Upgrade My System

[Kazul]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to do an upgrade to my system as it has been a while. I do lots of gaming and like to keep my system up to date though I do not look to break records, just keep up with the average of hardware. I just upgraded my video card so I am now looking else where. My current hardware follows, I am mostly looking at replacing my motherboard, perhaps my CPU, likely I will pick up new RAM along the way. I am mostly looking for recommendations for all the the above. Thanks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131361

 

[Kazul]

I should add I am also willing to consider an Intel motherboard/CPU.

 

[Kazul]

I guess for now lets say I want to keep it under $500. My current full system specs follow, as you see I do have an Nvidia card so I am willing to switch over to Intel.

AMD Phenom II X4 940
GTX470
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W
ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD

 

[Kazul]

That is what I am asking you guys. Looking for your opinion on if any upgrades are needed a this point. I do know that my motherboard is very old at this point and my CPU is getting on in years as well.

 

[jaquith]

Hmm the MOBO is deactivated?? Also the 940 may not be restocked. EDIT: Just noticed your nVidia GPU.

[strike]I would either look at the 790FX or 890FX chipset AM3 MOBOs ->[/strike] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625%20600007943&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=22|13-131-363^13-131-363-TS,13-131-655^13-131-655-TS,13-157-196^13-157-196-TS,13-157-208^13-157-208-TS

SLI MOBO - ASUS M4N98TD EVO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131636

CPUs - x4 955 Black or x6 1055T -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001028%2040000343&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=343|19-103-808^19-103-808-TS,19-103-851^19-103-851-TS

RAM CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 Model CMP4GX3M2A1600C8 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145297

[strike]GPU XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card[/strike] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

[strike]$230 - HD 5870[/strike]
$140 - ASUS M4N98TD EVO
$145 - AMD Phenom II X4 955
$90 - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 Model CMP4GX3M2A1600C8
$100 - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX
=====
[strike]$740[/strike]
$475

 

[Kazul]

Hmm the MOBO is deactivated?? Also the 940 may not be restocked. EDIT: Just noticed your nVidia GPU.

[strike]I would either look at the 790FX or 890FX chipset AM3 MOBOs ->[/strike] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625%20600007943&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=22|13-131-363^13-131-363-TS,13-131-655^13-131-655-TS,13-157-196^13-157-196-TS,13-157-208^13-157-208-TS

SLI MOBO - ASUS M4N98TD EVO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131636

CPUs - x4 955 Black or x6 1055T -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050001028%2040000343&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=343|19-103-808^19-103-808-TS,19-103-851^19-103-851-TS

RAM CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 Model CMP4GX3M2A1600C8 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145297

[strike]GPU XFX HD-587X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card[/strike] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

[strike]$230 - HD 5870[/strike]
$140 - ASUS M4N98TD EVO
$145 - AMD Phenom II X4 955
$90 - CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 Model CMP4GX3M2A1600C8
$100 - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX
=====
[strike]$740[/strike]
$475

Thanks for the reply. Do you think that a new PSU will be necessary?

 

[jaquith]

If your PSU is 650W or larger and less than 2 years then you'll be okay. PSUs are rarely understood, and a stressed PSU looses "Wattage" capacity over time. The more stressed the ->shorter<- they last. I keep my PSUs at 50~60% capacity, and only recommend: Single Rail, Japanese Capacitor, Over/Under/Voltage protection PSUs.

Verify your size and read #4 - http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

I prefer Corsair, and yes I read the 'bogus' review of PSUs per Tom's -- a lot of people are mad because the review was rigged. You cannot take an 850W PSU that managed to run ~900W+ then say it's not Gold standard because the Max Watt exceeds rated capacity by running it > 850W then say it failed because it was <86% efficient at 105%~110% capacity. If it was at 95% of 850W {~800W} and failed then I'd accept the results.

 

[Kazul]

I think I actually have the same PSU you recommended and it is only about a year old.

The only question I have regarding your recommendations is between the two CPUs. I have no experience with a 6 core CPU, and I am suspicious that most programs will lack the ability to make use of all those cores. Would I be better off sticking with x4?

 

[jaquith]

Then your PSU is good to go!

