brakelessbmx

Distinguished
May 12, 2011
2
0
18,510
Hey Guys,

I bought my computer from CyberPower around 2008 and now it's time to do some upgrading. I was looking to spend some where around $500-650$ in upgrades.

Here is what i plan on re-using:

WesternDigital 320GB Caviar Blue HD
Ultra 600W power supply
Cooler Master Cosmos case
Cooler Master AquaGate s1

I want to focus on upgrading the motherboard, processor, ram and graphics card. I do play a lot of games, so the extra performance would be nice. With the prices now, I am not sure if i should go the Phenom II route, or the i5/i7. what do you guys prefer for my budget?

Also, if the AquaGate s1 makes it complicated, i am game for another cooler that is more to date that fits my set up. I believe my case fits ATX and ATX Extended only? (not 100% on that).

Thank you
 
the i5 series of cpus, even the last generation, completely decimates all of AMD's offerings in gaming framerate benchmarks at pretty much all resolutions up to 2560x1600. The X4s are typically equaled in performance by i5 processors clocked 800-900 MHz slower. On a clock for clock basis, it is simply no contest.

An i5/2400 ($185)and H67 mb ($84) coupled with a GTX460 ($140) or 6950 ($250) (depending on available budget) would go quite a ways towards sprucing up framerates....
 

crewton

Distinguished
Apr 3, 2011
1,334
0
19,460
CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K $225 (180 if you can find a microcenter near you)

motherboard: GA-P67X-UD3-B3 $155

No SLI capability then:

motherboard: ASRock P67 PRO3 $130

Graphics Card: MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II $250 $20MIR

or a little weaker card:

Graphics Card: MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 $220 $15MIR


RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) $95

or

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) $40

Are you reusing your keyboard, mouse, monitor? Those will add to it. Also do you have access to a student copy of windows 7? Otherwise that will add $100 to mix making it more difficult >.<.
 

brakelessbmx

Distinguished
May 12, 2011
2
0
18,510
I have everything else you mentioned, just need the MB , Processor, Ram and Graphics card upgraded.

Thanks both of you guys for your suggestions.