Advice on new build with some older parts

[Thomas_89]

So it's getting time to upgrade from my 5-year old Q6600 build to a new one.

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I am confident about the new build
Budget Range: €600
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Watching HD movies/series, moderate gaming, Photoshop/InDesign productivity, surfing
Parts Not Required:
Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5, Black, silver
PSU: Zalman ZM500-HP, 500 Watt, Retail
HDD: 2x Samsung Spinpoint P120, 250 GB, 7200 RPM, 8 MB, SATA II
DVD-RW: Samsung SH-S203B,OEM, Black, Serial ATA150
Preferred Website for Parts: www.azerty.nl
Country: Netherlands
Parts Preferences: I have had some trouble with AsRock mobo's in the past, so I try to avoid those. Has been years though so perhaps it's silly
Overclocking: No, not seriously anyway
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (PC) and 1368x768 (TV)
Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC. And one that is quick and snappy in everyday use.

Currently selected parts:
CPU: Intel Core i5 2400 / 3.1 GHz - LGA1155
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8 GB PC3 12800
SSD: OCZ Vertex 3 120GB
Graphics Card: XFX Radeon HD6870
My shopping cart: http://azerty.nl/winkelmandje/winkelmandje/?legen=1&product%5B405088%5D=1&product%5B363680%5D=1&product%5B361602%5D=1&product%5B436843%5D=1&product%5B388711%5D=1

My questions:
1. Are my old parts still good? I assume everything will fit just fine in my case, but am I pushing my PSU and HDD's towards the end of their lives yet? They are just over 5 years old now.
2. My gaming is very limited, maybe a couple of hours a week. I just like to play some single-player modi of new titles. I would like to be able to play Crysis 3 when it comes out for example. Ultra settings are not required, I want fluid gameplay on medium - high settings on 1920x1080. That goes for all games. Is the Radeon HD6870 sufficient? Is it overkill perhaps?
3. I stated I don't plan on overclocking because I always believed it was more for fun and bragging than actual day-to-day performance gain and it shortens the life of components. I don't upgrade often so durability is important. If it really does benefit to overclock how will that affect long term durability? I might be willing to go for the 2500K and aftermarket cooler if durability is not compromised.
4. It the motherboard more than I need if I stick with the 2400 and won't overclock? Is it good enough if I do go for overclocking with the 2500K? Same goes for the memory.
5. Any other input you might have!

Many thanks in advance for your time and effort!

 

[gary1]

1. I wouldn't reuse the PSU. The HDD's SHOULD be okay, you never know.
2. 6870 will be just right for 1080!
3. If you have sufficient cooling, and keep it under like 75, it won't degrade the life that much, it will to a certain extent, but by that time, you should have already upgraded.
4. The Mobo will overclock fine, take a look at ASUS and ASRock as well.
5. Don't get the OCZ Vertex. Get this! http://azerty.nl/0-1990-433238/crucial-m4-solid-state-drive.html

 

[Tavo_Nova]

btw that list should be good, and buy a new psu look at seasonic 80plus gold or if your going bronze or silver go with corsair tx v2 and HX if it's out of your budget try out the cheap corsair cx500/600 psu.


well I don't know much about zalman psu but if it has great quality then it should be fine there. but since it's a 500W psu and from 5 years ago I'm not sure, try to stick in like 30-5o bucks more for a better quality psu

 

[Thomas_89]

Thanks for the replies guys
I changed the SSD to the Crucial m4, was already looking for it but could only find a more expensive version for some reason.
Also added a PSU: http://azerty.nl/0-1073-386138/corsair-enthusiast-series-tx650-v2-.html
Since that will push my budget I will have to save up a little longer unfortunately.

I looked around a bit for alternative mobo's, but they all look the same to me lol. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to these:
http://azerty.nl/0-2528-496913/asus-p8z77-v-lx-moederbord-.html
http://azerty.nl/0-2528-492573/asrock-z77-pro4-moederbord-.html
http://azerty.nl/0-2528-429631/asus-p8z68-v-le-moederbord-.html

The top 2 are a litte but cheaper and also Z77 chipset. My knowledge on mobo's goes only as far as picking the right socket though...

btw, do you know if my xfx hf6870 is quiet?
http://azerty.nl/0-2963-436843/xfx-radeon-hd-6870-.html

 

[Tavo_Nova]

well nothing different, besides some few features you won't be needing.

go for the cheaper you can get.

well I'm not sure about xfx 6870 never had one, try out sapphire 6870 it's fairly quite imo. unless you overclock it to 5500Ghz and turn up fan speed 200% lol

 

[Thomas_89]

Ok so basically I can just get the cheapest Z68 mobo I can find as long as it is from a good brand? And I dont need Z77?
What if I decide to get the 2500K and aim to overclock?

Since I'll have to save up a little longer I have some time to find out what HD6870 is the quietest. The comments on the XFX one on azerty.nl said it's quiet. Then again, they also said that about my current one and it is not quiet at all...

 

[Thomas_89]

Best answer selected by Thomas_89.