Worth upgrading?, or new system build

[emmetc]

Hey all,

Been lurking here for a long time and have got some fantastic advice but now I feel I need to ask a question.

My system is well past it and to cut to the chase I'm wondering is there any point upgrading a few pieces or should I bite the bullet and build fresh ?

I'm open to overclocking although I haven't tried it before , if i were starting fresh I would be looking at the i2500k/ 560 ti (900mhz) type build.

My main question is am I using tech so old that it's better to build new basically!

Gaming is my main use and I would like to be able to play bf3 /skyrim at a half decent detail level , i.e 1680 x 1050 min.

Budget for a new build would be €850 ($1100) with no monitor needed. If I was upgrading I'd like to spend alot less.

Current spec:

CPU : Intel core2 duo e8500@3.16 (arctic freezer 7 pro rev 2 available if I was to overclock)
GPU. : Point of view gtx260 896mb
MOBO: asus p5q
RAM. : 2 x 2gb corsair ddr2 800
CASE.: antec 900
PSU. : corsair cmpsu-650tx
Vista 32 bit

Thanks for reading ,any input welcome!

Emmet

 

[aqe040466]

Hey all,

Been lurking here for a long time and have got some fantastic advice but now I feel I need to ask a question.

My system is well past it and to cut to the chase I'm wondering is there any point upgrading a few pieces or should I bite the bullet and build fresh ?

I'm open to overclocking although I haven't tried it before , if i were starting fresh I would be looking at the i2500k/ 560 ti (900mhz) type build.

My main question is am I using tech so old that it's better to build new basically!

Gaming is my main use and I would like to be able to play bf3 /skyrim at a half decent detail level , i.e 1680 x 1050 min.

Budget for a new build would be €850 ($1100) with no monitor needed. If I was upgrading I'd like to spend alot less.

Current spec:

CPU : Intel core2 duo e8500@3.16 (arctic freezer 7 pro rev 2 available if I was to overclock)
GPU. : Point of view gtx260 896mb
MOBO: asus p5q
RAM. : 2 x 2gb corsair ddr2 800
CASE.: antec 900
PSU. : corsair cmpsu-650tx
Vista 32 bit

Thanks for reading ,any input welcome!

Emmet

Think about this: DATE OF COMPLETION: DECEMBER 6, 2011


COST OF BUILT

MOTHERBOARD: BIOSTAR TZ68A+RCH 1155 SOCKET 120.00
CPU: INTEL i5 2500K OVERCLOCKED AT 4.7 GHZ 195.00
MEMORY: 16GB PC3 12800 1600GHZ G-SKILL RIPJAWS X SERIES 60.00
VIDEO CARD: HD RADEON 6970 349.99
PSU: OCZ MODXSTREAM 700 WATTS MODULAR 80+ CERTIFIED 70.00
PC CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 BLACK EDITION 140.00
HEATSINK/CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER HYPER 212 PLUS 40.00
HDD: 500 GB HITACHI DECKSTAR 7200 RPM 89.99
NZXT SENTRY 2 TOUCH SCREEN FAN CONTROLLER 22.00
KEYBOARD/MOUSE: GEAR HEAD WIRELESS KEYBOARD AND MOUSE 21.00
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM OEM 100.00

TOTAL $1207.98

 

[bliq]

time to start over I think. That's not to say the existing system has no value- you could probably sell some parts off to give you more budget if you wanted to go that route. antec 900 is still a pretty good case. PSU's become less efficient over time so if that PSU is more than 3 or 4 years old, you could consider upgrading. but it would probably be fine (I still run a 3.5 year old antec).

 

[Jabo045]

Don't scrap the system everything is solid except the OS. Get a x64 OS (Win 7 Pro) then upgrade your ram and things should be good. The Asus is a great board, the GPU is good-even for light gaming and the CPU is still adequate for running 7 very nicely.
The OS and ram is a lot cheaper than a complete overhaul.

 

[emmetc]

Thanks for the feedback ,much appreciated.

I will have to build new system at some stage but my thinkin is maybe I'd be better off waitin for the new nvidia cards to come out and the new intel chip,they should push the prices of the gear I'm looking at down a bit.?

Until then maybe I'll take your advice and get a new OS and ram and maybe try overclock what I have ,would I get medium settings on bf3 or skyrim or am I lookin at bare minimums?

Thanks again.