What would you do with $500 in this situation?

[dholster]

I contemplated this purchase a few months back, but I just could not pull the trigger. So here I am again, wondering what has changed since I last checked.

I am currently running the following system

CPU: E6600 Conroe
MOBO: EVGA 680i LT (socket 775)
RAM: 6 Gigs Corsair DDR2 800
HDD: Crucial M4 128g and Various Mechanical drives
GFX: GTS 450 1GB
Case: Antec P180b
PSU: Antec TP650

Its been a beast, almost 7 years of continuous use with only hard drives and video card being changed out. Last time it was upgraded I added the SSD, and that was a huge change for me, now my system is snappy for the day to day use, but games and video can be laggy.

My dilemma is what to upgrade now. I don't crave record breaking frame rates, nor do I play the latest games. I stick to WoW, Borderlands, and the occasional first person shooters. So half of my mind is to just get a beefier video card, but my current motherboard would waste a lot of its potential, which I am pretty sure my video card is not fully utilized by my motherboard either.

So with that I am currently mulling over the following purchase,

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9LPE

I could really use some advice, I chose the Maximus mATX because its price to feature ratio seems pretty good. The processor, is basically the most ill ever need (no video editing in my future), and the Memory has good reviews and seems to be good for my gaming/daily task needs. But I really have no clue, there are literally hundreds of 2x4g ram kits.

Or should I just spend a few hundred bucks on a nice video card and wait for the next gen Intel chips to come out?

Thanks ahead for any help/answers/sarcastic criticisms.

 

[g-unit1111]

I wouldn't pay the money for the GENE-Z. Save some money and buy an Asrock Z77 Extreme 4. With the money saved invest in a modern PSU and a Hyper 212 Evo. If you're not planning to overclock downgrade to a i5-3470.

This would be better:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $529.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 14:32 EDT-0400)

Or if you're not planning to overclock:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $409.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 14:31 EDT-0400)

 

[swifty_morgan]

if you buy the new stuff in the list you'll still be stuck with the slug that is your video card.
if you keep what you have and buy a bigger video card you'll be cpu bound.
so either buy a 7950/70 and save for an upgrade next year to compliment that, or buy the stuff in your list and be terribly gpu bound.

 

[affroman112]

I would overlock your current processor if you are not already. The Cooler Master Hyper Evo 212+ is a great cooler. Then you wold just need an upgrade to your current video card. How much you want to spend will determine what card you get.

 

[dholster]

I wouldn't pay the money for the GENE-Z. Save some money and buy an Asrock Z77 Extreme 4. With the money saved invest in a modern PSU and a Hyper 212 Evo. If you're not planning to overclock downgrade to a i5-3470.

This would be better:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($220.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $529.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 14:32 EDT-0400)

Or if you're not planning to overclock:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $409.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 14:31 EDT-0400)

Planning to overclock or not is more or less unknown really, how much gain in performance would I get between the two setups if I did marginal yet stable overclocking of the 3570k? I wouldn't mind overclocking if its a set it and forget it type situation. I just have memories of constantly having to reboot to adjust clock speed when I first purchased the conroe. Is overclocking less annoying now then it was 6-7 years ago?

in regards to both affroman112 and swifty_morgan, my framerates in current games I play is almost acceptable and I plan on upgrading video soon after, what video cards do you suggest in the $200- $300 range to be purchased in a couple months?

 

[ballerslife]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Vsc6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Vsc6/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Vsc6/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Microcenter)
Total: $497.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 15:18 EDT-0400)

Good CPU/Motherboard, bagged you a great cooler for overclocking. 8 GB RAM, and an awesome GPU. Will play most games on high.

 

[Onus]

If your PSU is a True Power New, it's a very good, Seasonic-built unit which you may be able to re-use for years to come. The True Power Trio is also a Seasonic PSU. Though not quite as good, you don't need to replace it either. The other Coolermaster "True Power" models, typically made by CWT, don't appear to have been made in a 650W size.
I'd start with one of G-unit's lists, but subtract the PSU and add a video card. Even a HD7750 is stronger than the graphics card you have now, but I'd recommend a GTX650Ti Boost or HD7850; and the Xigmatek Gaia instead of the Coolermaster , because it cools within 1C while being 6db quieter (per Frostytech reviews), and is typically cheaper, often (though not at the moment) dropping to as little as $20.
Edit: Ballerslife has a decent AMD option there; once again I'd use the Gaia, but that's a niggle. Be aware that those are likely in-store prices, so if you don't live near a Microcenter, you won't find those prices.

