Best PC upgrading options

ConfucianSaying · Jun 19, 2013

Hi, I'm wondering if it's better to start off with a clean slate or upgrade select parts of my existing machine. I currently have a Core i7 920 2.66 GHz overclocked at 3.00 GHz, EVGA X58 SLI LE mobo, and GTX 460 SE video card and running 12 GB of RAM. I was looking at potentially upgrading the CPU and Video card as the cheaper alternative than getting a new barebones kit. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Eximo · Jun 19, 2013

It is not unreasonable to take that i7 920 up another 500Mhz or so with a decent cooler.

A video card upgrade to say, a GTX770, would be a huge performance boost in games.

ConfucianSaying · Jun 19, 2013

Eximo :

I actually have a ZALMAN CNPS9900ALED 120mm 2 Ball Low-noise Blue LED CPU Cooler. Do you think that should handle it? I should also mention that my power supply is 750W.

Eximo · Jun 19, 2013

Under max load what is your CPU temperature reaching? I try to keep things under 80C, knowing the chip will not reach such a load day to day.

Stock was 20 x 133Mhz = 2.66Ghz
I think max multiplier is 20 or 21 on the 920. (I think there is a circumstance where it will go higher, but I can't recall the details)
But the overclock really comes from the BCLK, which I assume you are running at 20 x 150Mhz =3.0Ghz

175x20 is possible. I've seen a few crazy configs at 212 x 23/24/25 wih i7 950, but not sure if that was just bragging rights. (Would probably need open loop water cooling at that point)

I found with my i7 950 to be limited by the memory @ 1600Mhz, so I had my BCLK at 161 x 24 = 3.85Ghz, but at a low 1.175 volts.

1.35v is the theoretical max, but some people pushed way more then that to get the high clocks. If you are comfortable playing with it, you can try pushing it to the limit. You can always find i7 - 950, 960, 975 or 980s on ebay or something if you break it.

Or do the rest of your upgrade with a new chip, MB and RAM and video card. All depends on your budget.

ConfucianSaying · Jun 19, 2013

Eximo :

Under max load what is your CPU temperature reaching? I try to keep things under 80C, knowing the chip will not reach such a load day to day.

Stock was 20 x 133Mhz = 2.66Ghz
I think max multiplier is 20 or 21 on the 920. (I think there is a circumstance where it will go higher, but I can't recall the details)
But the overclock really comes from the BCLK, which I assume you are running at 20 x 150Mhz =3.0Ghz

175x20 is possible. I've seen a few crazy configs at 212 x 23/24/25 wih i7 950, but not sure if that was just bragging rights. (Would probably need open loop water cooling at that point)

I found with my i7 950 to be limited by the memory @ 1600Mhz, so I had my BCLK at 161 x 24 = 3.85Ghz, but at a low 1.175 volts.

1.35v is the theoretical max, but some people pushed way more then that to get the high clocks. If you are comfortable playing with it, you can try pushing it to the limit. You can always find i7 - 950, 960, 975 or 980s on ebay or something if you break it.

Or do the rest of your upgrade with a new chip, MB and RAM and video card. All depends on your budget.

Cool. I'll try and bring it up to 3.5GHz and do the new card option. I'm anticipating Rome II and COH2 at higher settings in the next few months, so I'm trying to plan out the best options.

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Best PC upgrading options

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