In need of some ideas

zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
So I've had my PC for almost a year now, and this seems like an appropriate time to start thinking about some kind of upgrades.
My PC isn't the best, but I'm not looking to spend thousands of pounds either. And I'm pretty happy with some of the things I have, so I'm only looking to upgrade a few parts.

Introducing...The Cheap Git (Only cost around £250 - £300)
What I have now:
Case - CiT Mars with Blue LED Fans
Motherboard - BIOSTAR TA790GXB3
Power Unit - Some kind of cheap 500W I got as a starter
Processor - AMD Athlon II x2 250 (Was just to get me by before I decided to upgrade)
Processor Fan - Stock
Graphics Card - Radeon HD 6770
Hard Drive - 1 TB I picked up from Amazon on the cheap, never had a problem though :D
CD Drive - From old Family PC, still uses IDE ;_;
RAM - Regular 8GB DDR3 533mhz (2x 4GB)
Fans - 2 Blue LED Case fans, one at front, one at back.

This has served me well for the past year, but I've decided to change some bits around.
Now, I don't have a lot of money, and I don't want to spend a crap load...but I am willing to hear suggestions on what to buy.

I'm only looking to upgrade a few things, seeing as I'm quite happy with the rest of it.
So here is a list:
Case
I've wanted a new case for a while, but I'm not sure what to get. I'm quite picky when it comes down to how it looks to be honest, but I want something reasonably big, and good for my money.
I really like the look of the NZXT Phanton or the Thermaltake Chaser MK-1. But these are both quite expensive IMO and I'm not sure whether they are good for my money or not?
I would like some kind of nice looking case, that is quite spacey, but possibly cheaper than £100? If not I may just go for the Thermaltake one.
EDIT:
Just found the Thermaltake one on Amazon, with built in Liquid cooling. But it's over £200 :eek: Link was huge.

Processor
As I said, the CPU I initially bought was just to get me buy until I decided it was time to upgrade.
Like before, I want a CPU that works well, and can handle things like editing videos and that kind of stuff. Again, I would prefer it to be not too expensive...maybe somewhere around £70 - £80

Processor Fan
I've heard you only really need a different fan if you Overclock, and I'm not really planning to Overclock, so obviously Stock would probably do me just fine.
But I would be willing to buy a Fan just to keep my CPU extra cool, maybe something around £20.

Motherboard
Depends on what Processor I get...If I plan to get say..a Bulldozer, or am Intel Processor, then I would obviously need a new Motherboard.
But I would prefer to stick with AMD, and maybe get a Phenom, depends if I can get a Bulldozer or something else better for a nicer price.

Power Unit
For some time I have really wanted a Modular Power Unit.
Are they any good? Are they worth it? What do you guys think?
Should I just get a regular Power Unit, or are there decently priced well working Modular ones out there?

CD Drive
I don't exactly use the CD Drive, but the IDE cable drives me nuts.
Just looking for a decent cheapish CD Drive that works and has a SATA cable, I've seen Blu-Rays go for around £20 so should I just pick one of those up?

Any Ideas are welcome. Honestly I just want to see what you guys can suggest for a cheap git such as myself :D

Also, should I go ahead and buy another 8GB of RAM? I've heard that your computer can be much faster at 16GB since it renders the page file redundant.

EDIT:
Sorry for the really long thread...I can type for England :p
 
zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
Cock said:
What's a good online store UK store I can search for ya? I know fuck all about pricing.
Click to expand...
Here is a few UK sites that I know of.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/
http://www.overclock.co.uk/
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/ (Where I got my first PC parts from)
Then obviously there is Amazon.

Cock said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B006G76LZY/ref=mp_s_a_2?pi=SL75&qid=1348178988&sr=8-2
Click to expand...
Wow that looks quite nice, 6 cores :eek:
Huge step up from my dual core office processor...

So what kind of coolers and power supplies are good?
Like I said, my ideal would be a Modular power supply, but are they even any good?

Cock said:
Case is something I always suggest putting in a ton of research/money into a good one.
Click to expand...
Hmm..I guess around £100 would be a decent enough price for me.
But I'm guessing there could be cases out there that look good, have a decent price on the, and are just as good as more expensive versions.
 
