Upgrade question for a 540$ gaming rig

[Chainer]

Hello,
I have a current build with the following parts:

CPU: Intel i3-2120
GPU: Radeon HD 6850
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB
MOBO: ASUS P8H61-M LX PLUS <REV 3.0
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus Series 500W
RAM: Corsair Dominator 8 GB PC3-10666 1333mHz (PC3 10666)
CASE: Hercules ATX Mid Tower PC Computer Case, Black [HRC-26-05]
Optical Drive: Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST

First, I apologize if this question has been asked already >_<. I am new to computer building, so I wanted to ask people with more experience.

With my current listed build, if I were to upgrade my CPU to a i5-3570k, what other parts would I also need to upgrade as a consequence of upgrading the CPU? Would it be necessary to upgrade the other parts? Or can I just leave them as they are?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! =D

 

[rockstar_7]

Hello,
I have a current build with the following parts:

CPU: Intel i3-2120
GPU: Radeon HD 6850
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB
MOBO: ASUS P8H61-M LX PLUS &lt;REV 3.0
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus Series 500W
RAM: Corsair Dominator 8 GB PC3-10666 1333mHz (PC3 10666)
CASE: Hercules ATX Mid Tower PC Computer Case, Black [HRC-26-05]
Optical Drive: Asus 24xDVD-RW Serial ATA Internal OEM Drive DRW-24B1ST

First, I apologize if this question has been asked already >_<. I am new to computer building, so I wanted to ask people with more experience.

With my current listed build, if I were to upgrade my CPU to a i5-3570k, what other parts would I also need to upgrade as a consequence of upgrading the CPU? Would it be necessary to upgrade the other parts? Or can I just leave them as they are?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! =D

First off, Nice build youve got there. Im glad to see that you decided to upgrade the processor, that too a 'K' processor. Its the best one for gamers withno-to-low overclocking needs.

Speaking of what parts youll have to switch.. The 'K' series requires capable motherboards, so.. May i suggest a z77 motherboard? Itll cost around $110 to $120.

Motherboard-upgrade:
Option 1) Msi Z77A-G43 $105 (if you get a hold of it now)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130646

Option 2) Gigabyte z77-D3H $120 (msi's got better value)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128543

The power supply is just perfect, so you dont need to touch that.

Heck, heres a 600W PSU anyway..
OCZ ModXtreme Pro 600W Modular Psu $75 (Its another popular psu)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

Yep, thts it your gfx card is just perfect in terms of value and performance. Not touching that!

And, thts about it! You're set.

 

[jessterman21]

If you don't want to overclock, you don't have to get a new mobo, and you can save a little by going with the i5-3550. You wouldn't have to upgrade any other parts, but I highly recommend an SSD. Here's one if you don't want to reinstall: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148564

 

[Chainer]

Thanks for the input guys! =D

Hm, I'm a total newb so I don't think I'll be overclocking for this build... I don't know how to anyway xD. I don't necessarily want to upgrade to a i5-3570k. I just used it as an example because I see a lot of good reviews about it. I should have worded my questions better, my bad lol.

My main goal is to upgrade from a dual core processor to a quad core processor so that it may have better chances of handling future games. If I won't be overclocking, which quad core processor would be most compatible with my build? I'm on a tight budget, too, so the less parts I have to change the better.

Thanks again =).

 

[jessterman21]

The i5-3550. <---link

If you get it, make sure you update your BIOS first.

 

[clutchc]

As long as you have (or will update to) the 3605 BIOS, you don't have to change a thing. Have you looked at the website for your board? The CPU/Memory info is all there.
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1155/P8H61M_LX_PLUS/#CPUS

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

For that lot to be called a "gaming rig" you need to spend a LOT more on your graphics card, unless you like gaming on medium and not Ultra...

All the best Brett

 

[clutchc]

The HD 6850 is a good mid-range card choice for the i3-2120. Good frame rates up to 1920x1080. I've build several machines with the i3-2100 and an HD 6850. All the eye candy you want at 1680x1050 and no slouch at 1920x1080 either.

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

When my company builds a Gaming machine we put in a pair of cards where the cost of the two cards on average is £1000 ...that card is £80....

Not even mid range....more low/mid (being generous)

You can say phrases like "eye candy" but it aint playing BF3 on Ultra... or even high...

All the best Brett

 

[clutchc]

He's trying to put together an affordable gamer, Brett. Give him a break.

 

[Brett928S2]

He's trying to put together an affordable gamer, Brett. Give him a break.

Hi

I see your point, but a lot of people who ask questions here, seem blinded by "overclocking" and "cpus" or "psus"

They forget (or never knew) that the MOST important part of ANY gaming machine is the GPU...

In my shops we tell customers that they should spend a MINIMUM of half the cost of the machine on the graphics card.....

If they do that, they really do get a "gaming machine"

Just my opinion of course

But I have been a gamer for longer than most here have been alive ...(I am ancient lol)

All the best Brett

 

[bavarians6]

I recommend not quite 1/2 spent on your graphics card, but your point is a valid one. My question is why are you giving him a hard time when he wants to upgrade his CPU? There's nothing wrong with doing that, especially if he's looking at upgrading his GPU down the road, which I highly recommend.

Now, if you had come on a suggested he upgrade his GPU *before* his CPU, then that's something I could get behind. I disagree with coming on here and saying he's an idiot for building the computer the way he built it and not suggesting anything to remedy what you perceive as a fault with his machine.

