Need assistance with upgrading

Korasii · Apr 30, 2015

I am upgrading my PC's GPU, CPU, and motherboard. Currently, I am using a CyberpowerPC GUA380. I upgraded the GPU to a GTX 750 Ti SC and the PSU to a 500w. I'm still using the same case for it and was wondering if these new components would fit. Here is the motherboard - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Asus-Z97-A-Desktop-Motherboar... The GPU - http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-STRIX-GTX970-DC20C-4GD5-Grap... The processor - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Intel-Core-i5-4690K-Processor...

Also, will the fan that comes with the 4690k be enough cooling? And will I need to buy RAM sticks, or just continue to use the ones included with the GUA380?

Would all of these work and fit in my case? I just want to be completely sure before buying.
Thanks

RaDiKaL_ · Apr 30, 2015

Neither of your links work, however the i5-4690k will work with that Asus Z97 board (reading info on links) and also with that GTX 970, a 500w PSU might not be enough if the PSU isn't a quality one, also couldn't find exact info regarding the space in that case, while the mobo will fit, the GPU might be too long for it.

Your current RAM should work on that new board.

The CPU stock cooler will be enough.

badboyrog2 · Apr 30, 2015

thermaltake Commander MS-I pc case
CPU cooler height limitation: 170mm VGA length limitation: 320mm

so you can choose the components you want ...it should fit in the case if you follow the clearance specs above

turbopiki · Apr 30, 2015

I agree wiht RaDiKaL_ but if you are going with the stock cooler for i5 4690k i assume that you wont OC. So i would change CPU for XEON E3 1231 v3 and H97 motherboard

Korasii · Apr 30, 2015

RaDiKaL_ :

First of all, thanks for the help. Secondly, I don't want to spend much on a case. If you have any cheap case suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. For my PSU, it is a Corsair CX500. So by the looks of it I will probably be buying a case, I'm just not sure on which one.

badboyrog2 · Apr 30, 2015

did you red my post??? seems usefull for you since i talked about your pc case dimensions ???...

Korasii · Apr 30, 2015

badboyrog2 :

I read your post, but honestly, I don't like my current case, and would gladly get a bigger one. I don't want to spend to much on one though. I would like to purchase one from Walmart, just because I have a gift card for it. The one you chose looks too similar to mine, which I don't like. If you could find any on the walmart page, I would really appreciate it. As for the cooler, I don't plan to OC my CPU until later. I want to just use the stock fan for now.

lcp1109 · Apr 30, 2015

you can keed ram, you dont need more then 8gb for gaming.

Since that GPU is 10'' long, it will fit, either if you have this one http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model_Specification.aspx?id=C_00001772 (12,5'') or this one http://www.corsair.com/en/carbide-series-spec-01-red-led-mid-tower-gaming-case (16,2'')

I think you should go with usb 3.1:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($224.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A/USB 3.1 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($145.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($334.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $705.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-30 18:53 EDT-0400

turbopiki have a pretty good point when he suggested E3-1231, because with the PSU you have you should not overclock, and overclocking is not really necessary in gaming. With E3 you would have better multitasking performance, and maybe the CPU will be useful for a longer then the i5.

If you go E3 I think you should also go with an h97 board (60$ is too much money to pay only to have usb 3.1, I think), unless there is any other feature you want to have that is only available with Z97, like SLI. If yes, go with the board suggested on my first build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($231.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($84.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB FTW ACX 2.0 Video Card ($334.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $651.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-30 19:50 EDT-0400

EDIT: if you want a new case because you dont like the one you have, you will have to find one your self and then ask here for opinions, or at least show us some pictures of the type of case you would like to have, including colors, leds, side windows and shapes.

