I am looking to upgrade my system. I noticed that some higher AMD FX Chips cost over $100 and I was wondering if there were better uses for $100 bucks (like an ssd and a cooler and then try oc). I’d spend $200 if it felt like I was getting a combination of things that would really boost performance. I am not a huge gamer. Right now it looks like:
1) Ultra Defender Gaming Mid-Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2713022
2) GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P AMD 760 MOBO – It has an ATI Radeon HD 3000 for graphics
3) Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core Processor - 3.00GHz
4) 4GB DDR3 RAM - PC 10666, 1333MHz Corsair – 2 Sticks for a total of 8GB – I can’t go higher
5) Samsung DVD Burner
6) Ultra OEM 600W Power Supply
7) I have 2 500gb HDD and a 3rd matching one which could be used if there was some need
8) Crappy monitor – it works but it is a few years old
What I was thinking:
1) I just want to boost the overall performance the best I can on a per dollar basis
2) I don’t really want to reload all my applications. I hear with an ssd you can clone the harddrive.
3) I was thinking of getting an SSD 64gb, 120gb, or 128gb. Just copy over the essentials and save everything else to a different HDD and clone it
4) Possibly buying a cooler like a Cooler Master 101i – I’d like to OC – even though my setup is limited
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103075
I would like to see how much OC I could do safely, this plus an SSD I am hoping for some noticeable speed gains. I know my setup isn't ideal for a ton of OC.
In the questionnaire there was a question about OEM Operating Systems. I bought Windows 7 64 bit from a 3rd party reseller. It ended up being for dell (when my pc boots it shows dell). Does that mean I can’t use Win 7 for my next pc?
Whatever I buy I’d like to be able to use in the future for a future build. I bought a bigger case and a larger power supply with lifetime warranties for that purpose.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate Purchase Date:
No Hurry – save money where I can. Just planning in case the holiday season will result in good sales
Budget Range:
I’d like to try to keep it under $200. Even under $100
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Microsoft office, surfing the web, watching videos, editing – Not a major game player, would love to, but would get sucked in!
Are you buying a monitor:
I have been looking for a good monitor. It would not be counted against the budget (I would just raise the budget). I do some editing. Those Dell Ultras look good just waiting for a good sale. Whatever I buy should be good enough for my next build.
Parts to Upgrade: Open to ideas
Do you need to buy OS:
No – I have Windows 7 64 bit
I saw this note:
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.
I bought a version from a 3rd party and it was from Dell. Does that mean I am stuck with this motherboard?
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
Open. I do have free shipping from Shoprunner.
Location: City, State/Region, Country – US.
Parts Preferences:
Just looking for best value.
Overclocking: Yes – I’d like to try and boost it a little – From what I have read my board and chip have some limitations.
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Your Monitor Resolution: Anything would be better than what I have now. 1900 by 1200 would be nice from what I have read about editing.
Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. Please also list specific software or games you're using)
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I’d like to get the speed up a bit. Sometimes the internet browser will hang, I am not sure why. I use chrome and occasionally IE. Speed.
1) Ultra Defender Gaming Mid-Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2713022
2) GIGABYTE GA-78LMT-S2P AMD 760 MOBO – It has an ATI Radeon HD 3000 for graphics
3) Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core Processor - 3.00GHz
4) 4GB DDR3 RAM - PC 10666, 1333MHz Corsair – 2 Sticks for a total of 8GB – I can’t go higher
5) Samsung DVD Burner
6) Ultra OEM 600W Power Supply
7) I have 2 500gb HDD and a 3rd matching one which could be used if there was some need
8) Crappy monitor – it works but it is a few years old
What I was thinking:
1) I just want to boost the overall performance the best I can on a per dollar basis
2) I don’t really want to reload all my applications. I hear with an ssd you can clone the harddrive.
3) I was thinking of getting an SSD 64gb, 120gb, or 128gb. Just copy over the essentials and save everything else to a different HDD and clone it
4) Possibly buying a cooler like a Cooler Master 101i – I’d like to OC – even though my setup is limited
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103075
I would like to see how much OC I could do safely, this plus an SSD I am hoping for some noticeable speed gains. I know my setup isn't ideal for a ton of OC.
In the questionnaire there was a question about OEM Operating Systems. I bought Windows 7 64 bit from a 3rd party reseller. It ended up being for dell (when my pc boots it shows dell). Does that mean I can’t use Win 7 for my next pc?
Whatever I buy I’d like to be able to use in the future for a future build. I bought a bigger case and a larger power supply with lifetime warranties for that purpose.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate Purchase Date:
No Hurry – save money where I can. Just planning in case the holiday season will result in good sales
Budget Range:
I’d like to try to keep it under $200. Even under $100
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Microsoft office, surfing the web, watching videos, editing – Not a major game player, would love to, but would get sucked in!
Are you buying a monitor:
I have been looking for a good monitor. It would not be counted against the budget (I would just raise the budget). I do some editing. Those Dell Ultras look good just waiting for a good sale. Whatever I buy should be good enough for my next build.
Parts to Upgrade: Open to ideas
Do you need to buy OS:
No – I have Windows 7 64 bit
I saw this note:
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.
I bought a version from a 3rd party and it was from Dell. Does that mean I am stuck with this motherboard?
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
Open. I do have free shipping from Shoprunner.
Location: City, State/Region, Country – US.
Parts Preferences:
Just looking for best value.
Overclocking: Yes – I’d like to try and boost it a little – From what I have read my board and chip have some limitations.
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Your Monitor Resolution: Anything would be better than what I have now. 1900 by 1200 would be nice from what I have read about editing.
Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. Please also list specific software or games you're using)
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I’d like to get the speed up a bit. Sometimes the internet browser will hang, I am not sure why. I use chrome and occasionally IE. Speed.