 

[Marcopolo123]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $492.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 15:21 EDT-0400)

Best bang

 

[dholster]

If your PSU is a True Power New, it's a very good, Seasonic-built unit which you may be able to re-use for years to come. The True Power Trio is also a Seasonic PSU. Though not quite as good, you don't need to replace it either. The other "True Power" models, typically made by CWT, don't appear to have been made in a 650W size.
I'd start with one of G-unit's lists, but subtract the PSU and add a video card. Even a HD7750 is stronger than the graphics card you have now, but I'd recommend a GTX650Ti Boost or HD7850; and the Xigmatek Gaia instead of the Coolermaster , because it cools within 1C while being 6db quieter (per Frostytech reviews), and is typically cheaper, often (though not at the moment) dropping to as little as $20.
Edit: Ballerslife has a decent AMD option there; once again I'd use the Gaia, but that's a niggle. Be aware that those are likely in-store prices, so if you don't live near a Microcenter, you won't find those prices.

Looks like this is the model I have

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001

So far the only thing that has gone wrong with it is a few broken sata power connectors. Its been very reliable.

 

[dholster]

Looks like newegg has a sweet looking combo deal on the 3570K, Asrock Mobo and Crucial XMS memory,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1291165

the Cas on that ram is 11 however is that deal worth considering with the slightly slower memory? it would allow me to get a video card sooner.

Edit: Nevermind, this is a single memory stick.

 

[Onus]

That PSU is also Seasonic, and not bad, but not great: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=1
You probably don't want to load it all the way to 650W, but otherwise it should be okay.
You could always get that combo, and add another stick, or add a 2x4 kit and sell the stick in the combo.

 

[g-unit1111]

Planning to overclock or not is more or less unknown really, how much gain in performance would I get between the two setups if I did marginal yet stable overclocking of the 3570k? I wouldn't mind overclocking if its a set it and forget it type situation. I just have memories of constantly having to reboot to adjust clock speed when I first purchased the conroe. Is overclocking less annoying now then it was 6-7 years ago?

I think a bit differently when it comes to overclocking and that is this - if you're unsure don't do it. There's no difference between 3.4 and 3.2 GHz. Now if you want to go ahead and overclock there will be a very noticeable difference between 3.4 and 4.5GHz. That is where you will benefit. Overclocking has become infinitely easier than it was several years ago. Motherboards with UEFI and modern visual BIOS like the Gigabyte UD3H have made it incredibly easy to overclock - changing the voltage or not.

 

[bigshootr8]

You have a good foundation with a SSD in use. Your mechanical drive is good as well. I would suggest a nvidia card at least if you are really into borderlands 2 for the added physx now this is just a personal preference if you don't mind the eye candy you can find a amd offering as well. I went with something slightly less then a 3570k and because its not a k sku meaning non overclockable I didn't see the need to add a aftermarket cooler or a z77 board. And if your power supply has been doing well up to this point I don't see the need to change that yet.



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus P8H77-V LE ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($168.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $460.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 16:14 EDT-0400)

 

[Onus]

Bigshootr8 has a good list if you want to stay under $500.

 

[dholster]

Planning to overclock or not is more or less unknown really, how much gain in performance would I get between the two setups if I did marginal yet stable overclocking of the 3570k? I wouldn't mind overclocking if its a set it and forget it type situation. I just have memories of constantly having to reboot to adjust clock speed when I first purchased the conroe. Is overclocking less annoying now then it was 6-7 years ago?

I think a bit differently when it comes to overclocking and that is this - if you're unsure don't do it. There's no difference between 3.4 and 3.2 GHz. Now if you want to go ahead and overclock there will be a very noticeable difference between 3.4 and 4.5GHz. That is where you will benefit. Overclocking has become infinitely easier than it was several years ago. Motherboards with UEFI and modern visual BIOS like the Gigabyte UD3H have made it incredibly easy to overclock - changing the voltage or not.

Bigshootr8 has a good list if you want to stay under $500.

I am leaning towards the 3570k and the asrock board, newegg has the extreme 6 on sale for 5 dollars more than the extreme 4, should I go ahead and pick that up instead of the extreme 4?

 

[Onus]

Yes; the Extreme6 has better VRMs on it. Sinhardware did a nice comparative review of those two boards. I don't have the URL at work (the site is blocked here), but you'd find it interesting.
My rig Phoenix is currently running at 4.2GHz. This modest overclock just required using an automatic setting on my Asus board; no skill on my part was required (that will come later, when I tweak it to lower the voltage, if possible).

