Time for rebuild or just an upgrade?

[rajncajn]

A few days ago I put up a post asking about a full budget gaming build for my in-laws and it looks like it netted some good results, but it got me to thinking whether or not it is time to dive into my own gaming rig and whether I should be looking at a full rebuild or if I can get a few more good years of service out of it by throwing in a few much-needed upgrades. So below is what I've got, box & all. If it's a rebuild I need then I'd like to try to keep the cost down somewhat by using what is still good. I don't really have a budget in mind and would probably depend on which route I end up going. If it's a full rebuild then I'd like to stick under $800. If it's a revamp then maybe under $500. The one thing that I do know I would like to do is switch to a SSD and use my current one for backup and data.

Also, if you'd like to throw in some critiques of my current system I'd love to see them. I put this one together in 2011 and it's only the 2nd one I'd done.

COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield Quad-Core 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Processor BX80601950

ARCTIC Freezer 7 Pro Rev. 2, CPU Cooler - Intel & AMD, Multi-Directional Mount, 92mm PWM Fan

MSI N460GTX Hawk GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
I just went with a single GPU in order to keep my cost down some. Never done SLI, but wouldn't shy from it if it were worth the investment.

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
For some reason I thought I switched this set, but I'll have to verify when I get home.

Western Digital Black WD7502AAEX 750GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive

CORSAIR Gaming Series GS700 700W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

I've also got a couple of photos of my work:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/rajncajn/IMG_0145.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/rajncajn/IMG_0144.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/rajncajn/IMG_0146.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/rajncajn/IMG_0148.jpg

 

[Bossyfins]

Full rebuild. If you were on the 1155 socket/z77 area, you would have been fine.

The technology you have is too old now. Your best bet is to get a full rebuild

 

[Entomber]

While your current setup isn't awful, it's not going to last much longer, especially for newer games. If you wanted to upgrade (cheapest option) you should just upgrade your GPU and RAM.

 

[boosted1g]

I agree a full upgrade is in order.
If you had 2nd/3rd gen i5 then just upgrade GPU and SSD and call it a day.

You could keep the PSU and Case unless you want to sell the entire tower.

 

[rajncajn]

Full rebuild. If you were on the 1155 socket/z77 area, you would have been fine.

The technology you have is too old now. Your best bet is to get a full rebuild

Pretty much what I was afraid of. So, usable pieces would be case, HD & PSU? What would you recommend as a starting point with my motherboard? My last two were Asus & have gotten excellent results from them both, but wouldn't mind using another if it reviews well.

 

[Bossyfins]

Are you just gaming on this PC?

 

[Entomber]

your best starting point is a budget, and all other parts' relative quality can come from there

 

[rajncajn]

I agree a full upgrade is in order.
If you had 2nd/3rd gen i5 then just upgrade GPU and SSD and call it a day.

You could keep the PSU and Case unless you want to sell the entire tower.

Interesting thought & I may have someone who might like to buy it. What would you recommend as a price tag on it?

 

[boosted1g]

If not wanting to overclock here you go, if you do want over clock then would either have to increase budget by $50-75 or decrease GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.47 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.00 @ NCIX US)
Total: $771.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-24 15:09 EST-0500

 

[Bossyfins]

If not wanting to overclock here you go, if you do want over clock then would either have to increase budget by $50-75 or decrease GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.47 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.00 @ NCIX US)
Total: $771.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-24 15:09 EST-0500

That is the best upgrade in terms of price to performance. If you had a bigger budget, a 4690k would be nicer.

 

[rajncajn]

Are you just gaming on this PC?

Mostly gaming for myself, but also family use, browsing, streaming video etc. Some MS Office product use as well. It's a multi-tasker, but definitely don't want to skimp on gaming capability. I mostly play FPS, but my kids do play some Wizards 101 type games as well.

If not wanting to overclock here you go, if you do want over clock then would either have to increase budget by $50-75 or decrease GPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.47 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.00 @ NCIX US)
Total: $771.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-24 15:09 EST-0500

I've tried my hand at overclocking before & did fair, but at this point I'd probably be satisfied with just getting the best card I can get within my budget.

 

[madmatt30]

Seriously throw a new gpu ( a 970 or a r9 290) & a ssd in there & live with it for another year at least imo.
You can always fully upgrade at a later date,that old i7 will still perform fairly well with a 970 or the 290 & either of those cards will carry over to a new build should you wish to do so in the future.

 

[Bossyfins]

What is your total budget?

 

[rajncajn]

What is your total budget?

It's buried above. I was looking at around $500 for upgrade or $800 for rebuild. I don't mind shifting either of those $50 or so if it means a big jump such as was suggested with the 4690. Just looking at prices there it looks like that would only be about a $20-$30 difference.

I also don't mind what Madmatt suggested and just putting the complete rebuild off a year or two by just going with a high-end GPU and a new SSD if both of those will translate well 3 years down the road. That could also allow me to ramp up the overall cost of my complete rebuild a bit more when it comes time.

 

[Bossyfins]

This is what you should do.

1. GPU upgrade

2. CPU//Mobo/Ram upgrade

3. PSU upgrade.


Thats your best angle of attack on this.

 

[madmatt30]

What is your total budget?

It's buried above. I was looking at around $500 for upgrade or $800 for rebuild. I don't mind shifting either of those $50 or so if it means a big jump such as was suggested with the 4690. Just looking at prices there it looks like that would only be about a $20-$30 difference.

I also don't mind what Madmatt suggested and just putting the complete rebuild off a year or two by just going with a high-end GPU and a new SSD if both of those will translate well 3 years down the road. That could also allow me to ramp up the overall cost of my complete rebuild a bit more when it comes time.

to put into context what a straight gpu upgrade to the 970 would do for you.
boot up your most recent (or most cpu intensive) game
change the graphics settings to low
have a playthough for a few minutes using fraps or whatever (or just use your eyes if that suits you)
what a 970 will do in that same scenario/same game will let you play at ultra settings with the same framerates as you're getting at low settings with your 460.
If you'd be happy with that then a straight & simple gpu upgrade is a very very viable option.

 

[Bossyfins]

I agree. A new system would be needed eventually, but a GPU upgrade right now, and then everything else later, is the best option.

 

[rajncajn]

Great help all and I think I'll go that route for now and when it does come time for the complete overhaul I'll already be one or two steps in and be able to spend more on the rest of my pieces. I knew when I bought that board that I may have been making a mistake with the socket selection due to the availability of compatible parts. It was a really nice board at the time & had some great performance reviews, but I know there's much more to it than just performance specs. Live & learn...

Thanks again all