Upgrade or New Build ?

[Savage Edge]

Hello everyone,
I'm currently unsure as to upgrade or start a fresh build ?
I will explain about my current rig before listing the full ugradge/new build specs. My rig is mostly used for gaming, streaming and the occasional photoshop project, anything else if the mood takes me.

My current rig was purchased from a local pc store about a year n half ago, it came as the spec in my signature but was running at 4.1 ghz.
( crazy if you think it was running on a stock cooler dont you think ? ) I updated the bios a few times since then and now keep it running at its turbo defaults. The native res of my monitor is 1920x1080p so dont need to go for sli or crossfire i dont think ?
Enough about my setup atm, time for new build specs.

New build spec's

Intel Core i7-4770K
Gigabyte Z87X-UD4H
Corsair H100i
MSI Geforce GTX 770 Gaming Edition 2048MB
Corsair Vengeance Pro Red 8GB (2x4GB) 2133MHz
Kingston HyperX 3K SSD 120GB
BitFenix Ghost Silent Tower Case - Black
BitFenix Alchemy Premium Modding LED Strip - X2 Red


I will be using the Corsair GS700 psu i have currently in the new build to keep costs down a little as i am currently on a limited funds.

Upgrade Spec

i5 3570k,
New Gigabyte / MSI Z77 mobo ( Cant decide on one yet )
Corsair H100i
2133Mhz Ram, (Again depends on the mobo colour scheme)
GTX 770 GPU, ( model depends on colour scheme )
Kingston HyperX 3K SSD 120 GB
BitFenix Ghost Silent Tower Case - Black
BitFenix Alchemy Premium Modding LED Strip - X2 ( Colour TBC )

Most will probably say why worry about a colour scheme if you cant see inside, well im living in hope that a custom window will appear like it did for the nanoxia deep silence. Even if that never happens, i would still like it to look pleasing to the eye if i have to remove the side panel for whatever reason.

Any suggestions or feedback will be happily welcomed.
Thank you, Savage Edge

 

[19Dan81]

I'd go the upgrade route. Simple reason - you don't need to spend the extra on a 4770k if you're predominately gaming. The performance difference isn't at all noticeable and games don't utilise hyper-threading enough (yet).

Get an MSI GD65 and you're good to go.

 

[NeverBackDown]

TBH those specs between the 2 options are very similar. Go down that upgrade route as the difference in price won't be very much. IMO i would get a different case and a MSI GD65 Gaming or the Gigabyte UD4. Stick to 1600mhz ram and just add another 8gb to the system you already have. No point in wasting money and something that won't really help much(except photoshop).

 

[Savage Edge]

Thank you guys for the advice

I think i will go for the upgrade option, I agree the specs are pretty much the same for both builds but after watching tom's review of the gtx 770. it became my main choice for a gpu, i was originaly thinking of getting the 7950 but seeing that the 770 is such a beast for gaming. it was a no brainer.
For the mobo upgrade im gonna follow your advice with the MSI GD65. I will be attempting to OC the i5 when the rig is finally built, hoping to aim for 4.4 if the cpu will allow without getting too hot

I'd also like your opinions on the ssd, would you guys use a single 120GB ssd or go for 2 x 60 GB ssd's in raid 0 ?

About the case change, i did look at other cases including the deep silence, carbide 300R, ronin, and the shinobi. All had good points and would have done the task i need it for, but something about the ghost just floats my boat.

 

[NeverBackDown]

7950 is also a beast for gaming. I max out every game i play with it... 770 is also a great choice as well.

Always go for the biggest SSD possible. I would not go below 180gb if possible... just from expierence.

For cases since you like the not too flashy look go for a fractal design Arc Midi R2 or a R4. Both are extremely great cases for the money.

 

[Savage Edge]

7950 is also a beast for gaming. I max out every game i play with it... 770 is also a great choice as well.

Always go for the biggest SSD possible. I would not go below 180gb if possible... just from expierence.

For cases since you like the not too flashy look go for a fractal design Arc Midi R2 or a R4. Both are extremely great cases for the money.

Hmm.. so stay above 180 gb for ssd, may go with the samsung then or maybe a corsair. The 7950 is pretty well priced atm from looking around thats why i considered it as a main purchase to upgrade from my old 6870. Toms review of the 770 just blew me away with how amazing it is for a single card, i agree its more expensive than the 7970 but it even leaves that behind on most games.

I have looked at the fractal range the R4 looks very clean and well spec'd for the price, will need to give that case serious thought
The new problem i've come across is getting my hands on a MSI GD65 Gaming mobo, most online retailers that i use only have the GD45 or GD43. No mention of the GD65 at all, have MSI stopped making them due to new Z78 range ?
I can get 1 from the US but would have to pay shipping and import tax, for the cost of the extra fee's i could get an asrock fatality pro or asus sabertooth. I may have to re think the mobo and colour scheme, whats your opinon on the MSI Z77 MPower?

 

[Excalabur50]

I use the Mpower and love it a great board for the price the 840 pro or neutron gtx are great ssd's and i have seen an R4 in white and i can say it is one lush looking case with good room without being too large, if you are gonna play BF4 AMD will be the way to go and they have a new card coming Sept 25th so might be well worth waiting for

 

[Savage Edge]

I use the Mpower and love it a great board for the price the 840 pro or neutron gtx are great ssd's and i have seen an R4 in white and i can say it is one lush looking case with good room without being too large, if you are gonna play BF4 AMD will be the way to go and they have a new card coming Sept 25th so might be well worth waiting for

Ooooohh new AMD range sept ? Could be intresting
The Mpower does look a very nice board, the black and yellow is getting very popular from the look of things.
I just had some bad news in the family so may have to put the upgrade off till xmas anyway.
I dont know about BF4, i normally die every 5 mins in FPS games :smileyshot:
( usually because i think rambo and just charge ahead trying to kill everything in sight )
Love this part of the forums as it has helped me out so much in planning the upgrades, Im sure the spec will probably change as time goes on, my budget will too hopefully increase with time.
Maybe get everything together on xmas sale and build all at once instead of bit by bit.

Thank you all for your help so far.
Savage Edge

 

[NeverBackDown]

Waiting for Xmas will not only get you better products for the prices of what current tech is now but also a chance to get better deals and save some money for something else.

I agree waiting on the GPU. Sept 25th should be a great day if all rumors are true!