Possible Upgrades to PC Rig

[I Hendrycks I]

Hey this is my first time on the forums but I watch Linus' videos all the time, they're awesome!

 

I made a PC years ago and have only upgraded the graphics card from a gtx570 to a 660ti 5 months ago and upgraded a 64GB Vertex 2 SSD OS drive to a Samsung 840 Pro drive. 

 

I'm finally looking at possibly upgrading something with my rig or setup in general as I'm 90% on the side of cancelling my Xbox One pre-order and just focusing on PC gaming (my friends stopped playing on console so I have no reasonable ties to playing on an inferior platform).

 

Anyways so I was wondering what people think would be a reasonable upgrade to my rig?

 

CPU - i7-2600k 

 

Mobo - Gigabyte Z68X-UD4-B3

 

CPU Cooler - Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus

 

GPU - MSI TwinFrozr 660ti

 

RAM - Kingston ValueRAM 8GB (2x4GB) 1333

 

HDD - 2TB WD Caviar Black 

 

SSD - Samsung 840 Pro 250GB

 

Case - Coolermaster CM690 II Nvidia Edition (not USB 3.0 version)

 

PSU - Seasonic M12D 850W

 

I was thinking of upgrading the mobo to a Z87 because it seems like the next biggest upgrade to my comp but I'm confused on how much of an increase in performance I'd get.

 

I have also never had the opportunity to SLi because everyone always says it's easier and better price-performance ratio to just buy a new graphics card so I don't know if that's worth it either.

 

I've never water cooled as I'm very nervous about doing it but I love the look and quietness of it.

 

Last two things I'm not sure if it's worth to upgrade would be to try buying a really good "audiophile" headphone as I was blown away from buying my first pair of Astro A40s and I was wondering how much of an increase a pair of Sennheisers or something like that would do for me.

 

Last thing would be that I bought an Acer monitor for 3D Vision a few years ago (the one with the four feet coming out that are orange G234GHz or something is the model #) and it was my first time trying 120hz and I love it. Only thing is the monitor's old, I'd like to try a bigger resolution or multiple monitors to try 3D Vision Surround.

 

Sorry for the long post I just like saying everything right off the bat. I'd love your input as I'm a little stuck as to what I should upgrade as I was planning on forking out hundreds of $$ for the new Xbox w/controllers, games, etc but if I'm not going to I'd like to see what I can get out of my money as opposed to that! Thanks in advance.

[JoshM]

If you upgrade your mobo to Z87 that means new cpu. If you really want a new monitor go for it and 660ti's are going cheap so you may get your hands on one at a good price. Also maybe a new case?

[I Hendrycks I]

If you upgrade your mobo to Z87 that means new cpu. If you really want a new monitor go for it and 660ti's are going cheap so you may get your hands on one at a good price. Also maybe a new case?

Yeah I was just wondering how much the Z87 platform with a Haswell CPU would improve on my mobo/cpu I have now?

 

Also would another 660ti in SLi be worth it or should I just upgrade to a 700 series in a few months? I've always stayed away from SLi because years ago I heard that you run into issues where a lot of your games just won't run nicely with SLi so there's a $300+ part being wasted on some games you may play. I like the idea but I'm not sure if it's worth it.

 

As for a case I don't know what I'd get that would improve on what I have..maybe just a new look and the front ports being USB 3? 

[JoshM]

Yeah I was just wondering how much the Z87 platform with a Haswell CPU would improve on my mobo/cpu I have now?

 

Also would another 660ti in SLi be worth it or should I just upgrade to a 700 series in a few months? I've always stayed away from SLi because years ago I heard that you run into issues where a lot of your games just won't run nicely with SLi so there's a $300+ part being wasted on some games you may play. I like the idea but I'm not sure if it's worth it.

I wouldn't get haswell they are hotter and its really a lottery on OC too, i would keep SB they are boss.

If you can afford a new card then go a new card but if you only want to spent a bit SLI is still decent, but i cant remember how well those cards scale, look it up.

[WoodenMarker]

There's little benefit to upgrade your mobo/cpu unless you're doing professional editing/rendering/cpu heavy tasks. You have a solid cpu right now.

Also, paying any more for a Hyper 212 Evo to overclock is a luxury and not really good for performance per dollar unless you're, again, doing professional work. 

 

What you want to upgrade are:

More or better display (IPS)

Dedicated sound card, sound

Graphics card if you need it. Something like a 7950/7970 and sell you 660 Ti--Or a single 780 and a 1440p display.

 

What's your budget?

[I Hendrycks I]

I wouldn't get haswell they are hotter and its really a lottery on OC too, i would keep SB they are boss.

If you can afford a new card then go a new card but if you only want to spent a bit SLI is still decent, but i cant remember how well those cards scale, look it up.

