Upgrading a gaming PC for a beginner.

[kataztrah]

Specs:
Consair Graphite 760t Case
Storage: 3tb (forgot the brand)
Asus Maximus VII Hero Motherboard
Intel Core i5-4690 3.5ghz Processor
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 970
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB
EVGA supernova NEX750B 750w Power Supply
Windows 7 Home Preium

I plan on switching the i5 to an i7, I have NO IDEA, which one to get. I also want to get a SSD but no idea which one to get either. I am going to have three computer screens.

If I switch to a cheaper ($250-350) unlocked i7 and get a SSD, will this make a great first build?

Also, please keep in mind, I have ALREADY BUILT THIS MACHINE.

Thanks guys, I'm worried, looking around found out i bought way too expensive parts with cheaper parts, but I'd like to upgrade my CPU to bring it up to par.

I also know little to nothing about computers, I'm new to this. But I discovered that I loved building.

Sorry guys, i meant 4690K.

I want to make my first build, a great one. The guy MC sold me random stuff. :/

 

[morgilroka]

If this computer is for just gaming. Don't bother with an i7. It's not worth it, especially since you've already dropped that amount of money on a cpu. If anything you should get a 4690k unlocked to overclock with. You have a motherboard more than capable of OC'ing.

As for SSD's... Check these out.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-internal-hard-drive-sh103s3120g

Obviously you can switch those out for different sizes. I think 120g is enough for OS and a handful of games. Depends on what you want.

 

[williamcummins]

What are you doing with this computer? Is it only for gaming, or do you do some intensive cpu tasks such as video editing, 3d rendering? Because i5 4690 is a great processor and will not bottleneck any of the components you mentioned above. Now for the SSD, there are great prices on Crucial MX100 on newegg and ncix. 128Gb will be enough if you only want to install the OS on it. 256gb will be good if you want OS and other programs to load faster (such as games).

 

[RonRaxXx]

Hi Kataztrah,

Your build looks great, although unless you're going with a multi-gpu setup, you probably went a little overboard with the motherboard. Not the worst thing in the world.

I would go with a Samsung 850 or Crucial MX100 for you SSD. An i7 4790k is your best bet in that price range for a CPU, although in many cases your current CPU is probably fine. I personally would add a second GTX 970 over upgrading the CPU. I think you would realize more gains in performance going that route, particularly with a 3-screen setup. For most games, CPU's aren't currently the bottleneck in performance. Please keep in mind I said "most." There are clearly exceptions to this rule.

 

[kataztrah]

What are you doing with this computer? Is it only for gaming, or do you do some intensive cpu tasks such as video editing, 3d rendering? Because i5 4690 is a great processor and will not bottleneck any of the components you mentioned above. Now for the SSD, there are great prices on Crucial MX100 on newegg and ncix. 128Gb will be enough if you only want to install the OS on it. 256gb will be good if you want OS and other programs to load faster (such as games).

I just realized, I have the 4690k, I forgot to type in the k part. xD

 

[kataztrah]

Hi Kataztrah,

Your build looks great, although unless you're going with a multi-gpu setup, you probably went a little overboard with the motherboard. Not the worst thing in the world.

I would go with a Samsung 850 or Crucial MX100 for you SSD. An i7 4790k is your best bet in that price range for a CPU, although in many cases your current CPU is probably fine. I personally would add a second GTX 970 over upgrading the CPU. I think you would realize more gains in performance going that route, particularly with a 3-screen setup. For most games, CPU's aren't currently the bottleneck in performance. Please keep in mind I said "most." There are clearly exceptions to this rule.

I just realized, I have the 4690k, I forgot to type in the k part. xD

 

[kataztrah]

Hi Kataztrah,

Your build looks great, although unless you're going with a multi-gpu setup, you probably went a little overboard with the motherboard. Not the worst thing in the world.

I would go with a Samsung 850 or Crucial MX100 for you SSD. An i7 4790k is your best bet in that price range for a CPU, although in many cases your current CPU is probably fine. I personally would add a second GTX 970 over upgrading the CPU. I think you would realize more gains in performance going that route, particularly with a 3-screen setup. For most games, CPU's aren't currently the bottleneck in performance. Please keep in mind I said "most." There are clearly exceptions to this rule.

