To upgrade or not to upgare. . . That is the question.

Grimspoon

The Hoff
Ok, so I have:

i5 750 @ 2.7 Ghz
4GB 1333 RAM
Ati 5850 HD
Thermaltake 500W
Asus P7P55D


Case, HDD (might want to put in a SDD), Monitors I have (although might want 2 x 27")

Now I am not sure if it is worth upgrading now. . .

I had in mind:

i7 dunno what
8GB 2000 RAM
6970 HD
750W PSU

Would upgrading to the above be worth it? Obviously it will be an improvement, worth shelling out for though?

Your thoughts as always much appreciated by the spo00ner. :)

Budget, anywhere up to about R17k, but don't really see the need to spend that much.
 
You already know my answer :P
Its def worth upgrading. You don't need to spend the 17k though.
As for the Screens, 2x 27inch is gonna rip a huge part of you're budget to pieces mate.
The 3 24's you have are perfect, if you end up running a 6970 2 gig with eyefinity.

Anyway, Sandy Bridge is much much faster than 1156 and 1366 and offers insane overclocking ontop of that.
Probably the easiest setup to clock..as in ever.

That said though, Intel and Amd's new range of cpu's are launching in the not to distant future, with Amd Bulldozer launching this month and Intel's socket 2011 launching next year.

I've gone through about 8 rigs this year, and honestly I don't think you need to go i7 2600k, I'd rather go for a i5 2500k.
Before anyone says anything, they are practically the same cpu, the i7 just offers the Hyper threading and to be honest I'vr run both and I can't see the difference between the 2 while gaming and in the end that's what matters to me and I dare say that's what matters to you grim.

As for the Upgrade.

I would say.

I5 2500K (R1000 saving over a i7 2600k)
Antec Khuler 620 Closed loop cpu cooler
Asus P8P67 Pro/Asus P8Z68-V
Patriot G2 1600 DDRIII 2x4 GB Kit
AMD 6970 2 GB/ Nvidia GTX570
750W Modular PSU (Any brand as long as it is 80+ certified)
Patriot Wildfire 128GB SSD
Aerocool Xpred Chassis
 
You already know my answer :P
Its def worth upgrading. You don't need to spend the 17k though.
As for the Screens, 2x 27inch is gonna rip a huge part of you're budget to pieces mate.
The 3 24's you have are perfect, if you end up running a 6970 2 gig with eyefinity.

Anyway, Sandy Bridge is much much faster than 1156 and 1366 and offers insane overclocking ontop of that.
Probably the easiest setup to clock..as in ever.

That said though, Intel and Amd's new range of cpu's are launching in the not to distant future, with Amd Bulldozer launching this month and Intel's socket 2011 launching next year.

I've gone through about 8 rigs this year, and honestly I don't think you need to go i7 2600k, I'd rather go for a i5 2500k.
Before anyone says anything, they are practically the same cpu, the i7 just offers the Hyper threading and to be honest I'vr run both and I can't see the difference between the 2 while gaming and in the end that's what matters to me and I dare say that's what matters to you grim.

As for the Upgrade.

I would say.

I5 2500K (R1000 saving over a i7 2600k)
Antec Khuler 620 Closed loop cpu cooler
Asus P8P67 Pro/Asus P8Z68-V
Patriot G2 1600 DDRIII 2x4 GB Kit
AMD 6970 2 GB/ Nvidia GTX570
750W Modular PSU (Any brand as long as it is 80+ certified)
Patriot Wildfire 128GB SSD
Aerocool Xpred Chassis

Great reply, thanks Joker!

I actually only have 2 24's now, sold the one. Eyefinity is nothing more than a "oo wow" and is actually totally useless for home gaming. 3 monitors is overkill, really more of a space hogger than anything. Anyway, the 2 x 27's were more on my "dream" machine, but I really don't need them. My 2 24's are perfect! Would rather put the cash towards a good rig.

I have a case, the Haf 932 which I am happy with, don't lug my machine around so the weight is not an issue.

Interesting with regards to the i5 2500K vs the i7. Is the i5 2500K a good step up from my 750?

I would prefer to stick with AMD, but not totally closed minded to the GTX. I have just found the Ati cards offer better value for money, but that was back when I bought my 5850.

I think the SSD would add good value. Definitely keen on getting one just for OS and some apps / games.

Maybe I should wait for the new AMD series chips? I always loved my AMD rigs. Plus if they releasing this month I can wait.
 
