The PC Build Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hi all

I just wanted some advice. My current system specs as follows

Mobo: H55m-P23
Cpu: i5 760 @ 2.8ghz
ram: 8gb DDR3 1333mhz
Gpu: Radeon HD6850

I can currently play everything at 1080p although I have to tweak the settings a bit in some games. My question is what would be the best bang for buck upgrade? New GPU with an overclock on the CPU? If so, what GPU do you guys recommend. If not should I stick with the current gpu and upgrade the trinity?

I don't have much cash and as such I'll be upgrading my rig in stages. Just wanted to know what the best upgrade would be?

Thanks
 
Gnarls said:
Hi all

I just wanted some advice. My current system specs as follows

Mobo: H55m-P23
Cpu: i5 760 @ 2.8ghz
ram: 8gb DDR3 1333mhz
Gpu: Radeon HD6850

I can currently play everything at 1080p although I have to tweak the settings a bit in some games. My question is what would be the best bang for buck upgrade? New GPU with an overclock on the CPU? If so, what GPU do you guys recommend. If not should I stick with the current gpu and upgrade the trinity?

I don't have much cash and as such I'll be upgrading my rig in stages. Just wanted to know what the best upgrade would be?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'd upgrade the GPU 1st if gaming is your priority on this machine, that said a GPU upgrade is going to largely depend on what PSU you have?
 
Last edited:
^Thanks. That's what I thought as well. I'm willing to upgrade my psu to whatever the card needs but I think I need to future proof it a bit. I just didn't want to spend cash on a new mobo, cpu and ram when what I have is still adequate.

Which card would you guys recommend?
 
Gnarls said:
^Thanks. That's what I thought as well. I'm willing to upgrade my psu to whatever the card needs but I think I need to future proof it a bit. I just didn't want to spend cash on a new mobo, cpu and ram when what I have is still adequate.

Which card would you guys recommend?
Click to expand...

Depending on your budget I'd go with one of the following:

http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...r5-384bit-pcie-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/galax-97n...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html
 
Last edited:
^Thanks guy. That was pretty much my thinking just wanted some confirmation.
 
Aproximately R3k. I could stretch it a bit assuming the card represents exceptional bang for buck. I just can't afford a full upgrade and just want to know what I'm looking in terms of cost for and whether it is worth it given my current config. Thanks for taking the time
 
I would seriously stretch an get the 280x at the very least. It's pretty much the minimum for getting a smooth experience on high for most current games at 1080p. Don't expect to max out on some of the latest titles though.

If you can stretch a bit more to the 290 you'll keep on maxing out 1080p for many years.

970 in my opinion is a bit overkill for 1080p.
 
Gnarls said:
Aproximately R3k. I could stretch it a bit assuming the card represents exceptional bang for buck. I just can't afford a full upgrade and just want to know what I'm looking in terms of cost for and whether it is worth it given my current config. Thanks for taking the time
Click to expand...

In that case stretch your budget a bit and get the PowerColor AXR9 280X http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

The R9 290 at R4.2k would be the ideal if you can stretch it that far http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html
 
lestoran said:
Don't expect to max out on some of the latest titles though.
Click to expand...

You can get pretty close to max and play @60fps if you go low or off on AA and maybe one or two things somewhere else if it's a really demanding game.
 
 
DrewChan said:
Officially purchased items

http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/intel-bx8...intel-hd-graphics-4600-desktop-processor.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/antec-tp-...plus-gold-certified-desktop-power-supply.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/seagate-s...6gb-s-64mb-cache-3-5-internal-hard-drive.html

http://www.takealot.com/transcend-ddr3-1600-desktop-dimm-cl11-4gb/PLID32837333 x 2

http://www.takealot.com/msi-intel-h81m-p33-h81-chipset-motherboard-socket-1150/PLID28620999

http://www.takealot.com/cooler-master-k280-black-usb3-0-chassis-no-psu/PLID29401873

Kind of regretting going cheap on the motherboard - but too late now
Click to expand...

O well, I would've bought a cheap mobo as well and sell it again when SkyLake gets released.
 
