Upgrading a 2010 System

[PurdueChE]

Hello Forums,

I'm looking to get back into PC gaming and need a few upgrades:

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

I'd like to play new games on high settings at 1080p, photo editing, listening to music, MS Office, etc.

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

$300-$500

3. What countryYOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.

None

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

Keeping:
CPU: Intel i5-750 (OC'd to 3.8 GHz; extremely stable)
MOBO: EVGA P55 SLI 132-LF-E655-KR LGA 1156 ATX
Cooler: GELID Tranquillo CC-TranQ-01-A 120mm
Case: Antec Nune Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower
PSU: Antec Earthwatts EA750 750W version 2.3 80 PLUS Certified
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200RPM
Optical: ASUS 24X DVD Burner
Monitor: ASUS VH236H 23" LCD Monitor 2ms
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit


Maybe Replacing:
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600 7-8-7-24-2N
Should I replace or add to? My MOBO has 4 slots, and I can get another 2x2 GB of the same ram for $50.

Replacing:
GPU: HIS HD5850 1GB DDR5
I'm leaning towards the R9 270x 2GB but I am very open to suggestions, especially if an alternative is on sale!

Adding:
SSD: Crucial MX100 256 GB

I probably won't upgrade my CPU/MOBO now, but how much of a performance increase would I see with an i5-4590?

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

I will try to overclock the GPU, but won't settle on anything less than 100% stability.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

1080p

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Soon

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

Nope

 

[mvbighead]

Bump up to 8GB of RAM in the cheapest way possible, allocate the rest to a video card.

I'd also consider adding an SSD as that would improve your daily tasking.

 

[Essence_of_War]

You can pick up an R9-280x for $265 AR

The 256GB MX100 for ~$110 is a great buy.

I think 4 GB of RAM is a little low, even for a mostly gaming rig, going up to 8GB (adding 2x2GB sticks) for $50 seems pretty reasonable to me.

Seems like you could do everything for $425 ish AR? I think that would scream.

I probably won't upgrade my CPU/MOBO now, but how much of a performance increase would I see with an i5-4590?

About 20-30% faster clock-for-clock from your CPU to Haswell, I believe. Your OC puts you at similar clock speeds as a non-OC'd i5-4690k. You may seem some benefit, but I think you'll see MUCH more practical value from the GPU and SSD than a CPU upgrade right now.

 

[Blain]

"Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600 7-8-7-24-2N
Should I replace or add to? My MOBO has 4 slots, and I can get another 2x2 GB of the same ram for $50."

Add another 4GB kit of the same specs (speed, CAS, voltage).

 

[PurdueChE]

Thanks for the prompt responses!
I'm ordering the extra 2x2GB of memory and crucial mx100 256GB ssd today.
I'm leaning towards the r9 280x as well.

 

[DSF]

Agree with all the above advice.

Side note: Boiler up!

 

[Essence_of_War]

Thanks for the prompt responses!
I'm ordering the extra 2x2GB of memory and crucial mx100 256GB ssd today.
I'm leaning towards the r9 280x as well.

At your price point, for gaming at 1920x1080, the R9-280x seems very well situated.

As Blain suggested, do make sure the RAM is EXACTLY the same specs.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Here's another solid deal on the R9-280X

Sapphire R9-280x for $240 AR

 

[Chipfiref]

Just make sure that your current PS has 2 8pin plugs just for the R9-280X.

Sapphire has a very quiet, very cool, factory overclocked one

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_vapor_x_r9_280x_tri_x_oc/17.htm


I just bought it myself from here with the three games free(not sure if it is an option for you)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-095-_-Product

Hmm yesterday it was $319

 

[mfenn]

Just make sure that your current PS has 2 8pin plugs just for the R9-280X.

Sapphire has a very quiet, very cool, factory overclocked one

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_vapor_x_r9_280x_tri_x_oc/17.htm


I just bought it myself from here with the three games free(not sure if it is an option for you)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-095-_-Product

Hmm yesterday it was $319

Absolutely not worth the $100 (or $80) price increase. BTW, all R9 280X's have the same bundled games.

 

[PurdueChE]

The additional ram and ssd arrived today!
The new ram is exactly the same as the old; installed with no issues.
I'm planning on installing the new 256GB crucial ssd tomorrow.

I still can't decide on a GPU. I need some advice on the following options:
1.) HIS R9 280x Turbo: This card runs cool, overclocks well, and is currently $265 AR.
2.) Used R9 280x for $150-170 shipped on eBay.
3.) Used R9 290 Reference for $250 shipped on eBay.
4.) Used R9 290 Tri-X for $300 shipped on eBay.
5.) Wait until the R9 285 comes out and see how it compares to the current available cards / prices may drop...

 

[mfenn]

I would absolutely avoid any reference R9 290's. They are hot and ear-bleedingly loud. Of the cards that you've listed, the used R9 280X is definitely the best deal from a price/performance standpoint.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'm a little leery of buying used known-good-mining cards after a mining bubble burst, but it's possible that I'm just too cautious.

I'd lean towards the HIS R9 280X new.

 

[PurdueChE]

I ended up getting a gently used sapphire r9 290 tri-x for $270 shipped on ebay.
Thanks again for the helpful advice!

 

[mfenn]

I ended up getting a gently used sapphire r9 290 tri-x for $270 shipped on ebay.
Thanks again for the helpful advice!

Good score!