Please help upgrade my system ( ~$700 budget)

[Viral69]

Hello,

I am currently looking into upgrading the major parts of my computer as they are roughly 5 years old at this point.

I'm looking to upgrade the CPU, Video Card, Motherboard, and Ram.

Approximate Purchase Date: The closer the better

Budget Range:Roughly $700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (D3, WoW, CS, SC2), Internet.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, Power Supply(Corsair 750W).

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: ncix.com

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences:by brand or type: I am pretty certain on getting an intel i5 processor that I wont be overclocking.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution:1920x1080

Thanks for your help in advance .

 

[James McKeane]

Hello,

I am currently looking into upgrading the major parts of my computer as they are roughly 5 years old at this point.

I'm looking to upgrade the CPU, Video Card, Motherboard, and Ram.

Approximate Purchase Date: The closer the better

Budget Range:Roughly $700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (D3, WoW, CS, SC2), Internet.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, Power Supply(Corsair 750W).

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: ncix.com

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences:by brand or type: I am pretty certain on getting an intel i5 processor that I wont be overclocking.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution:1920x1080

Thanks for your help in advance .

$703 CAD at NCIX

You could switch the mobo with an AsRock Z77 Pro3 for $100 with a $30 MIR if you want to save money.

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.57 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($259.46 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $659.01
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-04-27 12:45 EDT-0400)

 

[michxymi]

Hello,

I am currently looking into upgrading the major parts of my computer as they are roughly 5 years old at this point.

I'm looking to upgrade the CPU, Video Card, Motherboard, and Ram.

Approximate Purchase Date: The closer the better

Budget Range:Roughly $700

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (D3, WoW, CS, SC2), Internet.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, Power Supply(Corsair 750W).

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: ncix.com

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences:by brand or type: I am pretty certain on getting an intel i5 processor that I wont be overclocking.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution:1920x1080

Thanks for your help in advance .

Can you list the items you already have from previous pc?

 

[Viral69]

To michxymi - From my old PC I will be using the mid tower case, Corsair 750W power supply, and 500GB hard drive. I also have windows 7.

Thanks for the advice on the parts James.

 

[Viral69]

Does anyone else have a different suggestion on what parts they think I should get and why?

 

[James McKeane]

Does anyone else have a different suggestion on what parts they think I should get and why?

This is with a 7870 instead of the 7850:

$703 CAD at NCIX before MIRs:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.03 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($348.75 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $611.76
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-04-28 16:08 EDT-0400)

 

[Viral69]

Do you think I should go with an ivy bridge now that they are out?

Such as http://ncix.com/products/?sku=70543

Or just stick with the i5 sandy bridge?

 

[James McKeane]

Do you think I should go with an ivy bridge now that they are out?

Such as http://ncix.com/products/?sku=70543

Or just stick with the i5 sandy bridge?

In your opening post, you stated that you didn't want to overclock. The 3570 is an overclocking cpu. It is, however a better performing cpu in terms of power consumption, newer technologies, and an increased CPU multiplier.

If you did add a 3570, then you would need an aftermarket heatsink fan and settle (if that's possible) with a 7850.

Similar to what I stated in a similar thread, if I had 700 to spend on a PC upgrade, I'd DEFINITELY get the Ivy 3570.

Here's a modified build spec:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Newegg Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-D3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($242.99 @ Vuugo)
Total: $702.94
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-04-30 20:46 EDT-0400)

 

[azeem40]

Get the i5-3450.

 

[Viral69]

Does the 3450 need an aftermarket heatsink?

 

[James McKeane]

Does the 3450 need an aftermarket heatsink?

An aftermarket heatsink is only recommended when overclocking, which the 3450 doesn't do.

 

[Viral69]

Alright thanks. So for what I do, is there any downside to getting the 3450? I see it for $199.99 right now, which seems to be a pretty good deal?

And you think the Radeon 7850 is the best card for that price? I might go ahead and make a purchase tomorrow.

 

[azeem40]

No, and yes, respectively. The 3450 is a good CPU.

 

[InvalidError]

Alright thanks. So for what I do, is there any downside to getting the 3450?

The only downsides are no overclocking (limited unlock requires turning off cores, not very useful) and lower base multiplier. Since the 3450 should be more than fast enough for what you want to use it for and you do not wish to overclock, neither of these would affect you.

Interestingly enough, all the i5-34xx are listed at $174 on Intel's price list so my first choice would be a 3470S: 65W TDP (12W less than regular versions) with the same Turbo as the regular 3470, just need a good enough HSF (thinking 212+ or EVO) to keep the core cool enough for unlimited Turbo.

 

[Viral69]

Best answer selected by viral69.