To buy or to upgrade my computer

[Think]

Need advice as I have no idea on what's what out there. I don't know whether to upgrade my GPU and anything else, or to just drop $800-$1000 on a new rig. I'd like to play BF3 with relative ease (can't play it at all with my current OS) and not have much of an issue with newer games that come out, such as Planetside 2. Also, I'm running a 27in and 22in monitor.

What I'm currently running:
Windows XP 32 bit
Gigabyte MoBo
AMD Phenom II X3 720
4gigs of RAM (only 3 are usable due to my OS)
GeForce GTX 260

I've heard the 6950 2GB is the best bang for the buck right now, but I'm afraid that if I just get a new GPU and OS, I might get a bottleneck with my CPU. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[Owen_R6]

To make a long story short since I'm on my phone...

Build a new rig

I was in the same boat 2 yrs ago and just decided to build one instead of upgrade and it was the best decision hands down.

[LambeauXLIV]

+1 to building

[Think]

Why build?

[LambeauXLIV]

better performance per dollar compared to buying

UNLESS your motherboard is somewhat current (does it support DDR3? what northbridge? socket type?)

[Think]

Honestly, I have no idea what you just said.

Here's the model number, it's a Gigabyte: GA-MA790XT-UD4P

[drago52]

I recommend building. you can build a great system for cheap. I used this site:
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/
as a guide to build a computer. It was worth it.

[~Barn~]

There are some good arguments to both sides of this debate, but I think if you find the right "base" machine and pick a few select upgrades, you can make something pretty special out of it, and have a nice safety net, as well. If not safety net, at least a "convenience net".

For instance I just bought a new "value" HP Pavilion desktop with an AM3 socket type and 6GB of DDR3 RAM (setup as a stupid 1x2GB + 1x4GB).

I purchased a matching 2GB and a matching 4GB chip, so now I'm channeled properly at 12GB total.

To the existing 7200rpm TB drive, I added a second 7200rpm TBHD (one I already owned). 1 serves as my data drive, while the other is the boot-drive/backup-drive.

To the existing DVD Lightscribe burner, I added a Blu-ray burning optical drive.

I replaced the 4-core Athlon chip, with a higher clocking 6-core Phenom processor.

Lastly, I purchased Microcenters "we'll take care of everything here" extended warranty package, which covers not only the HP itself, but every upgraded component that I purchased above. Complete replace/repair for the next 3 years, if something falters. No dealing with HP, no dealing with the hardware manufacturers, just take it into Microcenter, and (likely) get a new part. For all of this, I'm < $700. Warranty and everything.

My next move will be a 3.5 USB hub up front to help out the peripheral'ability, and possibly a SSD on a PCIe bus, to be my new boot drive. If I really want to go off the deep end, maybe a new video card. Since I'm not a gamer though, and since that upgrade would require a new power supply, it may not happen anytime soon.

[LambeauXLIV]

For gaming, I would recommend building just for the fact that OEM power supplies can't handle graphics cards and OEM motherboards don't tend to be on par with gaming motherboards

For example, my recent build:

Asus M4A87TD EVO motherboard - $100
Antec 750W Power Supply - $80
8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 RAM - $75
AMD Phenom II x6 1090T & Radeon HD 6850 bundle - $200
Corsair H50 cooler - $40
1TB HDD - $60

I already had the case, some other HDDs and ODDs

For gaming, as of now you don't really need more than 4 cores, so you can save money there...

[Think]

I recommend building. you can build a great system for cheap. I used this site:
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/
as a guide to build a computer. It was worth it.

Don't those micro rigs overheat real easy?

For gaming, I would recommend building just for the fact that OEM power supplies can't handle graphics cards and OEM motherboards don't tend to be on par with gaming motherboards

I "built" my current computer on CyberPowerPC.com. Not entirely sure what you mean by OEM for computers.

[LambeauXLIV]

OEM as in the original equipment manufacturer. The motherboards and power supplies in off-the-shelf computers you see at Best Buy and such are in no league with aftermarket stuff. They are build cheaply.

[drago52]

Don't those micro rigs overheat real easy?

That website gives you lots of options. You can build a budget-based micro rig as an HTPC, or you can go full-gas with a standard tower-based system. I built a tower-system and was so satisfied that I built a micro-rig HTPC as well. The tower system is for gaming, the HTPC is for tv stuff. Just a suggestion.

