upgrading PC - What would you recommend?

[mikkelsdk]

Hello Tom's hardware
Hope you can help me! I'm looking into upgrading my pc, but i'm unsure on what part would be most wise to upgrade first. I got around 600 dollars to spend. I mostly play WoW, LoL, HotS, Diablo 3 and sometimes TF2.
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series - Dedicated Memory: 1017 MB
HDD: 500gb standard harddrive

I *think* my computer uses DDR2 and PCI-express 2.0. But i don't know how to check this correctly?
I'm not looking into overclocking, since i'm not 100% sure on how to do it safely.

Hope you can help!

 

[uplink-svk]

Please post Your motherboard model number.

And upgrade Your system in this order:

1. solid CPU cooler [Gelid Tranquillo Rev 2.0, CM Hyper 212 Evo]
2. OC cpu to at least 3,2-3,5 GHz
3. tell me Your PSU [model/wattage]
4. Get GTX 970
5. Get more ram [8 gigs would be great, depends on what motherboard You have]
6. Get SSD for system [optional]

Cheers!

 

[random5]

Whole PC is outdated, drop out and purchase new one all-together,you could salvage HDD only:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB TurboDuo Video Card ($240.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.77 @ Directron)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $630.70
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-23 16:48 EST-0500

 

[mikkelsdk]

First of all : Thank you so much for the quick reply.
I think i bought this computer around 5-6 years ago.
Does this model number sound right?
P55M-UD2

I'll return tommorow when i'm at my PC to check the PSU.
I know i have space for 2 more rounds of 2gb ram, so that is doable.

 

[AHBman]

Hi
The i7 860 is old, but it still a quadcore, change it won't improve a lot
You need to change the GPU, and adding 4 gigs of RAM

 

[prit87]

Hello Tom's hardware
Hope you can help me! I'm looking into upgrading my pc, but i'm unsure on what part would be most wise to upgrade first. I got around 600 dollars to spend. I mostly play WoW, LoL, HotS, Diablo 3 and sometimes TF2.
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series - Dedicated Memory: 1017 MB
HDD: 500gb standard harddrive

I *think* my computer uses DDR2 and PCI-express 2.0. But i don't know how to check this correctly?
I'm not looking into overclocking, since i'm not 100% sure on how to do it safely.

Hope you can help!

If you dont play much graphic intensive games then getting a mid range GPU would be enough for you and high range GPU would get bottlenecked by your processor.
You have a good budget so i would suggest you a full upgrade .

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $515.44
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-23 17:08 EST-0500

I have not added storage ,optical drive and OS because those things you can salvage from your current system.

 

[uplink-svk]

random5 - good kill, good kill.

mikkelsdk - while random5s post seems like the golden path, if You decided to stay with Your current computer, just do the following:

1. get CM Hyper 212 Evo
2. get more ram, I guess You'll be running 2 x 2 GB tops, so You still have two free slots, for extra 2 x 4 GB, or sell old ram and get 2 x 8 GB.
3. if Your PSU will suffice, get GTX 970
4. if it won't get better PSU
5. ...and get GTX 970

Though, randoms solution seems pretty damn good.

P.S.: Your CPU can kick ass to random5s cpu, when overclocked. But overall and upgrade-wise, his solution seems quite viable.

I'd avoid prit87s build, it harbors very weak motherboard :\ and both builds miss aftermarket cpu cooler, which is kind of...mandatory.

 

[prit87]

random5 - good kill, good kill.

mikkelsdk - while random5s post seems like the golden path, if You decided to stay with Your current computer, just do the following:

1. get CM Hyper 212 Evo
2. get more ram, I guess You'll be running 2 x 2 GB tops, so You still have two free slots, for extra 2 x 4 GB, or sell old ram and get 2 x 8 GB.
3. if Your PSU will suffice, get GTX 970
4. if it won't get better PSU
5. ...and get GTX 970

Though, randoms solution seems pretty damn good.

P.S.: Your CPU can kick ass to random5s cpu, when overclocked. But overall and upgrade-wise, his solution seems quite viable.

I'd avoid prit87s build, it harbors very weak motherboard :\ and both builds miss aftermarket cpu cooler, which is kind of...mandatory.