Ya I'll go check up on it, watching Linus videos atm anyways haha. I was looking into getting a new monitor but I'm not sure what to go with for around $500.. I was looking at the 27in BenQ monitor here: http://tinyurl.com/q8d2s3o but I've never tried using two monitors for my own setup. All I can remember is years ago my dad had two monitors of different sizes and the windows would be awkwardly changing to different sizes as you move them across the screen but I'm not sure if that issue is gone now?

[I Hendrycks I]

There's little benefit to upgrade your mobo/cpu unless you're doing professional editing/rendering/cpu heavy tasks. You have a solid cpu right now.

Also, paying any more for a Hyper 212 Evo to overclock is a luxury and not really good for performance per dollar unless you're, again, doing professional work. 

 

What you want to upgrade are:

More or better display (IPS)

Dedicated sound card, sound

Graphics card if you need it. Something like a 7950/7970 and sell you 660 Ti--Or a single 780 and a 1440p display.

For the GPU I can say for a fact that I won't ever go back to AMD because of bad things happening to me in the past. I know they have great products but I've already had issues with them and I haven't had any with Nvidia since switching.

 

For the display I'd love looking at a new one but I don't understand what the benefits of an IPS panel would be? I've heard that the viewing angles are awesome but I don't see the point of that...I'm not lying down to the side while I'm playing a competitive game?

 

I like the idea of a dedicated sound card but is that really a huge increase in audio quality compared to my A40s through optical? Also if it is, is it worth the cost just for a sound card when Gigabyte has the G1.Sniper 5 (Think that's the right model?) that dubs itself as having Creative Audio built into a $200 mobo? A $200 mobo w/$300 new cpu that includes to close-to performance of audio as a $150-300 audio card seems crazy? Unless I'm way off the mark.

[WoodenMarker]

Ya I'll go check up on it, watching Linus videos atm anyways haha. I was looking into getting a new monitor but I'm not sure what to go with for around $500.. I was looking at the 27in BenQ monitor here: http://tinyurl.com/q8d2s3o but I've never tried using two monitors for my own setup. All I can remember is years ago my dad had two monitors of different sizes and the windows would be awkwardly changing to different sizes as you move them across the screen but I'm not sure if that issue is gone now?

I wouldn't get the 27" 1080p display. The pixels are too large. Go no larger than 24" for 1080p and 1440p for 27". 

The window size change isn't an issue. It's just that your dad was doing it inelegantly with 2 different sized displays.

For the GPU I can say for a fact that I won't ever go back to AMD because of bad things happening to me in the past. I know they have great products but I've already had issues with them and I haven't had any with Nvidia since switching.

For the display I'd love looking at a new one but I don't understand what the benefits of an IPS panel would be? I've heard that the viewing angles are awesome but I don't see the point of that...I'm not lying down to the side while I'm playing a competitive game?

I like the idea of a dedicated sound card but is that really a huge increase in audio quality compared to my A40s through optical? Also if it is, is it worth the cost just for a sound card when Gigabyte has the G1.Sniper 5 (Think that's the right model?) that dubs itself as having Creative Audio built into a $200 mobo? A $200 mobo w/$300 new cpu that includes to close-to performance of audio as a $150-300 audio card seems crazy? Unless I'm way off the mark.

If you're scarred from AMD, there's not much I can say other than they are good and there's a reason people still buy them. 

IPS panels have better color reproduction and just looks better. It's not all about the angles although that is mentioned often because displays are at an angle when you do surround or have multiple displays.

A dedicated sound card supposedly gives a much better experience but it depends on whether or not your current optical setup is adequate. You might not notice it until you upgrade.

Even a very cheap $20-40 dedicated sound card will generally be much better than good onboard sound. 

 

You missed my question I guess. Budget?

[JoshM]

Ya I'll go check up on it, watching Linus videos atm anyways haha. I was looking into getting a new monitor but I'm not sure what to go with for around $500.. I was looking at the 27in BenQ monitor here: http://tinyurl.com/q8d2s3o but I've never tried using two monitors for my own setup. All I can remember is years ago my dad had two monitors of different sizes and the windows would be awkwardly changing to different sizes as you move them across the screen but I'm not sure if that issue is gone now?

For that money you want 1440p not 1080p especially when its 27', i use a 1080p 27' and its great bit it was $390 and for $500 you can get a 1440p and you would need a more powerful card aswell look at the 9 series when it come out. 

[JoshM]

My monitor: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=558_1087&products_id=22547&zenid=32341bb6f89b0daa27d2f083696e3cbd

[I Hendrycks I]

I wouldn't get the 27" 1080p display. The pixels are too large. Go no larger than 24" for 1080p and 1440p for 27". 

The window size change isn't an issue. It's just that your dad was doing it inelegantly with 2 different sized displays.