Cock

Cock

Cockilicious
Staff member
Just checked and your mobo doesn't support that Processor I posted. Max up to Phenom x4

IMO I would buy a new PSU/CPU+Mobo(AM3+)/CPUCooler
In that order.
 
zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
My friend has this fan:
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HFS-KATANA3
Says it's pretty good, and the way that it's tilted makes for better airflow.
The one you have is quite expensive for a fan IMO.

Honestly I don't like the idea of having a big fan pulling down on my motherboard.
Is that even an issue to consider?

Yeah that PSU looks reasonably priced, the ones I was looking at were around £70-£100.
Ideally, If I had more money, and wasn't so concious about spending it...I would do what most people do and just go for all the best things I can.

Some cases I like the look of
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HFS-SHURIKENB
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAN-PHAN-WH
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAA-SIXTH-WH
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CAA-SIXTH-BK

To be honest, I'm starting to like the Thermaltake Chaser more and more...
But if I were to buy it, would £100 extra for built in water cooling be worth it?
That would make needing the fan redundant.
BUT obviously a lot more expensive than just buying a fan xD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermaltake.../dp/B00535Q92U/ref=dp_cp_ob_computers_title_0
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermaltake-Midi-Tower-PC-Gehäuse-micro-ATX-schwarz/dp/B005UH92A2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=31Q9Y40N8GN5V&coliid=I3KZMFWC8O3CEW
 
zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
Cock said:
Just checked and your mobo doesn't support that Processor I posted. Max up to Phenom x4

IMO I would buy a new PSU/CPU+Mobo(AM3+)/CPUCooler
In that order.
Click to expand...
Wow..that suck...
Means I'll have to buy a new motherboard too...
Unless there is any Phenom x4s out there that would do the job? I think a quad would suit me fine to be honest
 
Cock

Cock

Cockilicious
Staff member
Yea, I like Scythe, I find The amount of air they push is very low. And no, that design is not better. If it was was every other big name in cooling would use it.

I'll post some things tonight when I'm not on my phone :P
 
zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
Alright awesome.
Well I will have a look tomorrow then because it's pretty much bed time for me here now.
Thanks :)
 
Steve

Steve

TD Admin | Bacon
If you buy any case other than HAF 932, kill yourself.

I believe it is $160 on newegg with free shipping on new egg right now, not sure if that includes shipping across the pond(lolbritfag)

You might as well wait for the American blackfriday sales and cyber monday sales in a few months.

I got my HAF932 for $75 with free shipping two years ago on blackfriday

feelsgoodbro.jpg



Not but really, If you buy any other case, kill yourself.
 
47

47

TD Admin, Chicken Licker, Top Shelf Sleeper
i love my HAF !!! :fap:

get an intel cpu !!! get like an i5, those are totally bang for buck ! amd is for ponyfags. ull prolly need new ram too.
 
dead mike

dead mike

TD Member, Legend, Puncher of Faces, Chatbox King
zackychuu said:
My PC isn't the best, but I'm not looking to spend thousands of pounds either.
Click to expand...

You need to get some fed notes and buy your shit in the states, everything so cheap there and always comes with a blow job.
 
zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
Steve said:
If you buy any case other than HAF 932, kill yourself.
Click to expand...
It's £101 on amazon.co.uk.
Maybe...I don't really like the look of it to be honest

Plus, go Blue or go Home!
Blue lights are ftw.

47 said:
get an intel cpu !!! get like an i5, those are totally bang for buck ! amd is for ponyfags. ull prolly need new ram too.
Click to expand...
What kind of i5's...seeing as there are a lot of them.
I would prefer not to switch...possibly just upgrade to a Phenom x4, that way I don't need a new mobo...
But honestly, I'f I cant get a nice enough price on a new Mobo and new CPU then I may go for it...

dead mike said:
You need to get some fed notes and buy your shit in the states, everything so cheap there and always comes with a blow job.
Click to expand...
Heh..I think everything is just as cheap here if you look in the right places :P
 
