Upgrade PC or buy console

Eyelgame · Nov 15, 2013

Hello everyone as the title states not sure what to do here, I bought a pre-built pc mostly to be used for watching hd content with xbmc, but now I'm thinking about upgrading for gaming rather then buying a ps4 or xboxone. Should I upgrade or buy a console, budget is what an xboxone would cost around $500, although not sure if that's the console I would get.
Current setup;
-Intel i3 2105
-4GB RAM
-H77 motherboard
-ASRock 60gb ssd
-GD04 Grandia case
-Antec 380 psu
-GTX 550ti

Thanks in advance

hammereditor · Nov 15, 2013

I think it's much better to upgrade your computer. I think a prominent guy from Nvidia once said that a gaming console can no longer match a PC's ability.
And computer parts are upgradable and interchangeable. Let's say you want to construct a new system, and use parts from your old one. You can re-use parts like the RAM, power supply, and case.
You can neither upgrade a console, nor use old parts.

logainofhades · Nov 15, 2013

This would allow you to keep your current motherboard, and not have to worry about reinstalling Windows.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Mac Mall)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($215.66 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $500.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 20:27 EST-0500)

Eyelgame · Nov 15, 2013

logainofhades :

This would allow you to keep your current motherboard, and not have to worry about reinstalling Windows.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Mac Mall)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($215.66 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $500.62
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 20:27 EST-0500)

Thanks this helps a lot.

Eyelgame · Nov 15, 2013

logainofhades :

Forgot to ask, how would this compare to PS4/Xboxone, would I be able to run games like Watchdogs or The Division?

logainofhades · Nov 16, 2013

This would be more powerful than a console. It won't have any problems playing anything.

Eyelgame · Nov 18, 2013

Hello everyone, not sure if I should start a new thread but my budget is now roughly $700 what can I improve off of my current build?

ewok93 · Nov 19, 2013

Get a 4770k instead, and maybe a 7970 if you can fit it into your budget.

Eyelgame · Nov 19, 2013

ewok93 :

Would I need a new motherboard?

RobCrezz · Nov 19, 2013

Eyelgame :

Yes, you would need a socket 1150 board with a Z87 chipset to make full use of the 4770k.

However, for most games the i5 + 7950 will be great. You may want to instead spend the extra on a bigger SSD/HDD for game storage.

logainofhades · Nov 19, 2013

ewok93 :

Waste of money to go Haswell when the OP has an Ivy capable motherboard.

logainofhades · Nov 19, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($225.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Quiet CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $650.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-19 09:55 EST-0500)

Eyelgame · Nov 26, 2013

Ok here's an update:

CPU: Intel i5 3570k, $199
CPU cooler: Zalman CNPS8900 Quiet CPU. $39.99
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000). $54.99
GPU: Geforce GTX 760 superclocked; $249
PSU: Antec HCG M HCG-750M 750W ATX12V: $59.99 after mail in rebate
total : $651

Would you guys change anything? Is everything compatible with my motherboard(asrock h77),and case(GD04 Grandia case)

cmi86 · Nov 26, 2013

logainofhades :

Nice work with the poor man's i7. I like your builds a lot you got a good head on your shoulders. OP go for a build like this.

Eyelgame · Nov 26, 2013

cmi86 :

I would but because of my indecisiveness, I've let a couple of those deals slip away like the gpu and the ram. I also researched the CPU a bit and people mentioned it as working better in servers, so not sure what to do now.

Eyelgame · Nov 26, 2013

RobCrezz · Nov 27, 2013

Eyelgame :

cmi86 :

I would but because of my indecisiveness, I've let a couple of those deals slip away like the gpu and the ram. I also researched the CPU a bit and people mentioned it as working better in servers, so not sure what to do now.

Actually, his Xeon build would be great for you.

This Xeon, isnt a "true xeon" like most server class CPUs. Its simply a i7 3770 with the integrated graphics disabled and the name changed, its a very good cpu for gaming (especially if you dont want to overclock).

RobCrezz · Nov 27, 2013

cmi86 :

logainofhades :

Nice work with the poor man's i7. I like your builds a lot you got a good head on your shoulders. OP go for a build like this.

+1, nice use of the money and existing parts.

Eyelgame · Nov 27, 2013

Decided on a PS4. Thanks anyway guys.

ewok93 · Dec 3, 2013

Interesting choice. Well, have fun.

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