 

[dholster]

Yes; the Extreme6 has better VRMs on it. Sinhardware did a nice comparative review of those two boards. I don't have the URL at work (the site is blocked here), but you'd find it interesting.
My rig Phoenix is currently running at 4.2GHz. This modest overclock just required using an automatic setting on my Asus board; no skill on my part was required (that will come later, when I tweak it to lower the voltage, if possible).

this is what im looking at now, with possible PSU and definitely a 650ti or 660ti in the near future

with the board and the cooler on sale i think its a sign i should pull this trigger.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme6 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $421.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 11:55 EDT-0400)

and yeah, i just read that review on overclock.net before posting, it was very nice and looking around it makes me feel i may be ready to do some overclocking myself.

 

[Onus]

Will you be going to a Microcenter? If not, I don't think you can get that price. If so, check out their CPU+mobo combos, they have some good deals there. You may find other deals as well while you're there, such as on an alternate cooler. I cannot with clear conscience recommend any Coolermaster product, as the company is provably dishonest, but that's a personal niggle. There is nothing they have that competitors can't match (or exceed), so I'm not recommending anything that will hit you in the wallet; see what Microcenter has when you get there.

 

[dholster]

Will you be going to a Microcenter? If not, I don't think you can get that price. If so, check out their CPU+mobo combos, they have some good deals there. You may find other deals as well while you're there, such as on an alternate cooler. I cannot with clear conscience recommend any Coolermaster product, as the company is provably dishonest, but that's a personal niggle. There is nothing they have that competitors can't match (or exceed), so I'm not recommending anything that will hit you in the wallet; see what Microcenter has when you get there.

yeah microcenter has the mobo and cpu for 300 before tax, much better than anywhere else. any coolers you can recommend that i should look into? im going to go there after work today

edit: well in my haste, i ordered from newegg before lunch. its already been shipped, i forget how fast newegg is at fulfilling orders. Well looks like a 40 dollar mistake, but thankfully i have a microcenter nearby to save the cash on the processor itself.

Do you mind suggesting memory i can pick up locally at Microcenter?

 

[Onus]

RAM prices seem to be going up, so I'm not sure what's available. I'd look for CAS9 timing, and DDR3-1600 speed. DDR3-1333 would be ok too. Make sure it runs on 1.5V. I believe the Intel IMC can take up to 1.6, but that puts more stress on it. Most of the RAM I have actually runs at 1.35V, but I bought most of it some time ago. I think I have six or eight 4GB sticks in my spares right now, but I'm about to use at least two of them.
I've had good results with G.Skill RAM. Mushkin is also good.

 

[dholster]

RAM prices seem to be going up, so I'm not sure what's available. I'd look for CAS9 timing, and DDR3-1600 speed. DDR3-1333 would be ok too. Make sure it runs on 1.5V. I believe the Intel IMC can take up to 1.6, but that puts more stress on it. Most of the RAM I have actually runs at 1.35V, but I bought most of it some time ago. I think I have six or eight 4GB sticks in my spares right now, but I'm about to use at least two of them.
I've had good results with G.Skill RAM. Mushkin is also good.

sounds good, once again thank you for all your help!

 

[bigshootr8]

Well for the intel platform to my knowledge you are stuck with 1.5v unless you overclock. And yes ram prices are pretty fluctuate but you can always go through pcpartpicker.com and find things on sale so that could be a avenue.

 

[Onus]

With prices climbing, it looks like some companies are trying to sell their dregs. I've seen some cheaper RAM turn up lately, but it has CAS11 timings. I'd definitely pay more for CAS9 (or better).

 

[dholster]

Well for the intel platform to my knowledge you are stuck with 1.5v unless you overclock. And yes ram prices are pretty fluctuate but you can always go through pcpartpicker.com and find things on sale so that could be a avenue.

The mobo/ram/cooler(went with the hyper 212 despite Onus' warnings, it was cheap enough to risk) are on order now, I went with the Extreme 6, 3570k, and mushkin blackline at 1.5v and will pick up the cpu before the rest comes in the mail. Next up will be a psu and video card, onus got me worried i might have one of the bad Antecs lol, but it’s been going strong for 6.5 years already so i might not have anything to worry about, nonetheless something modular is what i will be looking for to clean up some space in my tower. Antec p180b is rather cramped.

 

[bigshootr8]

Well the reason behind him being concerned with your power supply is that typically there are power supplies that have poor quality to start and then over time the quality is fixed well with companies like Antec over time revisions solve things. If you do get a new PSU I'd look towards the XFX power supplies. But you said modular so maybe something else. Maybe something like this one its still XFX but you aren't paying the high premium you would for a modular corsair unit. The only non modular parts are the 24 pin which you'd use anyway and the ATX 12V connection which you'd use as well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207022