Upgrade time!

[pillar]

So once I get my tax income return $$, first thing im gonna do is upgrade my cpu (intel c2q 6600), mobo (some old gigabyte mobo w/ 5 pci slots *big mistake there*), & newer memory (4x1gb ddr2 800). I know im gonna stay w/ Intel cause they have yet to screw me over on performance & since theres a huge price difference between the i7 & the i5, im gonna stick w/ the i5 (no real need to waste $100 on the i7). Not quite sure on the mobo tho since that 1 always seems to be up in the air (always need help here). Current memory I got is GSkill & theyre still working great for me, so gonna stay with them (gonna get the ddr3 1600 since that seems to have the best selection). Gonna start with 8gb & possibly double that once the 16gb series starts droppin like cats n dogs.

One thing that is bugging me (which I can understand) is the sharp price hike of hard drives. Definitely wanna setup 1 hard drive specifically for OS, then yet another for software/games. I think when I get into the military, im gonna do some hard core research into the hardware technology of each area & see bout possibly starting up a business in America, producing & selling these very items & giving those overseas companies a run for their $$! I dont see a reason why we cant get people in America to help make this stuff, not to mention boost the economy by helping people get jobs./rant

Anyways, all suggestions & feedback are always welcome!

 

[a pet rock]

Sounds like you've already got your build planned and there's really nothing wrong with it. i5-2500k, 8GB 1600 G.skill and a Gigabyte/ASUS/MSI board is pretty standard. What video card are you rocking? If you're looking specifically at an OS drive, look into SSD.

The reason why we can't get people in America to help make this stuff is because costs are significantly higher in the U.S. You won't be making anybody run for their money, because in order to run at a profit you'll be significantly more expensive.

 

[pillar]

Well right now my video card is a GeForce GTS 450 (free upgrade from my previous 9800gt). Thanks for the info bout the suggested manufacturers. Ill look into em.

 

[pillar]

Any real noticeable difference between the p67 & z68 motherboards? Also ive noticed quite a # of ASRock mobos. Any reason I shouldnt go after those?

Also since SSD's are bout the same price as reg hhd's, what would you suggest for a decent os-based ssd to get? Some of these 60-64gb ssd's look reasonably priced.

 

[Asuryan]

Personally I got a intel 510 120gb SSD for my os and some games I also got a gd65 p67 mobo which is working fine for me

 

[pillar]

Ya ive been looking into those MSI boards w/ the military class technology. When it comes to the SSD, unless I find a really good deal on something over 80gb, im gonna stick with the 64gb as a max for ssd's.

 

[Asuryan]

There good mobo's only had a problem once with the BIOS thing oh and the reason why the prices for hard drives increased was because of the flooding in Thailand wait till at the earliest summer time for them to go down another thing if you only plan on downloading the OS on your SSD you should be fine with 64gb and what is your price range for the SSD?

 

[pillar]

Not sure on price yet. Right now it really all depends on my income tax return. My main focus will stay on the cpu, mobo & memory upgrade. After that, ill look into the SSD's. If they stay in the same price range (which shouldnt b an issue), then im gonna say max is around $100. I noticed some of the crucial SSD's for $120, which look real tempting. Now if someone finds a great price on a larger ssd w/ great ratings behind it, I may consider it. Still gotta wait a month tho.

 

[pillar]

So ya I decided to go w/ that same mobo as you did since its 1 of the best mobos out there on that socket type. Also what do you suggest for an aftermarket hsf? My current is an Arctic Freezer but its for my socket 775. People seem to be praising that CM Hyper 212. Which did you get?

 

[chili dude96]

I second MSI mobos, great brand. I have one, and upon some investigation my moms comp that lasted 6 years also had a msi mobo in it that still works!

 

[Ph?bus]

So ya I decided to go w/ that same mobo as you did since its 1 of the best mobos out there on that socket type. Also what do you suggest for an aftermarket hsf? My current is an Arctic Freezer but its for my socket 775. People seem to be praising that CM Hyper 212. Which did you get?

What's your budget? And the case, since height may be an issue for some coolers.

