Need some input on an upgrade.


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So I got the itch to upgrade once I purchased my new video card. I currently have:

Q6600

Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU

WD Black HD

DDR2 800 memory

I was looking at:

I5 3570K - 229.99

ASRock Extreme6 - 151.99

Corsair Builder series 600W PSU - 59.99

G.Skill Sniper 16GB DDR3 1333 - 84.99

OCZ Vertex 4 - 124.99

Total - 651.95

Now on paper that sounds fantastic but I really didn't want to spend that much. Would it be reasonable to downgrade the memory to 8GB and save 42 dollars and hold off on the SSD and new PSU? Will I even notice much of a difference in gaming with this upgrade? Would a mid-range AMD or i5 (even i3) do the trick? I will be doing a little bit of overclocking and I don't want to be upgrading everything in a year or possibly two which is making me think the build I listed is my best bet.

I imagine 16GB Vs 8GB won't amount to much. I could always try for a 64GB SSD...

Thoughts anyone?

Edit: If I removed the SSD, PSU and changed the ram the total would be: 423.98

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i5 will be a huge improvement - I've just gone from Q6700 > Q8400 > i5 3570k and it wipes the floor with them.

I also grabbed 16gb of 1600mhz G.Skill Ripjaws and I've not seen much difference between that and 8gb.

I also went with an SSD, and whilst it is nice to have, it was purely a luxury purchase - I'd hold off on it to save some money and make it a future purchase.

What PSU do you currently have?

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You could easily get by with 8GB, especially with the SSD. You "might" be able to lose the PSU, but depends on your video card, if you even have a big one.

I would not drop the SSD if I were you unless you REALLY want to save money. You could also add one later if you want and save it for now.

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i5 will be a huge improvement - I've just gone from Q6700 > Q8400 > i5 3570k and it wipes the floor with them.

I also grabbed 16gb of 1600mhz G.Skill Ripjaws and I've not seen much difference between that and 8gb.

I also went with an SSD, and whilst it is nice to have, it was purely a luxury purchase - I'd hold off on it to save some money and make it a future purchase.

What PSU do you currently have?

I have an Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU. There was some debate in another thread that I made if it will support my GPU (GTX 660) so I may just switch to the Corsair.

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While I'm figuring out what to do concerning the PSU and SSD, I'm torn between two motherboards:

Asus P8Z77-V LK vs the ASRock Extreme6. Both are around the same price...Actually the Asus is a bit cheaper on Amazon.

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Asus P8Z77-V LK vs the ASRock Extreme6. Both are around the same price...Actually the Asus is a bit cheaper on Amazon.

That might be the LX not LK the LK is better or GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H .

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yes, 8gb of memory really is the optimum amount for a computer right now. unless you plan to have many virtual machines open at once, 8gb should be plenty

whatever you do, dont get an asrock. nightmares!

agreed, I've heard nothing but bad things about that company

I'd go with the Asus, they've proven to be rather reliable

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I have an Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU. There was some debate in another thread that I made if it will support my GPU (GTX 660) so I may just switch to the Corsair.

FWIW, I'm currently run a 3570k (stock clocks) and a 660 on my Antec 500W power supply. The 660 isn't a power hog.

I wouldn't skip the SSD, they make a huge difference.

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That might be the LX not LK the LK is better or GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H .

Nah it's the LK. It's 138 on Amazon right now.

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So I just pulled the triggtheer and here's what I went with:

I5 3570K

Gigabyte Z77X UD3H

G.Skill Sniper DDR3 1333 (8GB)

Crucial M4 128GB

The crappy thing is I didn't pay attention and chose DDR 1333 over 1600. Hope that won't matter really.

That will be paired with my current WD Black 640GB (32MB Cache not 64)

GTX 660

Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU (I'll replace the PSU soon. Went over budget with this upgrade.)

I might use the EVGA step up program and go for a 670. Or I may just OC my 660 to Ti speeds.

Guess it's time to retire my ten year old WD 120GB IDE I 'm using for music.

Now...To Windows 8 or not to Windows 8...

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Good choice on the Vertex 4. You should have done yourself a favor and gotten a modular PSU though. Cable management on a non-modular PSU is a nightmare.

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:rolleyes:

I had non-modular all my life, never had a problem. Just have to be extra creative.

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Good choice on the Vertex 4. You should have done yourself a favor and gotten a modular PSU though. Cable management on a non-modular PSU is a nightmare.

Yeah...I thought that one was modular until I woke up this morning and double checked :(. It's already shipped and should be here tomorrow. My current one is non modular and it seems to be fine so fingers crossed.

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Yeah...I thought that one was modular until I woke up this morning and double checked :(. It's already shipped and should be here tomorrow. My current one is non modular and it seems to be fine so fingers crossed.

Just have plenty of zip ties handy. :)

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That is something I would waste 30 dollars on. I'd be worried about heat though...

Be perfect up here in WI, we getting single digits plus a ~20* windchill...

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You should probably go inside first, then worry about a toaster.

It is cold on the second floor of the house, you know.

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