Thoughts on the need to upgrade (i5-750), how, and various questions

munq

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Apr 25, 2013
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Afternoon everyone. Too many passwords in too many places and seems that I've lost my old tom's account, oh well. Anyway, I'm looking to upgrade my computer and almost ordered a +1000€ setup, but started wondering if my old one would still hold up well with a few upgrades.

Here is my current build:
Mobo: Asus P7P55D Pro
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 @ stock speed (2.67Ghz)
Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2
RAM: A-Data 2x2GB DDR3 1600MHz
GPU: MSI ATI HD 5850 @ 765/1125 Mhz
HDD: Samsung F3 500Gb
PSU: Corsair VX550W
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64bit OEM
Case: Antec P183 with extra front Nexus Real Silent 120mm

It was a fine build several years back when I first got it, and now I'm left wondering how much juice might the quadcore i5-750 still have left in it? I've read variying opinions some saying it's fine, some say it's not; tom's hardware general consensus to the rescue. I was thinking of possibly keeping that, and upgrading my GPU to HD7870XT orso - would I reach a bottleneck in gaming? This is probably the most burning question in my mind. i5-750 + HD7870XT - will it be beautiful, or will it be ugly?

In addition to upgrading the GPU I was thinking of getting RAM up to 8GB. I now have 2x2Gb, so could I get another 2x2Gb / 1x4Gb or would I run into compatibility issues? Should I just purchase a proper 1.5v 8Gb kit and install that one instead, assuring compatibility and making it a valid candidate for next build as well?

Oh, there's more. SSD. Adding a 120Gb SSD and reinstalling OS on that one probably would make this old baby feel much more at home?

Since we are here writing this and that might as well ask - replacing Tricool fans on Antec P183, what would you recommend? They have been getting quite noisy lately (especially the famous top one), and I'd like to, if I may, shut them up. A hard procedure?

Hoping that someone finds the time to read through my ramblings and provide me with some insight since I can't seem to come to a conclusion on my own. Haswell is coming out later this year which is also something that makes upgrading CPU now seem a little silly, but I still want to upgrade my gaming capacity right now. Question is, spend 300€ or spend 1000€? Indecisiveness and all that.

Cheers
 

slomo4sho

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The 7870XT shouldn't create any bottlenecks for your CPU. Upgrading the ram would only be necessary if currently using 85% or more of the capacity under current system load. You can check your ram utilization by using the Windows Task Manager.

The SSD would improve load times drastically but that is the extent of the benefits. Lastly, Noctula fans are pricy but they work really well.
 
I feel there is lots of gaming potential left in that machine
I like your new gpu choice as well have you considered Nvidia for a change? They do not have a direct competitor
for the 7870xt but a 660ti is a pretty nice gaming card for a few dollars more.
perhaps a cpu cooler upgrade would do you some good for a better overclock
A decent sized ssd would be an excellent buy if you are a serious gamer 120gb is too small or it was for me at least.
 

mayankleoboy1

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Aug 11, 2010
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The CPU+mobo have enough juice for current games. A GPU upgrade, with 2GB VRAM is needed for latest games to work well on 1080P.

As a first step, you could try overclocking the i5-750 to ~ 3.33 ghz. This is a fairly standard target, and easy enough to achieve.
 

munq

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Apr 25, 2013
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Thanks for the input everyone. So far all opinions have been what I wanted to hear. By all means keep them coming.

@spentshells, I've been a loyal AMD/ATI card user for the past 15 years and they've always served me well so I will keep my loyalty with them, I appreciate the suggestion though. You feel SSD has made your life better and the sun shine even brighter?

@mayankleoboy1, I'm not a big fan of overclocking (duh, since I've never done it). You reckon I could reach the "fairly standard" overclock to 3.33ghz with my current cooler without setting the world on fire? Quite frightening.

