Upgrade or replace 5 year old PC

[bsemp86]

Hello everyone,

 

I have been following Linus and reading this posts for quite a long time but I’ve never posted anything. There is a question that keeps coming to my head since the beginning of this year and let’s see if you can bring some answers to it.

 

My setup is approaching its 5^th birthday and basically it is composed of:

·         Asus P6T SE

·         Intel i7 920 with stock cooler (back then I had no idea on cooling options and obviously it is non-OC)

·         6Gb RAM

·         GTX 295

·         750W power supply (if my memory is correct)

·         HDD’s

·         Cooler Master CM690

 

The main thing is that this computer is serving 3 purposes:

·         My main computer for my PhD, basically Excel and Word

·         Photography stuff (lightroom, photoshop,…)

·         Gaming

 

The first point is not a problem, but with the others I’ve been noticing some sloppiness and frame drops. Before you ask, I have recently formatted and cleaned everything. From my research and some acquired knowledge reading you guys I find out that upgrading to an SDD and a proper cooler and, maybe, some more RAM would speed up everything and, probably a new graphics card would solve the frame rates.

 

The thing is, it is worth to start upgrading the system and stretch it some years more or it is better to keep it as it is and begin to think (save some more money) on a fresh new build?

 

Thank you very much.

[ZetZet]

Keep the HDD's, everything else is not worth much.

 

On the orther hand installing SSD would make the pc feel better and you can always reuse ssd in the upcoming build.

[NeatSquidYT]

I would personally only upgrade, unless you want to build a new pc...

Try and get a new graphics card and have a look on how well it performs then. If it performs well, then great! If not, then replace the motherboard and processor. The PSU can stay however, as it's plenty for most builds.

[MellowCream]

That i7 isn't that bad, is that PSU 80+? I'd just buy an SSD and a new GPU. I would get some more RAM as well. Although, 6GB is fine for gaming.

[juretrn]

@bsemp86 My 920 still serves me well... especially after getting a cheap cooler and pushing it to 3.8 GHz. What stepping is yours - C0 or D0? For 3.8 would be maximum, D0 has a maximum of about 4.0-4.2 GHz, depends on on your luck. 

Buying an SSD definitively gave it a new lease on life. Another thing to consider would be a modern GPU.

[MuffinTopMike]

The processor is still good, especially if you overclcok it. Some more ram, an SSD and a new graphics card would make it perfect for modern games.

[Sousuke]

·         Asus P6T SE

·         Intel i7 920 with stock cooler (back then I had no idea on cooling options and obviously it is non-OC)

·         6Gb RAM

·         GTX 295

·         750W power supply (if my memory is correct)

·         HDD’s

·         Cooler Master CM690

 

Going by this list I think you should do the following.

 

The Asus P6T SE Is still a very good board and supports quite a bit of good stuff. So I'd keep this as it supports overclocking.

 

The i7 is still a very good processor perhaps upgrade the CPU Cooler to a AIO Watercooling solution and overclock it to a higher clock speed.

 

Graphics card needs to be upgraded perhaps to a GTX 770 as that wouldn't overtax the PSU.

 

Add an SSD.

 

Thats what I'd do to it as it would be a very capable system once that has been done.

[bsemp86]

Thank you very much for your fast responses. I'll go for option 1 and upgrade a little bit.

 

juretrn Just to get a reference. What cooler and GPU are you using? I was considering a GTX660 because are not that expensive and it consumes much less power that the 295.

 

Anyone knows where to get triple channel RAM kits? Yes, the motherboard runs 2 channels of 3 sticks each. Or doesn't matter that much if I throw 3 individual sticks?

[Leonard]

Hello everyone,

 

I have been following Linus and reading this posts for quite a long time but I’ve never posted anything. There is a question that keeps coming to my head since the beginning of this year and let’s see if you can bring some answers to it.

 

My setup is approaching its 5^th birthday and basically it is composed of:

·         Asus P6T SE

·         Intel i7 920 with stock cooler (back then I had no idea on cooling options and obviously it is non-OC)

·         6Gb RAM

·         GTX 295

·         750W power supply (if my memory is correct)

·         HDD’s

·         Cooler Master CM690

 

The main thing is that this computer is serving 3 purposes:

·         My main computer for my PhD, basically Excel and Word

·         Photography stuff (lightroom, photoshop,…)

·         Gaming

 

The first point is not a problem, but with the others I’ve been noticing some sloppiness and frame drops. Before you ask, I have recently formatted and cleaned everything. From my research and some acquired knowledge reading you guys I find out that upgrading to an SDD and a proper cooler and, maybe, some more RAM would speed up everything and, probably a new graphics card would solve the frame rates.

 

The thing is, it is worth to start upgrading the system and stretch it some years more or it is better to keep it as it is and begin to think (save some more money) on a fresh new build?

 

Thank you very much.

X58 is still very good. i would just upgrade the GPU to like a 280x(one of you choice but my choice would be Sapphire tri-x or vapor), get a 120mm AIO cooler, add another stick of ram(how ever you have it configured) and an SSD and your system will function like a new one.

[juretrn]

Thank you very much for your fast responses. I'll go for option 1 and upgrade a little bit.

 

juretrn Just to get a reference. What cooler and GPU are you using? I was considering a GTX660 because are not that expensive and it consumes much less power that the 295.

 

Anyone knows where to get triple channel RAM kits? Yes, the motherboard runs 2 channels of 3 sticks each. Or doesn't matter that much if I throw 3 individual sticks?

I have an Akasa Nero 3, but I only got it as it was the only cheap and decent air cooler avaliable in the store i was buying from. A Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is good for it's money, or you can get something better, like Noctua NH-D14 or -D15, or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2/3. An AIO is a good option too.

 

I'm currently using a GTX 660Ti.

[bsemp86]

I have an Akasa Nero 3, but I only got it as it was the only cheap and decent air cooler avaliable in the store i was buying from. A Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is good for it's money, or you can get something better, like Noctua NH-D14 or -D15, or be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 2/3. An AIO is a good option too.

 

I'm currently using a GTX 660Ti.

 Thank you very much, I'll go on a scouting mission and see what cheap decent cooler I can buy. For the GPU, 660 it is and let's see if an SDD fits in budged.

[CyanOG]

How much gaming do you do and what games?

[Fgtfv567]

I'd just put together a new system, do a system image and install into the new system so you don't have to pay FOR A FUCKING WINDOWS LICENSE, GODDAMN IT MICROSOFT I HAVE TO SPEND 100 BUCKS ON IT SO I CAN RUN ALL THE GAMES ON STEAM!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry for the rant, just angers me)

[bsemp86]

Thank you very much for your help! Today I am going to see if I find some parts.

 

How much gaming do you do and what games?

 

I’ve played a lot of Battlefield 3 and Skyrim but for now I am more focused on World of Tanks.