Upgrade Advice 2015

RobCharles1981

New member
Hi there I'm after suggestions on what to upgrade on my system built 3 Years ago it consists of:

Coolermaster 690ii Advanced
Intel Core i5 3570K
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Cooler
Samsung 840 SSD 120Gig (Windows O/s)
Samsung 840 Pro 120 (Programs and Games)
Asus D1 Sound
Asus P8 Z77-V LX Motherboard
Corsair 2 X 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 XMS3 i5 Memory Kit (8 Gig)
Corsair TXM 650W Modular PSU
Powercolor HD 6870 1GB

I mainly use this for Gaming and Video/Photo Editing.

Any ideas welcome!

Cheers
Rob
 
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I'd say upgrade to 8GB RAM and get a new GPU that fits the budget.

SSDs are nice to toss in if you have the money too!
 
Ah well the SSDs weren't mentioned yet when I commented and the RAM says:
Corsair 4GB (2x2GB ) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 XMS3 so erhh... Unless you've got 2 of these kits, that is GB.

But yeah, the thing you need updated most if you're into gaming is definitely that GPU. You really can just pick any GPU your budget allows as long it's it's not a dual GPU card (690 /295x2) cause your PSU has plenty wattage and the CPU won't even hold it back a bit, as it's still quite a recent platform and doesn't need changing unless you want to step up to an i7, though that would give you a very, very (negligible) performance difference in games, but it might help with video rendering.

Also, in the future, please use the multi-quote
multiquote_off.gif
button rather than posting twice in a row, thank you :)
 
Yeah as Feronix says, the only thing holding you back really is the GPU. Guess if you wanna spend a lil more you could get some newer/better RAM but it's only really the GPU that needs updating
 
Hi there I'm after suggestions on what to upgrade on my system built 3 Years ago it consists of:

Coolermaster 690ii Advanced
Intel Core i5 3570K
Noctua NH-U12P SE2 Cooler
Samsung 840 SSD 120Gig (Windows O/s)
Samsung 840 Pro 120 (Programs and Games)
Asus D1 Sound
Asus P8 Z77-V LX Motherboard
Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 XMS3 i5 Memory Kit (8 Gig)
Corsair TXM 650W Modular PSU
Powercolor HD 6870 1GB

I mainly use this for Gaming and Video/Photo Editing.
Cheers
Rob

Editing? You would benefit from the i7 but if that means sacrificing the GPU then i don't think it's worth it. The i5 allows you to keep a better all around PC.

2x120GB ssds? Ya not worth it at all... better off putting that money together for a single bigger ssd. Easier to manage and it will last longer in the future. Also usually little faster as well. If you could get anything bigger i would 100% recommend it. Game sizes aren't small and regular video/photo editing takes up space quickly too.

Go with 2x4GB sticks. Not 4x2Gb sticks. Saves space and allows you to add more in the future if needed.

TXM PSU? That's older.. try something newer like a Corsair CSM or CXM(csm is better). Or A seasonic 650RM.

Also look for a pretty cheap 780 used. Usually pretty cheap. Or alternatively go for a 280/285/280x.. very good value for the money. If you can find a lightly used 290 for a good deal that's probably the best option.. i've seen a few go for very cheap.
In the end the GPU will be the weakest link in the system.. The stronger and more powerful it is the less you will need to upgrade it. Saving money in the future. Also in the future it's price will drop and adding another will greatly increase the performance.
 
Hi Guys thanks for the inputs.

For starts here's my Motherboard Specs:
http://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/specifications/

It says It supports 3rd and 2nd Generation Core... I may upgrade the CPU latter on, any suggestions what the "Bang for the buck" to go for in that area with links....

I keep all my video storage on another Drive, so I don't see the point of replacing the SSD at the moment.

Ideally a better PSU could be on the cards, Same wattage but a fully modular one any links what to suggest?

And Lastly - the main point Graphics card Id prefer an AMD one any links for that too please?

Cheers
Rob
 
You should be able to find a new 280x card by XFX for a very low price (around 250euros)
It's worth the money and you will be able to keep that PSU of yours
 
Upgrade to 16gb of ram at least if you do video/photo editing and if you do HEAVY video/photo editing along with 3D modelling stuff than go ahead and opt for 32 otherwise 32gb is un-needed. And also you could switch the cooling to a more efficient watercooling, swiftech h220-x is a cheaper option.

And for GPU you could opt for the MSI r9 290x 4gb if you got the money, opt for an msi 280x--though personally I'd skip the 280--or just go with the MSI r9 270x and unlock and it'll perform at the 290 level. Which is why I said I'd skip the 280 due to the unlocking of the 270x which makes it perform up to a 290...
 
Significant performance difference the 290 is more powerful than the 285. The 285 is a 1080p monster that also has power efficiency.
The 290 will do for 1440p monitors and/or 144Hz monitors
 
Its worth the extra money for the 290. More vram and better minimum frame rates and in the future when they become really cheap. It's a very easy way to CF and get amazing performance for quite a while.
 
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