MB vs.. Graphics update

[bkdvr]

Looking to update 4 year old PC. I have an $800-$1000 budget. Current PC is:
MB-ASUS M4A87TD EVO
CPU-AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
GPU-HIS HD 6870 1G Video
PS-Thermaltake 850W

From what little research I've done, it looks as if I can get a better quality video card at same price by updating MB and CPU at the same time vs. just updating video card. Also, I'm leaning NVidia this time around as I've suffered the black screen syndrome from the AMD card off and on from purchase. Any input is appreciated. I also plan on a monitor update at the same time but can work that out another time. Thx for the help.

 

[i7Baby]

I'd replace everything in your list eg

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($60.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($85.50 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($319.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($53.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($19.69 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.88 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1041.10

 

[Mugglensu1984]

Looking to update 4 year old PC. I have an $800-$1000 budget. Current PC is:
MB-ASUS M4A87TD EVO
CPU-AMD Phenom II X6 1055T
GPU-HIS HD 6870 1G Video
PS-Thermaltake 850W

From what little research I've done, it looks as if I can get a better quality video card at same price by updating MB and CPU at the same time vs. just updating video card. Also, I'm leaning NVidia this time around as I've suffered the black screen syndrome from the AMD card off and on from purchase. Any input is appreciated. I also plan on a monitor update at the same time but can work that out another time. Thx for the help.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V3 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($230.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($63.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($97.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.60 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($322.00 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($63.00 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1013.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-24 04:45 EDT-0400

 

[bkdvr]

Thanks for the replies-much appreciated. Do you recommend replacing everything? Other parts are:
Case: Mid Tower Guardian 921 RB
Drives: 40GB SATA SSD and 1TB SATA3 Hard
Drive: LG 12X Blu-ray combo
MEM: [DDR-3] Corsair 2GB 1600 single

 

[i7Baby]

The HDD and ODD should be OK

Your case - https://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/109-guardian-921-rb-case.html# - is a bit small and doesn't support usb3.0. If you like it then keep it.

 

[chenw]

Just a word of advice, if you decide to go with Muggle's suggested partlist (not at all bad, in fact it was going to be what I was going to suggest), I'd keep your old GPU around. Xeon chips do not have integrated graphics, so if your GPU goes poof, you won't be able to use the computer unless you have a replacement GPU.

You will not have that issue if you went for i5's, those do have integrated GPU, so you can still use your computer without an additional functioning GPU.

Probably a non-issue for the most part, but just wanted to throw it out there.

 

[bkdvr]

Thanks again. Looks like I'll go with a new build. Main use gaming. Currently Skyrim and Elite dangerous and probably Witcher 3 and Star Citizen (if and when). I can probably add a couple hundred $ if needed to make a difference in performance.

 

[i7Baby]

$1000 would be fine.

$1200 - add a SSD, better case, get a good 750W PSU - for later gtx970 SLI

 

[chenw]

If the OP wishes to keep the SLI option open, then go with i7baby's partlist. The H series chipset does not support SLI at all.

 

[bkdvr]

I'll add the SSD from mugglens build. Any of the 750's stand out in your mind? Plus, I have the room for a full case.

 

[chenw]

I am a personal fan of Seasonic, but I do not believe they actually have exactly 750w (I know they have X650 and X850).

EVGA is pretty good, but best consult Tom's PSU tier list first before buying. I wouldn't recommend going with anything less than Tier 2

 

[i7Baby]

Try http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/evga-power-supply-220g20750xr%2Cseasonic-power-supply-s12g750%2Cxfx-power-supply-p1750gts3x/