So if I get an i7 4790K, ADD ANOTHER 970GTX?

 

[endeavour37a]

You have a very nice gaming rig already on your hands For a 3 screen set up there is little I would change here, perhaps just add a few things.

First, pick up a second 970 for SLI. Get a 250-256GB SSD for the OS and a few games you play often, all of the SSD's named above are very good choices, the new MX200s are out now, Samsung 840s can be found at good prices also.

Your CPU is just fine to handle any game you throw at it so I would leave it for now. And that's about all I would do for a rockin machine. OC the CPU a bit, bump up the DRAM speed a bit and see how it plays. Getting an i7 will not buy you much at all in gaming a couple FPS at best, not worth the expence......

 

[kataztrah]

You have a very nice gaming rig already on your hands For a 3 screen set up there is little I would change here, perhaps just add a few things.

First, pick up a second 970 for SLI. Get a 250-256GB SSD for the OS and a few games you play often, all of the SSD's named above are very good choices, the new MX200s are out now, Samsung 840s can be found at good prices also.

Your CPU is just fine to handle any game you throw at it so I would leave it for now. And that's about all I would do for a rockin machine. OC the CPU a bit, bump up the DRAM speed a bit and see how it plays......

I keep hitting pick as best solution instead of reply. Sorry guys.

970 for SLI? What does that mean, and what will that do? (Please keep in mind, I'm very new to this.) Care to explain?

 

[morgilroka]

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/sli-improve-gaming-performance-si/

SLI is basically running two graphics cards in one machine. They will work together to provide better performance than a single card.

Give that article a read.

 

[kataztrah]

You have a very nice gaming rig already on your hands For a 3 screen set up there is little I would change here, perhaps just add a few things.

First, pick up a second 970 for SLI. Get a 250-256GB SSD for the OS and a few games you play often, all of the SSD's named above are very good choices, the new MX200s are out now, Samsung 840s can be found at good prices also.

Your CPU is just fine to handle any game you throw at it so I would leave it for now. And that's about all I would do for a rockin machine. OC the CPU a bit, bump up the DRAM speed a bit and see how it plays. Getting an i7 will not buy you much at all in gaming a couple FPS at best, not worth the expence......

Also, How do I move the OS to the SSD since its already built? Do I just plug in another 970 and wire it in and Im done? Is there anything special I have to do? I may not be able to get the 970 now (I'm a student on a low budget.) I may be able yo get the SSD, but if my build consider good/great so far? I wanted something I could keep upgrading. Can I overclock the i5 4690k? Sorry about all the questions, the closest computer store is far away, and I dont get to go often.

 

[endeavour37a]

You have a very nice gaming rig already on your hands For a 3 screen set up there is little I would change here, perhaps just add a few things.

First, pick up a second 970 for SLI. Get a 250-256GB SSD for the OS and a few games you play often, all of the SSD's named above are very good choices, the new MX200s are out now, Samsung 840s can be found at good prices also.

Your CPU is just fine to handle any game you throw at it so I would leave it for now. And that's about all I would do for a rockin machine. OC the CPU a bit, bump up the DRAM speed a bit and see how it plays......

I keep hitting pick as best solution instead of reply. Sorry guys.

970 for SLI? What does that mean, and what will that do? (Please keep in mind, I'm very new to this.) Care to explain?

Sure, SLI is running 2 graphics cards to drive your 3 screens, a single 970 is not going to power 3 displays very will, 2 of them will. You plug them into your PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (you have only 2 on the HERO, the 3rd x16 slot is 2.0). Your MB will split the PCIe lanes giving them x8 each to work with. The performance gain will vari per game but they scale very well together.

 

[kataztrah]

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/sli-improve-gaming-performance-si/

SLI is basically running two graphics cards in one machine. They will work together to provide better performance than a single card.

Give that article a read.

Thanks for the link! So it's basically running more than one video card? All I do is install another one and I have it? My mother board supports SLI, right? I see more slots for more video cards.