Maybe I should wait for the new AMD series chips? I always loved my AMD rigs. Plus if they releasing this month I can wait.

Last I heard the 7k series chips are only inbound early next year although I may be wrong. But if you're willing to wait till then you will be able to see whether the 7k series will be worth it. Otherwise if you're not willing to wait, then the 6970 is a good option nor is the GTX 570. And concerning the 2500k i5 vs the 750 i5, it's def a step up. Bus to core ratio is higher on the 2500k, supports 32 gigs of ram versus the 16 supported by the the 750, DMI (Direct media interface, ie communication between the north and south bridge is quicker, if I'm not mistaken) is also double on the 2500k. And thus far I haven't had issues with mine what so ever. Purs away and doesn't skip a beat
 
Great reply, thanks Joker!

I actually only have 2 24's now, sold the one. Eyefinity is nothing more than a "oo wow" and is actually totally useless for home gaming. 3 monitors is overkill, really more of a space hogger than anything. Anyway, the 2 x 27's were more on my "dream" machine, but I really don't need them. My 2 24's are perfect! Would rather put the cash towards a good rig.

I have a case, the Haf 932 which I am happy with, don't lug my machine around so the weight is not an issue.

Interesting with regards to the i5 2500K vs the i7. Is the i5 2500K a good step up from my 750?

I would prefer to stick with AMD, but not totally closed minded to the GTX. I have just found the Ati cards offer better value for money, but that was back when I bought my 5850.

I think the SSD would add good value. Definitely keen on getting one just for OS and some apps / games.

Maybe I should wait for the new AMD series chips? I always loved my AMD rigs. Plus if they releasing this month I can wait.

Always welcome.

Yeah it might be worth looking at AMD BD when it launches, seeing as its not far off.
As for the i5 2500k vs you're 750..there will be a huge increase in performance :P
My i5 is sitting pretty at 4.5Ghz, without breaking a sweat and it runs any and everything.
I've had no issue with any game thus far inc the "mighty Bf3 beta" which was crap lol.

Im still not completely taken in by ssd's, as I think the cost is way to high for what it offers, and yeah sure its epic owning one, I don't really see the difference while gaming..and that's where it matters the most to me.

As for GPU I agree with you completely, AMD all the way, I have always been a fan and probably always will be, nothing wrong with Nvidia...Its just how I feel.

Oh and BD will have 8 cores, with the top spec model running at 4.1Ghz on all 8 with Turbo activated. So it is sure to be beastly :D
 
If you have the bucks, go for it. Furthermore, I agree with the Joker. I must warn that my opinions might be biased as I am pro AMD all the way. :cool:

Otherwise, wait for the Sandy Bridge E coming soon. Might be pricey though, especially with the US Dollar that's a bit steep atm.

GL with your upgrade!!
 
Last I heard the 7k series chips are only inbound early next year although I may be wrong. But if you're willing to wait till then you will be able to see whether the 7k series will be worth it. Otherwise if you're not willing to wait, then the 6970 is a good option nor is the GTX 570. And concerning the 2500k i5 vs the 750 i5, it's def a step up. Bus to core ratio is higher on the 2500k, supports 32 gigs of ram versus the 16 supported by the the 750, DMI (Direct media interface, ie communication between the north and south bridge is quicker, if I'm not mistaken) is also double on the 2500k. And thus far I haven't had issues with mine what so ever. Purs away and doesn't skip a beat

I guess I could wait. Not really in a huge rush. But may take awhile before the prices drop.

Always welcome.

Yeah it might be worth looking at AMD BD when it launches, seeing as its not far off.
As for the i5 2500k vs you're 750..there will be a huge increase in performance :P
My i5 is sitting pretty at 4.5Ghz, without breaking a sweat and it runs any and everything.
I've had no issue with any game thus far inc the "mighty Bf3 beta" which was crap lol.

Im still not completely taken in by ssd's, as I think the cost is way to high for what it offers, and yeah sure its epic owning one, I don't really see the difference while gaming..and that's where it matters the most to me.

As for GPU I agree with you completely, AMD all the way, I have always been a fan and probably always will be, nothing wrong with Nvidia...Its just how I feel.

Oh and BD will have 8 cores, with the top spec model running at 4.1Ghz on all 8 with Turbo activated. So it is sure to be beastly :D

The bulldozer sounds pretty sweet. I must say deep down inside me I have always thought AMD made better chips. I wonder what the pricing will be like.

Yeah I am going to stick with Ati. Have had a number of Nvidia cards in the past and I always felt cheated.