How about RAM? 4gb vs 8gb? Incompatibilities?
 

rickzor

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Feb 11, 2007
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Despite that cpu being nearly 3 years old it is still a fairly good processor in my opinion. Your motherboard is a good one also.
If a 120gb SSD isn't enough for all you data content why not use the SSD only for OS and programs and use a usual mechanical HDD for games and personal documents?

Having that said, increase your cpu clock over to 3.8Ghz (which should be pretty easy with this chip and your motherboard) and you would almost get a new processor in terms of performance, give or take.

Couple that with a modern graphic card and 8/16GB of ram and you still would have a system to last something like 1 or 2 years? Thats depends a lot from person to person but upgrading just for the sake of it wouldn't really make sense.
I would only consider upgrading that cpu to a Haswel only when prices are low enough and options are plenty.

Edit: I have a P7P5D and 16GB of ram and no issues at all with my cpu (same as yours) running at 3.8Ghz. Of course having a good cooler is required.
 

RobCrezz

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If it was me I would invest in a SSD. Give the case a good clear out, dust usually causes the fans to have to spin faster as it reduces the cooling.

Then overclock your CPU. They are great overclockers. I have a little matx machine with a i3 540 and it overclocks to 4.2Ghz with ease.
 


AMD/ATI fan myself for a long time but change is good once in a while. Me I moved to Nvidia just to try it out before xmas and I like it a lot. As for the SSD absolutely, it was almost like a new computer to be honest level loading blues are gone. As mentioned you should look into overclocking that CPU. It is a sin to not take that CPU higher. Yes your current cooler will do for 3.33 which should be extremely easy, anything more I would suggest something a little larger. That CPU is almost guaranteed to hit 4Ghz. I've never heard of an overclocker who spent time testing not being able to get it to 4Ghz. If you have never done any overclocking there is no time like the present to learn as the results of overclocking that chip are well worth the time investment of learning.

Here is a guide specific to your chip and motherboard. Read then try ok?

http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/intel_core_i5_750_overclocking_guide,1.html
 

munq

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Apr 25, 2013
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Yeah, I've read a few overclocking guides past days, read through that one also and paid a visit to BIOS to see things for myself as well. Other than RAM settings in BIOS which keep flying over my head it doesn't seem very difficult honestly, just frightening, I don't want to fry my chip and I'm feeling all too lazy to buy and install a better cooler to replace the AC Freezer 7. I'm hitting 55C under load on Prime95 Large FFTs on stock speeds already - what will happen when I pump up the clocks?
It is tempting though...

Speaking of RAM... I want to upgrade to 8Gb so could I purchase another 4Gb or do I risk incompatibilities? Am I safer of buying a new kit of 8Gb altogether?
 

rickzor

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Feb 11, 2007
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I always used my i5 750 at 3.8Ghz only because i was never able to get it 100% stable at 4ghz or above. I was able to get it at even 4.2Ghz but anything at 4ghz or above always made prime95 fails after a few hours so i decided to use 3.8Ghz as it was always 100% stable with all tests.
Cooler was good enough, tried all voltages and different bios settings and rams so i guess that not all i5 750 are the same when pushed above 3.8ghz so results may vary.

Anyway as spentshells said it is a sin not to overclock that cpu as it begs overclocking.
 
RAM do you need it? Are you using what you have? I've not needed more than 4GB.

As for frying the chip there really isn't much to worry about if you read the guide and follow it. CPU's have sensors to prevent this, in all my years(10) i've not seen anyone fry a chip except for completely removing the heatsink.
 

munq

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Apr 25, 2013
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I know it's not that essential to necessarily have 8Gb, but I do have a multi-monitor setup so I often have multi-tasking going on while gaming heavy games, which leads me to think that having 8Gb might be a bit on the safe-side.

Thanks for the encouragement... you're really pushing me to trying that overclock. Might find me from the overclocking section in the future...

For starters, should atleast order that GPU and SSD. Maybe that RAM. Why there has to be so many decisions?

 


I am only pushing because if you are able to get it up to 3.6ghz for example at first it will be like a completely new processor