TBlaar's upgrade thread

TBlaar

TBlaar

New member
Hi,

I want to upgrade my home PC, but really I should just buy all new... What I have (that I may be able to salvage):

- Chenbro Case
- AOpen 450Watt PSU (bought 5 years ago :/)

The rest is kak, P4 3.2, 4Gig DDR 667, blablabla

So, I would like to buy a new system without breaking the bank, seeing that I'll probably end up gaming on it for the first 3 months, then never again :)

Firstly, I would need to replace my current 17" LCD monitor. Was thinking of this:
Samsung LS23A350HS 23" LED 2ms

Then, I suppose I would need a new chassis and PSU, or should my existing stuff do?

Would in the end like to get something like this:
2500k
P67 board
RAM (4 or 8GB)
GFX

Now the question everyone is budget? Well, the budget is R 0, as I don't want to spend anything... but if I could get a nice system for a not so bad price, I might just get something under the tree for myself this year. including the screen, I would not want to spend more than R6k (HAHAHA)...

I don't know what to do... any suggestions welcome guys!
 
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Hey TBlaar, seriously for home 6k is the right budget BUT for gaming u need to add another 4-7K, look I always try and get the base to build on or upgrade but get the base right, and to upgrade you cannot take longer than 12months to spend the extra 4-7k or u out, maybe wait a little while longer until u have the "G"-budget and get what u really want :D
 
Meh... i know this is true...

I think that I may start by getting a cheaper P67 board(ideas anyone?), a 2500k(not changing this, except for the 2600k:) ), and 8gig Hyper X 1600 ram (can get it for 450). With this, I can keep my current case and PSU. Then for GFX, a 5750 of something better for a similar price would be cool (once again, need suggestions). Should be able to run that all off a 450 watt... ??? !!! :wtf:
 
If only you were closer xD
Pm me you're budget and what part you would prefer. Might be able to help you out.
 
Hey Joker, might as well keep it public.

I am buying a new LED screen, I need one, so lets keep that aside (Samsung LS23A350HS 23" LED 2ms, what do you think of this screen? Can get it for under R2k)

Then next, I would like to get mobo, CPU, RAM. I am looking at Kingston HyperX 1600Mhz 8 Gig (R450 for me), CPU I want to keep a 2500k and then looking for a nice yet cheap mobo, with sata3 and usb3 if possible. Need advice on a board please (Big ASUS / Gigabyte fan :) ).

If I get the above first, I can most probably have it running on the 450W psu that I have?

Then a month or so later, I'll get GFX and perhaps the new PSU. Willing to spend R1500+- on the GFX, and then need suggestion on a PSU that will be strong enough for all of the above.

PS: I can purchase at any supplier, so may make pricing a bit lower than online.
 
look. if you want to go budget you have to go AMD. there is no point arguing it.

You can get the same FPS with a good Graphics card on a phenom 2 dualcore than you would on a 2600K.

So for those of you that immediately when BS have a look at this

i would go cheap ECS or Biostar board and phenom 1075 with 8GB ram .

that would be the same price as you would pay for the 2500K cpu alone

so lets say

R2250
GPu bang for buck 6870 @ 2k

so you are at R4300 now

Get a good 600W psu for about R800

leave your monitor for now and buy one alter .. rather get pc hardware to run a game than to lag with a new monitor.

that is a R5200 ( ball park) upgrade you can do
 
Well looking at it now, you say you're only gonna end up playing games on it for 3 Months.
Why not just get the following

AMD FX4100 (R1300)
Asus M5A78L-MLX (R600)
2x4GB Kingston DDRIII 1333 (R450)
Asus/Sapphire 6770 (R1200)
Antec 500W Psu (R600)
Samsung dvd writer (R160)
Zalman Z9 chassis (R550-R600)
Asus VW227D 22" LCD (R1000)
 
Well selected Joker, FX series processors are great value for money....if its about budget...selection perfect 10/10
 
The Joker said:
Well looking at it now, you say you're only gonna end up playing games on it for 3 Months.
Why not just get the following

AMD FX4100 (R1300)
Asus M5A78L-MLX (R600)
2x4GB Kingston DDRIII 1333 (R450)
Asus/Sapphire 6770 (R1200)
Antec 500W Psu (R600)
Samsung dvd writer (R160)
Zalman Z9 chassis (R550-R600)
Asus VW227D 22" LCD (R1000)
Click to expand...

