New Gaming System

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mike30

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Feb 10, 2010
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Hi, I'm currently looking for a new gaming system.

First, this is what I currently have

Mobo: ASUS P5Q
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale
GPU: ASUS 9800 GT Ultimate 512MB
RAM: 4GB Kingston KVR 800mhz
PSU: Antec TP 550W
HD: Western Digital 500GB Sata
Screen: NEC 22inch 2 MS Max res 1680*1050
Case: APEVIA XSuperAlien Blue

gaming mouse, keyboard .....


I'm currently looking to upgrade this system and I read about the i7 vs the E8500 and I'm not sure if I'm doing the good choices.

Here what Im looking for (around 1400$CA).
Mobo: ASUS P6T SE
CPU: Intel Core I7 920
GPU: EVGA GTX 260 626mhz. ( they are fairly cheap and I dont wanna pay 2 GPU at 400$)
2nd GPU: EVGA GTX 260 626mhz.
RAM: 4GB Corsair DDR3 TwinX 1333mhz
PSU: Anything around 850W ( which i think is enough to run this system unless i really need a 1000W )
HD: Same as previous or any other 500GB SATA2 ( I'm not sure what would be the best )
Screen: Same
Case: Same

I want my next system to be good for the next 2 years at least. Is it a good system and will I get the maximum performance with theses component? Or should I check a few cheaper components and I will get what I want?

P.S. I'm not looking to overclock anything....
 
Solution
MadAdmiral
The next best thing is the 5870. If you can wait to buy it, you should.

The 5970 is essentially two 5870s on one card. The cores have been downclocked to match the 5850.

In addition, you won't really notice any difference between the 5870 and 5970. Both will have performance above what can be output on a monitor (for most games). The difference is how soon you need to upgrade. The 5870 should last for 3-4 years without an upgrade. The 5970 will likely last 5-6 years.
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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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Don't get a nVidia GPU. Also, don't go with a dual card solution off the bat. The HD 5870 should be in the budget.

You might want to consider an i5 build for gaming. It's just as good as the i7, but much, much cheaper. A good mobo for the i5 is the Asus P7P55D-E Pro.

RAM: Corsair is expensive. Check out G.Skill sticks.

PSU: 850W is more than enough. Stick to Corsair, Antec Earthwatts, OCZ, FSP, SeaSonic or Silverstone. All of these will be good quality.

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500 GB. It's the best by far.
 
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mike30

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Awesome, I should be good for the next 2 years with that?

I should save a few bucks with this system.
All this running with Windows 7 64 or 32bit? ( I still have XP SP3 )

What about a
CPU: INTEL CORE I5 750 2.66G/8M/S1156

 
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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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Definitely longer than 2 years. More like 3-4 years without needing upgrades, 4.5-5.5 years with a GPU upgrade/replacement. If you're only worried about 2 years, you could easily get that with a $700 AM3 build.

That's the i5 I was talking about.

You should definitely be running Windows 7 64-bit if you upgrade ($105 for the OEM version). You don't have to run it though.
 
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mike30

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Great thx a bunch.

I'll jump to the I5 instead of keeping my current system. I want to save a few upgrade in the next 3-4 years ( I'm buying a house soon...LOL )

I'll get madamiral system ( I was lurking for a I5 but I wasnt sure.)

Last Advice I need

About the HD5870..... I dunno which brand to choose. I mean, Saphireand XFX seems good or the HIS 5870 Builderbobftw provided ( which is not available currently to my local retailer and Im not a fan of newegg)

So I have 2 or 3 available HD 5870 cards.

XFX RAD HD5870 1024M HDMI
APPHIRE PCIE RAD HD5870 VAPOR-X 1024M LITE
APPHIRE PCIE RAD HD5870 1024M HDMI LITE




 
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builderbobftw

builderbobftw

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Go for XFX. Double lifetime warrenty is nice, if you want to sell it in a few years. But you should rwaly consider staying with ur current CPU/MOBO and jsut get a new PSU and spend some money on maybe a 5970 if you realy want to spend.
 
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mike30

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I read about the E8500 which is a good CPU. I considered to keep it.

But would I be limited to the maximum performance with this CPU?
Let say I get a 850W PSU and a good HD5870.... would I be fine?


What would be the gain to jump to a I5 processor with a motherboard supporting DDR3 vs my old system.

If the gain is only 5% increase in performance....I agree ill stick with my old system....but if the gain is over 15%-20% and I'm fine for the next 2-3 years..... why not switching?

I wasn't sure if only change my PSU & GPU was the best solution and looked for a new system. But, if you can confirm that only change these 2 components would be a huge increase and I'll stick with it in the next 2-4 years.... I'll consider just changing my PSU and GPU

Well, anyway, ill consider both scenario...
-Scenario #1, buy a 850W PSU with a good HD 5870 or maybe a 5970
-Scenario #2, but a new I5 system.

P.S. Thx for your advices guy and the time you take to answer!
 
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MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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You should be fine, but the LGA775 socket is basically dead. You should definitely begin planning to upgrade.

Hard to say. If that's the only change, you wouldn't get much FPS. If you were to get a better GPU, it'd be a little more than the difference between the GPUs. However, you would definitely be in a better position to continue with the build for a number of years.

You can always do #1, and plan to do #2 in year or so.
 
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mike30

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The 5970 seems to be a crazy card.

I have the
SAPPHIRE PCIE RAD HD5970 2048M available to my retail store. 715$CA With a good 850W PSU around 174$CA

Thats seems crazy enough to run all my game at crazy setting with my E8500?


And MadAmiral..I think Ill go that way..Scenario 1....and next time...CPU + Mobo + Ram....

With this GPU I should be fine for long.
 
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mike30

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I should have say it first but Im mostly upgrading my system to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 with max setting.

Recommended Frostbite PC Specifications for BFBC2 & BF1943
Processor: Quadcore
Main memory: 2GB
Graphics card: GeForce GTX 260
Graphics memory: 512MB
OS: Windows Vista or Windows 7
Free HDD space: 15GB for Digital Version, 10GB for Disc Version (BFBC2)
10GB for Digital Version, 4GB for Disc Version (BF1943)


So my main concern is, even with my Core 2 Duo E8500 and a new PSU and GPU..ill be fine right?
 
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mike30

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Awesome. This saved me a lot of cash and I'll upgrade the rest later.
This video card seems a beast. I should get an increase in my FPS vs my old 9800GT Ultimate


P.S. on newegg.ca..... all the HD5970 are unavailable :fou:


Last question I swear....
Should I jump to Windows 7 ASAP?
 
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