Just my two cents. Take it or leave it

 

[Brett928S2]

I recommend not quite 1/2 spent on your graphics card, but your point is a valid one. My question is why are you giving him a hard time when he wants to upgrade his CPU? There's nothing wrong with doing that, especially if he's looking at upgrading his GPU down the road, which I highly recommend.

Now, if you had come on a suggested he upgrade his GPU *before* his CPU, then that's something I could get behind. I disagree with coming on here and saying he's an idiot for building the computer the way he built it and not suggesting anything to remedy what you perceive as a fault with his machine.

Just my two cents. Take it or leave it

Hi

I think you NEED to reread my posts, I said absolutely nothing about him being an idiot....YOU said that....so please do not missquote me...

All I was saying basically, is that with the particular card hes chosen, it will not be a "gaming rig"..

That card by the way we fit into our standard "Office" machines we build, in case businesses need to do photos etc....

All the best Brett

 

[clutchc]

OK, Brett. Granted. An HD 6850 will be a little light after upgrading to the i5. But if his monitor is 1920x1080 or lower, it will suffice until he can make the next investment.

 

[Brett928S2]

OK, Brett. Granted. An HD 6850 will be a little light after upgrading to the i5. But if his monitor is 1920x1080 or lower, it will suffice until he can make the next investment.

Hi

Totally agree

All the best Brett

 

[dudewitbow]

If you arent going to overclock and want ivy bridge, an i5-3450/3550 + a intel B75(offers more than h77 for its price) chipset board would be the budget change

 

[Chainer]

Hey guys, thanks for all the input so far =). This is my very first build, so I actually just followed a build list that I saw on another website. The build was within my tight budget, and I really had no clue where to start, so I decided to go with the build list.

To Brett:
Because it is a low-budget "gaming" PC, I am well aware that it is lacking in a lot of areas. I simply do not have enough money right now for GPUs that would cost $1000, not to mention the other parts that would be needed. However, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have for parts or specifications that you think might help. I plan to upgrade little by little or maybe even start a much better build but not right now. =)

 

[Brett928S2]

Hi

As a pro who owns shops I probably see things a little differently to you, for which I apologise...

What I would do in your position, assuming I wanted the best gaming I could is stick with your original i3 build and try to add more money to buy a better graphics card...

On graphics cards, the golden rule is, forget the make or model, the more you pay the better you get....

Even another $20 to $50 will get you better gaming...another $100 a lot better gaming...etc etc..

Hope this helps

All the best Brett

 

[loops]

If you are talking about having the CPU as a place holder, I'd have you take a look at this build:

Newegg:

1

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136769
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant


$84.99
$74.99
1

SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card (OC Edition)
Item #: N82E16814102987
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$50.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$249.99
$199.99
1

AMD Gift - Dirt3 Game Coupon - OEM
Item #: N82E16800995114
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$49.99 Saving


$49.99
$0.00
1

AMD Gift - Battlefield 3 coupon
Item #: N82E16800995118
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$59.99 Saving


$59.99
$0.00
1

LEPA B550-SA 550W SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817194102
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$15.00 Instant
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card


$69.99
$54.99
1

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNS
Item #: N82E16820231394
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy


$22.99
1

-----------combo----------------
ASRock B75 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel B75 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157314
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
COOLER MASTER Elite 311 RC-311B-SWN1 Silver Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119247
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Combo
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate


$124.98
$114.98
1

-----------combo---------------
Intel Pentium G850 Sandy Bridge 2.9GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G850
Item #: N82E16819116397
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
LITE-ON Internal 24x DVD Burner with Label-tag Feature Black SATA Model ihas524-T06 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106450
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$11.00 Combo


$109.98
$98.98
Subtotal: $566.92 (40 MIR)

You can also sell one of the free games to help bring down the price.

 

[mazchazo]

I'd say replace cpu and motherboard now. When you get more money, I'd get one card and get another card later OR one graphics card worth 480 dollars. GTX 580 is good. This means if you want to use 2 graphics cards, 850 watts psu is necessary for cards like 560 TI sli or 6950 crossfire OR 750 watts on a really good power supply like seasonic. 650 watt power supply is good to run gtx 580.

For a gaming pc, if you want high setting graphics, 500 dollar graphic cards are necessary, depending on the game.

 

[loops]

I'd say replace cpu and motherboard now. When you get more money, I'd get one card and get another card later OR one graphics card worth 480 dollars. GTX 580 is good. This means if you want to use 2 graphics cards, 850 watts psu is necessary for cards like 560 TI sli or 6950 crossfire OR 750 watts on a really good power supply like seasonic. 650 watt power supply is good to run gtx 580.

For a gaming pc, if you want high setting graphics, 500 dollar graphic cards are necessary, depending on the game.

http://youtu.be/btsWaID4BII

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAI05IH7s7s

rig about the same as I am offering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNiYnbwA2Ng&feature=related

You don't need a 580 to enjoy most of what a game offers, even in Bf3 multi

 

[mazchazo]

http://youtu.be/btsWaID4BII

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAI05IH7s7s

rig about the same as I am offering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNiYnbwA2Ng&feature=related

You don't need a 580 to enjoy most of what a game offers, even in Bf3 multi

I know what your point is, but as a gamer we all want the best there is for best gameplay. We also like future proofing so that we are good for another 3-5 years.

 

[clutchc]

To the OP: Unless I missed it, you never said what resolution your monitor was... ?