Upgrading computer

[guy120]

Hi everyone, I want to upgrade my computer, and I want to replace my motherboard, RAM, and get myself an SSD as a boot drive.

I will be using my computer for school work, and some gaming.

I'll buy my parts in Canada, as I live there.

Might do some overclocking on my graphics card, and will be running at 1920x1080 resolution

Can you guys recommend some parts according to my budget?

Current specs:

Motherboard: Asus P8H61M-LX
CPU: Intel core i5-2500
RAM: 4gb Kingston
Hard Drive : Seagate barracuda 750 GB
Graphics: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6770

Upgrades:

1) New motherboard: any recommended ones (with good audio chipset?) $100-160
2) Ram: want 8GB (4gb x2) : $35-45
3) SSD : Preferably a boot drive ~64 GB : $50-80

PS: I'd like some nice sound, would adding a sound card be a good idea?

Thanks

 

[lehtv]

The motherboard is not worth replacing just to have SATA 6gb/s. Are there any other reasons you want to replace it? To improve sound quality, just get a sound card. What sort of headphones or speakers do you have?

You're sure you need more than 4GB RAM? If so, here: Mushkin Silverline 2x4GB 1333Mhz $44 ($39 AR) (NCIX).

A 6gb/s SSD will work fine in a 3gb/s port and still be much, much faster and more responsive than a hard drive. I'd recommend a Crucial M4 128GB for $110 (NCIX).

 

[guy120]

lehtv, I want to replace this motherboard, because I'm giving it to a family member, as he needs a new computer.

I'm also getting a new case with it, which is a full ATX tower, unlike the one I have right now, which is micro atx. Thanks for the recommendation for the SSD, but what are some good brands for them?

 

[lehtv]

Good brands for the SSD? Crucial M4 is one of the best, it's a reliable drive with mature firmware and a good price tag. While it isn't the fastest,you wouldn't really notice a difference to a faster SSD. Samsung 830 and Intel's drives are also great but generally more expensive.

As for the motherboard... Your CPU isn't overclockable so technically it'd make sense to go with a B75 or H77 board. But availability in Canada for B75 isn't very good and H77 is very near the cost of Z77... I think Asrock Z77 Pro3 for $100 AR is a pretty good option. Allows you to upgrade to an unlocked Ivy Bridge and supports USB3.0, SATA 6gb/s.

Which case were you planning to get? I'd recommend a case with USB 3.0 in the front panel so you can take advantage of that feature of the new motherboard. E.g. Antec One or Antec 302

 

[guy120]

I also think the Crucial M4 is one of the best for me.

The motherboard is pretty good, but I don't really like Asrock products, just a personal thing, sorry

For the case, I'm not actually buying a new case, i will be using an old one, i'm not quite sure what the name is though. it doesn't have usb 3.0 ports in the front.

 

[lehtv]

You have something personal against Asrock? Huh. Well the cheapest board with similar specs is Gigabyte Z77-D3H $120 AR... A bit costly though. If you're willing to settle for another microATX board, Asus P8B75-M LE would save you some cash

 

[guy120]

Alright, thanks for the awesome replies, i think i'll settle for the gigabyte mobo.. Do you think i should get it now, or should i wait for the back to school sales?

 

[lehtv]

You probably know better whether it's worth it to wait for back to school sales... If you're not in a hurry to buy you might as well wait but I have no idea how much it'll save you and whether the components you're interested in will even go on sale

 

[mfenn]

lehtv, I want to replace this motherboard, because I'm giving it to a family member, as he needs a new computer.

What kind of Windows license do you have? If it's an OEM, you need to buy a new license to go along with your new motherboard. Honestly, it probably makes the most sense to just get your family member a new B75 board for $70 or so and hang on to your current board. Also saves you the hassle of completely pulling your computer apart for next to no benefit.

 

[guy120]

What kind of Windows license do you have? If it's an OEM, you need to buy a new license to go along with your new motherboard. Honestly, it probably makes the most sense to just get your family member a new B75 board for $70 or so and hang on to your current board. Also saves you the hassle of completely pulling your computer apart for next to no benefit.

I have a COA thing that came with my windows 7 disk, and I wanna replace this mobo because I believe there's something wrong with it. My video card's been crashing, even though I did an RMA, Also my keyboard and mouse have been malfunctioning.

 

[DSF]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but you're giving this potentially malfunctioning motherboard to a family member who needs a new computer? Have you contacted the motherboard manufacturer about an RMA?

If you really do believe that the motherboard is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced, and you are not going to use the same license on the machine you give to your relative, you could call Microsoft and probably get your Windows license authenticated for the upgrade even if it is OEM.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but you're giving this potentially malfunctioning motherboard to a family member who needs a new computer?

I can't wrap my head around this either.

 

[guy120]

The thing is, I'm not quite sure if it's my motherboard that has problems, because when I use integrated graphics, my computer doesn't crash, but when I use my video card, I have to underclock it so the crashing doesn't occur.

My family member will not be using a video card, he will use the integrated. That is why I'm giving it to him

 

[AnonymouseUser]

The thing is, I'm not quite sure if it's my motherboard that has problems, because when I use integrated graphics, my computer doesn't crash, but when I use my video card, I have to underclock it so the crashing doesn't occur.

My family member will not be using a video card, he will use the integrated. That is why I'm giving it to him

OK, so your PSU (not enough power for PC plus video card, or dying) or Video card (overheating, dying) is causing the crashing. I would recommend verifying which it is in case you intend to use either one again.

 

[mfenn]

I have a COA thing that came with my windows 7 disk

Yes, but is that a Retail COA or an OEM COA?

 

[mfenn]

OK, so your PSU (not enough power for PC plus video card, or dying) or Video card (overheating, dying) is causing the crashing. I would recommend verifying which it is in case you intend to use either one again.

:thumbsup: I agree. Find the actual problem before sending off potentially bad components to your family member.