Getting new rig (mostly, for Guild Wars 2)

[DCG]

Hey there,

My father just told me today he intended to upgrade all computers in the house, including mine.
He said he wanted to build a more powerful system for me but didn’t specified how much so I assume not too expensive (at least better than my previous one).

Here are my current specs. Told him I could use an upgrade on RAM and GPU. Maybe OC the CPU but maybe change it? I also don’t want to change my monitor unless absolutely necessary, just saying a few bucks here.

So budget? No clue but don’t come here with a 3000$ rig that won’t pass, just a nice upgrade of my older one, something that can run GW2 at 40-50FPS average on high maybe but I think I ask for too much.

Approximate Purchase Date: This week or next week

Budget Range: Cheaper is better but it has to be at least more powerful than my current system (posted at the end of thread).

EDIT: Lets say...500$

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No, I think my current monitor is fine

Parts to Upgrade: All if necessary

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Not buying online, my father gives the computer to a guy and he makes the upgrades. I'm just suggesting what to upgrade.

Location: Canada, Quebec, Laval

Parts Preferences: Never understood the difference between Intel vs AMD and Radeon vs nvidia but I always used Intel +nvidia and always worked.

Overclocking: If necessary, I'll tell him to overclock or not.

SLI or Crossfire: I thibk thats for running with 2 GPU? No but may be usefull in the future

Your Monitor Resolution: Currently at 1680x1050

Additional Comments: If possible, I want the computer to be quiet, not too loud.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My rig is getting old and can't play most todays games smoothly. I'm looking at a rig that will last 3 years or more, I rarely change parts.





My current system:

-Intel® Core™2 Quad CPUQ9550@ 2.83GHz
-Mother Board Gigabyte (G31M-S2L)
-RAM 4094mb
-Hard drive (primary) 465gb (WDC WD5000AADS-00S9B0 ATA Device) (271GB of free space)
-NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT
-High Definition Audio Device
-Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Operating system
-Monitor Acer X223W
-Case: Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-Power supply: Antec Earthwatts Model EA-500D 500W max

 

[Deemo13]

Everything on your computer is just fine except for the graphics card. Your power supply is great as well (came with the case I'm guessing?)

I'm running the same design case as you are actually.

The 9400GT is a very old card. For your power supply, the Radeon HD7850 would be a great upgrade.

If you can't spend that much, the 6870 would also be a great choice as well as the GTX560.

 

[DCG]

Everything on your computer is just fine except for the graphics card. Your power supply is great as well (came with the case I'm guessing?)

I'm running the same design case as you are actually.

The 9400GT is a very old card. For your power supply, the Radeon HD7850 would be a great upgrade.

If you can't spend that much, the 6870 would also be a great choice as well as the GTX560.

Hey thanks for quick reply!

Some people told me I should OC my CPU but not sure if worth it. They also told me to go for 8gb of RAM.

 

[excella1221]

8gb is generally recommended for gaming, yes.
You are running on 64-bit OS?

It would really be nice though if we had an estimated idea of your budget, so we'll know if we can squeeze in a new CPU.

 

[Deemo13]

You could get 8GB of RAM, but if your budget doesn't allow, then I would rather have the card first. The only computer that runs 8GB of RAM is my main, and I probably only really need 4.

 

[DCG]

8gb is generally recommended for gaming, yes.
You are running on 64-bit OS?

It would really be nice though if we had an estimated idea of your budget, so we'll know if we can squeeze in a new CPU.

Just edited my post. Something around 500$ would be nice, me and my father paying 50/50.

 

[Deemo13]

Something about $500 would then have a processor bottleneck. But for the price of $500, its not really worth it to go for a platform upgrade to be honest. You also don't need something $500 to run GW2.

If you want an increased budget, to run a higher end card you are going to need to replace the power supply. With a 7870 or 660, you could save money and use the standard power supply.

 

[DCG]

Something about $500 would then have a processor bottleneck. But for the price of $500, its not really worth it to go for a platform upgrade to be honest. You also don't need something $500 to run GW2.

If you want an increased budget, to run a higher end card you are going to need to replace the power supply. With a 7870 or 660, you could save money and use the standard power supply.

I'm not that good with computers but bottlenecking means that my system is unbalanced? (GPU too powerful for CPU...).

And I think I'll stick with my power supply, my father told its a very good one.

I think I'll tell hime to upgrade to Radeon HD7850 and 8GB of RAM.

 

[excella1221]

Something about $500 would then have a processor bottleneck. But for the price of $500, its not really worth it to go for a platform upgrade to be honest. You also don't need something $500 to run GW2.

If you want an increased budget, to run a higher end card you are going to need to replace the power supply. With a 7870 or 660, you could save money and use the standard power supply.

