New build or upgrade?

[Unlimited11]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a few weeks

Budget Range: $400 - $700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Casual gaming, internet. Looking at playing games like the Witcher 2, Crysis 2, and Diablo 3 (if it ever comes out). Medium quality as smooth as possible preferred.

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Like Newegg, but anything goes for pricing

Parts Preferences: Prefer Intel and Nvidia

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1280 x 1024

Additional Comments:


Looking into either upgrading my current setup, or building a new one. I'd prefer upgrading, but feel there is not much of a future for my current build now. Any advice would greatly be appreciated

Current setup:

OS - XP 32 bit
Mobo - Asus P5k
PSU - Antec Trio 650 watt
CPU - Intel E 8400 Core 2 Duo (3.00 GHz)
GPU - Nvidia 8800GT 512
Ram - 2 gigs DDR2
HD - WD Caviar SE16 7200 RPM
+ Sound Blaster X-fi Titanium
Chassis - Cooler Master 690

 

[Zenthar]

You are probably due for a new build as there is no real worthwhile upgrades for LGA775 motherboards (the LGA775 quad-cores are overpriced); I had a very similar built and I switched it completely a few months ago.

However, this doesn't mean nothing can be done, an E8400 isn't a crappy CPU by any mean (OC could also prolong it's life). IMO, the only worthwhile upgrade for gaming would be a new GPU 100-150$ GPU, something along the line of a 5770 maybe.

 

[Unlimited11]

What motherboard did you end up switching to?

 

[redeemer]

Definitely build a new system

MSI P67A-G43 - $124.99
CORSAIR XMS 4GB - $25.99
i5 2500k- $199.99
CORSAIR Builder Series 500 watt psu -$59.99
EVGA GTX 460 - $159.99
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel Computer Case -$59.99

 

[tooold]

You should consider buying a new vga card (for example gtx560ti) and if the performance is not acceptable to your needs then consider mb,cpu,ram upgrade

cheers,

 

[Zenthar]

What motherboard did you end up switching to?

I switched MB, CPU, RAM, pretty much everything :-/ Details in my profile.

 

[Chainzsaw]

"Casual gaming, internet. Looking at playing games like the Witcher 2, Crysis 2, and Diablo 3 (if it ever comes out)"

lol casual gaming with those games? hehe, those are more than just casual games

But yea, i agree with the other guys...your computer is at a technological dead end, and upgrading it would not be worth it as much as getting a brand new system.

 

[Unlimited11]

So assuming I had $1000 to build a new system with after selling off my old parts, what's a good future proof setup to go with from scratch. I'm guessing I can at least keep my box and sound card.

 

[Chainzsaw]

Redeemer has a very nice build for you. Even though we are close to Ivy bridge, this comp will last you at least 4 solid years, with the option of upgrading to a better processor in the future.

Although the only thing i would change in his build would be the graphics card...maybe a 570GTX or some card in that range.

 

[Unlimited11]

Would the MSI P67A-G43 support Ivy Bridge? Also, what would be a good Hard Drive setup for performance?

 

[Chainzsaw]

AFAIK I don't think any mobo's support Ivy bridge -yet- as it requires a new socket. I think it's socket 2011. But the Core i5 he has listed is a very good processor, and even though ivy bridge is around the corner - in the future you should be able to upgrade to a Core i7 if you so wish, which would give a healthy boost. Or you could even OC that Core i5 if you do plan on getting it, which would also help as well (you may need a better CPU cooler)

As for HDD set up, well it depends. If you get a large HDD - say 2 or 3TB HDD, that will give you relatively fast performance.

 

[Zenthar]

Ivy bridge uses a new socket, LGA2011 and will have a new chipset also. X78. Moreover, I don't think it's worth waiting for gaming, the price difference probably won't be matched in performance.