Hello all,

Just wondering if people can help me start sounding out a new system. I'm currently running a pretty old rig that I bought in Japan; a quad-ore Q9650 I think it is. With a GTX285.

I am actually wondering how great the gains are that I could see from a new system. I was able to run Skyrim on full settings, I think, with no problems, but I'd kind of like to upgrade anyway.

Would an i5 2500K be worthwhile, with a decent GPU? I'm not looking to more than $2k; and would kind of like to build this one myself for the first time. Or would a Sandy Bridge like that be too old to last more than about 2 years?

I'm actually seeing poor fps in SWTOR, around 20fps in a busy area, so I think it's time to upgrade. I played another more demanding MMO beta which chugged a bit as well,
so I'm looking to move on from the old rig. Does anyone else play SWTOR ? I can run it at high detail but I'm unsure if the sluggish input reaction of the game is just the online component or if it's my machine.
I don't feel like either low or high settings are very great fps, just a difference of textures.

I was looking at a hexcore system from ARC computers for $1800, but most people suggested that hexcore is overkill for games anyway, and fair enough.

So the question is - i5 2500K, or shell out for something longer lasting?

That CPU still has a lot of kick left in it, so if you are not in a hurry to build a new system what I would recommend is wait until the new range of CPU's (Ivy Bridge) come out before building. In the mean time just add a new GPU to your current system which you can transfer to you new system later. I would recommend the following as good bang for buck,

Sapphire ATI HD7950 OC 3GB GDDR5 2MDP/HDMI Internet Price: $479.00

Thanks for your reply. I actually intended to do so from the start, but the first guy I spoke to in a shop (bit of a strange shopkeeper who never wants to sell stuff) said that the gains would not be worth it without an i5 or i7 chip... Do you know if that's true ?

A current i5 or i7 chip would indeed be worth it and would increase your performance, As seen here in a comparison between your chip and an i5K. But because a new chip is almost here the boost from the new chip and the proposed price point make ivy bridge very attractive indeed.

I see. I had the impression that changing the chip meant changing the motherboard, and by the time you've replaced your motherboard, cpu and gpu, you're halfway (or more) to a new machine. I guess it could be worthwhile though, especially cost wise. Thanks again for your feedback and the link, that's a very useful site. Cheers.

Yea you have to change your mobo and ram for an i5 system but it would be an improvement on your current chip. But as I said with ivy bridge almost here, you would go that way over an i5 IMHO.

When did atomic, Maximum Power Computing, get so hung up on bang for buck.
Stuff that. Wait a couple of weeks, get some bitchin top shelf ivy bridge hex core i7 monster, and as big a graphics card that your wallet can stand.
The other bits, grab a z77 mobo and an imperial shit-tonne of ram.
And build it yourself. Its not that hard. my recent build, i installed windows, rebooted a few times, put in mobo dvd, and it had an auto installer for mobo drivers. Easy as going to the loo after some dodgy chinese.
also, it gives you a +1 in 1337ness.

Go large, or go pc authority.

if it doesnt have a wei of 7.9 1st fully updated boot, you fail. FAIL!

Just prioritize the graphics card for smooth gaming.

you would gain a little with a new GPU, of course not as much as if you bought a new cpu + mobo setup at the same time, but as others have said, ivy bridge is going to be released very soon so its worth say buying the videocard first, then saving abit more money and buying an ivy bridge setup.
FYI i had a Q6600 oc to 3.2ghz and running the same video card ive got now which is a 5850, even overclocked to the max i could barely play bf3 on medium-high settings with the Q6600 oc to 3.2ghz....yet when i got the i5 2500k + mobo and ram, i was able to play everything on ultra with 2xmsaa....there is a pretty decent difference felt in games.
but my advice is wait for the new series to come to upgrade, GPU first.

Ivy bridge is released, but honestly a snady bridge i5 2500k would be just as decent for gaming. Sure not quite as overclockable but as this will be your first build i guess you wont be overclocking immediatley anyway. I think Sandy bridge should still be good for the next several years. You could consider getting a Z77 mobo but if you dont decide to use ivy bridge there is not that much point. Try checking out Dasa's thread parts guide here: http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=13969 ,it could certainly be of some use to you. Given your budget i guess the value gamer would be a good choice. Here is another quick list of things you could consider:


Mobo: Asus P8 Z68-V Gen 3 (or a similar Z77 board)- $249

CPU: Intel i5 2500k 3.3 ghz - around $250

Case: Bitfenix Shinobi - $112

Psu: anything taht is 500-650 watts should do - usually around $100-150

GPU: GTX 560 Ti - $250

HDD: western digital: caviar black 1TB - $160

Dvd drive: Anything really these days they are cheap- around $50 or so

Total - $1200 (if you are from Australia these prices will be much cheaper because sadly i am from New Zeeland - The land where every thing costs a million freakin bucks. Hope this post helped and good luck with your build.

No idea but as fore a hex core you have to go SB-E or wait for Ivy-E. No hex' unless you spend 'lotsa money'

Graphics card can be better. Chuck in a HD7970 or GTX680. You're off for very smooth gaming..

You can get 2nd hand GTX580's now for around 250 to 300, i wouldnt buy a 560ti

I wouldn't get a WD Caviar Black 1 TB HDD for $160 when you can get a Seagate 2 TB HDD for $135.

the seagate has faster read\write due to 2x1tb platters
the wd has 5 year warranty vs 1 year and faster seek times

Wow; I only just realised the Seagate drives come with a 1 year warranty; I assumed it was three years. In light of that I would not recommend Seagate.

I agree, Dasa's thread is very helpfull for general build guidelines. You could get a Z77 board and use an i5 3570k cpu. Pretty much as good as a lower end i7. And i think hyperthreading is enabled too(correct me if i am wrong).