Partial h/w upgrade on a budget

[deeknow]

Unlike the clearly single, or just filthy-rich amongst you, I am on something of a budget hardware wise which means an upgrade of my rig every two years or so, enforced very firmly by the Obergruppenführer (aka the wife )

My plan at this stage is to re-use my ATX case, 750w PSU and monitors, and upgrade the rest. As usual am planning on a just-off-the-leading-edge solution to save $$$, ie probably a Socket-1155 M/B and CPU, 4-6GB of matching RAM and a couple of fast drives (not SSD). Plus I'll be moving from XP to Win7 and entering 64bit land for the first time.

The thing I want some advice on is the GPU really. ie do I play cheap-skate and keep my current ASUS-9600GT and hope that I'll be happy with the improved CPU and O/S grunt/performance for FSX, or do I go hard out and plead with the domestic accountant for another $300 for a new GPU?

Am trying to keep the budget at or under $1500 and I'm gonna be pushing it w a new GPU. Please help brothers, if you really care maybe you could PM my wife in support

[cowpatz]

Dean I am in the same boat. My OC'd Q6600 and ATI 4750 just doesn't cut it anymore.
I am looking at the I7-2600K CPU but the rest is up in the air.
Also looking for at least a good mobo and RAM suggestion.

[zkcav]

Dean,

It's a hard call, but I found I got more bang for my buck spending money on CPU and RAM which meant a new motherboard also. I've since also upgraded the GPU but it was most noticeable going to an I7 CPU and adding extra RAM to handle Win 7 64 Bit. The system is now rock solid and no CTD like I had under XP 32 bit.

The other thing that is often overlooked is also the PSU which is not sexy but which can cause a multitude of errors, so you might also consider upgrading that.

On a budget consider spreading the upgrade out over a year or so, perhaps the main components now and add the extra as you can. That’s what I did and I’ve finally got something I’m happy with 2 years after I started rebuilding.

Cheers Paul

[deeknow]

Thanks for the feedback Guys.

@Steve: yeah we're looking at the same challenge huh, I too was thinking about o/c-ing the E8400 which will give me some more room, but think I'll sideline it to my spare rig setup. @Paul: yeah good call re the staggered approach, think I'll just stick w the GPU that I have and do MB/CPU/RAM. I have a nice AcBel 800W PSU in my current rig which will do the job.

Will let yaz know how I get on.

Oh, and am gonna do some benchmarking of the rig for before and after comparisons, have seen stuff like Prime95 and a few other test, load and inspection tools. Will compile a list of what I find useful. Let me know if you reccommend anything else. Not a biggie to be honest coz its not like I'm a hard-core o/c-er or anything.

[Timmo]

Dean, id keep the current GPU for now- it can always be upgraded later and prices are only going to come down

[AndrewJamez]

Unless you do alot of multi tasking and video editing, then forego the 2600k's hyperthreading ability for the cheaper 2500K and put the $100 or more bucks you saved to more ram or a better video card. FSX does not take advantage of hyperthreding and the 2500K is identicle in every other aspect other than being a pultry 100mhz slower which is irrelavent when overclocking these cpu's is so easy. $1500 should easily build a new system when retaining the case and PSU.

[deeknow]

Well I've done it lads, laid down some hard cash locally today for some of the components, and ordered a couple of others online which should arrive by the weekend so I can get building.

Pretty much went for what I posted above, an i5/2500K CPU, went for a Z68 chipset ASUS m/b, bought a Coolermaster H212+ cooler so I can dabble with overclocking, and got 2x4GB sticks of CL8/1600MHz RAM. As mentioned am gonna stick w the current case and my AcBel 800W PSU

Only thing I havent payed for yet is the GPU, but have decided to go for the middle-ground and get a GTX/560Ti, either ASUS or EVGA both seem to get reasonable reviews.

Will post some pics after the build. I wont be the most popular member of the house on Saturday until its all up and running

[AndrewJamez]

Good choice. Pretty much what i have bar the motherboard. One thing to look for (this is with my Gigabyte MB, maybe applys to asus too, not sure though) is the default bios settings for the ram. It may run at defaut MB speeds of only 1333mhz and at a slow CL9 speed. If you have XMP memory profiled ram (which is most good gaming ram) then enable this and your ram will run at its design speeds and settings. If you plan on over clocking as I have, after enableing XMP settings, go into the ram settings and copy down all the values. You will need these figures because in an overclocked environment XMP profile mode may not be stable and you will have to enter them in manually. As i said my Mobo is a gigabyte but asus is likely to be the same. At least with the asus you will have the nice gui with mouse to manage the bios settings. I am green with envy>

[deeknow]

Hey Andrew. Thanks for the heads up re BIOS settings etc. Will pay close attention to that at build time. The memory and m/b are XMP compatible so hopefully I can suss out how to enable that as you suggest. I am gonna o/clock this rig but not until next year when I can afford (ok, the missus lets me) spend a little more on a new case, some extra cooling etc. Just waiting on the memory to be delivered now them am launching into it

[cowpatz]

Is your new rig up and running Dean? If so are you pleased with it?