If you're scarred from AMD, there's not much I can say other than they are good and there's a reason people still buy them. 

IPS panels have better color reproduction and just looks better. It's not all about the angles although that is mentioned often because displays are at an angle when you do surround or have multiple displays.

A dedicated sound card supposedly gives a much better experience but it depends on whether or not your current optical setup is adequate. You might not notice it until you upgrade.

Even a very cheap $20-40 dedicated sound card will generally be much better than good onboard sound. 

 

You missed my question I guess. Budget?

Oh ya sorry, I was planning on getting an Xbox One and adding up the few games I wanted to get right off the bat with extra remotes for when ppl come over and possibly a new headset depending on the new voice port adapter possibility situation I had about $800 saved up so around there is good.

 

For that money you want 1440p not 1080p especially when its 27', i use a 1080p 27' and its great bit it was $390 and for $500 you can get a 1440p and you would need a more powerful card aswell look at the 9 series when it come out. 

The problem is that I'd love to get a higher resolution as I've never tried it and I remember the difference when I finally went from 1280x1024 up to 1920x1080 but now that I've used an 120hz monitor I'd need a 1440p monitor that has 120hz..I'm not sure if that's available at a reasonable price?

[WoodenMarker]

Oh ya sorry, I was planning on getting an Xbox One and adding up the few games I wanted to get right off the bat with extra remotes for when ppl come over and possibly a new headset depending on the new voice port adapter possibility situation I had about $800 saved up so around there is good.

The problem is that I'd love to get a higher resolution as I've never tried it and I remember the difference when I finally went from 1280x1024 up to 1920x1080 but now that I've used an 120hz monitor I'd need a 1440p monitor that has 120hz..I'm not sure if that's available at a reasonable price?

Here would be my recommendation: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1o1vv

If you must avoid AMD: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n770tf2gd5oc

 

The extra monitor is for productivity. You do only use a single display now, correct?

It may seem a bit gimmicky but once you're used to it, you'll hate to go back to a single display. The things you can get done with more monitors are amazing. I use 3 now and I wouldn't like to go back to 2. 

The more displays you add, the less the extra display helps at a certain point and the longer it takes getting used to but it's great. 

 

If you really want to get a 1440p display, I'd recommend getting the 7970 or 780 for the extra vram instead of paying more for the 4GB 770 and going with a cheaper korean monitor to save money.

This is what I'm currently looking at and debating whether or not want to buy it now or to wait till 1440p gets cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perfect-Pixel-New-QNIX-QX2710-LED-Evolution-2-WQHD-PLS-2560x1440-27-Monitor/140964345638rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D320252090229505973%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D121117252582%26

[I Hendrycks I]

Here would be my recommendation: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/1o1vv

If you must avoid AMD: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n770tf2gd5oc

 

The extra monitor is for productivity. You do only use a single display now, correct?

It may seem a bit gimmicky but once you're used to it, you'll hate to go back to a single display. The things you can get done with more monitors are amazing. I use 3 now and I wouldn't like to go back to 2. 

The more displays you add, the less the extra display helps at a certain point and the longer it takes getting used to but it's great. 

 

If you really want to get a 1440p display, I'd recommend getting the 7970 or 780 for the extra vram instead of paying more for the 4GB 770 and going with a cheaper korean monitor to save money.

This is what I'm currently looking at and debating whether or not want to buy it now or to wait till 1440p gets cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Perfect-Pixel-New-QNIX-QX2710-LED-Evolution-2-WQHD-PLS-2560x1440-27-Monitor/140964345638rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D320252090229505973%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D121117252582%26

The AMD link is really tempting but I just go the 660ti a few months ago so I'd feel like I wasted my money if I upgraded already. I've been watching a lot of videos about getting a Xonar sound card and I'm swayed into trying out a better headphone (not headset for once) with a good quality sound card. I'm finding it hard to pick what to go with as I'm nervous about how much of an improvement something like the Audiotechnica headphones with a Xonar would be compared to my A40s with the Mixamp? My reasoning for getting A40s before was because for $250 I got a headphone/mixamp combo that comes in one bundle and lets me use my headphones easily with my 360, PC and before I sold it - PS3. Now that I'm going to focus on just PC gaming I can really get into the nitty gritty of good quality headphones but I'm not knowledgeable in that field whatsoever and there are way too many options..

 

Audiotechnica or Sennheisers for the headphones seems like most peoples choices but for a mic I've seen people just buy an $8 Zalman clip-on mic, I've seen a Yeti Snowball for $80 and then Linus showed a few months ago a $40 "clip-on" Modmic to add a mic to any headphones...so many options lol

[WoodenMarker]

The AMD link is really tempting but I just go the 660ti a few months ago so I'd feel like I wasted my money if I upgraded already. I've been watching a lot of videos about getting a Xonar sound card and I'm swayed into trying out a better headphone (not headset for once) with a good quality sound card. I'm finding it hard to pick what to go with as I'm nervous about how much of an improvement something like the Audiotechnica headphones with a Xonar would be compared to my A40s with the Mixamp? My reasoning for getting A40s before was because for $250 I got a headphone/mixamp combo that comes in one bundle and lets me use my headphones easily with my 360, PC and before I sold it - PS3. Now that I'm going to focus on just PC gaming I can really get into the nitty gritty of good quality headphones but I'm not knowledgeable in that field whatsoever and there are way too many options..

 

Audiotechnica or Sennheisers for the headphones seems like most peoples choices but for a mic I've seen people just buy an $8 Zalman clip-on mic, I've seen a Yeti Snowball for $80 and then Linus showed a few months ago a $40 "clip-on" Modmic to add a mic to any headphones...so many options lol

Sell your 660 Ti afterwards to make some money back.

If you have questions about audio, ask the audiophiles: http://linustechtips.com/main/forum/40-audio/

[JoshM]

Korean monitors arent that bad, i almost bought one.

[I Hendrycks I]

Sell your 660 Ti afterwards to make some money back.

If you have questions about audio, ask the audiophiles: http://linustechtips.com/main/forum/40-audio/

I'll go post on there then and see what they think I should do and then decide whether to sell my 660ti and go with something else or just grab a new headphone. Thanks for all the help eh?

[WoodenMarker]

I'll go post on there then and see what they think I should do and then decide whether to sell my 660ti and go with something else or just grab a new headphone. Thanks for all the help eh?

No problem. Make sure you get the new gpu before selling your old one :P

[PcBlackBelt]

just wondering what was the purpose to go from gtx 570 to a 660ti?

 

i would say you got a great system that realy doesnt need much.. i bought two 580s and i find myself still using single card for alot of reasons...

im not sure how far youve gotten into your system and tweaking it for certain games your into. if you dont know what im talking about you should google : "title of game" performance tweaks.

 

if i was you id wait 6 months to a year..

your last gpu upgrade net about a 10% increase in performance.. im all for running games on max settings just to take in the eye candy but 90% of games i optimize for performance which makes games much more responsive and leaves you with a bigger smile on your face then gettings fragged with aa maxed.

 

and a note on nvidia 3d... every fps ive played with it adds so much latency that i cant force myself to play to long with it,.

[I Hendrycks I]

just wondering what was the purpose to go from gtx 570 to a 660ti?

 

i would say you got a great system that realy doesnt need much.. i bought two 580s and i find myself still using single card for alot of reasons...

im not sure how far youve gotten into your system and tweaking it for certain games your into. if you dont know what im talking about you should google : "title of game" performance tweaks.

 

if i was you id wait 6 months to a year..

your last gpu upgrade net about a 10% increase in performance.. im all for running games on max settings just to take in the eye candy but 90% of games i optimize for performance which makes games much more responsive and leaves you with a bigger smile on your face then gettings fragged with aa maxed.

 

and a note on nvidia 3d... every fps ive played with it adds so much latency that i cant force myself to play to long with it,.

Well I play on an 120hz monitor so I needed a better card to utilize that better..the 570 played almost all games fine but it never broke 50-70 so in 3D it'd drop below a level I can deal with. With the 660ti I'm way more comfortable, playing all games pretty well at high fps..75+. I don't use 3D often, It was just a feature that always seems to be there when you get a good 120hz monitor cause..why not? lol. 

 

Not only that but when I play on 3D I'm not playing BF3 or Dota or anything "competitive" I'm playing games like Civilization V or Metro 2033 where yes..a fraction of extra latency doesn't matter to me - I paid for expensive PC parts to play beautiful games and the 660ti by me using it personally made much more than a 10% increase, It doesn't matter to me what benchmarks say, It seems like way more than that.

[PcBlackBelt]

Well I play on an 120hz monitor so I needed a better card to utilize that better..the 570 played almost all games fine but it never broke 50-70 so in 3D it'd drop below a level I can deal with. With the 660ti I'm way more comfortable, playing all games pretty well at high fps..75+. I don't use 3D often, It was just a feature that always seems to be there when you get a good 120hz monitor cause..why not? lol. 

 

Not only that but when I play on 3D I'm not playing BF3 or Dota or anything "competitive" I'm playing games like Civilization V or Metro 2033 where yes..a fraction of extra latency doesn't matter to me - I paid for expensive PC parts to play beautiful games and the 660ti by me using it personally made much more than a 10% increase, It doesn't matter to me what benchmarks say, It seems like way more than that.

i understand. just thought that other system couldve lasted a bit longer