Possibly due for an upgrade?

TDUBS · Oct 28, 2014

Hello!

After figuring out some things on my previous threads, I'm now thinking about doing some minor upgrades to my current build. I want your input, suggestions, or whatever you think is good. Basically, listed below is my current build and I'm not 100% sure what to upgrade. I have a small budget, but could possibly expand if needed.

Current Build:
ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX motherboard (just upgraded).
AMD Vishera 6300 processor (just upgraded).
1GB MSI HD Radeon 7770 GHz edition GPU (eventually going to upgrade).
8GB G.Skill Sniper Series 1333 RAM (possibly upgrade to 16GB).
Coolermaster Hyper Evo 212 aftermarket CPU cooler.
1TB Seagate Barracuda HDD.
Corsair CX600M Builder Series PSU (possibly upgrading to fully modular).
Thermaltake Amour Revo Gene case (planning on changing to H440 or better).

So basically whatever is italicized, I'm thinking i due to a upgrade. I'm not "in need" of a new GPU as I don't game much, and when I do - I don't have issues. I just feel like an upgrade on it might be good for a change.

What're your thoughts? What do you recommend?

Thanks!

Darkbreeze · Oct 28, 2014

The first thing I'd upgrade, before anything else, and certainly before upgrading the GPU, would be the power supply. You've got a Tier 3 PSU (http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html) and while that's not terrible, it's not entirely great either. Considering that nothing works well if the PSU does not, and everything tends to work BETTER, when the PSU is of a high quality, it should be the cornerstone of any build regardless of purpose.

What PSU and it's capacity is largely dependent on the GPU you go with, so it's a good idea, to have an idea, of what that will be. For the most part, you want something that is Tier 2B or higher on the list at the above link, but just about anything of acceptable capacity by Seasonic, XFX, Antec, Superflower or a good many of the Delta made units are good choices.

For you, with a budget that's likely, cheaper is better, I'd recommend XFX units which are made by Seasonic and well respected as quality built supplies but are generally a little bit less of an investment than Seasonic branded units. Pay attention to model number or series on the Tier list as many brands have both good and bad PSUs and it's quite common for them to have models with similar but different series names.

-HH- · Oct 28, 2014

here's what I'd personally upgrade to!

CoolerMaster VS 650 (modular PSU)
Nivdia GTX 750Ti 1 GB gigabyte windforce
8 gb of 1600 mhz ddr3 RAM (Ripjaws)
all couped into my person preference of case an InWin 904 (If you have the money to show it off like that)
if not I'd recommend something like an NZXT H440

Darkbreeze · Oct 28, 2014

-HH- :

The cooler master is usually more expensive than Seasonic models in EU and far Eastern countries, but I guess that could go either way.

The NZXT case is a poor choice for the price with no external drive bay, for optical or hot swap drives, or even fan controls, has very little room for cable management behind the MB and the PSU bay isn't highly compatible, as seen here:
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NZXT/H440/6.html

The InWin case has a few issues as well, like lack of support for tall CPU coolers but is a better choice than the NZXT. IMO there are better choices overall for similar prices and since cases are so individualized when it comes to preference I usually like to leave that to the OP unless they specifically ask for recommendations or have picked out a case known to be a lemon.

And while the 750 ti IS an upgrade over the 7770, it's not much of one. IF you're going to upgrade you might as well step up to, at minimum, a GTX 760 or R9 270x, at minimum. Otherwise the performance gains aren't really worth the investment.

He already has 8GB of RAM, so an upgrade to 8gb is no upgrade.

OP, get the best PSU you can afford right now, and then you won't be limited in what you can do later as far as upgrades are concerned. Plus, you'll have the piece of mind that comes with knowing your system isn't a ticking time bomb.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html

TDUBS · Oct 29, 2014

Thank you both for good responses. I ended up going with the NZXT H440 case as I don't use an optical drive unless it's absolutely needed. I only found that it was needed maybe 3 times out of the time I've been working on this build. I figured that with the parts I have now, I'm not worried about having tons of space until I'm ready to buy a nice GPU. I also went ahead and bought another 8GB of RAM, as I was looking at the R9 270x and the GTX 760, which both only offered 2GB; a step up from the 7770 by 1GB which I probably won't even see the difference in. Now that I've purchased those 2 things, I can continue saving for a new GPU and Power Supply. If I'm going to upgrade my GPU, I'm going to want to upgrade where it's going to make a difference and I'll notice it.

As far as a PSU, I'm definitely going to get that next.. with having a budget, my job pays well - yes. But I've got more important things such as bills I pay before I can upgrade my build. That being said, I only spend what I have extra to spend. If that means a PSU first, then the final upgrade of a GPU for now until it's due time for a bigger upgrade, then so be it. I'll definitely keep that list of PSU's in mind when buying one as well. I'm not on a tight budget for PSU's as I know quality ones will last longer. I'm hesitant with SeaSonic as most people complained about theirs burning out in 6 months, even with no wear and tear but on the other hand, I've heard it's an excellent PSU brand.

Darkbreeze · Oct 29, 2014

It's the #1 PSU brand if you ask almost anybody who knows what's what. They really don't make any bad units and a large majority of other PSU brands that are considered to be of high quality, are made by Seasonic. Most brands out there DON't make their PSUs, they have somebody like Seasonic, Superflower, Delta or Channel Well make them. Of all the manufacturers out there Seasonic has to be in the top three if not #1 spot. That being said, ANY electronic component can fail right out of the box.

WHO you buy them from can even make a difference as not all resellers are as careful with their warehousing and shipping procedures as another vendor might be. As you can imagine, dropping electronics off a pallet or using a budget shipper that isn't careful with cargo can make an otherwise quality unit into a POS. Seasonic has no problem warranting their products so if you ever did get a bad one, they or the seller would surely take care of you in a timely fashion.

I know it sounds like a sales pitch for Seasonic but when you consider that XFX, Antec, Arctic Cooling, Be Quiet, Cooler Master, Corsair, NZXT, PC Power and Cooling, Silverpower and Silverstone, among others, all contract with Seasonic to have some of their better units made, you can begin to see why.

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