Gaming PC Upgrade - €400-600

Keifie

Hi Folks,

I have a custom build gaming rig that's in dire need of some TLC. It works for the most part, but there are issues.

In the end, I'm looking to improve the build and upgrade a couple of parts within my budget. So my question is: What should I get rid off?




CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500 CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs)
Ram Consair 4GB
Graphics AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series (2GB)
Sound Onboard
SSD OCZ-VERTEX4 (Boot)
HDD Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
MotherBoard Asus P8P67 Pro
OS Windows 7
CASE X_Strike Advance Tower


Fill this in please.

1. What is your budget? [€400, but willing to go to €600 if needed]

2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? Gaming - Mostly Online MMO's that need quick rendering - Rift/Path of Exile lately, and Elder Scrolls when it comes out.
My Main goal is to improve performance and resolve existing issues which I'm feeling are cause simply by the age of the parts including:

• Lock ups without errors (happens even when idle)
• BIOS needed at times to link SSD back to boot menu
• Not overclocked, but I do need more cooling.
• DVD drives have never worked when using 2 hard drives.
• I'd like to make it quieter if possible too.

3. Do you need a copy of Windows? No, happy with 7.

4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? See above.

5. Do you need a monitor? No

6. Do you need any of these peripherals? No

7. Are you willing to try overclocking? Yes

8. How can you pay? In hugs? If not, any way

9. When are you purchasing? 2 weeks

10. If you need help building it, where are you based? I'm confident enough about building, but Dublin based just in case.

Danger781

Extra 4GB of RAM and a new graphics card and you should be grand

Keifie

Thanks Danger.

I can see that will improve the gaming performance etc, but would that help with the random locking while the computer is idle?

Gumbi

Keifie wrote: »

Thanks Danger.

I can see that will improve the gaming performance etc, but would that help with the random locking while the computer is idle?

No, and I would argue against another 4GB of RAM tbh.

First you need to address your issues. Have you everything updates to the latest drivers? Run a virus scan, PC cleanup etc.

Download an run memtest86 to see if your RAM is functioning correctly.

Danger781

Keifie wrote: »

Thanks Danger.

I can see that will improve the gaming performance etc, but would that help with the random locking while the computer is idle?

Sorry I glossed over that part. Go with Gumbi's suggestion. Have you tried a fresh reinstall of windows?

Keifie

Gumbi wrote: »

No, and I would argue against another 4GB of RAM tbh.

First you need to address your issues. Have you everything updates to the latest drivers? Run a virus scan, PC cleanup etc.

Download an run memtest86 to see if your RAM is functioning correctly.

Hi there,

Yeah, I've tried both so far, and in answer to the last post, also reinstalled. These issues have followed me for a while, even with the new SSD/HDD combo.

I should point out the CPU/Motherboard/RAM are the oldest parts I have and the common denominators. The GC is a close second in age with the remaining parts all less than a year old. My gut instinct is the Motherboard is the problem, but wanted to rule out other options before opening that can of worms.

Keifie

So I done my own digging around the other threads and have come up with this so far.

8GB Corsair Vengeance PC3-12800U CL10-10-10-27 62.85 €
XFX DD RADEON 7950 800M 3GB D5 2x mDP HDMI DVI 269,50 €
ASRock B75M-ITX, Sockel 1155, ITX 68,13 €
Intel Core i5-3570 Box, LGA1155 185,38 €


Total €585.83

Along with existing:
OCZ-VERTEX4 (Boot)
Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Windows 7
X_Strike Advance Tower


I could well be setting myself up for a fall here, so please feel free to tell me i'm stupid and missed something or that there is a better option out there!

Danger781

I've heard negative things about XFX. No personal experience, but a bit of a Google Search should reveal a few negative stories.

Gumbi

Ya, **** cooler. http://www.hardwareversand.de/3072+MB/75624/Sapphire+Radeon+HD+7950+Boost%2C+3GB+GDDR5%2C+2x+DVI%2C+HDMI%2C+DisplayPort%2C+lite+retail.article

This is probably the best value one on HWVS right now, better and quieter cooler.

Keifie

Ahh, good shout guys. Thanks

Here's hoping it works!