I think he means a $500 budget on overall necessary upgrades.

 

[Deemo13]

Your power supply is very good; your father is right.

I would just get the 8GB RAM kit and probably the 7870, as the 7950 might not run on your computer due to power.

 

[DCG]

I think he means a $500 budget on overall necessary upgrades.

Exactly. I want to change my WHOLE system for about 500$. Can go a little over budget if needed.

 

[excella1221]

No. There are some stuff that don't need upgrading. Here's my suggestion:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $464.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Just get another module of the exact same RAM you have right now so you can dual-channel it to get 8gb.
If you want a stronger video card, get a 7850.

Find out too if your OS is an OEM version or retail.

The other parts are still OK.

 

[DCG]

No. There are some stuff that don't need upgrading. Here's my suggestion:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $464.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

Just get another module of the exact same RAM you have right now so you can dual-channel it to get 8gb.
If you want a stronger video card, get a 7850.

Find out too if your OS is an OEM version or retail.

The other parts are still OK.

Thanks alot for all the info!

Just want to know what do you mean by "OS is an OEM version or retail"? I think mines retail, not sure.

And what do you mean module? The same company? Sorry for noob questions.

 

[excella1221]

If the OS is an OEM version, you cannot reinstall it on another motherboard.

About the RAM, I mean get the exact same card as the one you have so you won't have to worry about complications.

 

[Guest]

i'd suggest a better graphics card though a 7770 can run GW2 pretty well:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: MSI B75A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($197.85 @ DirectCanada)
MIR. Savings: $30.00 Your Price: $227.85
Total (before mail-in rebates): $525.82
Mail-in Rebates: $-30.00
Total: $495.82

that C2Q does have a little more life left in it and will do well but since you have the chance to upgrade the whole system; might as well do it with this opportunity. btw, if you are curious as to what it takes to run GW2 this site is a rather decent one for game specs:
http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=684&game=Guild%20Wars%202

 

[computernoob29]

if you want to stay under budget or at least closer to it, the get a 7850 instead but heres what i put together: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jdFY

 

[DCG]

i'd suggest a better graphics card though a 7770 can run GW2 pretty well:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: MSI B75A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Canada Computers)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($32.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($197.85 @ DirectCanada)
MIR. Savings: $30.00 Your Price: $227.85
Total (before mail-in rebates): $525.82
Mail-in Rebates: $-30.00
Total: $495.82

that C2Q does have a little more life left in it and will do well but since you have the chance to upgrade the whole system; might as well do it with this opportunity. btw, if you are curious as to what it takes to run GW2 this site is a rather decent one for game specs:
http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=684&game=Guild%20Wars%202

Here there!

I can't thank you enough for all these infos, not just you but everyone!

Yours looks very good but I still have some questions if it doesn't bother anyone.

1. What are the differences in the Intel i5 CPU? You suggest me to buy an i5-2400 but Excella1221 suggested me a i5-3450 so whats the difference?

2. I've seen a lot of the same GPUs but with different names ex: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB or MSI, or Saphire. From what I know, it only changes the casing...correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Guest]

1. What are the differences in the Intel i5 CPU? You suggest me to buy an i5-2400 but Excella1221 suggested me a i5-3450 so whats the difference?

2. I've seen a lot of the same GPUs but with different names ex: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB or MSI, or Saphire. From what I know, it only changes the casing...correct me if I'm wrong

you can compare the differences in this article:
Roundup: Intel Core i5 Processors with Ivy Bridge Microarchitecture
1.)the the ivy cpu, that excella1221 suggested will perform 4% better in gaming; overall the 3450 and the 2400 perform the same in relation to their costs. i just researched it myself and was looking to buy one (3450). but because i had to "special order" it from the store i do business with, i walk out with a i5-2400 not feeling bad about that choice. the 3450 also has pci 3.0 but cards run fine with the 2400's pci 2.0.

2.) different companies not only change the casing but also the cooling design, keeping the gpu stay cooler and possibly helping to overclock better. also some may have a different pcb (printed circuit board) and adding more VRMs to deliver a more stable power delivery. it takes a bit of reading reviews of different models to see who is doing what.

 

[DCG]

Alright, I think I know what to upgrade

-CPU: Either Intel Core i5-2400 or i5-3450 but again, upgrading the CPU is not 100% sure

-GPU: Sapphire Radeon 7850 HD OC edition 2GB http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102984

Btw whats the main difference between the OC edition and the normal one?

-RAM: Just like Iooniam suggested, PNY Optima 8GB (2x4GB)

-Motherboard: Again, Iooniam suggested http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/msi-motherboard-b75ag43

I think that would work great for a few years. Might change some other components like fans and hard drive etc..

Thanks again everyone!