AF cooler is not mandatory in any of these builds all are locked CPU so nothing to OC and unless you OC no need for high performance boards and its not at all a weak board its H81 instead of H97 not makes any difference in any kind of performance.

Plus i7 860 is a first gen processor good for its time but now weaker than a i3 4th gen .
http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/373/Intel_Core_i3_i3-4150_vs_Intel_Core_i7_i7-860.html

 

[uplink-svk]

prit87 - stock coolers are a disaster. They're loud in general, and they keep processors at their limits, even when they tick at their factory defaults. That leads to overheating whole system most of the time. There's a massive difference when You run stock cooler, that keeps Your delta temp at 10-15°C while idling, and 15-20°C while burning. It's a lot of heat dissipated into Your case, so other components suffer from it.

I don't think that stock cooler is ever worth those 20-30 dollars [15-25 euro] for Gelid Tranquillo Rev 2.0 or CM Hyper 212 Evo.

 

[prit87]

prit87 - stock coolers are a disaster. They're loud in general, and they keep processors at their limits, even when they tick at their factory defaults. That leads to overheating whole system most of the time. There's a massive difference when You run stock cooler, that keeps Your delta temp at 10-15°C while idling, and 15-20°C while burning. It's a lot of heat dissipated into Your case, so other components suffer from it.

I don't think that stock cooler is ever worth those 20-30 dollars [15-25 euro] for Gelid Tranquillo Rev 2.0 or CM Hyper 212 Evo.

The stock cooler is perfectly fine for what its meant especially Intel stock coolers now its upto somebody if he/she wants some extra cooling you can even use a closed loop water cooling on a i3 which is locked CPU it would keep it cooler than normal but that would be a unnecessary upgrade and in that case GPU af coolers should also be added because GPU get more hot than CPU .

 

[uplink-svk]

I'm sorry, but if in Your terms this means "perfectly fine", we're definitely on a different boat my friend.

 

[prit87]

I'm sorry, but if in Your terms this means "perfectly fine", we're definitely on a different boat my friend.

I am currently using i5 3450 and my temps have never gone above 60 C even when i am gaming.
The CPU is Oced to 3.6 a mild OC but 70 + temp if some one gets then they should look either for AF cooler but believe me i am using PC for about 10+ years i never used an AF cooler with a stock CPU but never reached over 70+ in any circumstances unless i do synthetic benchmarks..

There is no harm in having some extra cooling but with stock cooler a cpu with stock clock speed is perfectly safe.

 

[uplink-svk]

prit87 - great thinking. On AF You could run 45-50°C at burn. It's just, saving 20-30 dollars on AF cpu cooler is pointless, that's all. If not temperature-wise, than noise-wise.

 

[random5]

I am currently using i5 3450 and my temps have never gone above 60 C even when i am gaming.
The CPU is Oced to 3.6 a mild OC but 70 + temp if some one gets then they should look either for AF cooler but believe me i am using PC for about 10+ years i never used an AF cooler with a stock CPU but never reached over 70+ in any circumstances unless i do synthetic benchmarks..

how have you OCed non K series CPU? FSB OC?

 

[prit87]

I am currently using i5 3450 and my temps have never gone above 60 C even when i am gaming.
The CPU is Oced to 3.6 a mild OC but 70 + temp if some one gets then they should look either for AF cooler but believe me i am using PC for about 10+ years i never used an AF cooler with a stock CPU but never reached over 70+ in any circumstances unless i do synthetic benchmarks..

how have you OCed non K series CPU? FSB OC?

Apart from 4rth gen processor previous gen processor can be OC to 400 mhz with a locked CPU and i was not talking about my cpu i was talking about the i7 in the chart.

 

[mikkelsdk]

Okay - looks like GTX970 only supports pci express 3.0? Can i still use it if i have pci express 2.0?
Should i get the AF cooler? I don't plan to OC.
Also the RAM i will upgrade.
I'm worried that the complete setup will get damaged on it's way to Denmark from US

 

[prit87]

Okay - looks like GTX970 only supports pci express 3.0? Can i still use it if i have pci express 2.0?
Should i get the AF cooler? I don't plan to OC.
Also the RAM i will upgrade.
I'm worried that the complete setup will get damaged on it's way to Denmark from US

PCIE 3.0 cards can run well with PCIE 2.0 slot without any performance loss and vice verse so no problem with gtx 970.

