INTRODUCTION
Hello there.
I bought my first gaming PC around 2010 from a local store, when I had nearly no idea about computer parts and hardware generally. (That time that I have bought it, it cost me 900 euros which is around 1200 dollars). When I first got it, it was really good and it was running really smoothly. I was having no problems multitasking and enjoying playing games with all settings maxed out.
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IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN SKIP TO "MY COMPUTER".
But if you will then I would appreciate it very much. Thank you for your understanding...
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MY GAMING EXPERIENCE
So, in the good old days, I was doing some hardcore gaming, having like World of Warcraft and League of Legends open and playing at the same time. I was having for example, World of Warcraft in Ultra Graphics, League of Legends with all settings maxed out. But when I started playing Minecraft I was having more problems than other games. Especially then, I noticed that I was lagging a lot, and I like playing games with full graphics and not lowering them down, and this was a game that I would have to lower the settings down because with my PC, Minecraft is unplayable with maxed graphics (in the beginning it was running it great, like almost every game,
with some exceptions when I consider my PC logical to lag, when I push my computer really hard doing stuff). Also in WoW, when I am in an area with many people I have lag and my fps drop dramatically even when I walk. Same thing happens in LoL, when I am having a teamfight I can't bear with it.
MY PAST
So I said that I have to fix this problem. In order for me to have a better gaming experience, and to make my PC better. I thought that cleaning it up would work. And it did, but half a year now, this is not working. Every time I format my computer I got the same problems, only by the fact that I just re-download the games, and loading up my computer with files (filling only 15% of my hard drive), it causes lag, occasional freezes and most importantly BSODs. If I remember correctly it must have been 5-6 times in all those years that I formatted my computer. I don't want to over do it because I know that formatting a hard drive multiple times can cause damages.
MY PLAN
Now here is the thing, I want to upgrade my computer because I struggle when playing games even though I could do almost whatever I wanted when I first got my computer, I can't seem to find a solution to that problem. So, I am writing here in order for someone that is good enough around PC hardware and is willing to help me upgrade my PC. The PC that I need would be one that runs the games I play with all settings maxed out, has no lag - high fps.
ALTERNATIVE OPTION
If that won't work I could just build a new PC. My only problem is that I don't want to throw away my
current PC because I think it has good stuff in it, so I would like to take that as an advantage and better build the parts around it.
EXTRA STUFF
Some games I would like to mention in order for you to have an idea would be: World of Warcraft,
League of Legends, Minecraft, Skyrim, Diablo III, Hearthstone. Also I am doing some video/image editing (After Effects, Photoshop, Sony Vegas), I don't know if it requires extra/better parts, if it does I would appreciate your opinion although I wont just upgrade my PC only for that specific reason and its not my main goal, my main goal is gaming, I am just mentioning it. The only thing that is almost certain is that I am going to buy at least one SSD in order to copy and backup my files, and probably my videos/pictures because I have a lot.
MY COMPUTER
CPU: Intel Core i7 950 @ 3.07 GHz (4 cores I believe but 8 virtual)
RAM: 2x 2GB DDR3 Transcend 1333 CL9 DIMM
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
MOTHERBOARD: Foxconn Flaming Blade (Chipset: Intel X58 ICH10R)
POWER SUPPLY: Don't know exactly but I will write you whatever says on the sticker:
AC INPUT: 200-240v ~ 5A
FREQUENCY: 50-60 Hz
OUTPUT POWER: 550 W
+5V 20A 140W Max
+3.3V 20A 140W Max
+12V1 15A 264W Max
+12V2 14A 264W Max
-12V 0.5A 6W Max
+5Vab 2.5A 12W Max
HARD DRIVE: Seagate 1 TB
CASE: Don't know, here are the dimensions:
Length: 20.5 - 21 cm
Height: 49.5 - 50cm
Width: 51.5 cm
OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Ultimate Edition x64 bit
MONITOR: LG 27MT55D
BUDGET
I really have no budget but I want every part to be in logical prices, not crazy stuff. I don't want to build a nuclear machine but a stable PC. I say NO to extremely cheap stuff that don't work well and causes problems to the PC or slows it down. I want the best stuff but not the best of the best, if you know what I mean.
SUGGESTIONS
A combo would be great from newegg for example, also I see that amazon has great deals too nowadays (Back 2 School). But, I would rather get the parts from a site of my preference, as long as I find them there of course. So don't bother that much, just want opinions but if I don't find what I need, I will go with yours.
MY OPINION
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CPU: I would consider AMD FX-8350 as a viable CPU option but I want some feedback on that or maybe some other recommendations about another CPU.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAM: I want my RAM to be 2x 4GBS because only the fact that Minecraft is running with Java, I believe that 4 GBS are not enough as it demands a lot of RAM to run smoothly. I don't know if more RAM would do the job better or if it is really needed, but I think I can roll with that. Correct me if I am wrong. Or maybe the CPU is the main problem, and RAM doesn't matter that much, really I don't know.