Surely a Huntkey 550W Green Power would save some bucks to be used elsewhere?
 
simon said:
Surely a Huntkey 550W Green Power would save some bucks to be used elsewhere?
Click to expand...

Avoid all Huntkey's PSU'S especially the greenpower things.
There is only one huntkey that is def worth owning and its the Huntkey Jumper 550W Modular....Only problem with that is, it costs around R850.
 
The Joker said:
Avoid all Huntkey's PSU'S especially the greenpower things.
There is only one huntkey that is def worth owning and its the Huntkey Jumper 550W Modular....Only problem with that is, it costs around R850.
Click to expand...

Serious? My brother bought the 550W gp and it seems to be running ok.
But jeepers 850 for a 550W psu, must be a really nice one.
 
simon said:
Serious? My brother bought the 550W gp and it seems to be running ok.
But jeepers 850 for a 550W psu, must be a really nice one.
Click to expand...

Well he is lucky, they have a really bad reputation, and I have personally seen how one goes up in smoke.

Go read the review on that 550W Modular. Its a fantastic psu..Just to give you an idea..I bought one about 5 months ago.
Currently running a 1055T @3.8Ghz, 16GB Patriot G2 1600, 2x 500GB HDD, Evga GTX580 Superclocked, 8x 140MM Sharkfin fans and other bits and bobs, and not once has it given any issues + The modular cabling is awesome.

Here is that review.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Huntkey-Jumper-550-Power-Supply-Review/989/10
 
Not a big fan of AMD, had a bad stint with their CPUs, so I trust Intel.

OK in terms of PSU, I want to get something with enough power for the 2500k, 8 gig ram, sabretooth, 6870, 2 HDDs, etc... Local supplier has coolermaster, any other ideas?
 
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So you changed pretty much all the parts...lol
What happened to it not being a gaming machine and a R6000 budget? 2500k + Sabertooth is already R4300, then you still want a 6870 and a decent psu and a decent sized screen...

Be realistic or give you're true budget.
 
That was without screen I said ;) And the power supply should be able to handle something like that, I am not buying that right now... :) I probably won't ever add a second GPU, so I might not even need a sabretooth.

Sorry for the confusing thread, it's confusing because I am confused about what I want and confused about how much I am willing to spend... kind of a catch 22 here...
 
Solid Advice...If you do plan on gaming any of today's range of Quad core cpu's will do perfectly fine, whether it be a i5 2400/2500k or a AMD 1090T. Ram wise 8GB is plenty to keep you future proofed and seeing as ram prices are low at the moment, I would stick with 8GB ram. Board wise, if you don't plan on overclocking, any decent midrange board will do, P8P67 comes to mind.

Graphics wise, a 6870 is a staunch card and offers quite a lot for the price, seeing as you can get them from around R1750. So I would stick with that as well. PSu wise, you don't need to spend a fortune, seeing as you're not planning on any heavy overclocking or adding a 2nd card to you're rig. So any decent 500W-550W Psu will be perfect.

Case wise, save cash and get yourself a generic case that fits all the parts and doesn't break the bank.

Most important of all, Make sure this is what you want before you buy. The 2nd hand market for pc parts is pretty shit, and you will almost certainly lose 20% as soon as you walk out the door of you're supplier.
 
Thanks Joker, I am thinking along the same lines...

PSU: I have a 450 Watt PSU, but it's old and would like to get a new one. Looking for 550-650 Watt (some futureproofing), any suggestions?

