Desktop upgrade

armstrongracer · 01-01-2013 1:09pm #1

My personal circumstances are about to change and finances are going to be tight for the next few years (no change there then!) Want to upgrade an existing pc and future proof it a bit. Already have a good monitor and a 1gb Radeon HD6850 graphics card.

Looking for a bundle that will include a motherboard, CPU, psu (500w with 6-pin pci express socket), RAM and a SSD. If it's any good will consider an upgrade to windows 8 and overclocking is an option.

Not really a gamer but will use the graphics capability of the card for running 3D cad (solidworks), photo editing in RAW format and watching movies in HD. The rest of the time the pc is used in home office mode, running MS project, exel, visio and general browsing.

Budget is €400.

IrishMetalhead · 01-01-2013 2:12pm

could you give us the specs of your current desktop? including manufacturers and models of the compenets

armstrongracer · 01-01-2013 2:34pm

It's a Packard Bell iextreme M5722, also badged as a Gateway something or other.

CPU: Core2 Quad, Q8300 @2.50ghz
Sw: Windows 7 professional 32-bit
PSU: 250w.
6gb ram installed DDR2
Mobo: Packard Bell
Chipset: Intel P45/P43/G45/G43/ rev A3
Southbridge: 82801JR
Bios: American Megatrends PO1-A1

It's gone laggy & buggy recently, i've tried all the usual stuff like virus checking, checking the HD etc.. Never got the system disks with it and pc doesnt appear on download list at Packard Bell. Have spent way too much time trying to sort this so just want to cut my losses and re-build with new mobo & cpu, then at least I can get support on major components.

armstrongracer · 01-01-2013 7:35pm

Bump..

Anyone out there with suitable advice..

challengemaster · 01-01-2013 7:46pm

armstrongracer · 01-01-2013 7:59pm

Cheers for that.

Was actually thinking about streching the budget to accomodate a Z77 with an i5-2500K or 3570K.

Also why is a case included, the one I have has 2 drive slots and room for more than one HD. It also has multiple sd reader slots which is udeful for photos. Or have I missed a trick.

TerrorFirmer · 01-01-2013 8:08pm

Q8300, 6GB of ram and a Q8300 is still pretty decent, if you're having issues, it's probably software, unless one of your disks has a problem. An i3 3220 isn't a huge upgrade on a Q8300.

If your budget is tight, I'd take 8GB ram/i5 3570k over 16gb/i3 3220 for sure. You can always add another set of 2x4GB later.

I'd go with a new case because the one you have might have propitiatory connectors. 450W Super Flower will be OK. Switching from 16GB to 8GB in a 4x2 configuration, and downgrading to the 450W Psu will save about 40 euro - all in all you'd be looking at about 470 or so.

challengemaster · 01-01-2013 8:23pm

I put in the case because I don't know anything about the case on your PC. Manufacturers like dell use non-standard components which limit future upgrades. I've no idea if PB do the same, but either way I've no idea what components will actually fit into the case. From the few images I've found, it looks like no ATX motherboards will fit - but again, I can't say anything with certainty.

As for Z77 and K series CPU's, they're only necessary if you want to overclock. Which again, will require extra cooling (= extra money).

Just so you know, an i5 3570k is another €101, and a Z77 board would be another €13. Then for overclocking, a decent cooler like a scythe mugen 3 for €37.28

Also a card reader is €3.32, so I wouldn't let that put you off.

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Switching from 16GB to 8GB in a 4x2 configuration, and downgrading to the 450W Psu will save about 40 euro - all in all you'd be looking at about 470 or so.

I've no idea about CAD, but for PS work with RAW photos I'd certainly like to keep the 16gb. Also the HD6850 is a bit power hungry, 550W leaves room for a bit of expansion later on.

armstrongracer · 01-01-2013 8:51pm

Cheers for that.

Sticking to 8gb ram, keeping the 550w psu but shelving the cooler makes it €5 shy of €500, which is the most I would like to spend for now. Overclocking is an option for the future. I work with machines for a living so putting a cooler in later is no big deal.

Desktop upgrade

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