Upgrading, suggestions and advice please.

**Pint** · 02-03-11, 05:00 PM

I have been putting my own systems together for a long while now, but I have really dropped the ball on keeping up on my hardware homework. Here are the parts of my system that I want to replace,

Q6600 quad intel cpu
EVGA Nvidia 680i mobo
g.skill 4 one gig sticks ddr2
EVGA 8800 GTX OC 768MB video card

I upgraded my hard drives a few months ago too a solid state for my os and exe's and a couple TB drives for media. I have a fatality sb sound card that I think should be ok for what ever mobo I get (if that is untrue say something) and a 750W PC power and cooling PS. Do I need too up my power supply for the new cpu/GC's that are out?

I am looking at spending about a grand or so, although since graphics card prices are much better nowadays less would be better. I play video games and write text docs and use my system as my tv. Also I want to replace my tritton AX 5.1 surround sound set since my mic is broke and I really think the sound quality is sub par, but great when it comes to figuring out what direction those footsteps came from and how far.

Thanks in advance.

PoB

**deputyfestus** · 02-03-11, 06:09 PM

This is where I start my decision making.
Tom's Hardware: Hardware News, Tests and Reviews

**Pint** · 02-03-11, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by deputyfestus

This is where I start my decision making.
Tom's Hardware: Hardware News, Tests and Reviews

Maybe I'm just daft or slow on how to navigate it but that web page has always had the feel of a train wreck before the bodies have been cleared.

**iLLusioN** · 02-03-11, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by Pint

Maybe I'm just daft or slow on how to navigate it but that web page has always had the feel of a train wreck before the bodies have been cleared.

Nah it's not just you. Tom's hardware has always been a bit of a maze to navigate. They will have all the benchmarks and whatnot that will tell you whats decent and whats not. They usually have good info one what is good bang for the buck. I'm not really current with computer hardware right now(I've been focusing most of my attention on networking for the past year or two) so I can't really help much without spending time to catch up to the current hardware.

**Pint** · 02-03-11, 06:35 PM

Let me narrow down my questions, what socket type for intel is the most current and supports the mid to high range of cpu's,
What chipset is working well with the above socket type has good stability features.
What is the current high end graphics card, can't even find this one out on newegg really because they never put down when the item was released.

**deputyfestus** · 02-03-11, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by Pint

Let me narrow down my questions, what socket type for intel is the most current and supports the mid to high range of cpu's,
What chipset is working well with the above socket type has good stability features.
What is the current high end graphics card, can't even find this one out on newegg really because they never put down when the item was released.

Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: January 2011 : January Updates
Roundup: Six Sub-$40 Performance CPU Coolers Compared : Big Cooling At A Small Price
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: January 2011 : January Updates
P67 Motherboard Roundup: Nine $150-200 Boards : The Future Of Mid-Priced Performance
High-Density DDR3: Five Dual-Module 8GB Kits Compared : What Took So Long?
and just in case
System Builder Marathon, December 2010: $1000 PC : Let's Give Core i3 A Chance

**Kanati** · 02-03-11, 07:17 PM

1366 is still the intel high end socket... sandybridge 1155 is the mid range though it's pretty damn quick with the i7's. I'd get the i7 950 or better 1366. Sandybridge might be tough to get into as it's in the middle of a billion dollar recall and board manufacturers aren't expecting to get replacements to market until march or april.

Video cards? 560TI is good mid-range... 580 is the top end. And there's a 570 in the middle for good measure.

And yes, I've glossed over the fact that I didn't point to any AMD parts...

**deputyfestus** · 02-03-11, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Kanati8869

1366 is still the intel high end socket... sandybridge 1155 is the mid range though it's pretty damn quick with the i7's. I'd get the i7 950 or better 1366. Sandybridge might be tough to get into as it's in the middle of a billion dollar recall and board manufacturers aren't expecting to get replacements to market until march or april.

Video cards? 560TI is good mid-range... 580 is the top end. And there's a 570 in the middle for good measure.

And yes, I've glossed over the fact that I didn't point to any AMD parts...

LOL yeah I just guess that pint is a Intel fan boy judged by his current pc specs.

**hannibal** · 02-03-11, 07:48 PM

I can vouch for the sandy bridge parts, wait until the recall is over thought. To put some AMD parts on I would suggest the 1090T and an ASUS mobo. They were as good as the old i5-750's in certain situations. As for the i7s, if you are willing to wait for sandy bridge I would suggest the i7-2500K it is the sweet spot for enthusiasts right now.

-H

**Pint** · 02-03-11, 07:58 PM

So for cpu's it goes like this,

Highest-- i7-980x six cores for a grand
high i7-970 six cores for 900
high mid i7-960 quad for 580

Bah I'm going to have to up how much I will spend, I am under estimating how much the parts cost for the level of system I normally put together. Two systems ago had an extreme edition intel that cost 1500 for the chip alone, I swore I'd never do that again.....but......my...will...is...d..dii..