Is my current build any good?

[Guard913]

So, yes I used DxDiag to get this info, I just removed some of the not so needed info. What doesn't show here is that my HD has actually been recently upgraded to a WesternDigital Blue Model: 1 TB space, 7200 RPMS, 64mb cache, 6 Gb/s SATA HD. I do intend on upgrading my Video card here within the next few weeks, and it's on a budget of $200's, but I found what I think is a good one. If someone has something better in mind that is "Under" $200's and is compatible with my system great. (Needs to remain a Nividia Card, I will not work with AMD's period) I just have noticed that while I can play most games on my PC my GTX 460 is really fighting to keep quality up high. Also I think I already have made the PC a pretty good beast without changing the motherboard. I also have intentions of adding an extra 8gb of ram to the system just because that is the max my motherboard supposedly can hold.


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System Information
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Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-7808
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU @ 3.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8124MB RAM
Page File: 3799MB used, 16509MB available

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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 460 v2
Display Memory: 4049 MB
Dedicated Memory: 978 MB
Shared Memory: 3071 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HD15

 

[SherbetAddict]

GPU is the first upgrade you should get.
Try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150678&cm_re=290-_-14-150-678-_-Product

 

[SgtBossGamer]

For gaming, if you upgrade to that 960 your system would be a great mid ranged gaming rig, should be able to run whatever you throw at it on High or more at a steady 50-60fps.

 

[Guard913]

GPU is the first upgrade you should get.
Try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150678&cm_re=290-_-14-150-678-_-Product

Well, as I said in my post I would not be upgrading to anything not Nvidia, because i have heard that there are some incompatibility issues in some games. Also, some incompatibility issues with other hardware as well, some I have actually seen first hand. However, I did see the GTX 960 4GB version for about $50's more that I might be interested in.

For gaming, if you upgrade to that 960 your system would be a great mid ranged gaming rig, should be able to run whatever you throw at it on High or more at a steady 50-60fps.

Thanks for the info. I am still curious if the rest of my rig is in decent shape as far as the current CPU, RAM, and HD? Also would an upgrade to the GTX 960 4GB actually be a better plan vs the 2GB?

 

[mistuhj]

RAM and HD are good. How much are you willing to spend on CPU? & upgrade to 4GB would be the better plan.
I found one on newegg for 200 after rebate. here

 

[Guard913]

RAM and HD are good. How much are you willing to spend on CPU? & upgrade to 4GB would be the better plan.
I found one on newegg for 200 after rebate. here

Currently my CPU is the max i5 that my PC can handle without moving to an i7 (Check link to see my Motherboard and Compatible CPU's, my CPU is the highest is in the i5 region) so I have no intention of upgrading that again since the CPU is less than a year old. Also I think I will get that Video Card since it is just at my budget. it'll take about 2 weeks to get the money together, but that'll be good.

 

[Guard913]

Forgot to ask, I noticed the GTX 960's have 128-bit support, would that be anything to be worried about, or should I find a GPU that has 256-bit with 4gb at the same cost? Is that even possible??

 

[xapoc]

leave cpu as is, you can over-clock it by 25% easy just get better cooler for like 30 bucks, upgrade video card to like gtx 680 4 GB you can find one around and in very good shape for less then 200 and you're set. As far as system RAM, you don't need 16gb, unless you need to have 100 browser pages open at all times.

 

[Guard913]

leave cpu as is, you can over clock by 25% easy just get better cooler for like 30 bucks, upgrade video card to like gtx 680 you can fine one around in very good shape for less then 200 and you're set. As far as system RAM you dont need 16gb, unless you got 100 browser pages open at all times.

I just got done watching a video on Overclocking the i5 3570k and if there was any performance increase, and the answer to that was no. So, I don't think I will overclock it, but as far as the GTX 680 if you could link me to a 4gb card that is $200-$250's great, because I can only find $300-$400's, and that is about 25%-50% above my budget. I still think my GTX 960 4GB will be a better deal for $200's unless I find one that is same cost ,and has 4GB VM with at least 256-bit support.

FYI, I do keep browser windows open for a long time and my RAM does get up to 60--70% usage in somce cases.

