TEK_Speedy Posted October 24, 2010 Posted October 24, 2010 (edited) EDIT: Well, I hate to throw things around but my budget expanded (Forgot I had a birthday on Saturday and got some more income), not to mention was able to strike a deal with a friend to pay a difference to increase my budget even more (He would get the old components out of it). This makes my new budget $875 With this new budget, I've chosen the following components, let me know if I should change any. Again, going for pure gaming speed, multitasking and desktop speeds are no priority. I'm also not keen on overclocking. Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102909 Corsair 650w PSU for i7 and SLI/CF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 Crucual 6GB 3x2GB Triple Channel Memory DDR3 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148246 Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 Motherboard (USB 3.0 ports also) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412 Intel Core i7-870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115213 Total = $876.95 Is the build good, or could it be better? I looked up benchmarks online and saw that the i7 outperformed the i5 dual and quad in game benchmarks, which made me choose it. I didn't go with the 1366 boards, just a bit too pricey for the small boost of speed. Not to mention most of those boards are native to more expensive RAM. However, if you know of any 1156 boards that are better, and at or cheaper let me know, I'm terrible at choosing motherboards. i usually just buy gigabyte or msi boards just because I've never had one fail, doesn't mean there aren't any better though. I know my friends like Asus. Original Post Well, I'm having an issue. I'm at the point where I'd like to fully upgrade my machine. My budget is limited, and I know there could be a few ways to do it, and I need help. This is a bit more general than just video card discussion, but since my original debate came in with video cards, I'll put it here. It's been a while since I posted so unsure if my signature specs are up to date, here's my current system: Core 2 Duo 3.16ghz 4GB ddr2 1066 1gb Radeon 4870 Running 1920 x 1080 600w Antec Earthwatts PSU The intention is for games to run their best. I don't do any crazy media editing or anything. Originally, the plan was to get a Radeon 6870 for this system. However, I am greatly concerned that the video card will be too fast for the motherboard, ram, or processor. I don't want to lose precious video bandwidth. Alternatively, I could go with an i5 3.2gh dual core, and a Radeon 6850. I could also go with an i7, and keep my 4870. I am also slightly concerned about my PSU being too weak, 600watts. My mind is a jumbled mess, what's the best thing to do? I have a $600 budget. I could probably do $650 if I wait another month. I already have the basic components for a computer, case, cd, hard drive, psu, OS etc. Basically everything comes down to Motherboard, Memory, CPU, and GPU. The help I receive here is always amazing. I believe I am in professional hands. Thank you! EDIT: I see there's a system builds section now. Been a long time since I've been here, if a mod could move this topic I'd appreciate it, sorry! Edited October 26, 2010 by TEK_Speedy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 What motherboard do you have?? I'd recommend getting a nice cooler and overclocking your C2D, is that an e8500, if so then you don't need to upgrade it. A higher frequency will bring out it's inner potential. You could always drop in a second 4870 and crossfire them, my 4870x2 hasn't broken a sweat with any of the new games I've been playing, and I'm running 1920x1200. (unless you want DX11, than you have PLENTY of money to get any graphics card on the market, 6870 or 460 1GB would be my recommendations or two of them)) 600W is just fine for ya and that's a good unit, even for a crossfire/SLI setup. (my system pulled ~550W from the socket with my card and my processor overclocked to 4.0ghz, meaning that the PSU was only loaded like 480watts or less, so you're fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEK_Speedy Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVIYTH0S Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359 oh man you can definitely pull some good clock speeds from that, I can pull 4.0ghz with quad on my Gigabyte P45 so should easily be able to achieve the same or greater results. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyt Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 oh man you can definitely pull some good clock speeds from that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locutus Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 I say go with the 6870 and if you still have some money in your budget, upgrade your CPU to a quad (Q9550 or better) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidare Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 I personally would not bother with the quad core.......as he said he is not doing any crazy editing or media encoding. The dual core is perfect for what he is doing, invest the money in the video cards and overclock your dual core. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerDeath Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 I personally would not bother with the quad core.......as he said he is not doing any crazy editing or media encoding. The dual core is perfect for what he is doing, invest the money in the video cards and overclock your dual core. Dual cores are being replaced by quad-cores in everything save laptops these days. Go quad or go home nowdays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEK_Speedy Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 So my current CPU, Motherboard, and Memory will not bottleneck a 6870? I think that's the biggest question I have. This is considering also, not overcloccking my processor. However once I can figure out how I would like to push 4.0, as I do have a nice Zalman copper cooler. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyper Threaded Posted October 25, 2010 Posted October 25, 2010 I was going through the same dilemma earlier, in regards to whether the CPU should be upgraded. With the E8500 even stock, it is enough to run a newer videocard. You can upgrade the cooler if you like, to overclock past what the Zalman will let you do. Going to a C2Q isn't worth it, now that the new chips are out. Upgrading to a quad-core just because "everyone does" is a bad idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEK_Speedy Posted October 26, 2010 Posted October 26, 2010 (edited) Well, I hate to throw things around but my budget expanded (Forgot I had a birthday on Saturday and got some more income), not to mention was able to strike a deal with a friend to pay a difference to increase my budget even more (He would get the old components out of it). This makes my new budget $875 With this new budget, I've chosen the following components, let me know if I should change any. Again, going for pure gaming speed, multitasking and desktop speeds are no priority. I'm also not keen on overclocking. (Only because I'm so bad at it) Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102909 Corsair 650w PSU for i7 and SLI/CF http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 Crucual 6GB 3x2GB Triple Channel Memory DDR3 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148246 Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 Motherboard (USB 3.0 ports also) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412 Intel Core i7-870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115213 Total = $876.95 Is the build good, or could it be better? I looked up benchmarks online and saw that the i7 outperformed the i5 dual and quad in game benchmarks, which made me choose it. I didn't go with the 1366 boards, just a bit too pricey for the small boost of speed. Not to mention most of those boards are native to more expensive RAM. However, if you know of any 1156 boards that are better, and at or cheaper let me know, I'm terrible at choosing motherboards. i usually just buy gigabyte or msi boards just because I've never had one fail, doesn't mean there aren't any better though. I know my friends like Asus. Edited October 26, 2010 by TEK_Speedy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjloki Posted October 26, 2010 Posted October 26, 2010 EDIT: Well, I hate to throw things around but my budget expanded (Forgot I had a birthday on Saturday and got some more income), not to mention was able to strike a deal with a friend to pay a difference to increase my budget even more (He would get the old components out of it). This makes my new budget $875 With this new budget, I've chosen the following components, let me know if I should change any. Again, going for pure gaming speed, multitasking and desktop speeds are no priority. I'm also not keen on overclocking. Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102909 Corsair 650w PSU for i7 and SLI/CF http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139005 Crucual 6GB 3x2GB Triple Channel Memory DDR3 1066 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148246 Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 Motherboard (USB 3.0 ports also) http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128412 Intel Core i7-870 http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115213 Total = $876.95 Is the build good, or could it be better? I looked up benchmarks online and saw that the i7 outperformed the i5 dual and quad in game benchmarks, which made me choose it. I didn't go with the 1366 boards, just a bit too pricey for the small boost of speed. Not to mention most of those boards are native to more expensive RAM. However, if you know of any 1156 boards that are better, and at or cheaper let me know, I'm terrible at choosing motherboards. i usually just buy gigabyte or msi boards just because I've never had one fail, doesn't mean there aren't any better though. I know my friends like Asus. Original Post that mobo and cpu will need dual channel memory not triple channel...1333 will get the job done...1600 would be better this is nice and a bit cheaper save a few bucks or maybe this ....either one will get er done... quad core goodness for me...it would be way cool if you could figure out a way to get the i7 875k rather than the i7 870 there's nothing wrong with that mobo; you made a good choice ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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