As for the SSD, I hear you. I am still not convinced the increase in boot / load times is worth it for the extra cash you shell out. I will probably get a 2TB 7200 drive.

If you have the bucks, go for it. Furthermore, I agree with the Joker. I must warn that my opinions might be biased as I am pro AMD all the way. :cool:

Otherwise, wait for the Sandy Bridge E coming soon. Might be pricey though, especially with the US Dollar that's a bit steep atm.

GL with your upgrade!!

Thanks dude :)
 
Price wise, The top spec BD should be around the price of the 2500k or a bit more, I reckon around R2200 mark.
I've already bought my BD Motherboard and other parts xD Just waiting on the cpu's to launch.

The system I mentioned is pretty much top spec at the moment, so you'll be set for quite some time and in the end that's what really matters.
 
Joker's spot on with the cpu etc.

I got myself the i5 2500k and I don't regret it for a second. Make sure you get the 2500k and not the normal 2500. Price difference is about R100, but the k allows you to OC it in iets moer in. Then again I upgraded from an old E7400 chip, so my view is skewered. :o

The only upgrade I need now is gfx. Sitting with an old 8600GT that I bought back in '07. No idea what to get tbh. It would only be for BF3 anyway, the rest of my games are jammed on my PS3/Xbox. So I might just save and get a lappy instead. :/
 
Price wise, The top spec BD should be around the price of the 2500k or a bit more, I reckon around R2200 mark.
I've already bought my BD Motherboard and other parts xD Just waiting on the cpu's to launch.

The system I mentioned is pretty much top spec at the moment, so you'll be set for quite some time and in the end that's what really matters.

Yeah that sounds good, I am keen on the BD. Any idea what date they will be out?


What mobo would you recommend?

Joker's spot on with the cpu etc.

I got myself the i5 2500k and I don't regret it for a second. Make sure you get the 2500k and not the normal 2500. Price difference is about R100, but the k allows you to OC it in iets moer in. Then again I upgraded from an old E7400 chip, so my view is skewered. :o

The only upgrade I need now is gfx. Sitting with an old 8600GT that I bought back in '07. No idea what to get tbh. It would only be for BF3 anyway, the rest of my games are jammed on my PS3/Xbox. So I might just save and get a lappy instead. :/

Thanks voicz0r.

Pssst....Wanna buy my 5850? :D
 
BD is supposedly launching the 12th of october.
As for the mobo, I would say either one of the following would be epic.

Asus Sabertooth 990FX
http://rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_29_295&products_id=8529

Asus Crosshair 5 (V) Formula
http://rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_29_295&products_id=8530

I have the Crosshair 5 and I adore it, its gorgeous and it oc's like a beast.

Cool. Both look decent. I am guess those are both a lot better than the P8Z68-V.

I think I will wait for the BD chips and get one of those. Could you send me a esquire pricelist dude? I normally get my stuff from them through MyBB if that is if they still do that.


Edit: O and what do you think I could get for my current stuff??

i5 750
5850
Asus P7P55D
 
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Cool. Both look decent. I am guess those are both a lot better than the P8Z68-V.

I think I will wait for the BD chips and get one of those. Could you send me a esquire pricelist dude? I normally get my stuff from them through MyBB if that is if they still do that.


Edit: O and what do you think I could get for my current stuff??

i5 750
5850
Asus P7P55D

Will try get you one, I do know that they don't stock AMD mobo's anymore, so you might need to source that from another company, do have a contact though so could get it from him.
As for those parts, after sandy launched 1156 took a nose dive, I sold my i5 760 + Asus S55i Sabertooth board for R1600 a couple of months ago.

5850, I reckon R1300 Slightly neg.
Might know someone interested in taking that card.

Pm me what you would feel happy with mate.
 
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Will try get you one, I do know that they don't stock AMD mobo's anymore, so you might need to source that from another company, do have a contact though so could get it from him.
As for those parts, after sandy launched 1056 took a nose dive, I sold my i5 760 + Asus S55i Sabertooth board for R1600 a couple of months ago.

5850, I reckon R1300 Slightly neg.
Might know someone interested in taking that card.

Pm me what you would feel happy with mate.

Thanks dude. I will upgrade first and then get rid of my old stuff.
 
So I have a buyer for my old rig.

What would you say is a good price for me to sell the following as a whole for?

i5 750
Asus P7P55D
4 GB RAM
Thermaltake 550W PSU
250 GB HDD
 
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