Upgrade or Build a New Computer?

[bombatwist]

My current specs are listed in my signature.

I was wondering whether or not it is better to upgrade my current build.

If i were to upgrade, i would add these in.

Core 2 Duo Q9550
better gpu(haven't decided yet)
better PSU(probably a corsair PSU)
more ram for sure(a friend is giving me his Crucial Ballistix 2x2gb sticks for free since his is just collecting dust)

If i were to completely build a new system, I would sell my current system for somewhere around $300-$400 and for my new build, I would want a

Core i7 920
at least 4gb of ram
a good overclocking motherboard(Socket 1366)
a Corsair PSU
a $150-$200 DirectX 11 video card
etc.


This list is sort of a sketch of what i have in mind.


A friend of mine told me that i should just upgrade to a q9550 and upgrade the other parts since it will be cheaper for me, and that there isn't much of a difference between an i7 920 and a C2D q9550, except that i7s with the right motherboard both will be able to take advantage of triple channel memory. Even then the performance that i will see when i play games will be very minimal.

I do want to spend as least as possible, but if building a completely new setup will be alot better in the long run, then i will go for the new build.

What should i do? thanks!

 

[Gulkorr]

its funny i am in the same spot. but what i need make some sense since i am on a budget but also got a good deal. mc 920 cost $200 newegg cost $288

just get the Q9550 o/c it get a 5870 and new psu and be done with it. thats what i would do and save the cash for your next big upgrade. when sandy bridge come's out.

Me i am spending $300 on mobo/cpu/mem and selling off my old parts so it will only cost me about $100 to upgrade

 

[bombatwist]

haha my friend also told me to get the q9550 from microcenter also since cpus there are so cheap . and i also do have the option of going there if i get the i7 920 also.

if i do happen to buy the q9550 and o/c it, should i also buy an aftermarket heatsink/fan? or will the stock heatsink/fan be able to handle some overclocking too?

 

[Gulkorr]

what micro center are you going to by chance? because i will just there website and see what cooler's they have and what not so you get what you need same day

i can look on there website and see what they have at the store also how far is the micro center. if it's kinda far call them to make sure they have what you want.

 

[KeithP]

I would go the upgrade path myself however it might be helpful to know what you use your computer for and where you would like to see the some improvement.

For example, maybe you are gamer (what is your monitor's resolution) and want better FPS in the latest shooters. Or maybe you don't game but are heavily into video and music, etc.

-KeithP

 

[Gulkorr]

yeah but core i7 and c2d dont have much inpack on gaming. gaming is more of gpu then cpu. if you game go with c2d and 5850 or 5870 but if you do music/video stuff then go core i7 but i would image your a gamer thats why i said just get the c2d and wait until sandy bridge comes along which will be out next year i belive

 

[bombatwist]

sorry i forgot to specify, i will mainly be playing games on it. My monitor resolution is 1920x1200, 24inch Samsung. and the microcenter i will go to is the one in Orange County, California.

So it looks like the upgrade it is then?

 

[M0RPH]

You should start with a video card upgrade and see how that feels. The rest of your system is really still decent for gaming purposes. Get a 5770 or if you really have money to burn then a 5850. That upgrade will do wonders for your gaming. And your power supply should be fine for either one of those.

 

[klocwerk]

You should start with a video card upgrade and see how that feels. The rest of your system is really still decent for gaming purposes. Get a 5770 or if you really have money to burn then a 5850. That upgrade will do wonders for your gaming. And your power supply should be fine for either one of those.

This.
If you're a gamer just get a big shiny new video card first. Should get a chunk more life out of that system. Then if you do need to upgrade cpu/mobo you can keep the shiny new vid card too.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

you're not going to experience a mind blowing difference between a 9550 and a 920.

 

[bombatwist]

this is my power supply.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182032

i think i'm leaning towards the 5850 or the 5870 for my next gpu upgrade.

and wouldn't the card be bottlenecked by my processor though?(talking about my current cpu, the c2d e6600)

 

[Gulkorr]

that psu would blow up with a 5850 or 5870 get a cosair 750 watt for $100 from newegg.com and if you got the budet get the quad/5850 or 5870 and the psu and that will last you for about 2-3 years i would imageine

 

[klocwerk]

that psu would blow up with a 5850 or 5870 get a cosair 750 watt for $100 from newegg.com and if you got the budet get the quad/5850 or 5870 and the psu and that will last you for about 2-3 years i would imageine

I disagree. It's got dual PCI-e power connectors and there are positive reviews from people using it for SLI on fairly power hungry cards.

It's a 600w and the minimum recommended for a 58xx card is 500w. Given that the rest of your system isn't terribly power hungry, I think you'd be absolutely fine with that PSU.

 

[M0RPH]

I disagree. It's got dual PCI-e power connectors and there are positive reviews from people using it for SLI on fairly power hungry cards.

It's a 600w and the minimum recommended for a 58xx card is 500w. Given that the rest of your system isn't terribly power hungry, I think you'd be absolutely fine with that PSU.

:thumbsup:

 

[Gulkorr]

rosewill do not make good psu's if i am going to spend $400 on a gpu i would get a good psu like cosair/antec. shoot me for saying it but thats me. because a non name brand psu can kill your computer and everything in it. have seen it time and time again

 

[StinkyPinky]

If you're just gaming I would consider doubling your ram and getting a 5850. The CPU is decent for gaming but your video card is poor.

 

[Zap]

if i do happen to buy the q9550 and o/c it, should i also buy an aftermarket heatsink/fan? or will the stock heatsink/fan be able to handle some overclocking too?

If overclocking, I would definately buy an aftermarket HSF whether you go Q9550 or Core i7 920/930.

In fact, you should pick up this deal immediately no matter what platform you end up with. It is a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus for $24 with free shipping. It is a decent enough aftermarket unit with quad direct-touch heatpipes and 120mm fan, and can mount on Intel sockets 775/1156/1366 so even if you change platforms you can still use it. It isn't "the best" but it is probably "the best for $24." :awe: