Need advice on new rig and build

[Ghosthunter]

So this is what I have currently:


LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR2 1066
XFX GTX 260 OC
WD SE16 7200 RPM SATA 640 GB
Samsung 1 TB Spinpoint 7200 RPM 32MB Cache (have two of them)
SAMSUNG 22X SATA DVD Burner
CORSAIR 750TX PSU
Win7x64
Samsung 20 inch LCD 1680x1050

As you can tell this build is from 2008 so lasted me a good 4 years. I finally have some cash and want to upgrade. I was hoping to keep the LIAN case, the 3 hard drives, PSU (not sure if PSU can cover a new PC?), and the LCD screen.

I was thinking of getting new mobo, cpu, ram, video card, and depending upon price and get an SSD drive for the OS, and use the existing 3 drives for storage.


I have not been keeping up with the latest hardware and video cards only because if I do I want it, and I know my wallet cannot afford it.

So any advice? I was hoping to spend no more then $1500, not sure if that is possible.

Thanks guys!

[frenchy2k1]

depending on how patient you can be... Intel processor are currently Sandy Brige, with the refresh Ivy Bridge expected around June.
Nvidia is also expected to reveal their latest chip (GK104, should go into GTX600 cards) in the coming days. Of course, in computing, there is *always* something around the corner...

One remark: your current monitor will really limit what you can do. If you expect to game at 1680x1050, any graphic card even in the mid-range will do If you want higher resolution and plan for the future, you'll need higher.

Case: reuse yours. No need to change.

PSU: yours should still be OK, as long as you don't plan to go SLI/XFire

CPU/MB: Core i5 2500K (still the best value, $180 @ microcenter) + Z68 MB (choose board according to features wanted, brand and price. ASUS and ASROCK have good ones. ~$170)

RAM: very cheap. Grab 8GB of DDR3 1600 for ~$40. Can double if you really want to, but usually not needed

SSD: can get a 120GB SATA4 for $100-180 depending on brand and model. Remember that ANY sata3 SSD will yield great improvement from a HDD.. Small differences in bench won't matter in everyday life Again, MicroCenter has OCZ Petrol for $100 AR http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...duct_id=038196 Intel has the best reliability and the highest prices.

Video/Monitor: Both are linked. For your current monitor, any card <$300 (nv GTX570/560ti or ATI 7870 will be already overkill as they work great at 1080p). I would wait a week to see the new nv chip and how it makes prices move.

Hope this gives you some pointers.

Currently

[Ghosthunter]

Thanks for advice. I am not doing SLI or two video cards, only one.


I would not mind upgrading the monitor, what is the sweet spot nowadays? 23 inch? The only fear I have with upgrading monitor means need a higher end video card. While now at time of upgrade that is no issue, but what happens 2 years from now? It going to be tough to play all new games in the native resolution.

As you can see I try to hold off on upgrading as long as I can.

I can definitely wait until June, but like you said always something around the corner.

[bobkn]

Originally Posted by Ghosthunter

I would not mind upgrading the monitor, what is the sweet spot nowadays? 23 inch? The only fear I have with upgrading monitor means need a higher end video card. While now at time of upgrade that is no issue, but what happens 2 years from now? It going to be tough to play all new games in the native resolution.

The most common monitor resolution, once you're out of the low end, seems to be 1920X1080. That's available in monitor sizes from 21" to 27", from prices in the low $100 and up. (3D capable ones can be much more.) Some people use 1080p HDTVs as monitors, but I have the impression that may have problems. (TV makers don't always make monitor.inf files for their products.)

I recently looked at the 27" 2560X1440 IPS format, but I didn't buy one. ($700 up.)

[Ghosthunter]

Originally Posted by bobkn

The most common monitor resolution, once you're out of the low end, seems to be 1920X1080. That's available in monitor sizes from 21" to 27", from prices in the low $100 and up. (3D capable ones can be much more.) Some people use 1080p HDTVs as monitors, but I have the impression that may have problems. (TV makers don't always make monitor.inf files for their products.)

I recently looked at the 27" 2560X1440 IPS format, but I didn't buy one. ($700 up.)

Thanks for the info, out of curiosity for 1920x1080 which inch is the bet for it?

I cant imagine 21 inch and a 25 inch showing 1920x1080 would look exactly the same would it?

Would the 25 inch stretch it?

I guess I really need to look at monitors.

[bobkn]

Originally Posted by Ghosthunter

Thanks for the info, out of curiosity for 1920x1080 which inch is the bet for it?

I cant imagine 21 inch and a 25 inch showing 1920x1080 would look exactly the same would it?

Would the 25 inch stretch it?

I guess I really need to look at monitors.

I don't know.

My most recent monitors were 1920X1200, 24". That'd give about the same pixel pitch as a 1920X1080 23" monitor. Works for me.

Other considerations:

Fluorescent backlight vs. LED

TN vs IPS (vs 10 bit IPS)

[Ghosthunter]

I noticed a lot of the monitors out now are 16:9, I currently have a 16:10

Is there a reason many are 16:9?

[frenchy2k1]

16:9 have both standardized to HDTV resolution and also, as they are lower resolution than 16:10 (1920x1080 instead of 1920x1200), they can fit more in a panel.

As far as monitor size, it depends on your preferences and your desk space. All monitors will display their native resolution sharply, their pixels will just be bigger. I personally use a 32" HDTV as my monitor and love the size.

As far as running games @1080p for the next 2 years, it should not be much of a problem if you get a good card now. Most high end card run things up to 2500x1600 (look at recent reviews), so 1080p will be easy and keep some headroom.

[Ghosthunter]

I am definitely going to wait until Ivy, figured if i am gong to spend the money may as well get the latest.

Curious though with SSD drives, is it recommended to use it as primary C drive along with Win 7 installed, or have it as a D drive and just put what you need on the SSD as you need it, say the game you are playing at the time?

Is there any pros/cons to either config?

[mojoman0]

use the ssd as your windows drive and for primary applications so you boot fast and your apps load quickly. If you run out of room, theres an app for steam to split up your games so you can put certain ones on the ssd

[Ghosthunter]

ok finally figured out monitor i will be getting...took me a long time to pick.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

What do you guys think? I know it not 120 hz but those are just way too expensive for just 60 more hz



Which video card would go great with that? Something that would also last a little longer then say 6 months?

[Ghosthunter]

ok i think i go with that new card gtx680 looks to be $500?

So rest I need to wait for ivy bridge to come out..so i can finalize this and finally order it