 

[xapoc]

Here is one Zotac GeForce GTX 680 4GB

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOTAC-ZT-60103-10P-GeForce-GTX-680-4GB-256-Bit-GDDR5-PCI-Express-3-0-x16-HDCP-/171867041608?hash=item280412ef48

 

[SgtBossGamer]

GPU is the first upgrade you should get.
Try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150678&cm_re=290-_-14-150-678-_-Product

Well, as I said in my post I would not be upgrading to anything not Nvidia, because i have heard that there are some incompatibility issues in some games. Also, some incompatibility issues with other hardware as well, some I have actually seen first hand. However, I did see the GTX 960 4GB version for about $50's more that I might be interested in.

For gaming, if you upgrade to that 960 your system would be a great mid ranged gaming rig, should be able to run whatever you throw at it on High or more at a steady 50-60fps.

Thanks for the info. I am still curious if the rest of my rig is in decent shape as far as the current CPU, RAM, and HD? Also would an upgrade to the GTX 960 4GB actually be a better plan vs the 2GB?

Your cpu is a great gaming cpu(intel i5s are the best in performance/price), 8gb of ram is pretty much the unwritten standard for gaming pc builds, and I have the same hd, and I haven't had a single problem with it. Now with the 960, if you are ok with spending an extra $20-40, I would say go for it, but if you want to save money where you can, the 2gb 960 is an excellent card, and it'll get the job done. Oh, by the way, if you plan on overclocking your cpu down the road, you'll need a cooler, try this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&cm_re=evo_212-_-35-103-099-_-Product. If you choose to not buy the 4gb 960, I suggest using the extra money for this cooler, however the 3570k is great as is so it's your decision.

 

[Guard913]

GPU is the first upgrade you should get.
Try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150678&cm_re=290-_-14-150-678-_-Product

Well, as I said in my post I would not be upgrading to anything not Nvidia, because i have heard that there are some incompatibility issues in some games. Also, some incompatibility issues with other hardware as well, some I have actually seen first hand. However, I did see the GTX 960 4GB version for about $50's more that I might be interested in.

For gaming, if you upgrade to that 960 your system would be a great mid ranged gaming rig, should be able to run whatever you throw at it on High or more at a steady 50-60fps.

Thanks for the info. I am still curious if the rest of my rig is in decent shape as far as the current CPU, RAM, and HD? Also would an upgrade to the GTX 960 4GB actually be a better plan vs the 2GB?

Your cpu is a great gaming cpu(intel i5s are the best in performance/price), 8gb of ram is pretty much the unwritten standard for gaming pc builds, and I have the same hd, and I haven't had a single problem with it. Now with the 960, if you are ok with spending an extra $20-40, I would say go for it, but if you want to save money where you can, the 2gb 960 is an excellent card, and it'll get the job done.

(Yours is marked best answer)

First, I don't think I will overlook it due to a lot of evidence showing that Overclocking is pointless, but if i do i will be sure to add better fans than the stock fans i currently have.

Well, funny story my job is now offering me over time in whatever quantity I want so I could pay for the 960 4GB with overtime alone in 2 weeks. However, getting the 4GB GPU would be more a future proofing option so i wouldn't have to worry in the future.

I actually intend on in about a year upgrading my entire Computer Case to a larger "cooler" model. Right now I have a Cougar Spike however I would like to see it upgraded to a much nice Computer Tower with a New Current MotherBoard that I can just switch my GTX 960, CPU, HardDrive over without any compatibility issues. This way my system can be upgraded later on in the future, because as I have pointed out I already have the best CPU my Motherboard can handle, but I also know that in the future, even this CPU will be lacking, and would like to be able to upgrade as needed.

 

[Guard913]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html
You may wish to check out where your cpu is on this chart.
There is only the GTX 960 with your budget,which is roughly just over twice the performance of a gtx 460 and uses less power) and I would not wish to upset you but putting a WD blue hard drive in does not really count as an 'upgrade'.
There will be no discernable difference from any other hard drive.
A solid state drive on the other hand is 3-4 times faster depending on motherboard and brand and now we are talking Big noticeable increases Dude.

Yup, my CPU is in the chart, and as far as my motherboard goes, it has the highest compatibility i5 CPU available. As far as my HD goes, it is an upgrade, because what I have before was a 250 GB, 5k RPM, 3GB Sata. Now I have a 1TB 7.2k RPM, 6 GB Sata. So, for me, yes it is a "Major" upgrade, and a noticeable one too. As far as a SSD goes I'll get one when I get my next system in a year or two, but it's just not on the top of my lists.