your build complete, POST PICTURES!
 
brandonwh64 said:
I seen on facebook that you got your build complete, POST PICTURES!
Click to expand...

Nearly impossible to manage my cables with this psu/case lol. I posted my old mobo/cpu in the trade section (http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170293) in hopes of scoring a better psu, then hopefully in the next few weeks I can score a new case, as I'm not very happy with my current one. Though airflow doesn't seem to be a big issue really, as my cpu idle temps are around 29ºc and around 45ºc while playing BF3 at 1920x1080 on high settings. My GPU never gets very hot either with the fan at 80% and the PCI slot cooler on it. But... It it looks like crap. :banghead:

Oh and my gpu decided it wants to sag at the end for some reason? Blarg.

IMG_1520.jpg

IMG_1525.jpg

IMG_1523.jpg

IMG_1521.jpg
 
Oh yeah and this is what I ended up getting btw, lol.

IMG_1438.jpg
 
Nice Upgrade Mate
 
Added this about a week ago. :D

photo.jpg

msi.jpg
 
A fine upgrade! and here you were just planning to "stretch" your old rig. Bang! "On Top" with all new tech.

You might want to update your FS thread or if it's sold ask a mod to lock it. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top