Upgrade leftovers, anyone?

[Silent Warrior]

I had a long inner debate on where to post this - here, or Hardware. In the end, I obviously felt it did relate, only... not. :) I had a look at the rules, and while there was a very clear one about advertising products, I couldn't find any mention of restrictions on offers to buy cast-off stuff from others... so...

 

So, what do I want? :music_whistling:

I've sort of noticed how this has been a tumultuous period, as far as hardware goes. New joysticks left, right and center (OK, so the X52 isn't exactly new, but neither's my X45), AMD and Intel slugging it out, AMD (well, ATI, anyway) and Nvidia slugging it out - and some of you guys seem to actually keep your systems recent. Now, I'm looking to eventually make an upgrade (and barring... potentially embarrassing mishaps, it actually looks like I'll go ahead with it this time) from an AM2-era desktop. AMD/Intel/Nvidia isn't important - I mean, I'm quite happy with my AMD/ATI-mileage this far, but I have nothing religious against trying Intel this time around. My GeForce 9600GT has also behaved very well.

But do you have any hardware lying around you wouldn't mind selling me? Keep in mind I live in Scandinavia - shipping from USA or other funny remote places could be more trouble than it's worth.

Present specs:

ASUS M2N-E

AMD Athlon X2 6400 BE (I admit I'm not sure about the name - only from X2 onwards; it was a few years ago)

3 Gb DDR2-800 (or was it 667?)

GeForce 9600GT (Sparkle, passive cooling, likely 512 Mb)

... Some blue PSU from when PCIe was fairly new, maybe 450W. :smartass:

(Bonus: I have a Saitek X45 that's showing both age and eccentricity. Got an X52 or something in that general neck of woods to replace it with?)

 

My target system is AM3-/Intel 1156-era, at least 4 Gb DDR3, 1 Gb VRAM on a single GPU, quad-core CPU (ideally either Phenom II 955/965 or Core i5-760 or there-abouts). Regarding the RAM, I would appreciate some input on what I'd have to gain from using 1600 MHz-rated sticks compared to 1333. If I go Intel, I would probably try overclocking. I have a hardware store near me that can probably point me in a few good directions, but recommendations on cooling would be appreciated. (NOT going to push 4 GHz...) I'll be sure to consult guides before I start tinkering.

For the GPU, I've been eyeing pretty much anything from the HD5750 and up. I used to think I didn't need a particularly beefy GPU (present monitor limited to 1280x1024), but now The Witcher 2 is fast approaching release...

[leafer]

Congratulations, you've found yourself in the same predicament I was earlier this year. :D I had the same mobo you have with AMD Sempron so the performance gained after I upgraded was phenominal.

 

Except for redering, compressing files and converting movies, the performance gained the i5 has over the Phenom II 960 is neglegible. However, I'd go for the i5 just because it only costs 20 dollars more, and the difference is less for the mobos.

 

As for the MHz on memory, it won't matter with DCS titles or any game for that matter, but as always with computer hardware, get the best you can afford.

 

To cool the CPU I plan to get the Hyper 212 because it's a solid performer at affordable price.The more expensive ones only brings temp down in single digit so it's not worth it for me.

[bumfire]

I got a 8800gtx if you interested, beautiful card that is, old now, but it is better than the 9600. I will have a look to see what else I have in all the boxes I have.

 

Oh, off the top of my head I have a Asus Xonar D1 soundcard, only a couple months old, but I went back to using my XFi Platinum, so I dont need the Xonar D1 now.

 

If only you posted this thread 4 weeks ago, as I sold a pile of stuff, 2 mobo,s 3 cpu's about 16 gig of ram etc etc etc.

 

1333 - 1600 ram, you wont notice a difference between the two, serisouly, the only time you will notice any difference is "IF" you overclock, then the 1600 will give you more headroom and also for benchmarking. All other times you wont notice the difference and if you are only going to overclock to say 3.5/6 then 1333mhz will be ample.

 

If you dont want to suffer from buyers remorse, then wait 6 weeks before buying, as the new intel sandy bridge processors will be out then, so if you buy now you will most likely be annoyed that you didnt wait, because the new cpu's are supposed to be great.

Edited November 25, 2010 by bumfire

[Silent Warrior]

bumfire: Thanks, but the 8800 might be too small a step up. The 9600 is sufficient (and fan-less!), and I'm gunning for DX11 in the new build. The Xonar D1, however, is another story. That would be a quite sufficient replacement for my SB Live! Platinum 5.1 of bygone eras in the box I mean to stick the stuff replaced during the upgrade. (Um, I should probably add that it's a low-priority upgrade, but interesting nonetheless. I LIKE my Xonar D2!)

