Is an upgrade worthwhile?

[whizler]

It's been 2 years since I built my last PC, and with Win7 officially out (I'm running the RTM version), I'm considering an upgrade. What I'd appreciate advice on is whether I'll see much of a boost in performance to what I'm considering. Here's my current configuration:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66Ghz
Memory: CORSAIR 4 x 1 GB DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 ATX
Video: EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320-bit DGDDR3 PCI Express x16
Monitor: Samsung 226BW 22" 2 ms widescreen
PS: 450w - Brand name escapes me, but it's a high quality one

Here's my budget for a new PC, using the HDDs and soundcard from my current PC:

CPU: $200-$250 (Intel i7-920?)
Memory: $100 (must be 4GB minimum)
MoBo: $100-$150
Video: $200-$250 (no ATI or nVidia preference)
Monitor: $200-$250 (24" with low ms - my current Samsung displays great colors)
PS: Whatever is needed to power. I don't skimp on price.
Blu Ray burner: $200

Here's answers to hardware questions as posted in the sticky:

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Gaming; multi-tasking with various multimedia apps.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1200-$1500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

U.S.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

No particular preference.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

HDDs and soundcard.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes. Nothing specific to my hardware configuration.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

I would like the option to OC.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

1980x1080, or higher (whatever is native to 24")

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Within the next month or two.

 

[philosofool]

Given your budget and needs, I would recommend the i7 860 on P55 rather than i7 920 on X58. There's no major advantage in the x58 setup unless you are interested in high-end SLI/Crossfire or need triple channel memory, so it's x58 is probably just added cost for no added value.

IMO, this is a hard time to select a video card. The HD 4800 series is kinda out dated, nVidia cards don't compare favorably in price/performance, and the 5800 series cards are overpriced for their performance. I guess still think an HD 4890 1GB is the way to go unless you want really high end.

To help with mobo advice, is your sound card PCI or PCIe? I'm a big fan of my microATX p55 from gigabyte, but the limited number of slots may turn you off if you're planing to use a sound card.

 

[Patrickz0rs]

Given your budget and needs, I would recommend the i7 860 on P55 rather than i7 920 on X58. There's no major advantage in the x58 setup unless you are interested in high-end SLI/Crossfire or need triple channel memory, so it's x58 is probably just added cost for no added value.

IMO, this is a hard time to select a video card. The HD 4800 series is kinda out dated, nVidia cards don't compare favorably in price/performance, and the 5800 series cards are overpriced for their performance. I guess still think an HD 4890 1GB is the way to go unless you want really high end.

To help with mobo advice, is your sound card PCI or PCIe? I'm a big fan of my microATX p55 from gigabyte, but the limited number of slots may turn you off if you're planing to use a sound card.

+1 for a 4890 unless you can get a 5850 or 5870 at MSRP.

 

[JackMDS]

Unless you have real problems with this, "Gaming, multi-tasking with various multimedia apps".

I do not see a reason for upgrade. Win 7 does not need extra power, it actually slight faster with the same hardware than previous OS'.

 

[philosofool]

In answer to the question "is it worth it to upgrade?" I think the answer is "no, except the video card."

I would recommend getting a faster video card, but everything else in your current machine is pretty damned sweet for what you're doing. If you think your CPU is a bottle neck, get a good OC'ing fan and get yourself to 3.0GHz+; honestly, however, I don't really think that's an issue. An HD 4890 or even 4870 is going to get you a lot in your games though.

 

[mayday]

I would just upgrade the video too

 

[whizler]

Excellent advice, thank you all.