Cock

Cock

Cockilicious
Staff member
Steve and 47 with the Fanboyism :D

Get a Case you like, just make sure it's not shit.
I never buy Thermaltake Products personally, because they've always died on me. :(

Nice CPU Compatible as well. Also it can easy OC if your mobo will let it.
http://www.misco.co.uk/product/162643/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-965-Black-Edition-Processor-Socket-AM3

No you don't have to worry about a Big Heathsink pulling on the Mobo, They all have mounting brackets that spread the weight properly. Just make sure the mobo is into the case properly.
Try this one:
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HFZ-CNPS8900E

My Zalman 9900 keeps my 4.6Ghz i5 below 60 degrees max load and it doesn't sound like a fucking turbine.
Good heatsink makes your CPU and Mobo last longer. Same goes for a PSU, but a bad one can destroy the computer.
 
zackychuu

zackychuu

TD Admin / Wanker
Cock said:
Get a Case you like, just make sure it's not shit.
I never buy Thermaltake Products personally, because they've always died on me. :(
Click to expand...
Honestly I'm really considering that Thermaltake one..It looks nice IMO and seems like a decent enough size.
I think I may look around for some reviews.
But, what have you done to them to make them die?

Cock said:
Nice CPU Compatible as well. Also it can easy OC if your mobo will let it.
http://www.misco.co.uk/product/162643/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-965-Black-Edition-Processor-Socket-AM3
Click to expand...
Not really going to look into Overclocking just yet, I'm fine with regular speed on stuff :P
That CPU looks a lot more like the kind of thing I want.
Cheaper on Amazon so I might get it on there :P

Cock said:
No you don't have to worry about a Big Heathsink pulling on the Mobo, They all have mounting brackets that spread the weight properly. Just make sure the mobo is into the case properly.
Try this one:
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=HFZ-CNPS8900E
Click to expand...
Oh, well that's good then.
I only use a stock fan so I wasn't sure if bigger ones would come with anything to stop it dragging down.
That one looks quite reasonable, I'm guessing it's suitable for the CPU you chose for me, other wise you wouldn't have linked it xD

So...the big question.
Since I'm buying stuff...Should I upgrade from 8gb to 16gb of RAM?
 
DyNe

DyNe

A Little Darkly
OK, here we go...


Honestly, that case you guys were talking about looks great.


Personally...! I like antec cases.

The 900 2 is a sick case, around probably 100 pounds, not sure the conversion...

On a side note, Its too bad you can't go to a place like Canada computers. Best place ever to buy products....


Let me be honest with you, the case and power supply and mobo are generally the most important parts of your rigg on the basis that you can upgrade other parts but those are the foundations, and with computers, you're only as good as your weakest component. You seem like there are a few things you can upgrade. Your power supply is more than enough and I honestly don't think you need a power supply. You clearly want a case and they are a GREAT investment... Like i said, I really like antec cases, just me tho.

Your processor is kind of weak and for 70-80 pounds you can get something wtih an unlocked multiplier that you can overclock, but then you need cooling
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Honestly, these black edition AMD's are really awesome for OC'ing. And with proper cooling and unlocked multipliers, they really are awesome. I have the AMD 555 X2 black edition. That is the Phenom II X4 3.4 black. Only 99 USD.


Best bang for your buck cooling as far as I'm concerned is...
http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=6603
Around 30-40 USD.

Cooler master 212 plus :D. I installed one of these on my roomates computer, and it is AMAZING. It is better than liquid cooling and keeps his heavily clocked I6 at like 35 degrees lol.

Your video card is great and you shouldn't need to upgrade for a while.

You can get more ram, its really cheap.... I got 2x 4gb Corsair Sticks for like 30 bucks each at tiger direct. Its always nice to have RAM but there are a few other things I would upgrade first....

Honestly, I'm not up to date on MOBO's, but what can do is I have provided you with a price comparison detail of some of the 15 best mobo's of 2012 from techradar.
http://www.techradar.com/news/compu...best-motherboard-14-reviewed-and-rated-904229


Thats all I got man. Let me know what yo decide on :D

P.S. there is literally almost no point upgrading cooling if you're not overclocking. You components at stock settings shouldnt be overheating or preformance shouldnt be suffering.
 
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