rogueruler

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Mar 30, 2012
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I've decided it's time for an upgrade, i have a $200 dollar budget, and I'm looking primarily for a new cpu, preferably intel, or a new gpu, preferably AMD.

Here are my components:

CPU: Intel core i3-2100 dual core@3.10 stock clock

Memory: Kingston DDR3-1333 8gb(2x4gb)

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1GB

Hard Drive: 1TB 7,200 RPM Hitachi HDD

PSU: 720 watt Diablotek

Motherboard: Biostar H61MH

Any input would be appreciated :)
 

the_creed4

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Sep 21, 2011
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do not get diablotek, get something more reliable, like seasonic, antec, or corsiar. and 720w is way to much, i have the 6850 and i have a 520w psu, i have an extra 200-300w, i know iu can crossfire them. so unless you want to upgrade later to something that has a higher power consumption.

defiantly get this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&Tpk=antec%20520%20watt
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other than that your good, i might look for another motherboard, there are newer ones for cheap
 

ismaeljrp

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Feb 8, 2012
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Dude, those are the components he already has....He is looking for upgrade options.

 

andrewcarr

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Here are your options.

Mandatory is a new PSU which is $40-50.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059
The second is just nicer with the ability for future upgrades.

Now with a $150 budget left I would try to stretch it to get the i5-2400
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354590
if you have a store around you its a great price if not
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
it's a bit more.

Over the CPU I would say to get a second GPU but the problem is that your motherboard doesn't support CF. It only has one PCI-E x16 and one x1 slot.
 

ismaeljrp

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Feb 8, 2012
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I would Probably upgrade The motherboard to a Z68 with 2 PCI express 2.0 that can be flashed to 3.0 with Ivy Bridge....give you a good starting point for an upgrade Path

But if It's between a CPU or GPU, I would have to recommend going quad core with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

It has a $15 dollar promo code untile April 4 so I advise you to take advantage...
 
Solution

zelx

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Oct 20, 2010
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i would just stick with your 6850 right now if all you have is $200. 6870 is like a 20% upgrade if you sell your 6850 then you could upgrade to a 6870 for like $50.
 

zooted

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Feb 17, 2010
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Throw away that psu immediately and get a real one. Aside from that, do you feel like you really need an upgrade? Are you having trouble doing the tasks you do on a daily basis? Are games hard to run?
 

rogueruler

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Mar 30, 2012
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I appreciate all of the replies, i think im just going to go with the i5 2500k, and i know diablotek's bad rep for psu's, but this one has a 3 year warranty and is quite good. i think diablotek's problem is just for their multi-rail designs. As for whether or not i really want an upgrade, yes, i definitely do. I'm a relatively hardcore pc gamer, and am not satisfied with the fps i get while playing some games. I also run CAD and photoshop, and those don't run very fast either.
 

andrewcarr

Distinguished
Regardless of warranty if it goes then it can take your components with it. You will have a fried computer then with a brand new cheap PSU (how great :non:).

I'll quote from a review
"It has been a long time since we have seen such a useless power supply come through our review process. In fact the only unit I remember off the top of my head that comes close to matching this piece of crap was the Ultra X2 750W EE (Exploding Edition). I think one of the best things I can say about the Diablotek PHD650 is that it gives me a real legitimate reason to recommend the Cooler Master GX 650 watts over some other unit. Congratulations in that regard Diablotek, you just made another piece of goose crap look like the golden egg. Otherwise I think the rest of my thoughts on this unit are probably not printable and use a lot of four letter words.

The Bottom Line
With the PHD650, Diablotek seemingly tried to polish a turd with a turd and as such we got the expected outcome, a pile of crap. Given the horrible build quality of the unit and poor component selection of the unit that is hardly a startling result. With a current price of ~$49.99, users would be better off taking their cash and setting it on fire rather than buying this unit. There is quite literally no price point or situation where the Diablotek PHD650 should be a consideration for users as it failed almost every test possible today. Retailers and e-tailers should be ashamed to be selling such a product."
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/12/17/diablotek_phd650_650w_power_supply_review/9