Step by step upgrade with FX-8320

Elris76 · Sep 5, 2014

Hi,
I've got a Dell Dimension 9200. Unfortunately my motherboard is broken, so I decided to upgrade my desktop. I've got a limited budget so I would like to add more components in the next months and to use some hardware from the Dimension in the meanwhile.

In my new desktop I'd like to put at the beginning:
AMD AM3+ FX-8320 Box CPU
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P Motherboard SoAM3+, 970, ATX
Kingston HyperX Fury Memory Red RAM DIMM 8 GB 1866 MHz, DDR3, Class 10,
Zalman Z3 Plus
Thermaltake Berlin 630W

I'd take from my Dimension:
hard disk Seagate 500gb
Geforce GT 8800
SoundBlaster X-Fi
DVD reader/writer

Later I'd like to buy:
Samsung MZ-7TE250BW 840 EVO SSD, 2.5 , 250 GB
Sapphire R9 280X 3GB Toxic
Kingston HyperX Fury Memory Red RAM DIMM 8 GB 1866 MHz, DDR3, Class 10,

I'm working on my pc all day, using Office, Photoshop, Premiere, AfterEffects and playing some video games.

What do you think of this machine?

Thanks for your help!

Eximo · Sep 5, 2014

Everything seems fine except for the power supply. Might want to change to an 80+ bronze supply for a little more efficiency. The thermaltake also seems to be a little more expensive then similar power supplies.

Depends on what is available in your area, but I usually lean toward XFX650W, Antec 620 High Power, Corsair AX and HX series, Superflower, and a few others.

Elris76 · Sep 5, 2014

Hi Eximo and thanks for your reply. On Amazon I could buy the Fx 8350 for 30€+. Is it worth?
All those power units are available on Amazon.it. The XFX seems to be the cheapest one. Do you suggest it? http://www.amazon.it/XFX-P1-650S-NLB9-Core-Edition-Alimentazione/dp/B0045L5LGI/

NightAntilli · Sep 5, 2014

The 30 euros is not worth the 500MHz increase in frequency. You won't really notice a difference.
As for your power supply, I personally don't go for anything other than 80Plus Gold these days. If you can put 30 euros on top of your power supply instead, that would be better.

Elris76 · Sep 5, 2014

NightAntilli :

Thank you so much!

Which one do you mean? Amazon gives me many results... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=80Plus%20Gold

NightAntilli · Sep 5, 2014

If you can afford it, I recommend the eVGA G2 750W.
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-SuperNOVA-80PLUS-Certified-220-G2-0750-XR/dp/B00IKDETOW/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1409930717&sr=8-11&keywords=80Plus+Gold

If not, something like the Rosewill CAPSTONE 650W will do:
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Certified-Supply-ATX12V-CAPSTONE-650-M/dp/B00822BTLC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1409930717&sr=8-6&keywords=80Plus+Gold

Elris76 · Sep 5, 2014

I can't afford them, but I will.
Can I use this one in the meanwhile: Tecnoware FAL502FS12 - http://www.amazon.it/Tecnoware-FAL502FS12-Alimentatore-Interno-Silent/dp/B00AARNV4U - (sorry for the Italian link!)
I'm using it in my Dimension and I would use it for a month in the new system.

Does it have everything I need?
Could it damage the new components?

I would use it with the new case + motherboard + cpu and RAM, but with the old Geforce GT 8800.

Thanks!

Eximo · Sep 5, 2014

If you have enough power connectors for everything now, including your 8800GT you should have enough to run everything for a while with that supply. Certainly don't try out any overclocking though.

That XFX you listed isn't a model I am familiar with, looks like a re-branded version of someone else's product. Got some decent reviews though.

ScrewySqrl · Sep 5, 2014

XFX is usually a rebranded Seasonic, very top flight quality, and always worth it. and IMHO 80+ Bronze is good enough. For most electronics, the difference in savings on your electric bill by using an 80+ gold PSU instead of 80+ bronze is in the pennies-per-month range. It might take 10-25 years for the gold to pay for itself

Eximo · Sep 5, 2014

ScrewySqrl :

Not so sure, it doesn't look like the same XFX model they sell in the US. Could just be styling, but I would bet on a different OEM.