Performance, it depends on the Game/App (good link) -> http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,746125/AMD-Phenom-II-X6-1090T-and-1055T-Six-cores-on-a-budget/Reviews/ I tend to think ahead, it wasn't that long ago Games used 1 core, next 2 cores, some 4 cores...you get my point. Today ehh... Tomorrow yep.

 

[Kazul]

Thanks again for the help. The motherboard and RAM I love, the CPU will take some more thought.

 

[Kazul]

Best answer selected by Kazul.

 

[Kazul]

One more thing I just noticed, the Motherboard doesn't directly support the RAM, so I would have to manually set it to support 1600 right?

 

[jaquith]

If you mean the ASUS M4N98TD EVO http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=1g8o5Sh3csqM5M8u The QVL is full of 1600 MHz and faster, the CPUs I posted can run 2000MHz RAM, in the BIOS: AI OC Tuner -> D.O.C.P ; DRAM OC Profile -> DDR3-1600MHz...then set the CAS timings and DRAM Voltage all per spec {2 minutes}.

Suggest you download Manual ahead of time to browse through; see 3-11 (PDF pg 67),

Good Luck!

 

[Kazul]

Thanks again, you rock.

 

[jaquith]

BTW - if you have a problem, just click the envelope next to my name later, and send a link to a new post. I or someone will have you up and running. Sometimes you need to slightly tweak the NB Voltage {DRAM Voltage - 0.25~0.30v}.

Have fun with your new rig!

 

[Bobbareeno]

If your PSU is 650W or larger and less than 2 years then you'll be okay. PSUs are rarely understood, and a stressed PSU looses "Wattage" capacity over time. The more stressed the ->shorter<- they last. I keep my PSUs at 50~60% capacity, and only recommend: Single Rail, Japanese Capacitor, Over/Under/Voltage protection PSUs.

Verify your size and read #4 - http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

I prefer Corsair, and yes I read the 'bogus' review of PSUs per Tom's -- a lot of people are mad because the review was rigged. You cannot take an 850W PSU that managed to run ~900W+ then say it's not Gold standard because the Max Watt exceeds rated capacity by running it > 850W then say it failed because it was <86% efficient at 105%~110% capacity. If it was at 95% of 850W {~800W} and failed then I'd accept the results.

Please explain to me how a PSU "looses wattage capacity over time"?? Components age but I would have to argue with that statement. I've maintained multi-million dollar RADAR and navigation systems with power supplies that are stressed to the breaking point daily and they rarely if ever fail. So I guess I'm asking for an engineering explanation on how these PSU's fail when stressed????

 

[jaquith]

^ I don't fell like engaging you in a pointless argument -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor#Capacitance_instability

You can maintain a billion dollar facility...if you or the engineers were foolish enough to run your power supplies > 90% then God help us all if your radar systems are critical.

I 'personally' own ~$260,000 in servers and the PSU's are running ~50-70% at peak, and I still have to replace PSUs periodically that are 'thankfully' redundant, the the occasional SAS drive, and RAM from time to time. I 5 year lease and boom out the door for new.

 

[Guest]

BTW - if you have a problem, just click the envelope next to my name later, and send a link to a new post. I or someone will have you up and running. Sometimes you need to slightly tweak the NB Voltage {DRAM Voltage - 0.25~0.30v}.

Have fun with your new rig!

Hi,

I am running the ASUS M4N98TD EVO with PC3-16000 2000MHz C9 EVO TWO DUAL CHANNEL - http://www.geil.com.tw/products/show/id/246 and can not get the system to boot at the SPD profile for 2000MHz.

I have read others having issues getting this to post at 2000MHz processors. Any advice.

My CPU is:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz - http://products.amd.com/pages/desktopcpudetail.aspx?id=617&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

 

[jaquith]

@Kochise - start a new post please. A 6-core is required for 2000 MHz RAM, under-clock your RAM to 1600 MHz and lower your CAS one notch less per spec {9-9-9-24 -> 8-8-8-24; or find the 1600~1800 MHz speeds per Geil. Use the Blue DIMM Slots.

 

[Guest]

@Kochise - start a new post please. A 6-core is required for 2000 MHz RAM, under-clock your RAM to 1600 MHz and lower your CAS one notch less per spec {9-9-9-24 -> 8-8-8-24; or find the 1600~1800 MHz speeds per Geil. Use the Blue DIMM Slots.

Thanks. Sorry for not starting a new thread. I figured this was related to the original.