• $500 Budget for Upgrades
    7 replies, posted
I need some help finding decent upgrades for my PC. I know there are some I could really be interested in but I just might not be aware of. As it stands, my PC has the following hardware: *CPU: FX-8320 *RAM: Kingston HyperX Blu 2x4GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz HDD: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 32MB Cache 6Gbps 7200RPM *PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W *GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB *GPU2: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB (in the mail) *MB: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 *Case: NZXT Phantom 410 Cooling: -Stock AMD FX 8320 Heatsink and Fan (didn't order the NH-D14 like I said I would in the other thread) -3x NZXT FZ Series Red LED Fans (2x140mm, 1x120mm) -1x Stock White LED NZXT Case Fan (140mm) Aesthetics: 2x Logisys 12" Red Cold Cathodes Peripherals: 23" HP 2311x 1080p 5ms monitor *Corsair K70 Razer Naga Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speakers V-Moda Crossfade LP (headset mic compatible with PC mic in and headphone/speaker out, XL earpads) I am open to any recommendations. [B]Things with an asterisk (*) are things I particularly don't want to upgrade/mess with just yet. [/B]I have been considering CPU cooler upgrades [URL="http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-HAVIK-Cooler-Dual-140MM/dp/B005869XYK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388784328&sr=8-1&keywords=nzxt+havik+140"](particularly this one)[/URL], a [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-7200RPM-Internal-STBD2000101/dp/B005OKQUJ6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]2TB HDD[/URL], SSD's, a new mouse (FPS oriented, comfortable, smooth, medium weight/adjustable), new speakers and aesthetic improvements but I am very unsure what to go with. [URL="http://imgur.com/a/5YmGP"]Click here to see pictures of the PC[/URL] (in case you have recommendations for some good looking stuff I could add/move around) The comments on the pictures have some ideas I've gotten for switching it around a bit. Thanks for reading, and please do make a suggestion. Up to $500 in upgrades. Next paycheck should be in about 10 days, so figure a total of $750ish then.
I would get a dual tower heatsink or a thick heatsink. This [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc14pebk[/url] is a particularly high performance cooler I recommend. You can also swap the fans out for extra cooling performance if you want. For the SSD, consider either the 840 evo or 840 pro if you've got the money.
I was totally going to go with that one. The reason I didn't get the noctua is because of how ugly it is. I found that one and was so happy. However that heatsink is 171mm and my clearance is up to 170mm.
[QUOTE=flayne;43413528]I would get a dual tower heatsink or a thick heatsink. This [url]http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cpu-cooler-phtc14pebk[/url] is a particularly high performance cooler I recommend. You can also swap the fans out for extra cooling performance if you want. For the SSD, consider either the 840 evo or 840 pro if you've got the money.[/QUOTE] How much just better than everything are those EVO's? I nabbed a different brand on a hell of a deal, and am not sure how much I'm missing.
They have some exclusive technologies that help longevity and overall performance, and for the price they have good benchmarked throughput. But the fact is any 120GB SSD is going to give you one hell of a good time. You shouldn't be missing too much.
Well, I did buy some things just now. [URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OKQUJ6/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p147_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0HNGKNZ0Z1NYYHS3TKKR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846"]Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD[/URL] [URL="http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-HAVIK-Cooler-Dual-140MM/dp/B005869XYK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1388862921&sr=1-1&keywords=Havik+140"]NZXT Havik 140[/URL] 8 pin motherboard extension cable [URL="http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-Technologies-5-25-Inch-Controller-8c-hue0000-00b/dp/B008RWT2IY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1388862984&sr=1-1&keywords=nzxt+HUE"]NZXT Hue[/URL] That leaves just over $200 left. Or about $400ish when I get paid next week. I got the Hue to combine it with my cathodes and try to find a good, appealing lighting style. I really want to make my PC look nice. Still plenty open to suggestions and really considering the SSD. Probably a 120GB one because its around $100 and wont destroy my funds.
[QUOTE=Cjmax;43415849]Well, I did buy some things just now. [URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OKQUJ6/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p147_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0HNGKNZ0Z1NYYHS3TKKR&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846"]Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD[/URL] [URL="http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-HAVIK-Cooler-Dual-140MM/dp/B005869XYK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1388862921&sr=1-1&keywords=Havik+140"]NZXT Havik 140[/URL] 8 pin motherboard extension cable [URL="http://www.amazon.com/NZXT-Technologies-5-25-Inch-Controller-8c-hue0000-00b/dp/B008RWT2IY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1388862984&sr=1-1&keywords=nzxt+HUE"]NZXT Hue[/URL] That leaves just over $200 left. Or about $400ish when I get paid next week. I got the Hue to combine it with my cathodes and try to find a good, appealing lighting style. I really want to make my PC look nice. Still plenty open to suggestions and really considering the SSD. Probably a 120GB one because its around $100 and wont destroy my funds.[/QUOTE] You can always go with an H80i and some after market fans for over clocking.
[QUOTE=flayne;43415718]They have some exclusive technologies that help longevity and overall performance, and for the price they have good benchmarked throughput. But the fact is any 120GB SSD is going to give you one hell of a good time. You shouldn't be missing too much.[/QUOTE] Alright. I nabbed one of the new Seagate 600 drives on black friday. $120 for a 240gig drive. I'm amazed by it, but wasn't sure how it stacked up. All I knew at that time was to avoid ones with Sandforce controllers.
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