What should i buy?

[grimreaperpt]

Hey everybody!

I'm planning on upgrading my PC, but i think i need some help choosing new parts...

I currently have a nice ASUS HD 6970 2GB, but i think my CPU needs an upgrade (Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz), so I'm thinking about maybe an Core i5-2400 (what do you guys think?)... I don't want to spend a lot of money, and I really want to improve performance (to play the newest videogames and also to work on 3ds Max).

Thing is, i believe i will also need a new motherboard and RAM, but i just have no idea what to get...
Currently I have a Gigabyte P35-DS3, and the RAM i think it's 4GB DDR2...
So what motherboard should i get? I don't need firewire, bluetooth, wireless, and i don't want to spend more than 150€... Should i also get new memory? Thank you

 

[DelroyMonjo]

If you want 'modern' Intel2500K and a Z68MB w/4GB of DDR3 is the way to go.
About $350-$370

 

[RichterFry]

That's about $200? Yeah, you're not going to get too much of an upgrade with that much money if you need a mobo, CPU AND RAM.

 

[grimreaperpt]

Humm, ok.. So what if i boost my expenses up to $800? That way could i get like 12GB of RAM and a nice mobo right?

 

[ragnaroknroll7]

For your target CPU(the i5-2400) I'd recommend these three items
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145315
the price comes out to $332 or €247
if you want to stay closer to your target price swap the CPU down to an i3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
and the new total would be $272 or about €202

 

[swifty_morgan]

Core i5-2400............... completely different socket than the q6600. Won't work.

adding more ram may help with you modeling app.

don't think you're putting enough money into the mix to make very good upgrades.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

You got a $300+USD video card and now want to upgrade. 2500K is ~$215USD, you can get sub $100MB's and some have 4 RAM slots. 8GB RAM is in the $40-$45USD range. You can probably oc the cpu to 4GB with the stock HSF.

 

[grimreaperpt]

So, putting aside the money factor (but let's not exaggerate...), what would be your choice @RichterFry and @swifty_morgan?

 

[RichterFry]

I'm not picky when it comes to motherboards, or brands when it comes to RAM. 8 gigs f RAM 2X4gigs) is probably all you'll need. The CPU is another issue. If you can afford it, go for an i7 2700K. If not, try a lower grade i7.