Upgrade my computer with 250$

[colescottFTW]

Yes that's right I am spending two fat Benjamin's on my rig.
I5-3570k 3.4 GHz stock fan
Ddr3 1600mhz 16 GB
Sea gate 1t 7200 rpm HDD
Gt 660ti
Msi gd55 z77a 1155
Haf922


Approximate Purchase Date: Wednesday

Budget Range: 250-300( buying a 770 in a month or so.)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, web browsing, movies, programming, modding
Are you buying a monitor: could buy a monitor. current is a LG 1920x1080 60 htz and has a gash in the screen. ( from an old build)



Parts to Upgrade: Mobo? MSI gd 55 1155

Do you need to buy OS: No
Please note that if you're using an OEM license of Windows, you will need a new one when buying a new motherboard.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Location: City, State/Region, Country -Auburn CA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type Anything not cheap

Overclocking: Yes, but ignorant on how

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I want a cooler and faster PC overall, and perhaps some future proofing?
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: (e.g. I'm having trouble running game X or my PSU broke)

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Assuming the 770 is going to b bought soon, I'd suggest a new monitor, an SSD, and a good air-cool heat sink to overclock with

 

[geofelt]

Your 3570K is about as good as it gets. A motherboard change will do nothing for you.
If you add an inexpensive $30 cpu cooler like a cm hyper212 or Xigmatek, you can OC that "K" nicely.
25% or more is a reasonable expectation.

A SSD will be one of the most satisfying upgrades you can make. Look for at least a 120gb ssd. 240gb is better.
Samsung EVO is priced well.

A second monitor will be most useful for everyday activities. Try to match the one you have so it will be seamless when you drag windows across the expanded desktop.

 

[bryonhowley]

Agree you will not gain alot with a motherboard upgrade. At least not enough to make it worth the money spent. If you are already getting a GTX 770 soon I would spend the money on a SSD and a Monitor. If the monitor has a scratch in it that would be the first thing I would replace. A SSD is nice but beyond booting a SSD does not do much for performance after that so I would look into a monitor first and if you have enough left then get a good SSD as said look for a 128gig or better that would be enough for the OS.