Question: What will happen to my other RAM that I already have? (2x 2GBS) I heard that you can't use 2 different sets at the same time, because I was thinking keeping my RAM and just throwing in another 4 GB RAM since my motherboard has 3 slots.
Random Fact: One day I tried to put 1 of my 2 2GB RAM on the 3rd slot, while keeping the other RAM on the 1st or the 2nd slot. The only slot that worked was the 1st/2nd slot.
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GPU: I have no idea on what to get, or if it needs an upgrade, please suggest.
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MOTHERBOARD: No idea if it needs an upgrade, suggest.
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POWER SUPPLY: No clue
Question: Does it matter what power supply you have? I know that its more economical to have a better one I guess, but any other benefits?
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HARD DRIVE: Don't need one, but an SSD is another story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSD: I don't want to get too hard on that, although I think Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive is really good but again, correct me if I am wrong and express your own opinions about an SSD. What I could do is have an SSD entirely for running games, or another thing I could do is install Windows on an SSD and have it only for that.
Question 1: Does it really matter if I install windows or run games from the SSD? Is it worth it?
Question 2: Is it okay if I put more stuff in the SSD if I decide to install windows on it, or having games running from it?
Question 3: If I buy a second SSD only to install windows or run games from it which does worth more? windows or games? (I will buy one 100% but for backup purposes and in order to transfer files)
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CASE: The case that I have is a bit broken on the side, the left side got plastic so you can see inside and my feet keep on pushing on that side while playing so it has quite a big hole on the side (gathers up a lot of dust through time) so if I get that replaced it would be cool. Have no idea what the model is but it's quite big, anyways I don't really care about that, but if I get one I would like it to be kinda cheap.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING SYSTEM: Since I already bought Windows 7 Ultimate Edition x64 that's what I will be installing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONITOR: My previous crappy monitor just wouldn't turn on 1 week ago, don't know what happened to it but I think its because I over-used it and have it for more than 8 years. So, I bought this LG and I am happy, so far so good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I DO NOT need: Hard Drive, Operating System, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers/Headphones
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Thank you for reading my post, I hope I will get some nice advice from you. If someone could answer my questions too, it would be great. Also, if you noticed any mistakes in this post please forgive me, and you are free to correct me, since English is not my native language. Thanks again!
DISCLAIMER!!! I am not posting this to get advice on how to improve my current PC while keeping exactly the same parts as I have them, I am posting this in order to get advice on what parts to buy for my new PC, if you think that my PC sucks entirely, then you can suggest me one to build from scratch.
Hello there.
I bought my first gaming PC around 2010 from a local store, when I had nearly no idea about computer parts and hardware generally. (That time that I have bought it, it cost me 900 euros which is around 1200 dollars). When I first got it, it was really good and it was running really smoothly. I was having no problems multitasking and enjoying playing games with all settings maxed out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN SKIP TO "MY COMPUTER".
But if you will then I would appreciate it very much. Thank you for your understanding...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MY GAMING EXPERIENCE
So, in the good old days, I was doing some hardcore gaming, having like World of Warcraft and League of Legends open and playing at the same time. I was having for example, World of Warcraft in Ultra Graphics, League of Legends with all settings maxed out. But when I started playing Minecraft I was having more problems than other games. Especially then, I noticed that I was lagging a lot, and I like playing games with full graphics and not lowering them down, and this was a game that I would have to lower the settings down because with my PC, Minecraft is unplayable with maxed graphics (in the beginning it was running it great, like almost every game,
with some exceptions when I consider my PC logical to lag, when I push my computer really hard doing stuff). Also in WoW, when I am in an area with many people I have lag and my fps drop dramatically even when I walk. Same thing happens in LoL, when I am having a teamfight I can't bear with it.
MY PAST
So I said that I have to fix this problem. In order for me to have a better gaming experience, and to make my PC better. I thought that cleaning it up would work. And it did, but half a year now, this is not working. Every time I format my computer I got the same problems, only by the fact that I just re-download the games, and loading up my computer with files (filling only 15% of my hard drive), it causes lag, occasional freezes and most importantly BSODs. If I remember correctly it must have been 5-6 times in all those years that I formatted my computer. I don't want to over do it because I know that formatting a hard drive multiple times can cause damages.
MY PLAN
Now here is the thing, I want to upgrade my computer because I struggle when playing games even though I could do almost whatever I wanted when I first got my computer, I can't seem to find a solution to that problem. So, I am writing here in order for someone that is good enough around PC hardware and is willing to help me upgrade my PC. The PC that I need would be one that runs the games I play with all settings maxed out, has no lag - high fps.
ALTERNATIVE OPTION
If that won't work I could just build a new PC. My only problem is that I don't want to throw away my
current PC because I think it has good stuff in it, so I would like to take that as an advantage and better build the parts around it.