CamiKaze said:
O well, I would've bought a cheap mobo as well and sell it again when SkyLake gets released.
Click to expand...

Takealot agreed to take some stuff back (I bought a psu I won't be using) so that combined with the mobo means a better motherboard
 
Hi guys, after being out of the PC game for about 6 years I'm ready to bounce back.

Some background: Basically I want the best PC I can get for 22k. I love gaming, but I run simulation software also, so processing power is important. Atm I have a 1080 screen, but I'm looking to upgrade to 1440 once my wallet recovers.

This is what I had in mind:
CPU: i7-4790k
Cooler: Corsair H100i
Mobo:MSI Z97 Gaming 7
RAM: G.SKILL Ares, 16GB Kit, DDR3-1866
GPU:MSI GTX960 4GB
PSU: Corsair CX 750
Case: Corsair 450D
SSD: Samsung 850 Pro 256Gb
HDD: WD 1Tb Black

This all comes to around 22k from Rebeltech. What improvements can you suggest?

Thanks
 
ponder said:
That GPU is weak, you need to look at gtx 970 or r9 290 I would say.

Are you going to OC?
Click to expand...

I think so, usually I did (back in the day). I was originally considering running SLI on the 960's as secondhand cards become available. Maybe I should do the same with the 970? It bumps up the price to around 23.5k.

How is the motherboard? Anything better in the price class?
 
Trubore said:
I was originally considering running SLI on the 960's as secondhand cards become available.
Click to expand...

That's a really bad idea. You will still be stuck with a 2GB framebuffer on the 960, 2GB+2GB does not give you 4GB in SLI!
The performance is not great!
It will use more power, generate more heat & noise than a single 970.

Look at the sli performance and decide for yourself http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_960_SLI/
 
DrewChan said:
Officially purchased items

http://www.wootware.co.za/powercolo...it-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/intel-bx8...intel-hd-graphics-4600-desktop-processor.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/antec-tp-...plus-gold-certified-desktop-power-supply.html

http://www.wootware.co.za/seagate-s...6gb-s-64mb-cache-3-5-internal-hard-drive.html

http://www.takealot.com/transcend-ddr3-1600-desktop-dimm-cl11-4gb/PLID32837333 x 2

http://www.takealot.com/msi-intel-h81m-p33-h81-chipset-motherboard-socket-1150/PLID28620999

http://www.takealot.com/cooler-master-k280-black-usb3-0-chassis-no-psu/PLID29401873

Kind of regretting going cheap on the motherboard - but too late now
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with that motherboard for a non-k cpu, unless you want to actually use the pci slots, then size becomes a issue.

It's either that board or this one: http://www.takealot.com/msi-intel-h81-p33-atx-motherboard/PLID34158493 that's the best option for non OC.

As soon as you go a k version, your looking at forking out a minimum of R1400 for the motherboard to get the benefits.

In my case for example, the graphics card blocks a pci slot, only leaving the second one open with like 2mm clearance when I insert a 4 port usb adapter.

Now I have no space for a wireless card.
 
Last edited:
Looking to upgrade

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some assistance in building a new pc / upgrading my existing one.

Current setup:
Intel I7 - 2600 - 3.4GHZ CPU
Nvidia GTX 650
550 watt +- PSU (Realise I would need to upgrade this - suggestions on a good price vs performance psu would be appreciated)
8GB of Vengeance Ram
2 x 1TB Western Digital HDD's (1 green 1 blue)

What i'd like:
GPU:
http://www.wootware.co.za/galax-97nqh6dnb4tx-geforce-gtx-970-exoc-black-edition-4096mb-gddr5-256-bit-pci-express-3-0-desktop-graphics-card.html

CPU:
http://www.takealot.com/intel-core-i5-4690k-processor-3-50ghz-6mb-cache-skt-1150/PLID32732301 (otherwise possibly the 4GHZ I7 8mb cache, though not sure such a monster is necessary for gaming?)

An okay-ish motherboard? Any suggestions? Judging from the above post will a R1400 mboard suffice?

I have around +-10k-11k to spend.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X