Need a machine upgrade - Suggestions?

[BloomerzUK]

Hi Guys,

I have a fairly old machine now (with some updated bits). I purchased the bulk of it in 2007, exactly 4 years ago now (made it in the April).

My current spec (feel free to laugh):

Intel C2D E4300 @ Stock (w/ Arctic Cooler 7 Pro)

Gigabyte P965 DS3 v3.3

4GB GeiL DDR-II RAM

ATi 4850 512MB

HDDs - 1TB Samsung, 500 Western Digital and Seagate 500GB - All SATA-II

OCZ StealthXStream 500w PSU

DVD-RW Drive (SATA)

Xigmatek Utgard

It's been good to me over the years (upgraded from 8800GTS to 4850, 2GB to 4GB, various hard drive additions, mainly for more space and also the case [from a Lian-Li PC-7+]). It does run all the Source games, including Portal 2 etc. But over the last 2 years, I've noticed that is struggles on anything new e.g. Crysis etc (which is obvious).

Now, on to the nitty gritty. I would like people in the current hardware loop to spec me a machine. I start my new job soon, so I will getting a monthly (I think) wage and I would love a new rig.

I want it to be on the Sandybridge Platform, as it looks the best for bang for buck, although if X58 is affordable, I'll give that a shot.

I love the look of the P67 Sabertooth and how it performs. Also, I want a decent graphics card that can handle most games (@ 1680 x 1050). A SATA-III SSD would also be awesome.

The parts I'd like to keep and utilise in this potential build are: the case, the hard drives (the 1TB one), DVD-Drive and maybe PSU (not sure the outputs, and if I still got them. The mother chucked loads of stuff out in a Spring clean earlier this year.. women!)

Thanks guys/gals,

Jake

 

[cbiltsouris]

mmmmm off the top of my head this is what comes to mind:

2500k

asus p8p67 pro or ud7 or that savertooth

mushkin redline ridgeback (or that really nice copper version)

gtx 570 (twin frozer 2)

ocz vertex 3? or a kingston ssd? meh

corsair 750ax (850ax if ur sling later)

nh d14

 

[BloomerzUK]

mmmmm off the top of my head this is what comes to mind:

2500k

asus p8p67 pro or ud7 or that savertooth

mushkin redline ridgeback (or that really nice copper version)

gtx 570 (twin frozer 2)

ocz vertex 3? or a kingston ssd? meh

corsair 750ax (850ax if ur sling later)

nh d14

That's what comes to my mind too. I know everyone 'rapes' the DH14, but with good cause!

Any other suggestions people?

 

[Karlos_the_n00b]

mmmmm off the top of my head this is what comes to mind:

2500k

asus p8p67 pro or ud7 or that savertooth

mushkin redline ridgeback (or that really nice copper version)

gtx 570 (twin frozer 2)

ocz vertex 3? or a kingston ssd? meh

corsair 750ax (850ax if ur sling later)

nh d14

I'd pretty much go with this although I'd go with one of the face down Noctua's if your going for the sabertooth ofc.

I'd definitely consider the 570 but if you don't think your going to add a second later than you might be better off going for a couple of 6850's or 560's if there not outside your budget. There are also the 550's but I haven't seen much about those. Just bare in mind that two cards are generally better than one.

If your running more than one monitor though with multiple cards you want a mobo that does x16/x16. On one monitor though x8/x8 is all you need.

 

[HeaT]

c300 for the SSD, Love mine!

 

[BloomerzUK]

Thanks for the input guys. I will get a new monitor soon after.