Please Evaluate, then Suggest.

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

I am running, from outside to inside:
NZXT Source 210
ASUS P8*Z77LV-X
i7-2600@3.9
Pat-Riot Sig Series 8GB@1600
WD 1TB Hybrid Drive
WD Blue 250gb
ASUS HD7750 DCSL 1GB DDR5
ARTIC Pro7 Rev.2
CoolerMaster Elite PSU
CoolerMaster 120mm Fans x3
Win7 64bit Legit

Im thinking ahead to tax season when I'll move ahead a generation or two in terms of CPU/Mobo/RAM speed. AMD or Intel? Who or what?
Please make suggestions, anything you have to say. Here is the one catch... I'm pretty damn loyal to ASUS.

swifty_morgan · Nov 3, 2013

graphics card comes to mind. so does an SSD if you don't already have one.

realchaos · Nov 3, 2013

The i7-2600 is still a very good processor today. There's no need to upgrade it yet.
What is the purpose of this machine?
Why do you want to upgrade?
What watts is that psu?

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

The PSU wattage is 500.
At this time it only seeing 50pct use due to the low TPD of the i72600 and the extremly low TPD of the HD7750 DCSL

The purpose of the machine is Audio and Gaming, with 15 percent use dedicated to offie programs for the wife, she runs off of the WD Blu drive.

realchaos · Nov 3, 2013

The only upgrades I would make are:

XFX 550w psu.
New gpu depending on budget.

Tradesman1 · Nov 3, 2013

I'd definately go to a GPU upgrade, other than that it would depend on budget......and needs...the 2600 is a great CPU, but basically locked, with the Z77 mobo (it's a good one, could kick up to a K model like the 3570K or the 3770K, then OC it and be right there close to the Haswells

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

Ok so far we seem to agree on a new GPU.
The budget at the time of purchase will be $200. +/- $20
Remembering my loyalty to ASUS (since the early days of high school building on a friday night!) What do you suggest model/capability wise? I play games like Hitman, Resident Evil, Bioschlock and Fallout. I use ProTools, Line6 software of various issues, and GarageBand for recording, sampling, producing.

Im getting amazing results from Turbo stepping the i72600 via the z77 mobo. Assuming I "upgrade" sockets... Tradesman is thinking going 3rd gen i7 and staying on the 1155 socket?

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

realchaos :

May I ask why?
I was planning on sticking with the brands I like unless someone can prove to me why not... I favor customer service and tech support above all.

Tradesman1 · Nov 3, 2013

At $200 or so can look to a 7870 and by the time taxes come around have a feeling the 760s may be down to around $220

realchaos · Nov 3, 2013

Well, I recommended the XFX 550w psu because there is no Asus psu. Also, the CM Elite 500w psu is a psu that comes with the CM Elite 335U case right (That's all I could find)? It's not very high quality, so if you're going to upgrade to a stronger gpu, I would definitely go with a new psu like the XFX 550w.

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

realchaos :

At my retailer of choice in Arizona, a CoolerMaster 460 or 500w PSU is about 35-44.99 depending on time of year, and is the best rated selling PSU on Amazon and at this retailer. They are sold in some combo's but most of the Elite Green PSU's are seperate.

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

Can I get a rundown on continous v.s. non-cont. PSU's?

Tradesman1 · Nov 3, 2013

Cooler Master isn't bad - but it's normally rated to peak rather than continuous, I generally look to go 100 watts more than what's called for

realchaos · Nov 3, 2013

Well, the thing is that your psu was included with a case. PSUs included with the case generally aren't as good quality as buying your own psu. Which is why I recommend getting a new psu.

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

realchaos :

It is NOT included in a case... my case anyway.
It is however the best selling PSU in that price range...
and it takes 6+ hours of max graphics and cpu setting without missing a volt, I record that sort of stufff and track it. Hence my knowledge of how many watts it uses on average during load. No kidding it only sees 250-300w under load during gaming, and 400w max during Audio recording or sampling.

bravobear187 · Nov 3, 2013

Tradesman1 :

I like what I see so far about the 760's... I am bound a little by the Z77, if I went up to a different socket, maybe a Z87 mobo and a newer gen CPU (3rd intel core i7 perhaprs), I could actually take advantage of USB 3.0 and true SLI if I spend more money than I "should".

Tradesman1 · Nov 3, 2013

760 will run fine in a Z77, as far as SLI could be something to the future with maybe a Haswell build or even a different 1155 mobo

bravobear187 · Nov 4, 2013

I guess what I meant by being bound by the Z77/1155 socket is that many of the newer gen intel and AMD processors have much better graphics control and less chance to bottleneck (or so I've read) and if I went Crossfire on my curretn setup it might be a waste.

SO we've solved graphics cards, and definitely a stronger, and defnitely modular PSU (the cooler master one is not didnt mention that)

As far as SSD, I would think something large enough to boot and run about 5 or 6 core applications or programs off of?

Tradesman1 · Nov 4, 2013

I'd look to a 128GB can gt by with 64GB

Please Evaluate, then Suggest.

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