If you dont OC you wont need an af cooler but you can have it if you want it will cost you around 30 bucks or so but i will suggest use the stock cooler for few days see if you are satisfied with its cooling then make your decision.

I will say it again your CPU will hold the card back its weaker than currently available 4th gen i3 so upgrade the CPU , Board and RAM first what you play gtx 970 is totally overkill for it plus if you want DDR 2 RAM it would cost you more than twice than what DDR 3 RAM cost.
EXAMPLE : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006042%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&Description=8gb%20ddr2&name=8GB%20%282%20x%204GB%29&Order=BESTMATCH

 

[mikkelsdk]

Okay - looks like GTX970 only supports pci express 3.0? Can i still use it if i have pci express 2.0?
Should i get the AF cooler? I don't plan to OC.
Also the RAM i will upgrade.
I'm worried that the complete setup will get damaged on it's way to Denmark from US

PCIE 3.0 cards can run well with PCIE 2.0 slot without any performance loss and vice verse so no problem with gtx 970.

If you dont OC you wont need an af cooler but you can have it if you want it will cost you around 30 bucks or so but i will suggest use the stock cooler for few days see if you are satisfied with its cooling then make your decision.

I will say it again your CPU will hold the card back its weaker than currently available 4th gen i3 so upgrade the CPU , Board and RAM first what you play gtx 970 is totally overkill for it plus if you want DDR 2 RAM it would cost you more than twice than what DDR 3 RAM cost.
EXAMPLE : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006042%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&Description=8gb%20ddr2&name=8GB%20%282%20x%204GB%29&Order=BESTMATCH

Can i use DDR3 on my DDR2? Seems like replacing the board is quite a task for a somewhat beginner for me?

 

[prit87]

Okay - looks like GTX970 only supports pci express 3.0? Can i still use it if i have pci express 2.0?
Should i get the AF cooler? I don't plan to OC.
Also the RAM i will upgrade.
I'm worried that the complete setup will get damaged on it's way to Denmark from US

PCIE 3.0 cards can run well with PCIE 2.0 slot without any performance loss and vice verse so no problem with gtx 970.

If you dont OC you wont need an af cooler but you can have it if you want it will cost you around 30 bucks or so but i will suggest use the stock cooler for few days see if you are satisfied with its cooling then make your decision.

I will say it again your CPU will hold the card back its weaker than currently available 4th gen i3 so upgrade the CPU , Board and RAM first what you play gtx 970 is totally overkill for it plus if you want DDR 2 RAM it would cost you more than twice than what DDR 3 RAM cost.
EXAMPLE : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006042%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&Description=8gb%20ddr2&name=8GB%20%282%20x%204GB%29&Order=BESTMATCH

Can i use DDR3 on my DDR2? Seems like replacing the board is quite a task for a somewhat beginner for me?

Nope its not possible thats why i have given a total upgrade list for you and trust me changing motherboard is lot easier than setting up an af cooler.
Here is a youtube link for PC building guide watch it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4gU8BdloDE i hope you will be more confident after watching few tutorials.

 

[mikkelsdk]

Okay - looks like GTX970 only supports pci express 3.0? Can i still use it if i have pci express 2.0?
Should i get the AF cooler? I don't plan to OC.
Also the RAM i will upgrade.
I'm worried that the complete setup will get damaged on it's way to Denmark from US

PCIE 3.0 cards can run well with PCIE 2.0 slot without any performance loss and vice verse so no problem with gtx 970.

If you dont OC you wont need an af cooler but you can have it if you want it will cost you around 30 bucks or so but i will suggest use the stock cooler for few days see if you are satisfied with its cooling then make your decision.

I will say it again your CPU will hold the card back its weaker than currently available 4th gen i3 so upgrade the CPU , Board and RAM first what you play gtx 970 is totally overkill for it plus if you want DDR 2 RAM it would cost you more than twice than what DDR 3 RAM cost.
EXAMPLE : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006042%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&Description=8gb%20ddr2&name=8GB%20%282%20x%204GB%29&Order=BESTMATCH

Can i use DDR3 on my DDR2? Seems like replacing the board is quite a task for a somewhat beginner for me?

