[SmileyB84]

I have a computer that is getting very old now, it was pretty awesome back when the Nvidia 280 was pretty cool, now it's just lagging behind and I am having some loading issues with some games.

I currently have a Smilodon Raidmax case http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811156063 I also want a more roomy case as the current one I have feels really cramped when trying to fit parts in etc.

I have some intel motherboard that I don't really know what it is as it doesn't really say on it and the guy who put it in because my old motherboard crashed didn't seem to have a lot of options and I needed it fixed asap. It only has 2 slots for ram and it is an Intel brand board at least that is the only logo on it.

I have an Intel Core i5 Cpu 2.67Ghz

I have 4 GB of Coursair ram.

I want to spend around $1000-1200 upgrading now, then another $1000-1200 in another month or so.

What I was thinking was I would get a new case, Motherboard, additional ram, and a Processor (Unless I should still wait for the processors another month. Maybe a Video card as I am still running a Nvidia 280.

It would be appreciated if I could get help as my computer is really having issues, the power buttons don't seem to work so well anymore, and it is definitely a couple years old now.

Thanks for your help ahead of time, I do need to make sure that the future upgrades will fit with the ones I get now, I will most likely be doing the second installment of purchases May/June, first installment April.

I would prefer newegg products but I am open to all options.

Edited by SmileyB84, 29 March 2012 - 11:29 PM.

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Hi SmileyB84,

You would be better off building new. Some parts like HDDs may be OK, other stuff ???


It is OK to configure a complete build and then buy the parts a month or two apart. A Motherboard, RAM and GPU, + (calculated at the very end of the selection) a PSU, just not possible as they must be compatible. Case, HDDs, DVD, mouse keyboard etc, not to bad, but care must be taken not to spend big as it may leave you with limited funds for the main parts.

Intel is pushing the latest Sandy Bridge E, Socket 2011 which I think is overkill for a gaming rig. There maybe some benefits for gaming as the CPU chipset supports
PCI-E version 3.0 which can be used by the latest top end video cards.

http://www.hardware-...-december-2011/
http://www.madshrimp...4#axzz1qUsMUOug

I usually spec a Z68 Mobo, Socket 1155, Sandy Bridge i5 2500K or i7 2600K, (if games being played are Multi Threaded). The higher you go with cost there is a diminishing performance return.

I would suggest deferring for a month as Ivy Bridge is confirmed due April. Some will operate on existing Z68 Motherboards
http://pocketpccentr...-date-april-29/

Or look at Z77 Motherboards, already available, like this http://www.asrock.co...el=Z77 Extreme4

[iammykyl]

Hi SmileyB84,

You would be better off building new. Some parts like HDDs may be OK, other stuff ???


It is OK to configure a complete build and then buy the parts a month or two apart. A Motherboard, RAM and GPU, + (calculated at the very end of the selection) a PSU, just not possible as they must be compatible. Case, HDDs, DVD, mouse keyboard etc, not to bad, but care must be taken not to spend big as it may leave you with limited funds for the main parts.

Intel is pushing the latest Sandy Bridge E, Socket 2011 which I think is overkill for a gaming rig. There maybe some benefits for gaming as the CPU chipset supports
PCI-E version 3.0 which can be used by the latest top end video cards.

http://www.hardware-...-december-2011/
http://www.madshrimp...4#axzz1qUsMUOug

I usually spec a Z68 Mobo, Socket 1155, Sandy Bridge i5 2500K or i7 2600K, (if games being played are Multi Threaded). The higher you go with cost there is a diminishing performance return.

I would suggest deferring for a month as Ivy Bridge is confirmed due April. Some will operate on existing Z68 Motherboards
http://pocketpccentr...-date-april-29/

Or look at Z77 Motherboards, already available, like this http://www.asrock.co...el=Z77 Extreme4

[SmileyB84]

Thanks for the informative reply! The thing is I am having parts of my computer that are performing less than stellar lately and feel like they are not wanting to work or like my power button issue it just doesn't work for the life of me while I fiddle trying to make it turn on.

I want the whole thing to be new in the end, but I was hoping that I wouldn't have to buy a whole new computer, or if I did maybe I could spend $1000 to build the whole rig, then in a month spend another $1000 upgrading it, then spend the final $1000 finishing the upgrade 1 month later.

What do you think?

[iammykyl]

How much you spend will depend on exacly what you want.

I am not trying to be a smart ? here,

Are you after bragging rights, "I have the best money can buy"?
Does it have to impress, with flashing lights and dispense cold Coke? Looks good but can be distracting, if in your bedroom you will have to shut it down for sleeping, does not make the rig go any faster.
Do you want to over-clock to break records? note. Part of the warranty from both Intel and AMD, (not verbatim) over-clocking the CPU will void the warranty.

What games will you be playing?
Will you want to play over multiple displays.

Please download and run Speccy, so we can see exactly what you have. then post results in you next reply.

http://download.cnet...4-75181811.html

[SmileyB84]

It's more of I want to be able to play League of Legends, Star Wars The old Republic on ultra.

I also don't want a flashy case, I prefer plain black, the one I have now the person who built it for me bought one with flashy lights it cost me a bit more, but it annoys the heck out of me at night.

[iammykyl]

How about this scenario?

Select and buy non critical parts. Case, Hard drives, DVD burner, Some bits like Anti static wristband, Plus the PSU, (knowing mostly what the other parts will be)

April. You back up your important DATA to an external HDD, or USB stick.
You dismantle your rig and use only the new case and rebuild the rig. This will give you practice and gain confidence.

May. Select and buy internal parts and do a complete new build. Reuse your existing Mouse, Keyboard and Display.

June. Decide if you want new external hardware.

[iammykyl]

Hi, how are things going?

"Manners maketh the man". An update would be welcome.