General CPU/GPU Upgrade - Hardware & Software

So I was considering buying an entirely new computer, but I think what i've got now is pretty upgradeable, but I'm not really very computer saavy at all and don't trust myself not to screw up something in terms of compatibility. Here are pretty much all the specs you could ask for: [IMG]http://i.cubeupload.com/1UnszG.png[/IMG] In addition, I have a 500W power supply, although it might need replacing as well due to strange fan issues. With a budget of $400-600, what would be the best way to upgrade my system in terms of processing and GPU power? It's a gaming pc, generally. If there are other bottlenecks I'm missing I'd like to address those, too. Appreciate any help offered.

I would recommend upgrading CPU, motherboard, GPU, and RAM. Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130693[/url] CPU: i5-4430 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116895[/url] RAM: G.Skill 2x4 GB 1600 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314[/url] GPU: GTX 650 Ti [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130910[/url] Total: 584.96 (a little cheaper once you look at other vendors) Please elaborate on your strange fan issues. Either way the power supply needs replacing because you'll probably want around at least 600W.

What's the reasoning behind the RAM upgrade? In addition, what would be the best value power supply to upgrade to? About the fan- it's an old Antec power supply, and I can't remember or find the exact model, but I'm pretty sure it uses a temperature activated rear fan, but it rarely if ever activates, and when it does, it does not appear to be due to any temperature change (according to speedfan data), and as a result I'm forced to run an actual fan over an open case whenever I play any graphically intensive games even with the GPU fan set to 100% speed. I've pretty thoroughly cleaned the case of dust, so I'm not really sure what's causing the heat issues. Also, your link to the RAM you suggested isn't working.

[QUOTE=Canesfan;40962118]What's the reasoning behind the RAM upgrade? In addition, what would be the best value power supply to upgrade to? About the fan- it's an old Antec power supply, and I can't remember or find the exact model, but I'm pretty sure it uses a temperature activated rear fan, but it rarely if ever activates, and when it does, it does not appear to be due to any temperature change (according to speedfan data), and as a result I'm forced to run an actual fan over an open case whenever I play any graphically intensive games even with the GPU fan set to 100% speed. I've pretty thoroughly cleaned the case of dust, so I'm not really sure what's causing the heat issues. Also, your link to the RAM you suggested isn't working.[/QUOTE] Don't know why that RAM link didn't work. I updated it, and it should work now. As far as ram you have single channel DDR2 RAM. I don't believe DDR2 is even made anymore and dual channel is supposed to give you near double RAM performance. So instead of sticking with ancient RAM, I suggest upgrading. As far as power supply, you want one around the wattage I suggested (600W) from a respectable carrier. You would be looking for something like this: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028[/url] But, I'm always hesitant about recommending power supplies, as I don't know that much about them.

[QUOTE=flayne;40961999]I would recommend upgrading CPU, motherboard, GPU, and RAM. Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130693[/url] CPU: i5-4430 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116895[/url] RAM: G.Skill 2x4 GB 1600 [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314[/url] GPU: GTX 650 Ti [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130910[/url] Total: 584.96 (a little cheaper once you look at other vendors) Please elaborate on your strange fan issues. Either way the power supply needs replacing because you'll probably want around at least 600W.[/QUOTE] Why the z87 motherboard if you are getting a CPU you cannot overclock. Either get a 4670K or a cheaper h85 motherboard. (I reccomend spending more and getting the 4670k)

[QUOTE=taipan;40962702]Why the z87 motherboard if you are getting a CPU you cannot overclock. Either get a 4670K or a cheaper h85 motherboard. (I reccomend spending more and getting the 4670k)[/QUOTE] Sorry, I didn't realize that processor wasn't unlocked. Link to the 4670K: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116899[/url] Also on newegg where does it list whether or not the processor can be overclocked? I have to recommend going with the lower motherboard rather than the new processor though, since the power supply will drive you over budget anyway.