CPU: Then I would like the 2500K (prefer the 2600K, but not for the R800 difference).

Mobo: P8P67 should be perfect, was looking at this too. There are a few though, the normal, pro, evo, etc... which one to get? Also, the price of the PRO for instance, is not that far off from the sabretooth. Can the p8p67 overclock somewhat?

RAM: Kingston Hyper X 1600 DDR3 8 Gig Kit (2 x 4GB) I can get for about R500. Is this okay, or anything else I should rather get for that price?

GPU: 6870 is good bang for buck, best value I believe for the price. Where do I buy this, and which one? There are too many makes and versions etc... would ideally like 256bit and no less than 1GB Memory.

Case: I am happy to re-use my current case and buy a new case later.

I have the cash to buy all of the above x 4 right now (XMAS bonus of destiny), but I am buying a house in Feb/March and any cash is (or should be rather) pretty much going into the transfer/legal costs...

Thanks Joker and everyone else.
 
TBlaar said:
Thanks Joker, I am thinking along the same lines...

PSU: I have a 450 Watt PSU, but it's old and would like to get a new one. Looking for 550-650 Watt (some futureproofing), any suggestions?

CPU: Then I would like the 2500K (prefer the 2600K, but not for the R800 difference).

Mobo: P8P67 should be perfect, was looking at this too. There are a few though, the normal, pro, evo, etc... which one to get? Also, the price of the PRO for instance, is not that far off from the sabretooth. Can the p8p67 overclock somewhat?

RAM: Kingston Hyper X 1600 DDR3 8 Gig Kit (2 x 4GB) I can get for about R500. Is this okay, or anything else I should rather get for that price?

GPU: 6870 is good bang for buck, best value I believe for the price. Where do I buy this, and which one? There are too many makes and versions etc... would ideally like 256bit and no less than 1GB Memory.

Case: I am happy to re-use my current case and buy a new case later.

I have the cash to buy all of the above x 4 right now (XMAS bonus of destiny), but I am buying a house in Feb/March and any cash is (or should be rather) pretty much going into the transfer/legal costs...

Thanks Joker and everyone else.
Click to expand...

I would recommend any antec psu's over and above 500W. Most of them offer fantastic value for money.
I would also say maybe look at a Aerocool V12XT-600 600W (they are pretty good and don't cost a fortune)

As for the next question, Overclocking..
If you do intend to overclock try going for a P8p67 or a P8P67 Pro (Both overlcock really well)
The sabertooth is a strong board with a excellent 5 Year warranty, they are built to last. So if you're worried about that then get a sabertooth, if not and you wanna save cash just get a P8P67 or the Pro version.
Just remember overlclocking puts strain on you're psu, and yeah a 600W will cope with that, as long as you don't go altering you're specs again xD

As for 6870's, I would say go for any brand that fits you're pocket. Avoid Club3D if you can ( i have and know of many people that have had issues with Club3D) Sapphire and Asus are pretty strong and reliable brands. So either of those would be good, maybe even look at the MSI R6870, I think Wootware has that for around R1900 if I am not mistaken.

Ram wise there is no reason to go for anything else, although I have personally become a huge fan of Patriot G2 DDRIII 1600, so I would recommend those, but the kingston is perfectly fine.
On a side note, remember that Sandy bridge runs ram at 1333, so you will need to oc the ram to get to the 1600.
 
After checking out a few more items, I found that the GTX560 outperforms the 6870... is this true?

For the PC above, which GPU would be the best to get (They cost roughly the same)...
 
TBlaar said:
After checking out a few more items, I found that the GTX560 outperforms the 6870... is this true?

For the PC above, which GPU would be the best to get (They cost roughly the same)...
Click to expand...
Is this the GTX560 Ti or normal GTX560 as there is a big difference between them.
Personally I would go for ATI but that is because I am biased.
 
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