Korasii · Apr 30, 2015

lcp1109 :

Thanks for the help and suggestions in builds, but I'd like to purchase some of the items from Walmart. I have a gift card and discount, so I might as well. As for the CPU, I think I am going to go with the i5 4690k. I'll probably get the EVGA GTX 970 FTW, but I'm still not sure about the motherboard and the case. Like I said, I wanted to get most of the items from walmart, but some things aren't on their website. For the case, this one seems to be pretty nice looking - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Thermaltake-Versa-H35-Window-Mid-tower-Chassis-ATX-Case-2x-5.25-Drive-Bays-3x-3.5-Drive-Bays-2x-2.5-Drive-Bays/43940567

As for the motherboard, I like the one you suggested - http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-Anniversary-1150-Intel-Motherboard/dp/B00MN6RVY2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1430438655&sr=1-1&keywords=ASRock+Z97+Anniversary+ATX+LGA1150+Motherboard
but I'm not really fond of the blue. I know it sounds silly, but I would prefer the PC to be more black and red. If you could let me know what you think, I would appreciate it.
Thanks

lcp1109 · Apr 30, 2015

IT seems to be a very good case,

black and red motherboards: http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#C=19&sort=a8&page=1

Motherboard is almost all about features (number of usb, type of lan, OC capability, SLI, etc) and aesthetics, in therms of performance you will not notice big differences.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/MSI-Z97-GAMING-5-Motherboard-ATX-Intel-Z97-Express-LGA1150-Socket-1600MHz-D/37669889
http://www.walmart.com/ip/GIGABYTE-GA-Z97MX-GAMING-5-Z97-Micro-ATX-Motherboard-LGA1150-Socket-Intel-Z97/37675110

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8582/msi-z97-gaming-5-motherboard-review-five-is-alive/7 (one of the red and black available at wallmart)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/Z97_GAMING_5/

RaDiKaL_ · Apr 30, 2015

Before you jump into getting a new case, since budget is an issue, Corsair CX series are built with low quality components, it won't last you for long and when pushed to its limits it has proven to fail more often than desired:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/01/21/corsair_cx750_750w_power_supply_review/6

http://www.overclock.net/t/1431436/why-you-should-not-buy-a-corsair-cx

That PSU paired with your GTX 970 might work with light games, throw in some latest game at max settings and that may be the end of it, so consider that in your budget, I'd say keep your current case since it seems that it can fit your GPU according to other posts here and invest on a better PSU, a Seasonic, Antec, Superflower, XFX or EVGA 550w+ bronze certified will do just fine.

lcp1109 · Apr 30, 2015

I dont think you will have any problems with CX 500, unless you try to overclock CPU or GPU (dont do it). But when you can, it will not hurt you if you buy a better PSU

Korasii · Apr 30, 2015

lcp1109 :

From asking other people, they said it is "base line," and I should upgrade the PSU over the case.

Korasii · Apr 30, 2015

I have also heard I have to reinstall Windows when changing motherboards. Since I bought the CyberpowerPC GUA380 and it came with Windows, will I just need the product key to reinstall it? Or will I have to buy another install disc? I have heard Windows 8 allows you to install it on 3 different PCs but I'm not sure. If you have switched motherboards and have done this, please let me know what happened.
Thanks

lcp1109 · May 1, 2015

yep, you should upgrade it when you can but it will not blow up your computer if you dont, unless you start overclocking. And yes, between changing PSU or case, you should change PSU. Didnt find any thing decent at wallmart

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii520bronze
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550gts3x
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-s12ii620bronze

Korasii · May 1, 2015

lcp1109 :

Thanks for the help, but do you know about having to reinstall windows when switching motherboards?

lcp1109 · May 1, 2015

Korasii :

I never tried to install windows 8 ins a different motherboard (I have mine for several years now), but it seems that you can, but you will have to activate it by phone:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/why-activate-windows

Hardware changes
If you made substantial hardware changes to your PC, such as replacing your hard drive or motherboard, you'll need to activate Windows by phone. To learn how, go to the product activation article.

It seems that you have a limit of the number of times you can install windows on a difference motherboard. Check this thread, they might help you:

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1877571/install-windows-motherboard-cpu-swap.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1759681/fwiw-hassle-windows-reactivation-motherboard-replacement.html

Need assistance with upgrading

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