[Think]

OEM as in the original equipment manufacturer. The motherboards and power supplies in off-the-shelf computers you see at Best Buy and such are in no league with aftermarket stuff. They are build cheaply.

Definitely don't have a Best Buy rig, but it's definitely not totally custom either since CyberPower built it. Pretty sure my PSU is around 800 watts, maybe 1000, I can't remember. When it comes to MoBos I'm totally clueless.

That website gives you lots of options. You can build a budget-based micro rig as an HTPC, or you can go full-gas with a standard tower-based system. I built a tower-system and was so satisfied that I built a micro-rig HTPC as well. The tower system is for gaming, the HTPC is for tv stuff. Just a suggestion.

Cool, I'll browse it some more when I've got some more time. Thanks.

[Think]

So here's what I've got so far if I end up building myself.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119197 $90

CPU and MoBo combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.738339 $262

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314 $52

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150530 $270

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139010 $150

Card reader: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820176021 $42

HD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145476 $210

SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820147063 $220 (really not sure if I should get this or not)

Sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102024 $80

OS: Windows 7 (hoping I can get it through a student deal with one of my friends)

Total comes out to $1376.

This would be my first ever DIY build. Am I missing anything? Should I get extra cooling? Is there anywhere I could save money and keep it below $1200?

[Think]

Here's another build I'm following off of this site Drago recommended http://www.hardware-revolution.com/m...c-august-2011/.

CPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B004EBUXI0 $210

MoBo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $110

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $50

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150530 $270 (same as previous build)

HD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B001U3S5S0 $65

Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $20

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $100

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $90

Cooling: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B002G1YPH0 $25

Sound: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $80

Sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820176021 $42

OS: Same as above

Total comes out to $1,062.

[LambeauXLIV]

Check out the new amd processor...FX.

[laspariahs]

Here's another build I'm following off of this site Drago recommended http://www.hardware-revolution.com/m...c-august-2011/.

CPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B004EBUXI0 $210

MoBo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $110

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $50

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150530 $270 (same as previous build)

HD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B001U3S5S0 $65

Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $20

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $100

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $90

Cooling: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B002G1YPH0 $25

Sound: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3067296&SID= $80

Sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820176021 $42

OS: Same as above

Total comes out to $1,062.

Dump the creative sound card unless you are a audiophile. If the onboard sound isn't to your liking you can always add it later, but I doubt you will have an issue with it. I'd put that money in to a better Mobo, or getting a 570 GTX.


As for the new amd chip, bulldozer is dead on arrival, costs as much as a 2600k, performs less than a 2500k. I used to be a huge AMD fan, but they aren't delivering these days.

Edit: If there's a microcenter near you, they are running a buy a 2600k get 80 dollars off a z68 mobo, great deal.

[Think]

Tried installing Windows 7 and keep getting this error:



The files were first located in my downloads folder and then I moved them onto my desktop after getting the error the first time. Still getting the error after I moved them onto my desktop. Both box files and the .exe file are on my desktop. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.

[LambeauXLIV]

1. Are you trying to do a clean install?
2. Do you have a Windows 7 disk?
3. What version of 7 are you trying to install?

[Think]

1. Yes.
2. I have a backup disk as part of the "student" deal on their website.
3. 64 bit.

[LambeauXLIV]

Home, Professional or Ultimate?

Are you doing this from within XP?
Where did you get the files to install Windows 7?
(maybe it's just me, but I've never seen an install such as this. Have you tried booting from the disk?)

I'm unsure what you mean by 'backup disk'...

[Think]

Professional. Yeah, from XP. I'm upgrading from 32 bit XP to 64 bit 7. On the disc is says Backup Disc and that it includes Windows Anytime Upgrade and service pack 1. I've looked on the disc and didn't find any .exe file or anything like that.

[LambeauXLIV]

PM sent

[Think]

Thanks for the help. Got it installed and am in the process of getting everything back to normal. However, I'm having an issue with the sound. Some things will play just fine in iTunes, and some won't. It's like the equalizer is going crazy. It seems like whenever the pitch or sound gets higher in a song, the volume goes lower and the treble does weird crap. Updated my audio drivers and the install of iTunes is totally fresh so I have no idea what's going on.