Starting to plan a new build...

[BoomerD]

HOPEFULLY, within the next couple of months, I'll be ready to pull the trigger. Of course, being the "over-achiever" (anal, type A personality) I am...I first have to start researching and
shopping for the best deals...
My CURRENT build was put together about 2 years ago and is:

Intel i5-760
ASUS P7P55D-E Pro
8 GB Corsair RAM
EVGA GTX460 Superclocked Graphics Card
Corsair HX 620 psu...about 5 years old, never "heavily stressed."
(2) Samsung DVD burners
Dell 24" monitor


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Some gaming, office applications, and, of course, internet use.


2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

Under $1000


3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

US of A, probably either Newegg or Amazon


4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Intel processor, ASUS mid-to high end motherboard, nVidia GPU


5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Most likely, I'll keep my existing case, HAF 932, PSU, Corsair HX620, (unless I NEED bigger), and if it's compatible, Noctua NH-U12P SE2 CPU Cooler.


7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Most likely, just stock speeds, but I want the option to overclock.


8. What resolution will you be using?

1920 x 1080 (I think)


9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.


HOPEFULLY, within 1-2 months


X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

Nope, I SHOULD be good to go.

 

[lehtv]

Could you elaborate what you mean by "some gaming"? The setup you own already looks like it can handle some gaming. What games, what image quality settings, and do you require 60fps at all times?

It'd also be good to confirm your resolution really is 1080p. Just check the desktop's context menu -> screen resolution (Win 7).

It's not very useful to suggest specific parts this early on.Currently,a $1000 midrange setup that focuses on gaming performance looks like this: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2192841

 

[BoomerD]

lehtv, that system is still packed away...I just moved...but, I'm pretty sure that's the correct resolution,
Dell ST2421L
Resolution 1920 x 1080

My current system handles my older games just fine...but I'm ready to upgrade so I can play newer games with at least MOST of the eye candy turned on.

I'd also like to find a video card that doesn't scream when the fan kicks in...the EVGA 460 I have sounds like a 747 once it starts to heat up...
(yeah, I know...fans are usually pretty loud)

I have a new copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that I'll be installing...and getting rid of Vista Ultimate.

 

[mfenn]

I'd honestly just upgrade the GPU, add an SSD, and maybe OC the 760. The rest of the build is quite capable.

7950 3GB $280 AR
Samsung 830 128GB $133

 

[BoomerD]

I'd honestly just upgrade the GPU, add an SSD, and maybe OC the 760. The rest of the build is quite capable.

7950 3GB $280 AR
Samsung 830 128GB $133

You're NOT helping a bit! Here I am, trying to spend a bit of money to help stimulate the economy...and you're recommending economical fixes...

:biggrin:

That's what I MIGHT end up doing. I want to replace my aging HDD...it's about 6-7 years old anyway...and add a SSD to help speed things up.

 

[riversend]

I think mfenn's suggestion is solid. You will get a nice boost from those two parts, not as much from the rest of the upgrade you are looking at. Then when Haswell shows up you can upgrade to that to keep the improvements coming.

I have the HX 520 with a 3570k build, still running great so you should be gtg for a while.

 

[BoomerD]

I think mfenn's suggestion is solid. You will get a nice boost from those two parts, not as much from the rest of the upgrade you are looking at. Then when Haswell shows up you can upgrade to that to keep the improvements coming.

I have the HX 520 with a 3570k build, still running great so you should be gtg for a while.

Of course it's solid...he's one of the better "recommenders" around here...that doesn't mean I still don't want to spend some money...

I unpacked the desktop Monday night. We moved and it's been in storage for about a month.
I'm having "issues" with the thing "automatically shutting down" on its own.
Not "crashing" so much...no "BSOD," no black screen...it just goes into "Windows is shutting down" mode.

It's set up with dual boot...and it happens in both hard drives and OS's...and even in Safe Mode.

Temps are good for both CPU and GPU.

I've gone through and checked to make sure everything is connected properly...and the next step will be to tear it down to a basic boot config (mobo, CPU/HSF, single stick of RAM, video card, HDD...then slowly add things back to see how it works.)

If it ain't one thing...it's a dozen others.

 

[dmoney1980]

I'd honestly just upgrade the GPU, add an SSD, and maybe OC the 760. The rest of the build is quite capable.

7950 3GB $280 AR
Samsung 830 128GB $133

Sound advice my friend!

Boomer, if I were in your shoes I would stick with the barebones that I have and upgrade to an SSD (Sammy 830, or try a Crucial m4, Plextor, Intel, or give the new OCZ Vector a shot? - whatever's on sale). You can also upgrade the GPU then just wait for Haswell.

Regarding your issues: yeah do a tear down and reinstall the OS, download the newest drivers, and make sure the BIOS is up to date and that you are running in AHCI mode. If the system is still acting up then you may need to buy a system soon, but until then do some troubleshooting to see if you could get another 4-6 months out of that rig. Haswell should be a nice jump from your current build...

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Yeah I was going to say that already is a solid system except for the GPU and drive. it'll easily do 3.7Ghz and that's getting fast for that CPU era. A GPU and you will see adequate gains in performance with gaming. An SSD will liven the desktop up a bit too

 

[riversend]

It is always an anxious moment starting a system up after a move, particularly when storage is involved. Hope that you get it working again.

 

[dealmaster00]

for your uses your current build seems fine, i wouldn't upgrade. is there perhaps something wrong with your current build?

 

[mfenn]

I unpacked the desktop Monday night. We moved and it's been in storage for about a month.
I'm having "issues" with the thing "automatically shutting down" on its own.
Not "crashing" so much...no "BSOD," no black screen...it just goes into "Windows is shutting down" mode.

So it goes through the normal safe shutdown process? Sounds like a fault in the power button to me. Try unplugging the power button and wiring the reset button to that position (obviously you'd then use the reset button to power on the PC).

 

[BoomerD]

Time for an update to this pathetically old thread...

I never did figure out what was causing the shut-downs...but I went through the case and made sure all cables were tight in their sockets...hasn't happened in a very long time now.

As for the GPU...I kept plodding along with the GTX 460 until about 1 month ago when it suddenly died. Contacted EVGA about an RMA, (lifetime warranty FTW!) and they approved it. Imagine my surprise when I unboxed the replacement...and found a GTX660 in its place!

Per EVGA...still covered by the original "Lifetime warranty" of the original card.

 

[lehtv]

Now that is how to necro a thread the way it's meant to be necro'd.

Gotta love that warranty... I got myself an EVGA GTX 970 SC and upgraded the warranty for free so it's 5 years. Can't wait until it craps out on me 4 years down the line and I get a GTX 1170 replacement :awe:

 

[riversend]

BoomerD, that's a great story, maybe one of the great warranty replacements of recent times. I am gaming with a 660 on 1920x1200, don't really play shooters, but everything else runs really well. I wouldn't mind a bit more performance, but I am running medium or better on just about everything I play.