Nope its not possible thats why i have given a total upgrade list for you and trust me changing motherboard is lot easier than setting up an af cooler.
Here is a youtube link for PC building guide watch it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4gU8BdloDE i hope you will be more confident after watching few tutorials.

Another guy made a point about the motherboard on that build. Is it alright?
Again i don't look into OC.
Thank you so much for all of your support! I'll probably get a whole new setup then.

 

[prit87]

Okay - looks like GTX970 only supports pci express 3.0? Can i still use it if i have pci express 2.0?
Should i get the AF cooler? I don't plan to OC.
Also the RAM i will upgrade.
I'm worried that the complete setup will get damaged on it's way to Denmark from US

PCIE 3.0 cards can run well with PCIE 2.0 slot without any performance loss and vice verse so no problem with gtx 970.

If you dont OC you wont need an af cooler but you can have it if you want it will cost you around 30 bucks or so but i will suggest use the stock cooler for few days see if you are satisfied with its cooling then make your decision.

I will say it again your CPU will hold the card back its weaker than currently available 4th gen i3 so upgrade the CPU , Board and RAM first what you play gtx 970 is totally overkill for it plus if you want DDR 2 RAM it would cost you more than twice than what DDR 3 RAM cost.
EXAMPLE : http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006042%20600006069&IsNodeId=1&Description=8gb%20ddr2&name=8GB%20%282%20x%204GB%29&Order=BESTMATCH

Can i use DDR3 on my DDR2? Seems like replacing the board is quite a task for a somewhat beginner for me?

Nope its not possible thats why i have given a total upgrade list for you and trust me changing motherboard is lot easier than setting up an af cooler.
Here is a youtube link for PC building guide watch it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4gU8BdloDE i hope you will be more confident after watching few tutorials.

Another guy made a point about the motherboard on that build. Is it alright?
Again i don't look into OC.
Thank you so much for all of your support! I'll probably get a whole new setup then.

Every one has their own opinion (I think what he meant was its a H81 chipset board and not a h87 or H97) Asus is a good brand and the board is also good it have 3 years of warranty like every other high end board and when you are not overclocking you dont need a board with great thermals a normal decent board is fine enough.
But in case you are having 2nd thoughts about the board you can have this one its from gigabyte H97 chipset board http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah97d3h.
When it comes to motherboard i always prefer either Asus or Gigabyte these are the top 2 brands in my opinion.

 

[uplink-svk]

mikkelsdk - H81 is not a good chipset for OC, and gaming in general, since random5 did a really great contribution, unless You want to upgrade Your system, I'd go through his build. Maybe change there some stuff, but it's definitely the golden of this thread. H97 is state of art compared to H81m G.Skill are extremely good brand of memories, PowerColor isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, brand-wise, but it will deliver what You need. Case is allright, and PSU is surestrike in it's price-level. In general all You miss there is AF cooler, which the 4460 can run without, if You're up for the noise, and SSD drive, which You can upgrade later.

 

[prit87]

mikkelsdk - H81 is not a good chipset for OC, and gaming in general, since random5 did a really great contribution, unless You want to upgrade Your system, I'd go through his build. Maybe change there some stuff, but it's definitely the golden of this thread. H97 is state of art compared to H81m G.Skill are extremely good brand of memories, PowerColor isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, brand-wise, but it will deliver what You need. Case is allright, and PSU is surestrike in it's price-level. In general all You miss there is AF cooler, which the 4460 can run without, if You're up for the noise, and SSD drive, which You can upgrade later.

H81 yes definitely not good for OC neither the H87 or H97 are and for gaming chipset doesn't matter at all you can get the same performance using a 500$ z97 chipset board and a 40$ h81 board.

 

[uplink-svk]

prit87 - true that with OC, but not tech-wise. H87 pack more punch and stability and features:

http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Z87-H87-H81-Q87-Q85-B85-What-is-the-difference-473/

 

[prit87]

prit87 - true that with OC, but not tech-wise. H87 pack more punch and stability and features:

http://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Z87-H87-H81-Q87-Q85-B85-What-is-the-difference-473/

Yes more you pay more you get but what i am saying is just because a board is H81 that doesn't makes it bad and as for reliability i have seen 300-400$ board which have been send to RMA just within 2-3 month of use and cheap boards lasting for many years.