Updating a 2yo Gaming PC

[Fohmyn]

Hey guys,

I'm sitting on a PC I built a little under two years ago for about $1350 at the time. I'll post its current specs and what I think I might be able to salvage from it.

CPU: Intel E8500
MOBO: ASUS P5N-D
GPU: Nvidia 9800GTX+
RAM: Muskin 2x2GB DDR2 800Mhz
HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200rpm 32MB cache in Raid 0
Case: Antec 900
PSU: Antec TPQ-850, 850W

I've got my keyboard, mouse, headset. Don't need a sound card or a network card. The PSU is overkill for what I have in there, I was originally planning to get a second 9800GTX to run in SLI, but the case can only fit one- it's like an 11 inch card.

I was hoping to be able to salvage the PSU, the case, and potentially the HDDs. Now, if I'd be better off getting rid of any of those, it can be done (for example, if the perfect motherboard won't fit). A goal of mine in my last two builds that I have not yet recognized is to run a dual-monitor setup while gaming. With that in mind, I'd like to see options that examine 2x GPUs, or a single more powerful GPU.




APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: As soon as possible.

BUDGET: I'm willing to pay a reasonable amount to update this. If I replace the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and RAM, I'm looking under or around $1000. If I throw in a new OS, monitor, or whatever else, I can go over that budget.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Mostly gaming. I'd like to (not essential) get a dual-monitor setup and be able to game while surfing, running a few messenger programs, voice chat, and/or playing music/video.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: You tell me. My specs are above, I was thinking my case, PSU, and maybe my HDDs are acceptable to keep.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: It doesn't matter. I've had good experience with Newegg and if there is no price difference, I'd prefer to send them my business.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: Doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me.

OVERCLOCKING: I haven't done it before but I'd be okay with trying it.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Hopefully.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I'm looking for a new monitor. 1080p seems to be the new standard, so I could start with that.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I'm planning on running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit on it.

I appreciate your time and any assistance you might be able to provide.
-Fohmyn

 

[fastx21]

Honestly I think you're looking to replace everything but the Psu and case. HDDs maybe but the 500GB platter drives are certainly faster then the ones 2 years ago.

For $1,000 I think you can easily swing a i5 750, 5870, a $200 1136 board and a g.skill cas7 set. That should rougly be $900. I'll wait for someone else to recommend you a mobo, seeing as how that's my weakpoint.

But for others
i5 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product
G.Skill http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=g.skill_ripjaws_ddr3_1600_4gb-_-20-231-303-_-Product
5870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102883&cm_re=5870-_-14-102-883-_-Product
(Certainly you can get a 2GB version but at that point I think you might as well get a 5970 if budget allows)

And if we must...
7200.12 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433&cm_re=seagate_7200.12-_-22-148-433-_-Product

 

[calinkula]

I don't see why you want to replace it completely. For a gaming rig it's still respectable. I would upgrade the monitor, buy a 5850/5870 and OC the CPU a little.

The benefit of that upgrade is that if you're still unhappy with the rig after that, you didn't buy anything that would wouldn't have normally bought for the rebuild.

 

[Fohmyn]

Thanks for the quick replies. I like the look of the i5, its a nice balance of price and power. I was seeing on other threads a lot of recommendations for this mobo:
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

In terms of the HDDs, what I have are somewhat comparable to what I'd be looking at buying, so i figured I might as well just stick with them unless there's a great deal to be had. They've got adequate storage, and with them in Raid 0, I imagine they're better than any single equivalent drive I'd find on the cheap. If there's a better option, I'm happy to consider it.

In terms of the graphics card, would it be better to run two cheaper cards in SLI for a dual-monitor setup, or shell out for a single nice card? Also, case space is an important constraint, if the cards are comparable in size to my current 9800GTX.

The reason I'm doing the rebuild is not all performance (though I'll pay to keep it modern for a couple more years). Windows 7/DX11 released since my last build, and I'm going to give it a try. I also want the option to run it dual monitor. It makes my mouth water.

 

[dndhatcher]

An antec 900 can easily handle a pair of 9800 GTX+ (10.5 inch) cards. The drive bays are moveable and the interior fan clip is removable. Put your DVD drive at the bottom and move the drive bays up. Put the empty/no fan clip drive bay at the correct elevation for the graphics cards. This will make the front fan blow cool air straight into the GPU air intakes and provides great cooling.

A 5870 is 1/2 inch longer (11 inch) than a 9800 GTX+ but should still fit if you put an empty drive bay in front of it.

In general a single more powerful card will get better performance than two cheaper cards.

 

[MorkS]

If I were you and wanted to upgrade I would probably just upgrade (in this order) the video card, maybe the CPU and maybe the RAM.

I'd save your money for a year or two down the road when you're going to want to do a completely new build.

I am running a similar setup (except I have a core 2 quad and a slightly older video card) and honestly all I need to do to really stay current for video games is get a new video card.

 

[asteldian]

I agree, grab a powerful card 5870 for 2 screen set up and then OC your CPU and see how things go.

If you still feel the need for an overhaul then fastx21 has listed good components, add the Asus P7P55D E Pro, like you have spotted - it is a great mobo.

The PSU you can keep. HDD you can upgrade to the Samsung Spinpoint 500gb for $54 if you want that extra bit of performance, otherwise save that bit of money and make do with what you have.

 

[Fohmyn]

Best answer selected by Fohmyn.