I've also heard about the Sandy Bridge launch. Waiting for them, though, will mean that I miss the window of opportunity - I'll have gone away again by then. Not that it hurts me to wait, of course, but then I'd have to get both Witcher 2, A-10C, AND a whole new system all in one go. :) Too much Christmas in the summer isn't good for you!

 

Aaaand... The CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ is in stock near me. Schweet!

 

(I've also been offered a RAM-bump for the old rig. Just keeping tally.)

Edited November 25, 2010 by Silent Warrior

[Silent Warrior]

Ok, developments have... developed. An X52 has been located (and bought!), now for the rest. I've also come across a used LGA1156 motherboard along with memory (2x2 Gb Corsair DDR3-1600, either DHX or XMS3, I forget - look Star Trek-y enough, anyway) and an i7-860, bundled with some after-market cooling bling (one of them apparently a water-cooler). The catch is that the motherboard is mini-ATX - my chassis isn't - and that it has only one PCI-slot, which my soundcard will occupy, leaving no space for an extra network card if the built-in chip doesn't play ball with Linux. Otherwise, this looks like a sweet deal. It's difficult to gauge the price, since I can't find the same motherboard in any online store (Gigabyte P55M-UD4), but considering the asking price, the probable price of the RAM included, this might be in the same region of buying a different motherboard and an i5-760 new, with cheaper RAM. Would you say the i7-860 is a significant enough leap ahead to go for it?

Edited November 28, 2010 by Silent Warrior

[leafer]

If I could afford it then I'd have gotten an i7 XXX since it has hyperthread, though useless in games, it's great for rendering and whatnot. I'm not sure the price difference between i5 760 and i7 860.

 

Even though I couldn't think of anything to fill the PCI slots that my mobo has, and I'd have saved a good 40 dollars at that time, I decided against the miniATX for the obvious.

[Silent Warrior]

Well, I don't do renders. I just play games, listen to music, do webby things, some word-processing on occasion. HT will likely only come into play when ripping CDs to the harddrive, though I certainly don't mind waiting a few extra seconds. The actual difference in price between the two processors, both bought new at the same place, is about 60-70% - that is, the i5 costs 60-70% as much as the i7. Only, I can get this used i7 for what amounts to nearly the same price as the new i5.

I'm not sure, but I get the impression you recommend skipping the mATX-board and get a full ATX instead. Correct?

 

[update] I've decided to take the CPU, RAM, and a cooler if I can get one, passing up the motherboard. So, any LGA1156-boards laying about? Graphics cards fresher than a GeForce 8800?

Edited December 1, 2010 by Silent Warrior
Dinnae bother bumping just now.

[Silent Warrior]

Aaaand... One i7-860, 4 Gb Corsair DDR3-1600, and a Thermalright cooler with two 120mm fans attached are coming my way! I also stumbled headfirst over a factory overclocked GTX460, just a few months old, for about 70% of its retail price. Huh. (Still have to bid on it, though - must remember to do that.) And I may even have tracked down a good motherboard for all this, though I seem to get that one new - oh well. :)

Looks like I have this system in the bag!

 

[update] Ok: GPU also on the way, the motherboard I'll have to pick up and pay for in person when I'm back in Sweden, an X52 also successfully negotiated. Which leaves the PSU, but that should be easy - I see there's an Antec EarthWatts 500W with the necessary ATX 2.3-monicker; any wattage-calculator I've run puts my configuration at 400-434W. I suppose that doesn't leave a lot of juice left for overclocking, though... Hm...

Feel free to recommend wattage.

 

[FINISHED! PSU just ordered!]

 

Result:

PSU: Corsair VX550W

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3

CPU: Intel Core i7-860, aftermarket cooler Thermalright TRUE with 2x 120mm fans

RAM: Corsair DDR3-1600 XMS3 2x2 Gb

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 460 1 Gb OC

(Soundcard, harddrives and DVD+/-R/CD-RW will be carried over.)

Total: €644.30

 

Also bagged a used X52 (non-Pro) for about €60 including shipping. Not a bad spending, eh?

Edited December 4, 2010 by Silent Warrior
At the finishing-line!

[skrayd]

Upgrade leftovers anyone

 

as far as i know its going to be the 15th, usually gamestop/eb games will only post a date when its an exact, and their release date is the 16th, and for those of you havent notice movies,games,musice all are released on tuesdays, the 16th is a tuesday, so the 15th is the ship date, make very much since if u ask me.