$600 "Upgrade" - Keeping PSU & GPU

[Reknaw]

My current system is starting to show its age:

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.50 GHz)
Mobo: G31T-LM2 Lenovo version V1.0
RAM: 4 GB DDR2
HDD: 500 GB SATA II
O/S: Windows Vista Home Premium, 32-bit
PSU: 650 W XFX XPS-650W-3XS
GPU: XFX NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250
Monitor: AOC 919SW-1, 1440x900 @ 75Hz

This was an off-the-shelf budget build when I bought it, and that was probably 3 years ago. Since then I have upgraded the monitor, power supply, and graphics card. I'm pretty sure the CPU & Mobo are the limiting items now. And although I've never "upgraded" a CPU and Mobo before, I think this means I'm really in the market for a new computer.

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Approximate Purchase Date: No exact time line, but the sooner the better!

Budget Range: $600 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Moderate gaming on Steam (TF2, HOMM V, Magicka, Total War games, etc.), internet, e-mail

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, speakers, power supply (see above), graphics card (see above), monitor (see above)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Microcenter brick & mortar store, Newegg online

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel processor, otherwise open-minded.

Overclocking: In theory, I suppose. But I have no idea how, so in reality I think not.

SLI or Crossfire: Not in my budget

Monitor Resolution: 1440x900

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Through some research here, and checking this week's pricing at Microcenter and Newegg.com, I have a proposed system meeting my $600 budget. I'm asking for your input for compatibility and optimization. Especially compatibility! I have replaced components before, but this will be my first new build.

CPU - $170
Intel Core i5 2500K
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

CPU Cooler - $20
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=dryhlem30aza

Mobo - $60 (price after CPU bundle savings)
ASRock Z77 Pro3 1155 ATX
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0387627

Case - $45
NZXT Tempest 210 CA-TP210-01
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146084

Additional Case Fan - $12
NZXT 120mm Performance Case Fan
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0358068

RAM - $38
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0347306

HDD - $100
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0352167

Ethernet Card - $15
TRENDnet TEG-PCITXR 32-bit 10/100/1000Mbps
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0243519

DVD - $16
LG 22x DVD±RW Burner
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0382272

O/S - $100
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

PSU - $0 (re-using)
650 W XFX XPS-650W-3XS

GPU - $0 (re-using)
XFX NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

Monitor - $0 (re-using)
AOC 919SW-1: 1440x900 @ 75Hz

TOTAL = $576

I'm looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks,
Reknaw

 

[slomo4sho]

Liquidate your old parts on Ebay and pick up a better GPU. Other than that, everything seems fine.

 

[rangingwarr]

I would defiantly go ahead and get a new GPU as well. I would recommend a 560ti or a 570 if you can afford it. Also the OEM copy of windows gets tied one mobo, so you couldn't get a new one later (also worth noting, its only supposed to be used if you intend on selling the computer, but I doubt anyone really cares.) Other than that everything looks great.

 

[Reknaw]

Those do look like nice GPUs, but would push me over the $800 mark which is more than I'm looking to spend right now. If I use my old GPU, would I still see a nice performance upgrade with this build? I could upgrade the GPU later... probably 6-8 months from now.

 

[rangingwarr]

That would be fine, you would almost certainly see improvement in any CPU intensive game, though your GPU would be a bottleneck. You would want to get a new GPU as soon as you could, but in the mean time you should be fine.

You might consider getting a slightly better mobo, especially if you ever intend on doing SLI. Since you are unfamiliar with overclocking I recommend a ASUS mobo. They have auto tuning which can overclock your CPU by itself.

If you can reuse your current HDD you should consider waiting a few months to get a new one (prices are pretty high atm, but should come back down soon)

 

[Outlander_04]

Very unlikely you will see much or any gaming performance increase

and the fly in the ointment is that you will almost certainly need to buy a new copy of Windows since the version you have is probably oem and locked to the motherboard you already have .
This is a good thing since you need a 64 bit OS anyway if you want to be able to use the RAM you are installing . A 32 bit OS will NEVER be able to use more than 3.2 gig

 

[Reknaw]

Thanks to everyone for your input! There is so much knowledge on these boards.

I made the purchase today, including an ASUS motherboard. I'll save my pennies to upgrade the GPU as soon as I can.