 

[Cloakedsphere]

I second MSI mobos, great brand. I have one, and upon some investigation my moms comp that lasted 6 years also had a msi mobo in it that still works!

-1 MSI mobo's. They have horrible feedback with Corsair RAM and getting nothing to post. I never get any feedback from my calls/emails. RMA is a hassle. Customer support is just overall horrible. :/ Maybe it might just be me but im giving MSI a bad rep. Also. Dont think your getting Corsair ram. You wont get anything to post.

 

[Asuryan]

@pillar the cm hyper 212 is great @cloaked sphere really? MSI responds to every e-mail I send then if and when I have problems I have the same issue with Asus as you do with MSI I e-mailed them like 10 times asking for another mobo to use while they were fixing mine the one they sent me was broken so I called them again a ton finally I just gave up on them

 

[Cloakedsphere]

@pillar the cm hyper 212 is great @cloaked sphere really? MSI responds to every e-mail I send then if and when I have problems I have the same issue with Asus as you do with MSI I e-mailed them like 10 times asking for another mobo to use while they were fixing mine the one they sent me was broken so I called them again a ton finally I just gave up on them

Yes actually i did have that problem with MSI. I never was able to get in touch with there customer support. I spent literally about a month trying to contact them in anyway shape or form. We have a local MSI warehouse near me and i went there also. They sed if i brought it in i could get a ticket to get a new replacement one. So i brought it in. Then im told they dont give tickets for replacements at the warehouse and you need to contact customer support. I gave up. Took it to my local electronics store. They gave me a full money refund. Then i got an ASUS mobo. No problems with it what so ever. The problem was that the RAM i picked out they sed had bad pin connectors. When i got the ASUS mobo. It ran 100% FINE. I dont trust MSI and there horrible customer service. Never will. -1 MSI. +1 ASUS.

 

[I'm your huckleberry]

Wait, I am confused. Why did you not return it for a full refund to begin with? Money is better than a refurbished product anyways. And then it turns out you did talk to MSI support and they said that your ram was bad? Huh? I also don't see you trying for an entire month to contact anyone at MSI and them not being able to be reached whatsoever. All companies will provide crappy support to some customers. It is inevitable, but your story sounds somewhat exaggerated I am afraid. I don't doubt you had a bad experience though.

 

[pillar]

I would highly suggest that you get GSkill memory in the future instead of Corsair, this way you wont have such issues w/ the mobos (imho). Never had a single issue w/ their memory so far.

Also when it comes to the aftermarket hsf, my overall price range for the entire upgrade (cpu, mobo, memory & hsf) will be around $500. If you wish to suggest a different hsf, please let me know. I have the Arctic Freezer 7 Pro in my case right now & ya it does take up quite a bit of room as it is.

 

[Cloakedsphere]

Wait, I am confused. Why did you not return it for a full refund to begin with? Money is better than a refurbished product anyways. And then it turns out you did talk to MSI support and they said that your ram was bad? Huh? I also don't see you trying for an entire month to contact anyone at MSI and them not being able to be reached whatsoever. All companies will provide crappy support to some customers. It is inevitable, but your story sounds somewhat exaggerated I am afraid. I don't doubt you had a bad experience though.

I bought it offline from my local store's website. They sed if you had any problems you would have to RMA it to MSI themselves. I tryed contacting them for a month and nothing. So i went into an MSI wharehouse about an hour away to see if they could take it. They sed ide have to put in a ticket to get a new mobo. Its not just as easy as " why didint you take it for a full refund anyways? " thing. I figured i just had a bad board. My RAM wasnt bad.

Again. G.Skill is horrible RAM in my opinion. They just have flashy looks. Theres almost no difference between other RAM I see.

 

[I'm your huckleberry]

The problem was that the RAM i picked out they sed had bad pin connectors.

Who told you your RAM was bad? And again, I do not see a person trying to contact a company for a month and not speaking or hearing from anyone. The company would not be in business if this was the case. I question how hard you tried to contact them.

And again, based on your one experience with two companies, millions of others have had zero problems. It is often luck of the draw or your delivery service is horrendous when it comes to handling delicate packages.