 

[kataztrah]

You have a very nice gaming rig already on your hands For a 3 screen set up there is little I would change here, perhaps just add a few things.

First, pick up a second 970 for SLI. Get a 250-256GB SSD for the OS and a few games you play often, all of the SSD's named above are very good choices, the new MX200s are out now, Samsung 840s can be found at good prices also.

Your CPU is just fine to handle any game you throw at it so I would leave it for now. And that's about all I would do for a rockin machine. OC the CPU a bit, bump up the DRAM speed a bit and see how it plays......

I keep hitting pick as best solution instead of reply. Sorry guys.

970 for SLI? What does that mean, and what will that do? (Please keep in mind, I'm very new to this.) Care to explain?

Sure, SLI is running 2 graphics cards to drive your 3 screens, a single 970 is not going to power 3 displays very will, 2 of them will. You plug them into your PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (you have only 2 on the HERO, the 3rd x16 slot is 2.0). Your MB will split the PCIe lanes giving them x8 each to work with. The performance gain will vari per game but they scale very well together.

Would it just be cheaper to go with the 980GTX instead? What does x16 2.0 on the thrid slot mean?

So just install another video card, just liek I did the first one, and I have it? Nothing extra?

 

[endeavour37a]

I have to run right now, I will check back when I get back to try and answer all of your questions, talk with ya then......

 

[morgilroka]

Pci 3.0 is basically the newer and better (to keep it simple). It won't impact your games THAT much (maybe a few frames) by using pci 2.0 slots. But it has been said well above how your motherboard will split the load and let the cards do the work

 

[kataztrah]

I have to run right now, I will check back when I get back to try and answer all of your questions, talk with ya then......

Thanks!

 

[kataztrah]

Pci 3.0 is basically the newer and better (to keep it simple). It won't impact your games THAT much (maybe a few frames) by using pci 2.0 slots. But it has been said well above how your motherboard will split the load and let the cards do the work

Okay! Im so glad I found this site.^^ Thank you!

 

[kataztrah]

Pci 3.0 is basically the newer and better (to keep it simple). It won't impact your games THAT much (maybe a few frames) by using pci 2.0 slots. But it has been said well above how your motherboard will split the load and let the cards do the work

Okay! Im so glad I found this site.^^ Thank you!

 

[morgilroka]

No worries. Shoot me a PM if you have anymore questions

 

[endeavour37a]

You have a very nice gaming rig already on your hands For a 3 screen set up there is little I would change here, perhaps just add a few things.

First, pick up a second 970 for SLI. Get a 250-256GB SSD for the OS and a few games you play often, all of the SSD's named above are very good choices, the new MX200s are out now, Samsung 840s can be found at good prices also.

Your CPU is just fine to handle any game you throw at it so I would leave it for now. And that's about all I would do for a rockin machine. OC the CPU a bit, bump up the DRAM speed a bit and see how it plays. Getting an i7 will not buy you much at all in gaming a couple FPS at best, not worth the expence......

Also, How do I move the OS to the SSD since its already built? Do I just plug in another 970 and wire it in and Im done? Is there anything special I have to do? I may not be able to get the 970 now (I'm a student on a low budget.) I may be able yo get the SSD, but if my build consider good/great so far? I wanted something I could keep upgrading. Can I overclock the i5 4690k? Sorry about all the questions, the closest computer store is far away, and I dont get to go often.

Just got back.....
Why did you unselected me for best answer, I'm crushed........just kidding

It looks like you have a your issues resolved here as far as how to beef up your rig to run 3 screens (I assume you are running 1 now). Yes just plug it in, apply power to it from your PSU (your 750W should do just fine for these cards), set them to run SLI in the NV display software.

You can run 3 screens on a single 970 but not very good at all (in gaming that is, other apps should run fine), you really need 2 so before getting the monitors get another 970. The SSD will speed up over all system performance a great deal but not much help gaming, they will load faster but that is it. So which comes first is up to you really. Yes the "k" series CPU paired with a Z97 MB are made to OC, how much is up to you and the cooling you have for your CPU. But rest assured for gaming you don't need to spend money on an i7.

With what you have now this is the best upgrade path for you and should last a good while serving your gaming needs.