Looking to upgrage for about $400-$600

M_Farkha

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Dec 14, 2007
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Current computer...
CPU: E8400 @4200MHz
Mobo: Asus P5E
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 8GB
GPU: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB @ 785/1910/1090
Storage: 500GB Samsung
Case: Antec 900
PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C
Cooling: Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme

I'm looking to upgrade my mobo, cpu, ram, and gpu for around $400-$600 oriented towards gaming. What do you guys suggest? I plan to overclock. Some suggesstions for a heatsink would be nice too :)
 
AMD Phenom II x4 965. $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
Its an older chip, but will still game quite well.

AsRock 970 Extreme3 AM3+. $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

G.Skill Ares 8GB 1600Mhz CL9 1.5v. $39
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231544
8GB of DDR3 1600Mhz, Low Profile. Not much to say.

Sapphire HD7850. $210 ($10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102999
Good card this. With the $40 left over you could upgrade to a 7870 or 660Ti.

OCZ Vertex 4 128GB. $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227791
An SSD is the most noticeable upgrade to any machine you can make. Well worth getting this over a stronger Graphics card in my opinion.

Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO. $31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
Great budget heatsink.

Total: $560
 

zared619

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Sep 9, 2012
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If you decide to not go with the SSD, you can get the best CPU on the market.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jXCS
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/jXCS/by_merchant/


CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Newegg)

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($212.55 @ Newegg)

Total: $545.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

If you don't have a microcenter near you, you can get the 3570k on-line at ncix. To get everything online is $600 before rebates.
 
I wouldn't go with that motherboard with that processor. Its not the best for overclocking in terms of stabability. Go for the ASRock Extreme3 or 4.

Seeing as the OP has gotten his E8400 1.2GHz past stock clocks, I feel he has overclocking in mind though.
 
Also, if he is gaming, the 3770 is almost useless. If he just plays game, the i7 is not going to show any benefit over the 3570K.

Also, the Extreme3 is only $110, while the Extreme4 is around $140. Very highly rated boards for the price. The Extreme4 even has a Tom's Hardware recommended buy.
 

zared619

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I never recommended the i7. :pfff:
The i7 is what they happened to use in the review.
The extreme 3 is $25 more and it has absolutely no features over the z75, with the exception of 1 more PCI slot. There is no point in paying more money for the same thing.
shut-up-and-take-my-money.jpg
 


The Z77 supports SSD caching, which the OP would not need. A Z75 should suffice, but I prefer the ASRock Extreme series for more reliable overclocking.