Colin.B Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coagulated Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmeunit Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason S. Global Moderator Posted January 18, 2013 Global Moderator Share Posted January 18, 2013 whatever you do, dont get an asrock. nightmares! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+PeterUK MVC Posted January 18, 2013 MVC Share Posted January 18, 2013 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 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted January 18, 2013 Supervisor Share Posted January 18, 2013 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 companyI'd go with the Asus, they've proven to be rather reliable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Cancelled the DDR1333 order and picked up some DDR3 1866. I also dropped the M4 for the Vertex 4 and added this PSU:Corsair Enthusiast Series TX 750 http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Enthusiast-Series-Bronze-TX750/dp/B004MYFODI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted January 21, 2013 Moderator Share Posted January 21, 2013 :rolleyes: I had non-modular all my life, never had a problem. Just have to be extra creative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 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. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Just have plenty of zip ties handy. :) Or find more things to plug in. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astra.Xtreme Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Or find more things to plug in. :D This is true! Here's an idea: http://www.crazypc.com/other/misc/toast.htm :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.B Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 This is true! Here's an idea: http://www.crazypc.c.../misc/toast.htm :rofl: That is something I would waste 30 dollars on. I'd be worried about heat though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted January 21, 2013 Moderator Share Posted January 21, 2013 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Be perfect up here in WI, we getting single digits plus a ~20* windchill... You should probably go inside first, then worry about a toaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Moderator Posted January 21, 2013 Moderator Share Posted January 21, 2013 You should probably go inside first, then worry about a toaster. It is cold on the second floor of the house, you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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