$800 to upgrade current PC, help.

[BluenosedMarsh]

Hi all, as the thread title says, I have 800 dollars to upgrade my current PC and I'm not sure how to go about it. I want to use as many parts from my old PC as possible in the new rig while still improving performance. Basically, I want to improve on my current PC's weak spots while keeping the stuff thats current. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it.)

 

My current specs are: 

 

AMD A10 6800K 

Radeon HD 7870

Corsair CX600 600 Watt PSU

 

Here's where things get interesting. The parts listed above are aftermarket parts I've installed in a pre-packaged HP PC (Pavilion p7-1233w). The stock parts are as follows:

 

MSI MS-7778 Mobo

8 GB of DDR3 1600 RAM

1 TB Hard Drive (Which will be the primary drive of my next PC, along with a bigger HDD for more storage.)

Run of the mill. HP case

DVD-RW disc drive. 

 

So there's the lot. I want to know what the forum thinks I can do with this configuration +800 big ones. All suggestions welcome. 

[meritmaster]

Dump the processor, and mother board; go intel, and grab a good GPU. 

 

I know that the i5-3570k is around $220, and a 780ti will run you $599.

[That Norwegian Guy]

Get a good 250GB+ SSD, a new mobo and a top end Intel CPU and it'll be the most noticeable upgrade you can do. Should be able to afford a good CPU cooler on top of that. Then you can sell your old stuff and recoup some money

 

It's not really advisable to upgrade from that GPU yet.

 

EDIT: Oh wait, you're using the GPU part of the APU? Ugh. Well, then use the money you get back when you sell stuff to get a GTX 760 or 270x.

[BluenosedMarsh]

EDIT: Oh wait, you're using the GPU part of the APU? Ugh. Well, then use the money you get back when you sell stuff to get a GTX 760 or 270x.

No, I have dedicated GPU. HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7870. I really want more graphical power, but the general consensus seems to be to go Intel for the best boost. Hmm. 

[Hidden Orange]

No, I have dedicated GPU. HIS IceQ Radeon HD 7870. I really want more graphical power, but the general consensus seems to be to go Intel for the best boost. Hmm. 

Well, you could get another 7870. The reason people suggest you go for a stronger CPU is that with a GPU like a R9 290 and the current CPU you have, there'll be a noticeable bottleneck. It'd be best to get a better CPU and GPU.

[BluenosedMarsh]

That's what I was thinking. An i5 with a 280x or a second 7870. 

[Hidden Orange]

That's what I was thinking. An i5 with a 280x or a second 7870. 

A single powerful GPU is in general more viable than two GPUs outputting a lot of power. Just a head's up.

[BluenosedMarsh]

A single powerful GPU is in general more viable than two GPUs outputting a lot of power. Just a head's up.

Obviously. That's why a 280x is so attractive. 

[Hidden Orange]

Obviously. That's why a 280x is so attractive. 

I'd recommend a newer case. The RAM's optional, but hey, more RAM won't hurt.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

 

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($239.99 @ Newegg) 

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SLI ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($109.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory:  A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage:  PNY XLR8 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 

Video Card:  MSI Radeon R9 280X 6GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($299.99 @ Newegg) 

Case:  Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $864.92

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 02:30 EDT-0400)

[BluenosedMarsh]

I can dig it. 

 

Also, a question. Can you mix RAM types? I read somewhere that you couldn't, but that could have been mis-information. 

[rhyseyness]

Not many people suggesting an SSD.

Personally, that's what I'd do.

SSD, i5, motherboard and graphics card (second 7870?) I think you could do that fairly comfortably on $800

[rhyseyness]

I can dig it. 

 

Also, a question. Can you mix RAM types? I read somewhere that you couldn't, but that could have been mis-information. 

Yes and no...

You can, and it will probably work, but it's not advisable.

[Hidden Orange]

I can dig it. 

 

Also, a question. Can you mix RAM types? I read somewhere that you couldn't, but that could have been mis-information. 

I don't think it would matter as long as they're the same in specs like having 2 8GB DDR3-1600 Corsair sticks and 2 8GB DDR3-1600 A-Data sticks - it's not like different brands can't work together. Mixing them when they have different latency and speeds might cause an issue. So, if you have a stick of DDR3-1600 and DDR3-1886, then the system will only run at DDR3-1600.

[BluenosedMarsh]

I don't think it would matter as long as they're the same in specs like having 2 8GB Corsair sticks and 2 8GB A-Data sticks. Mixing them when they have different latency and speeds might cause an issue. So, if you have a stick of DDR3-1600 and DDR3-1886, then the system will only run at DDR3-1600.

That's what I'm reading. Fuck it, I'll take a gamble. 

[Hidden Orange]

That's what I'm reading. Fuck it, I'll take a gamble. 

Well, let's hope nothing spontaneously combusts. 

[BluenosedMarsh]

Well, let's hope nothing spontaneously combusts. 

Oh my, that'd be tragic. 

[Hidden Orange]

Oh my, that'd be tragic. 

Tragically hilarious. 

[d3sl91]

 

I'd recommend a newer case. The RAM's optional, but hey, more RAM won't hurt.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

+1 this build. Very well balanced. Will blow your existing build out of the water.