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Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Looking at building a new computer? Want advice on upgrading the computer you have? Ask you questions here and I will help you choose your components.

Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby Mark » Sun Sep 20, 2009 8:31 pm

I have an older gaming computer with these components:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ CPU (socket 939)
Asus A8N-SLI Premium Motherboard
2x1GB Kingston PC3200 DDR400 RAM
EVGA GeForce 9800 GTX+
Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic SoundCard
Silverstone Zeus 560W PSU
WD Raptor Hard Drive
Thermaltake Tsunami mid-tower Case

Since I have the best socket 939 CPU made, upgrading would mean new CPU, motherboard, and RAM at least. I was thinking of going to one of the Intel Core i7 processors. Is this job something you would be interested in doing?
Mark
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby scottay » Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:46 pm

Hello Mark,

The Core i7 is a fantastic processor. I would be happy to work on this job with you.

Do you already have parts picked out, or would you like some help?
What kind of budget are you looking at?

Looking forward to your reply,

Scott
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby Mark » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:11 pm

Hi Scott,
I'll give you a call in a few minutes. I want to ask you a few questions.
Mark
Mark
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby scottay » Mon Sep 21, 2009 1:14 pm

Sounds good. Talk to you then.
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby Mark » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:05 pm

Here is the first draft list of components to get us started. Feel free to suggest changes. I just picked some first choices from Newegg that might fit.

CPU only - Core i7 920
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

Combo Deal CPU & Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDeal ... mbo.261079

RAM 3 x 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227477

OS (with upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit soonest)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832116677

I want to get another internal Hard drive for data too. My current system only has one HD. What would you suggest?

Edit: Forgot an aftermarket CPU cooler. Any suggestions?
Mark
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby scottay » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:40 pm

Definitely the best choice for the CPU. No need to spend 2-4 times as much for the higher end i7. From what I've heard you can OC the 92 to match/exceed the others pretty easily.

I would go with the CPU and your choice for the MB. The Intel MB only has 4 slots for RAM, 3 for the DDR3 triple channel and then 1 oddball. From what I've read it also lacks some features for the price. I found an ASUS board for the same price ($250) that people seem to like. It has 6 slots for RAM, 2 full sets of triple channel. Also, it has 2 PCI slots instead of just one. Don't know what else you'd need to add that's not integrated, but it's nice in case you need to as a RAID controller or a modem or something. The ASUS one actually has 3 PCI-e slots. Might be to many, if so we could look for one with 2. If you like 3 then this is a great board. Here's the link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131359.

RAM looks like a good choice.

OS also looks good.

You may want to try the system with the stock heatsink and see if you want an aftermarket one. If you wanted to order one there are a quite a few available. One thing to keep in mind is size. You'll want to make sure it won't be in the way of anything and be sure that it fits well in a mid tower.
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby Mark » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:04 pm

The ASUS motherboard looks good to me. Newer SLI/Crossfire configurations use 3 graphic cards. I guess that's one reason why Newegg wants to sell that Intel board.

Memory is sure cheap nowdays! I wouldn't mind bumping up the quality some. What would you pick from this list if you weren't goink to overclock? Any brands that you like?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... &x=19&y=39
Keeping the stock CPU cooler for now is fine with me.

I want to get another internal Hard drive for data too. Maybe 150 to 300 GB 7500 RPM would be enough. My current system only has one HD. What would you suggest?
Mark
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby scottay » Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:27 pm

That link didn't work for me. It took me to a search with 0 results. Corsair is known make really good RAM, but it's also a little more expensive. OCZ is also good, so it's really up to you. Either would work for overclocking. Keeping with the triple channel scheme would mean a jump to 12GB. That's a ton of RAM and I don't see you needing more than that unless you plan on hard core video rendering or something like that. No game that I know of will get anywhere near touching 12GB. Better too much than not enough, right? :D In reading the reviews I saw that some people are having stability problems with the OCZ. I found some Corsair for $15 more for the set of 3 DIMMs that is very highly reviewed http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145220. 1 or 2 of those I think may be a better choice.

Is the Raptor HDD you have now SATA or IDE? If it's IDE I would recommend getting a new SATA drive for the OS and programs and use the Raptor as storage. If it's SATA, then the Raptor may be faster than the newer inexpensive drives. Do you know what RPM it is? I like 7200 RPM drives and would not buy a 5400 RPM drive. I just bought a Western Digital 1TB SATA 7200 RPM drive for my computer and it was $95, so 500GB and less are very cheap right now. Honestly, though, it's probably about $20-$30 more to make the jump to a 1TB. With programs taking more and more space it may be a good idea to do that. If you ever plan on making your computer a DVR for you TV (which is getting more popular) I would definitely do that. But regardless of what size you choose, I've always had good experience with Western Digital.

P.S. I made a new category under Computer Topics called Custom Computer and Upgrade Support since none of my current topics covered this kind of stuff. I'm going to move this thread there after you reply next (that way I know you saw this message and don't wonder where your post went)
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby Mark » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:25 pm

Thanks for the RAM suggestion. I think I'll stick with 6GB for now rather than 12GB though. The Raptor is SATA and 10,000 RPM. It's small though at 78GB. I'll pick a WD 7200 RPM SATA 500GB to 1TB and let you know. Go ahead and move the thread now. Talk to you tomorrow.
Mark
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Re: Upgrading a Gaming Computer

Postby scottay » Mon Sep 21, 2009 4:29 pm

Ya, I thought the Raptor was a 10K RPM. I'd put the OS on that on for sure, then you can decide where to put software.

6GB is a good choice for now. It's plenty for the current demand.

Talk to you tomorrow.
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