A sixty dollar price increase is a pretty big jump, especially considering the whole build is a bit over my budget- I could afford it, but it'd hurt a lot more to fork out that much- is there really that huge a difference between the two? And what would the difference be between that z87 and the "cheaper" one? (A link to one of those would be nice, also- a search for h85 turned up nothing on newegg for some reason)

[QUOTE=Canesfan;40962827]A sixty dollar price increase is a pretty big jump, especially considering the whole build is a bit over my budget- I could afford it, but it'd hurt a lot more to fork out that much- is there really that huge a difference between the two? And what would the difference be between that z87 and the "cheaper" one? (A link to one of those would be nice, also- a search for h85 turned up nothing on newegg for some reason)[/QUOTE] Like I said, I advise the same processor and a much cheaper motherboard. The difference is in overclocking, essentially you would get an increase in speed from your processor, but since they are both i5's the difference between the two processors is entirely in clock speed rather than functionality. If you don't plan on overclocking then there is no reason to get that motherboard. Z87 and H87 (I believe Taipan meant to say H87 because H85 doesn't seem to be a real chipset) refer to the Northbridge chipset on the motherboard. Different Northbridges have different capabilities. I can't really recommend you a good H87 motherboard honestly, I don't know enough about them. H87 Haswell motherboards: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600438202%20600315499&IsNodeId=1&name=Intel%20H77%2fH87[/url] There are some other differences. That particular motherboard has fantastic sound quality. Another thing to look for in a motherboard is I/O capability (for example how many USB ports does it have), and the quantity of expansion slots (wherever you see PCI, it's an expansion slot). [editline]9th June 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=taipan;40962702]Why the z87 motherboard if you are getting a CPU you cannot overclock. Either get a 4670K or a cheaper h85 motherboard. (I reccomend spending more and getting the 4670k)[/QUOTE] Isn't the only difference between the 4670K and the 4670 Intel TXT. That's the only difference listed on their site. If so I would say the 4670 is a better option than the 4670k considering the price difference (essentially it would be 20$ exclusively spent on intel TXT (and maybe better integrated graphics but that won't even be used). Of course I would still recommend just downgrading the motherboard instead.

Okay, thanks for all the suggestions, should all work out pretty well. Let me just double check though- For the motherboard, this looks like it matches most of the specs of the one you listed plus it's $30 cheaper, but will it work with everything else you picked out? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131994[/url] For the GPU/RAM/CPU, though, your suggestions seem great, though- although I just found this, which is only $20 more expensive after a rebate- worth the extra money for the deal? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826[/url]

[QUOTE=Canesfan;40963556]Okay, thanks for all the suggestions, should all work out pretty well. Let me just double check though- For the motherboard, this looks like it matches most of the specs of the one you listed plus it's $30 cheaper, but will it work with everything else you picked out? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131994[/url] For the GPU/RAM/CPU, though, your suggestions seem great, though- although I just found this, which is only $20 more expensive after a rebate- worth the extra money for the deal? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826[/url][/QUOTE] The motherboard would work fine, but that is a microATX motherboard. Those can have issues with crosstalk where certain components interefere with one another. In fact this thread has this exact problem: [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1276776[/url] Other than that it's fine but for 130$ I cannot recommend a microATX motherboard. As far as the GPU, that's up to you. The biggest difference between those would be the extra 200 or so CUDA cores. I don't know if it would be worth it or not due solely to the fact that you still have to purchase that better power supply. Build Price with 650 Ti: 624.95 Build Price with 660: 659.95 But I would seriously consider getting a different motherboard.

I've never even looked at motherboards before so all of the specs are foreign to me- however, this one seems to match the previous one without the micro ATX. Any glaring problems? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128603[/url]

[QUOTE=Canesfan;40964536]I've never even looked at motherboards before so all of the specs are foreign to me- however, this one seems to match the previous one without the micro ATX. Any glaring problems? [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128603[/url][/QUOTE] Looks fine to me.

[QUOTE=flayne;40962731] Also on newegg where does it list whether or not the processor can be overclocked? [/QUOTE] It has a K behind the CPU number. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)[/url]

[QUOTE=taipan;40968431]It has a K behind the CPU number. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)[/url][/QUOTE] Ah, thanks for clearing that up.