Status
Not open for further replies.

jdog66

Distinguished
Apr 15, 2009
18
0
18,510
Here is what I currently have:

Tower: COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
GPU: SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor HDZ720WFGIBOX
MEM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
CPU COOLER: XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 and AMD compatible

This system was built back in early '09 with gaming as the focus. I have been wanting to upgrade for a while, but haven't been able to convince my wife that my computer NEEDS upgrading and my quality of life depends on it until recently. As much as I've tried to stay with AMD, I'm going back with Intel for now due to their extreme performance advantage.

So here's what I'm wanting upgrade and approximate budget. CPU (and MoBo since mine is AMD now), GPU, and possibly getting a SSD for OS/primary game I'm playing at any time. I'd also like to get to 8 GB of RAM. My budget is currently $600-$900 (top end of range could cause marital strife). Here is what I've been thinking after doing some forum browsing regarding latest parts.

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ($224.99)

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard ($121.99)

MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II 2GD5/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 ($249.99 after mail-in rebate card)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model ($46.99)

I'm at $644 right there, with the possibility of adding this:

OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-120G 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)($129.99 after mail-in rebate card)

$773.95 total which might not necessitate me sleeping on the couch for a week or so.

I wanted to get some input on this, especially in regards to my current case, PSU, and GPU. I'm not sure if my 650W will be enough, although I suspect it will. Also, whats the best way to tell if the card will fit in my case? How about the memory with those spreader? Will it be an issue with the MoBO and the card slots? And finally, I'm not real sure about the SSD. Any help is much appreciated!!
 
Solution
The Dark Knight will work just fine.

I may have, haha. I've been here a while, I can't remember all the people who come and go :/ glad it worked out!

Low Profile just means it doesn't use large heat spreaders, as to not interfere with CPU coolers. This is an example of low profile: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570 As opposed to something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144486 Which could interfere with a CPU cooler.

Yes, I do indeed have a few recommendations. 3 really.
High end: Samsung 128GB 830 series $180 (A STEAL at this price)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147134
Mid/high: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB $180 (the 830 beats this in every aspect...

QuietPC

Distinguished
Feb 10, 2012
400
0
18,860


Your current case and psu should be fine. You choice of cpu and mobo are good. The ram looks fine - just make sure you use low profile and note that 1333 will runs as well as 1600 with no noticeable difference in performance. Your existing hdd is fine. If you add the SSD remember it is for boot and key programs and will load things faster but not make any software run faster. If you go with an SSD please consider Crucail, Intel or Samsung atm. OCZ has a poor reputation and you don't want issues with a boot drive that has a history of issues.
 

striker410

Distinguished
You sir, have done your homework.

-650w is MORE than enough to power a GTX 560 Ti. MORE than enough.

-The case is just fine. One of my personal favorites, actually. I'll have to check the length of the card versus the clearance in the case, though.

-That GTX 560 Ti is excellent for overclocking. However if you don't intend to overclock, your money would be better spent on a 6950 since they offer higher performance at stock.

-It might be more cost effective to buy another 2x2GB set and carry over your old one. That way you don't have to have RAM lying around, un-utilized.

-The OCZ Agility 3 really isn't the best choice, since it uses Asynchronous NAND. A Crucial M4 or Vertex 3 would be better, as they use synchronous. The difference is that when the drive begins to fill up, Asynchronous NAND slows to a crawl. Pay a couple extra bucks for the better flash memory, you'll thank me later.

That's really it! Do you have a CPU cooler in mind?
 

jdog66

Distinguished
Apr 15, 2009
18
0
18,510
Here is the cooler I have now striker, which I believe will work fine on the new CPU:
XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V REV.W with ACK-I5361 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler I7 i5 775 1155 and AMD compatible
Striker, I'm pretty sure you were one of the ones who helped me with my build back in 09!! It has served well.

QuietPC, I'm not sure the memory I listed is considered "low profile" (or what that really means :D ). Could you elaborate?

Do you guys have any specific recommendations regarding the SSD? I can look at manufacturers, but was curious if you had specific models you recommend.
 

striker410

Distinguished
The Dark Knight will work just fine.

I may have, haha. I've been here a while, I can't remember all the people who come and go :/ glad it worked out!

Low Profile just means it doesn't use large heat spreaders, as to not interfere with CPU coolers. This is an example of low profile: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570 As opposed to something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144486 Which could interfere with a CPU cooler.

Yes, I do indeed have a few recommendations. 3 really.
High end: Samsung 128GB 830 series $180 (A STEAL at this price)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147134
Mid/high: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB $180 (the 830 beats this in every aspect though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706
Mid: Crucial M4 128GB $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442
 
Solution

jdog66

Distinguished
Apr 15, 2009
18
0
18,510
Ahh..i do remember the Dark Knight being a low rider, and having to work to get my current memory in the slots. In fact, I'll have to pop my case tonight and look at the current MoBo configuration vs. the ASRock and see if I anticipate any issues, especially if I'm going to try to use my current 2x2GB sticks. If I try to get the additional 2x2GB, does it have to be the same model as my current memory(that model is discontinued)? Or just the same type (as in PC310666)? Is the Patriot memory in your first link one you'd recommend? I'm assuming yes, but just wanted to verify.

Thanks for the SSD recommendations! I think Ill go with the Samsung based on your's and others positive feedback on that model.
 

striker410

Distinguished
I do recommend the patriot RAM, based purely on price. It's not good lookin stuff but it gets the job done.

I would suggest getting identical RAM. While it is possible for other RAM to cooperate, there's no guarantee. If it's discontinued you might as well get some new stuff.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.