EXTRA STUFF
Some games I would like to mention in order for you to have an idea would be: World of Warcraft,
League of Legends, Minecraft, Skyrim, Diablo III, Hearthstone. Also I am doing some video/image editing (After Effects, Photoshop, Sony Vegas), I don't know if it requires extra/better parts, if it does I would appreciate your opinion although I wont just upgrade my PC only for that specific reason and its not my main goal, my main goal is gaming, I am just mentioning it. The only thing that is almost certain is that I am going to buy at least one SSD in order to copy and backup my files, and probably my videos/pictures because I have a lot.
MY COMPUTER
CPU: Intel Core i7 950 @ 3.07 GHz (4 cores I believe but 8 virtual)
RAM: 2x 2GB DDR3 Transcend 1333 CL9 DIMM
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
MOTHERBOARD: Foxconn Flaming Blade (Chipset: Intel X58 ICH10R)
POWER SUPPLY: Don't know exactly but I will write you whatever says on the sticker:
AC INPUT: 200-240v ~ 5A
FREQUENCY: 50-60 Hz
OUTPUT POWER: 550 W
+5V 20A 140W Max
+3.3V 20A 140W Max
+12V1 15A 264W Max
+12V2 14A 264W Max
-12V 0.5A 6W Max
+5Vab 2.5A 12W Max
HARD DRIVE: Seagate 1 TB
CASE: Don't know, here are the dimensions:
Length: 20.5 - 21 cm
Height: 49.5 - 50cm
Width: 51.5 cm
OPERATING SYSTEM: Windows 7 Ultimate Edition x64 bit
MONITOR: LG 27MT55D
BUDGET
I really have no budget but I want every part to be in logical prices, not crazy stuff. I don't want to build a nuclear machine but a stable PC. I say NO to extremely cheap stuff that don't work well and causes problems to the PC or slows it down. I want the best stuff but not the best of the best, if you know what I mean.
SUGGESTIONS
A combo would be great from newegg for example, also I see that amazon has great deals too nowadays (Back 2 School). But, I would rather get the parts from a site of my preference, as long as I find them there of course. So don't bother that much, just want opinions but if I don't find what I need, I will go with yours.
MY OPINION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU: I would consider AMD FX-8350 as a viable CPU option but I want some feedback on that or maybe some other recommendations about another CPU.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RAM: I want my RAM to be 2x 4GBS because only the fact that Minecraft is running with Java, I believe that 4 GBS are not enough as it demands a lot of RAM to run smoothly. I don't know if more RAM would do the job better or if it is really needed, but I think I can roll with that. Correct me if I am wrong. Or maybe the CPU is the main problem, and RAM doesn't matter that much, really I don't know.
Question: What will happen to my other RAM that I already have? (2x 2GBS) I heard that you can't use 2 different sets at the same time, because I was thinking keeping my RAM and just throwing in another 4 GB RAM since my motherboard has 3 slots.
Random Fact: One day I tried to put 1 of my 2 2GB RAM on the 3rd slot, while keeping the other RAM on the 1st or the 2nd slot. The only slot that worked was the 1st/2nd slot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GPU: I have no idea on what to get, or if it needs an upgrade, please suggest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOTHERBOARD: No idea if it needs an upgrade, suggest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POWER SUPPLY: No clue
Question: Does it matter what power supply you have? I know that its more economical to have a better one I guess, but any other benefits?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARD DRIVE: Don't need one, but an SSD is another story.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SSD: I don't want to get too hard on that, although I think Kingston HyperX 3K SH103S3/120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive is really good but again, correct me if I am wrong and express your own opinions about an SSD. What I could do is have an SSD entirely for running games, or another thing I could do is install Windows on an SSD and have it only for that.
Question 1: Does it really matter if I install windows or run games from the SSD? Is it worth it?
Question 2: Is it okay if I put more stuff in the SSD if I decide to install windows on it, or having games running from it?
Question 3: If I buy a second SSD only to install windows or run games from it which does worth more? windows or games? (I will buy one 100% but for backup purposes and in order to transfer files)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASE: The case that I have is a bit broken on the side, the left side got plastic so you can see inside and my feet keep on pushing on that side while playing so it has quite a big hole on the side (gathers up a lot of dust through time) so if I get that replaced it would be cool. Have no idea what the model is but it's quite big, anyways I don't really care about that, but if I get one I would like it to be kinda cheap.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING SYSTEM: Since I already bought Windows 7 Ultimate Edition x64 that's what I will be installing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONITOR: My previous crappy monitor just wouldn't turn on 1 week ago, don't know what happened to it but I think its because I over-used it and have it for more than 8 years. So, I bought this LG and I am happy, so far so good.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I DO NOT need: Hard Drive, Operating System, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers/Headphones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for reading my post, I hope I will get some nice advice from you. If someone could answer my questions too, it would be great. Also, if you noticed any mistakes in this post please forgive me, and you are free to correct me, since English is not my native language. Thanks again!
DISCLAIMER!!! I am not posting this to get advice on how to improve my current PC while keeping exactly the same parts as I have them, I am posting this in order to get advice on what parts to buy for my new PC, if you think that my PC sucks entirely, then you can suggest me one to build from scratch.
your MB supports upto 2000 mhz DDR3. You will be fine with that Corsair.
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