henke on 8/2/2015 at 18:30
I bought my current computer just over 5 years ago, Christmas 2009. It's been working fine until about last fall when a lot of games started needing DX11 graphics cards. Was gonna hold off until the Oculus Rift comes out and do a complete upgrade or buy a brand new computer then, but I can't be bothered waiting. I know DX12 cards are also just around the corner probably, but fuck it, I feel like if I keep waiting I'll be waiting forever. I wanna upgrade, but I have no idea what to get, so I turn to you more in-the-know types to help me with this.
This is what I've got currently:
Win 7 64-bit
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Processor 3.20Ghz
6 GB RAM
600 GB HDD
Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
Photos of the insides:
Inline Image:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90297811/Games/Computer_Upgrade/20150208_194737.jpgAdditional photos: (
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90297811/Games/Computer_Upgrade/20150208_194819.jpg) 2, (
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/90297811/Games/Computer_Upgrade/20150208_194846.jpg) 3
The ram takes up 3 of the 4 slots. I'm guessing it's 2+2+2GB. Also there's a free
something slot under the graphics card.
This is what I'm thinking: a new graphics card (EvaUnit02 suggested a Geforce 750Ti and that sounds pretty good I guess?). I was also thinking about throwing in a SSD drive, and putting Win 8 on it and moving my valuables over there, which'd let my give my current harddrive a long over due formatting.(I've been using the same 1-partition drive for 5 years so yeah) Tho looking at SSD drives right now I'm a bit taken aback by how pricey they are. 350 euros for 120GB? Blimey! And then I guess I'd also need a new processor in order to keep up with the graphics card? And maybe more RAM? Actually, at this point is there even any point in hanging on to my old computer or should I just get a brand new one? Ideally this upgrade should keep me from having to think about this stuff again for another 5 years.
Tell me what to do, people!
bikerdude on 8/2/2015 at 23:03
Quote Posted by henke
This is what I've got currently:
* Win 7 64-bit
* AMD Phenom II X4 955 Processor 3.20Ghz
* 6 GB RAM
* 600 GB HDD
* Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
* Mobo - I can see an Asus, whats the model because if its a socket AM3+ you have the option of just buying a better CPU, eg an FX 6 or 8 core.
* PSU - I see its a Xilence 1000w unit so this can very certainly be re-used.
* Ram: Whats the make/model/speed of the ram. And only 3 sticks of ram is slowing that PC down a tad, you should always run even numbers of ram, so 2+2, 2+2+2+2, 4+4, 8+8 etc.
* GPU - the GTX750ti is a nice card, but it you have the budget I would suggest a GTX960. The 960 has roughly the same grunt as a GTX680/770 but runs much cooler and uses less power.
* HDD - Get a 120/256GB SSD (I recommend the Samsung 840/850 evo drives (the 840 are chaper now that the 850 just came out) and use the 600GB as a data drive.
* Case - is you have any cash left over we could look at getting you a better looking and more functional case.
* Location - what online shops do you use to buy stuff..?
octavian on 9/2/2015 at 00:10
Quote Posted by henke
Actually, at this point is there even any point in hanging on to my old computer or should I just get a brand new one? Ideally this upgrade should keep me from having to think about this stuff again for another 5 years.
I say wait. Get a new computer. 5 years is a long time. Win10 DX12 is coming soon.
bikerdude on 9/2/2015 at 12:12
* Yer, they are very good drives, good value and among the fastest.
* Once we have your shopping list I'll have a look.
* Correct, in fact
ALL DX11 cards are DX12 compatible.
henke on 9/2/2015 at 15:17
Alrighty, found the recepit with all the info of my last computer purchase.
Mobo:
M4A785TD-M EVO ASUS AM3 AMD785G VGA DDR3 SATA2 GBLAN, (
https://capital.lv/Produkti/Katalogs/Datoru-komponentes/Mates-plates/ASUS-ASUS-AM3-AMD785G-VGA-DDR3-SATA2-GBLAN) this one.
RAM:
KVR1333D3N9K 6GB 1333MHZ DDR3 NON-ECC CL9 DIMM KITX3
For the ram, could I just get a 8GB piece and put it in there with the 3x2GB I have now, or would that cause problems?
