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View Full Version : Recommendations for computer upgrade please.


Chookman
Jun 8th, 2012, 06:29 PM
Currently I have an AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition running on a Gigabyte MA78GM-US2H board with 4 GB of DDR2 memory.
Video card is a 9600GSO. I'm running 32 bit Vista. I have not found any program yet that "requires" an upgrade. It's also been awhile since I've put together a current system. Probably 3 years at least.

I don't play many games but will probably play Diablo 3. I do some video creating with programs such as Videostudio, Blender, After Effects etc. This is the area I'm hoping to improve. I plan to run 64-bit Vista because I have 3 versions I own sitting here. I also have a pci TV tuner that I'd like to keep in the system if possible.

I have an HD 4850 video card sitting here brand new on the shelf that I plan on using in the upgrade and possibly grabbing another one off Kijiji to crossfire.

I have $165 in gift cards for Amazon.ca that I'd like to use for the purchase but only if the component I buy is as cheap as I can get anywhere else. Otherwise I'll save the credit for something later.

I doubt I'll overclock unless it's simple and on the stock HSF.

Here's what I'm looking at:

CPU from Amazon:

i5-2500K - $210
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004EBUXHQ/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i1?pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQ B&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=011HZNC5GXRFBP4N5DY4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383511&pf_rd_i=915398

Memory and MB from CC - Local so no shipping charges:

Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600MHz CL9 - $45
Asus Maximus 4 Gene-Z - $170 - $30 rebate - not sure if crossfire on this board would knock out use of the PCI slot.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_312_612&item_id=044295
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_722&item_id=044440

Any suggestions for improvement for around the same money or possibly save me some cash by finding it cheaper at another store?
Jorpho
Jun 8th, 2012, 07:40 PM
I plan to run 64-bit Vista because I have 3 versions I own sitting here.You might as well go straight for 7 and save yourself some trouble.


I also have a pci TV tuner that I'd like to keep in the system if possible.Depending on how old it is, you might not be able to get 64-bit drivers for it, which you'll need when moving to a 64-bit OS.
Chookman
Jun 8th, 2012, 09:05 PM
You might as well go straight for 7 and save yourself some trouble.

Depending on how old it is, you might not be able to get 64-bit drivers for it, which you'll need when moving to a 64-bit OS.

Win 7 is going to cost me some money I'd prefer not to spend if possible but I may still consider it if a hot deal comes around.

I just checked and my TV tuner is no good. It's a Hauppauge wintv-pvr150 and it seems it won't work on a 64bit OS with over 4gb of ram. Looks like I'll have to upgrade it too. That make me even more hesitant to buy Win7 when I have a new copy of Vista sitting here.
vonblock
Jun 8th, 2012, 09:41 PM
Why do you want to change your cpu (and mobo), I just bought a brand new x4 965 2 weeks ago.

It's a good cpu for gaming.

If you want to play diablo 3, you only need a new GPU. nothing more, I say, dont crossfire your 4850 (trouble and heat and noise for nothing) keep your cpu and mobo, and with the money you save, go for a more expansive GPU (your cpu wont bottle neck you).
Jorpho
Jun 8th, 2012, 11:44 PM
That make me even more hesitant to buy Win7 when I have a new copy of Vista sitting here.To be sure: if that's not a 32-bit version of Vista you have setting there, you're going to have the same problem with drivers.
Chookman
Jun 9th, 2012, 11:52 AM
To be sure: if that's not a 32-bit version of Vista you have setting there, you're going to have the same problem with drivers.

It's a 64-bit version and I realize I'll have the same issue with drivers. For the cost of Win 7, I can buy a new TV tuner card. I have Win 7 on a laptop and I don't find the experience that much different than Vista once it has been adjusted to the settings I like. I'm just wondering what is so great about win 7 that it's worth spending the money on it over Vista.
Chookman
Jun 9th, 2012, 12:19 PM
Why do you want to change your cpu (and mobo), I just bought a brand new x4 965 2 weeks ago.

It's a good cpu for gaming.

If you want to play diablo 3, you only need a new GPU. nothing more, I say, dont crossfire your 4850 (trouble and heat and noise for nothing) keep your cpu and mobo, and with the money you save, go for a more expansive GPU (your cpu wont bottle neck you).

Mostly I want to change the CPU for improved video work with stuff like Blender, After Effects and Videostudio etc. If I was to compare my gaming ratio to my use for things like video rendering etc, it would be 5% gaming, 95% video work. The other day I was rendering a 3d clip with 600 frames and it took about 15 hours. From what I read, the 2500k would have come in at most 10 hours - probably 6 or 7.

For some of the video applications, it seems the only AMD cpu that can match the 2500k is the FX-8150 but only if the application uses all the cores. If the application doesn't use all the cores, the 2500k is better.
Jorpho
Jun 9th, 2012, 08:10 PM
I'm just wondering what is so great about win 7 that it's worth spending the money on it over Vista.The best reason I can think of is that Microsoft (and by extension, everyone else) is going to be dumping support for Vista long before Windows 7.
Chookman
Jun 10th, 2012, 08:40 AM
The best reason I can think of is that Microsoft (and by extension, everyone else) is going to be dumping support for Vista long before Windows 7.

Yeah, true enough. I'll keep an eye out for deals on Win 7 and if one shows up I'll probably jump on it. Otherwise I may go with Vista and wait for Win 8.
Beradon
Jun 10th, 2012, 10:27 AM
OP, here's an interesting from two years ago. Maybe the solution is to either find hacked drivers for the best gaming video card out there or find a used but inexpensive workstation video card.
http://myportfolio.usc.edu/iluna/2010/11/gpu-based_rendering_gaming_cards_vs_workstation_cards. html
Wpegger
Jun 10th, 2012, 10:41 AM
Win 7 will give you some performance improvements over vista. Cannot see a big of an upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit of an outdated OS.
Why don't you get Win 8? You can get it free until 2013 and find a deal during holidays?
Also get an SSD too, not sure if you mentioned it.
Chookman
Jun 10th, 2012, 07:06 PM
OP, here's an interesting from two years ago. Maybe the solution is to either find hacked drivers for the best gaming video card out there or find a used but inexpensive workstation video card.
http://myportfolio.usc.edu/iluna/2010/11/gpu-based_rendering_gaming_cards_vs_workstation_cards. html

Interesting link. Thanks.