Should I upgrade my system?

[crs]

Back in 2008 I bought a basic gaming pc from a local store, it has served me well but my 450w PSU went out and I just replaced it with a Thermaltake TR2 600W, which got me thinking about upgrading my system, some new items I was looking at are:

Corsair XMS3 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800)
Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
Upgrade the GPU?

Current System Specs:
Intel E8400 @3.0
4GB of DDR2 not sure what speed
9600GT GPU 512MB
Windows XP 32bit

What upgrades do you guys think I should do or what would you do? Currently using for normal pc usage plus games like DAOC/Rift but might like to get into BF3

 

[NinjaPenguin]

Sure that looks like a solid upgrade if you have the cash and you know what you're doing (replacing the motherboard requires moving/removing practically every part of your PC). Bear in mind you're going to require a 64-bit OS if you want to benefit from that extra 4GB of ram (you're already missing out on 500MB of it now). As for the GPU if you want to play Battlefield 3 then an Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 ti/AMD Radeon 6770 would do the trick, although a 560 ti/6950 is recommended for maximum settings (not to mention they're a hell of a lot more future proof).

Hope I've helped.

 

[crs]

Yeah I think the 560 TI looks like the one to go with (MSI maybe?)....yes I was looking at going to windows 7 64bit also, should I go ahead and install that before I upgrade? As for the memory and mb is there something else you rec? I know my case is pretty basic and Im not sure if I need ATX or mATX mb. Im trying to read up on SSD's do people use that for windows and games and then use the HD for storage?

 

[NinjaPenguin]

I'd go with the MSI GTX 560 ti Twin Frozr II for your GPU if you can afford it. A Micro ATX is fine as long as you don't want to crossfire/SLI anything. And as for your OS, as much as I love XP, Win 7 64 bit is a necessaty as xp doesn't support DirectX 10 or DirectX 11 so upgrade that ASAP.

Oh and don't bother with an SSD until your completely happy with everything else as it only benefits loading and boot times.

 

[crs]

It looks like my current MB is a gigabyte ga-g31m-es2l, I was thinking about ASUS P8Z68-M PRO LGA 1155 Z68 mATX incase I wanted to OC the I5 2500k. Do you think I should go ahead and upgrade my case also? Its 16.5"L x 14" T x 7" W, with one rear fan and a place to put a side fan and the psu mounts up top with a rear vent. COOLER MASTER HAF 912 looks like a nice upgrade

 

[NinjaPenguin]

Asus are a good brand and it's Z68 so go with that Motherboard. As for upgrading your case, I've just bought a Cooler Master case myself (this one specifically: http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/chassis/enforcer/) and the one I've got is very similar internally to the HAF 912 so yeah if you want to ahead and upgrade the case then you can't go wrong with Cooler Master. Although bear in mind changing either the motherboard or the case requires major work (although perhaps it's neccesary if you want a 2500k) so be prepared to take your entire system apart.

 

[crs]

Yeah I was thinking since im replacing the mb already spending an extra $50 or so for a new case would make things easier, plus I could go with a ATX mb instead of a mATX, then I could just transfer over the other components....thx for the replies

 

[crs]

This is what I think im going to go with

Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor (microcenter) $179.99
Corsair Vengeance Series 8GB DDR3-1600 (microcenter) $64.99 (-$10)
Cooler Master HAF912 Mid Tower ATX Computer Case (microcenter) $59.99 (-$10)
ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard (microcenter) $119.99
Gigabyte ATi Radeon HD 6850 1024MB GDDR5 (microcenter) $169.99 (-$20)


already have:

windows 7 64bit
thermaltake tr2 600w
samsung HD
LG DVD Drive

 

[longpig]

looks good to me

 

[crs]

I got everything yesterday and installed last night (first build), everything startup right up, installed new software and windows, just going to have to go through the old windows. I ended up with the gigabyte mb was $50 off with the i5 and I was pleased with it overall. (old mb was gigabyte also). Big thanks to NinjaPenguin and this board.

I did buy a 200mm fan but the holes didnt match up, might go with a cooler master fan and try that, but overall pleased with everything.

GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 Motherboard
Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
Corsair Vengeance Series 8GB DDR3-1600
Cooler Master HAF912 Mid Tower ATX Computer Case
Gigabyte ATi Radeon HD 6850 1024MB GDDR5
windows 7 64bit
thermaltake tr2 600w
samsung HD
LG DVD Drive

 

[longpig]

Congrats. Nothing like the feeling when it all works

 

[NinjaPenguin]

Glad it all went well.