The case is a black Cooler Master, the exact version of which I can't find on Google right now. I'm fine with sticking with it as long as everything fits in there. Besides being a little bit dusty it looks fine, and it's functional enough. It's got USB and audio ports in the front. What more could I want? No seriously, is there anything else I should keep in mind regarding cases?
bikerdude on 9/2/2015 at 19:33
Quote Posted by henke
* Mobo:
M4A785TD-M EVO ASUS AM3 AMD785G VGA DDR3 SATA2 GBLAN
* RAM:
KVR1333D3N9K 6GB 1333MHZ DDR3 NON-ECC CL9 DIMM KITX3
* Ccould I just get a 8GB piece and put it in there with the 3x2GB I have now, or would that cause problems?
* The case is a black Cooler Master, I'm fine with sticking with it as long as everything fits in there.
* Is there anything else I should keep in mind regarding cases?
* Not a bad motherboard, but CPU upgrade wise you can only upgrade to a Phenom X6 - which isnt much of a jump over what you have. So if you want current gen AMD (AM3+)/Intel(Corei5/7) cpu its a new mobo.
* Nice stable reliable Kingston ram, another 2gb of the same ram would be cheap and work in what ever motherboard you end up getting. You can of course get faster & bigger modules eg 2x4 DDR3 1600 or 2x8 DDR3 1600 etc, but faster/bigger means higher price.
* Potentially, but it is not advised. As I mentioned before you should only have ram installed in even numbers and sizesm 2+2, 2+2+2+2, 4+4, 4+4+4+4, 8+8, etc ad-infinitum
* Depends on what your willing to pay for a new case, for for starters here is a very good basic case for (
http://www.multitronic.fi/showprod.php?prod_id=LF-02B-OP&b=1) €46, Cheftec LF02B -
* has a black interior
* has a whole under the CPU socket so you can remove the CPU cooler without taking out the mobo.
* has quick release HDD/SSD/CD-DVD bays.
* has multiple holes/slots in the motherboard tray for routing cables behind the mobo - this is good for airflow.
* power supply bay is at the bottom, PSU fan pulls in clean aire from under the case rather than inside and the location allows for better routing of cables.
* Has a center mounted fan for blowing cool air to the GFX card - this simple fact is missed by a lot of case makers.
* Has a center-side mounted fan for blowing cool air to the GFX card and motherboard chipset - another simple fact is missed by a lot of case makers. The only thing missing is a filter for the front and side fans.
octavian on 9/2/2015 at 21:40
Quote Posted by bikerdude
The only thing missing is a filer for the front and side fans.
You can easily DIY filters for those.
henke on 10/2/2015 at 06:43
Quote Posted by bikerdude
* Not a bad motherboard, but CPU upgrade wise you can only upgrade to a Phenom X6 - which isnt much of a jump over what you have. So if you want current gen AMD (AM3+)/Intel(Corei5/7) cpu its a new mobo.
* Nice stable reliable Kingston ram, another 2gb of the same ram would be cheap and work in what ever motherboard you end up getting. You can of course get faster & bigger modules eg 2x4 DDR3 1600 or 2x8 DDR3 1600 etc, but faster/bigger means higher price.
* Potentially, but it is not advised. As I mentioned before you should only have ram installed in even numbers and sizesm 2+2, 2+2+2+2, 4+4, 4+4+4+4, 8+8, etc ad-infinitum
* Depends on what your willing to pay for a new case, for for starters here is a very good basic case for (
http://www.multitronic.fi/showprod.php?prod_id=LF-02B-OP&b=1) €46, Cheftec LF02B -
* has a black interior
* has a whole under the CPU socket so you can remove the CPU cooler without taking out the mobo.
* has quick release HDD/SSD/CD-DVD bays.
* has multiple holes/slots in the motherboard tray for routing cables behind the mobo - this is good for airflow.
* power supply bay is at the bottom, PSU fan pulls in clean aire from under the case rather than inside and the location allows for better routing of cables.
* Has a center mounted fan for blowing cool air to the GFX card - this simple fact is missed by a lot of case makers.
* Has a center-side mounted fan for blowing cool air to the GFX card and motherboard chipset - another simple fact is missed by a lot of case makers. The only thing missing is a filter for the front and side fans.
* Ouch, ok. I'm gonna look over the new CPUs tonight and try to figure out what I want.
* Alright, I'll just get (
http://www.multitronic.fi/showprod.php?prod_id=KVR13N9S6%2F2-2&stock=own&b=1) this 2GB piece. 8GB will probably last me a good while, and I can always upgrade the RAM later if needed.
* Not sure if I need that case. I rarely fiddle around inside the case so accessibility isn't a priority. The center fans sound useful tho. My current computer does get pretty loud when it's at the height of it's performance. I guess more fans and better airflow would alleviate that. Hmm.
