What do I need to upgrade? [Gaming PC]

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brodexcius

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Feb 17, 2014
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Hey Folks,

So first of all, here are my specs.

CPU
Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.80GHz
RAM
4,00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. P55M-UD2 (Socket 1156)
Graphics
1024MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 5800 Series (XFX Pine Group)

I'm starting to get a bit of lag in a few games, so I'm looking to upgrade. Now I'm not sure wether I should go for a whole new rig, or if I can still keep this old one a decent contender, without spending too much on it.

First of all, I need a new graphic card. I've tried to find somewhere online that could show me which graphic cards are supported by this MoBo, but I can't find it anywhere? You got any tips to see what graphic cards I can use, or anything you would recommend?

Second, I need more and faster RAM. I was thinking of buying 4x4GB 1600 MHz, I guess thats what to go for, right?

As a third, and last question, would it be possible for me to maybe upgrade my current motherboard, to a newer motherboard, that could support some newer graphic cards, but also support newer processors? I was thinking that if I buy a new motherboard + graphic card + RAM, then I could always buy a new processor at a later point - But is it even possible to buy a motherboard, that will fit my i7 860 processor, and in the future can fit maybe an i7 4770K processor?

Thanks in advance :)
 
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Novuake

Novuake

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Actually the I7 870 is still a pretty decent CPU if overclocked a little.

If you are on a limited budget, your best option is to get a new graphics card and more RAM (2x4GB is more than enough) and a decent CPU cooler (for a bit of overclocking), then work towards a new CPU and motherboard later.

The 4770K and 870 are on 2 completely different sockets, so you can not use them on the same board.
 
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BnG

BnG

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GPU: Gtx 760/770 windforce x3 (best gtx 760/770 cooling in my opinion, great for OC).
RAM: Add another 4GB
CPU Cooler: I have the Hyper TX3, works great. Just look for a decent one, not the TX3 in particular.

Extra's:
Upgrading the MB / CPU to for example an i5 3570k/ i7 4770k depending on your budget.
 
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brodexcius

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Would a GTX 780 even be possible to put in my old machine? Assuming I buy a cooler for the CPU.

The reason why I ask, is I think that somewhere in the future, I will upgrade to 4770K and a new motherboard, but it would be nice to have a decent graphic card by then.
 
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BnG

BnG

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This, but when go purchase the 780, also buy the aftermarket cooler in order to limit the bottleneck. You can re-use the aftermarket cooler later on your 4770k.
 
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brodexcius

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Uhmm.. What is an aftermarket cooler? :)

In general, what should I look for, as additional cooling, if i want to put in the 780, and 2x4 gb 1866 MHz ram?

EDIT: Would it be an idea to overclock my current CPU? and what would it require? and is it necesary? :) all these questions :)

 
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brodexcius

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When you say it will not perform optimally, does that mean it can damage any of the parts? or is it more like I wont see its full potential untill i get a new Mobo and cpu?

My idea is to wait a year or so, and then go out and buy the additional mobo and cpu, would this cause any problems?
 
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BnG

BnG

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The aftermarket cooler makes sure you're temperatures don't get too high when OCed. An aftermarket cooler is basically an upgraded stock cooler you get along with the CPU, you have to buy an aftermarket cooler seperately. Normal aftermarket cooler, non liquid ones cost between 20-50$. I suggested the aftermarket cooler in order to OC your old CPU while at the same time using the 780 with it so the bottleneck will be limited.

 
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BnG

BnG

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Not optimally = bottlenecked. It basically means that the GPU can't reach its full performance because of the CPU being not powerful enough combined with the 780. Ones you get the 4770k you will not have the bottleneck anymore. You're CPU atm is just too old to keep up with the performance of such a powerful (new) GPU (therefore I also suggested the OC).
 
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brodexcius

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Okay, So I guess your saying I should buy the 780 card with OC, for additional cooling for it.

The aftermarket cooler your mentioning, do you have an example on what to use here? I was thinking of liquid cooling, but isn't that strictly for Graphic cards?
 
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fuseblaster

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No, you can use closed liquid cooling for your CPU. It is pretty simple to do. Have a look at this one for example;
CORSAIR H60 HYDRO CPU COOLER S-1150/1155/2011/AM3+
However, I cannot say whether it is the most cost efficient solution for your system.
 
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BnG

BnG

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Liquid coolers can be used for CPU. The one fuseblaster mentioned is a liquid cooler.
You won't need liquid cooler unless you are planning on doing some serious OC. For basic OC normal coolers like the cooler master hyper 212 evo are good enough (the 212 evo is a very good and reliable one, especially for its price).

And for the GPU, liquid cooling is only for heavy OCing. You don't need to buy an extra cooler for your GPU in order to OC though (just see how far you can get it to OC without temps getting too hot).
 
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brodexcius

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Okay, wow man you've helped me alot mate, clearing up a bunch of things :) I just have 1 final question. For my future computer, I have been looking at the Corsair Hydro Series H100i Extreme Perfomance Liquid CPU Cooler. The reason for this, is because I want the computer to be more silent, and I figured that liquid cooling would be more quite.

Would it make any sense, to order this cooler now, to cool my current CPU? And can I just switch it over to the, eventual i7 4770K I'm going to purchase later on?
 
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BnG

BnG

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Yes it will work. Here is the link to the official corsair page: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/hydro-series-h100i-extreme-performance-liquid-cpu-cooler

Your old socket (socket you have atm) = 1156.
The 4770k socket = 1150.

The compatible intel sockets for this liquid cooler are: Intel™ LGA 1150, 1155, 1156, 1366, and 2011

Conclusion: Yes it will work =)

 
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brodexcius

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Thanks :)

On a bonus question - Regarding graphic cards, I've been looking at both the 780, and the 780 Ti models - I'm not sure what to get, and if the Ti is even that much better - On benchmark tests, it looks like you pay an awful lot, for a minor improvement - What is your thoughts on this? is the Ti worth the extra money? :)

 
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BnG

BnG

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAROjjGTH0c this might help. The channel has a lot of other comparisons.
If you have the money, the 780ti is the best option in my opinion.

You could also choose for GTX 770 SLI, this will give you more power than a 780ti, but an OCed 780ti will come close to SLI 770. Take into account that this will give you more performance, but will also use a lot more power.
 
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brodexcius

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Okay, I think I'm gonna go with the 780 Ti.

I looked a bit more into the cooling, and I found out what case I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811294002

I asked another place about cooling, and it seems that I cant use the Hydro Series H100i, as its too big for my case.

Will I be able to fit the cooler you mentioned? The Evo one?

 
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BnG

BnG

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I am not going to quote the whole post :p it's getting a bit long.
Yes the evo will fit fine. It is like a normal stock cooler, but more advances resulting in better cooling ^^.
 
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brodexcius

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Understandable :) So if I buy the 212 evo cooler, do you know if it would make overclocking of the CPU possible? I read online, that I can OC it up to 3.6 Ghz, but my experience on this field none-existent, never OCed anything before. If you can just tell me if it would make any sense, I don't need a guide on it, hopefully I can figure that out later on, right now I just need to know if OCing would be a good idea :)

 
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