~15 cents (my rates are much higher) per KW\Hr at 500W Load at 82% (609W at the wall) versus 85% (588W at the wall) efficiency.

24 hours a day for 30 days will be about a $2.25 difference a month, it would pay for the extra cost in the first year if run continuously under load. Assuming an eight hour daily usage, it would still only take 3 years. The benefits though are more stable power as the design has to be improved to achieve better efficiency.

NightAntilli · Sep 5, 2014

Generally, only high quality components are able to achieve a high efficiency. So as a general rule, the higher the efficiency, the higher the quality of the power supply. In other words, I don't do it for saving the pennies only, but also to get a power supply that I know will last. That EVGA for example, has a 10 year warranty...

Bronze is definitely good in general as well. Basically, I suggest you look at which power supply falls into your budget. This tier list should give you an idea which is good enough.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Edit: As for that power supply you linked to the italian amazon, I can bet that your system will shut down if you put your CPU or GPU under load with it. If you do use it for a month, do light tasks only. I personally would not put it in my system at all. It's not uncommon for cheap power supplies to catch fire and burn other components.

Elris76 · Sep 5, 2014

Thanks! Then I'll add the power supply from the beginning

Elris76 · Sep 5, 2014

Which video card do you suggest? My primary goal is productivity with Adobe software (Premiere + After Effects + Photoshop)... but some nice games would not be bad

ScrewySqrl · Sep 5, 2014

how much do you want to spend on the video card?

NightAntilli · Sep 6, 2014

If you want to upgrade your 8800GT I suggest something along the lines of the R9 270X. Depending on your budget we can see if we can ramp it up, or if we need to lower it, and if it's worth going for something lower.

ScrewySqrl · Sep 6, 2014

if you can swing it, the best bang-fir-your-buck video card is the R9 280 at $199

Elris76 · Sep 8, 2014

Awesome... great help... I'll go for the R9 280.

Now.. my biggest problem is the power supply. I spent hours browsing the list that you suggested, but I still can't decide. I can't see many differenced among them

Elris76 · Sep 8, 2014

According to Amazon buyers, Corsair CX 750M could be good. What do you think? http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Series-Modular-Bronze-ATX12V/dp/B00ALK3KEM/ref=zg_bs_1161760_1

NightAntilli · Sep 8, 2014

It's a very popular one. It's considered a tier 3 PSU, which means you can consider it a mid-range quality PSU and it should power everything you have without any problems. Would not be my choice if you want to overclock or run dual cards in the future, but, it's a best seller for a reason. If 80 dollars is all you have/want to spend, I'd say go for it.

Pro tip: Always read the 1 star reviews, and determine for yourself if those reviews sound genuine or not, and evaluate whether you're willing to risk it.

Elris76 · Sep 9, 2014

NightAntilli :

I'd like to add two video cards in the future... is there a better choice?

NightAntilli · Sep 9, 2014

I don't think there is a better 750W choice at that price range. You'll have to increase your budget with around 30 dollars to get a better quality power supply rated at 750W.

Elris76 · Sep 9, 2014

Ok, I browser on Amazon all the power supply units in the tier one section of this list. Again it seems that the Corsair Professional Series 760 Watt ATX http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Professional-Series-Modular-Platinum/dp/B00A0HZMEM/ for $ 158 is the less expansive with the best quality. Maybe the Antec HCP-750 is cheapest one, but the Corsair looks great!

Elris76 · Sep 9, 2014

And the Cooler Master V850 has the same price and it's still in the tier 1 section

NightAntilli · Sep 9, 2014

If I had to choose between those two, I'd go for the Cooler Master V. Platinum power supplies are imo not worth it. Gold is the sweet spot.

However, instead of going for the Cooler Master V, I'd prefer the EVGA Supernova G2.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-SuperNOVA-80PLUS-Certified-220-G2-0850-XR/dp/B00IKDETOC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1410276948&sr=8-3&keywords=EVGA+Supernova+G2

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