Advice needed for upgrading pc

I'm planning on upgrading the CPU,motherboard,Ram and cabinet of my computer next week.I'm willing to spend Rs 30000 on it.The pc will be used primarily for gaming,watching HD movies and internet browsing.I intend to reuse the following components from my old PC---monitor,GPU(nvidia gts 450),psu(corsair vx 450),HDDs and optical drives.

As i don't upgrade my pc very often,i want to go for a config that will last for the next 5-6 years and will also perform satisfactorily.Should i go for an Intel or AMD based config?Are AMD's hex core processors(such as phenom II 1090t) good enough for hardcore gaming and heavy multimedia usage?

Please make some recommendations that will enable me to make an informed purchase.Thanks.

(p.s- Please make sure that the components that you specify can be procured easily from Kolkata)

www.thinkdigit.com/forum/pc-compone...new-pc-help-answer-these-questions-first.html
Answer these Questions.

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: Hardcore gaming,watching HD movies,internet browsing.

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans:Rs 30000(Can spend around Rs 2000 more if required)

3. Planning to overclock?
Ans:I take no interest in overclocking

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans:Windows 7 and XP

5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans:I already have a 1 TB HDD and so i won't be needing a new one

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans:Nope,i intend to continue using my older 20" LCD monitor.

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: Graphics card-Nvidia GTS 450,PSU-Corsair VX 450,input devices,sound card,speakers,HDDs,optical drives.

8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans:Next Week

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans:It will be done by the assembler

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans:I intend to purchase everything locally,i don't like the idea of buying computer components from online stores.

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans:The CPU that I'm currently using tends to heat up a lot after running games or movies for 1-3 hours at a stretch which causes its fan to start spinning rapidly,thereby generating a lot of noise which seems really irritating at times.I'd really like to make sure that my new cpu and its HSF do not have such heating issues.Will using an aftermarket cpu cooler cause the noise levels to drop significantly?If yes,plz recommend some models that are inexpensive but reliable.

Hmm, for 30k you can get:
* Intel i5-2500k -- 12.5k
* Asus P8Z77-M or AsRock Z77 Extreme 4 -- 10k
* Corsair Vengeance 2*4GB DDR3 RAM -- 3.2k
* CM Elite 431 -- 3.1k
* Logitech Wired 500 combo -- 0.7k
Total ---- 29.5k

Rest all you have.

The stock cooler will be fine unless you overclock. As you said you dont intend to OC now. So, that's not a problem. Later when you feel the need for OCing, just get a good CPU cooler like CM Hyper 212 Evo for 2k and hit 5GHz mark.

So, you will be re-using your KB+mouse too. Then go for 4GB DDR3 vengeance instead of 8GB and worth the remaining amount sqeeze in a 60GB SSD to your config.

T

^ he doesn't wanna OC, so why have you suggested him an unlocked processor and z77 mobo.

Thank you very much indeed for your suggestions,Saswat.What do you think of the following configuration?

Intel Core i5 2400

ASUS P8B75-V motherboard

Corsair Value Ram 2*4GB

Cabinet:I am confused between Corsair carbide 400r and cm 690 II advanced-which one is better?Can both of these cabinets accommodate large CPU coolers like CM Hyper 212 Evo?

One more thing:How's Asus' after sales service in Kolkata?I've heard that Rma for Asus products is handled by rashi peripherals in West Bengal.In that case,will i face any problems if the asus motherboard develops a fault and needs to be replaced or repaired?

T

^ Nice config. I think you can accomodate an Ivy bridge i5 in it. It'll be a bit better. Both of listed cabinets are nice and have enough space to house high cpu coolers. Choose the one which appears better to you(in looks).

^Thanks a lot,conqueror.I wanted to go for a ivybridge cpu but i read somewhere in this forum that ivybridge CPUs are plagued with heating issues-so do u think it will be a good idea to opt for ivybridge?If yes,which one would you recommend?

I'm not sure whether the ASUS P8B75-V mobo is available at the local computer stores or not but i'll check it shortly.Can u recommend some alternate motherboards having similar specifications that i can look for in case the aforesaid mobo turns out to be unavailable?Also do u have any idea about the quality of Asus' after sales service in West Bengal?

@saswat23
Nice config . But get ASUS P8Z77 M PRO if the Asrock is not available and Also go for Gskill RipJAWSx RAM .
You can OC the CPU when the Performance Lags . It is also within your budget.

T

quicky008 said:
^Thanks a lot,conqueror.I wanted to go for a ivybridge cpu but i read somewhere in this forum that ivybridge CPUs are plagued with heating issues-so do u think it will be a good idea to opt for ivybridge?If yes,which one would you recommend?

I'm not sure whether the ASUS P8B75-V mobo is available at the local computer stores or not but i'll check it shortly.Can u recommend some alternate motherboards having similar specifications that i can look for in case the aforesaid mobo turns out to be unavailable?Also do u have any idea about the quality of Asus' after sales service in West Bengal?

Ivy runs hotter when overclocked. Due to crap stock intel cooler, you can take cooler master hyper tx3 for 1.4k ( For running ivy bridge proccy on stock). It'll be enough.
But only go for ivy if it is available at reasonable price. i5 3450 + any h77 board from gigabyte is a nice combo. Buy i5 3450 only if it is less than 11.5k. Else get i5 2400 + intel dh67cl. I also heard about bad service of Rashi.

Instead of picking i5-3550 (Ivy bridge) + H77 mothebroard + CPU cooler, rather pick i5-2500K + Z77 motherboard in the same price. Atleast it can be overclocked in future.

T

^ He's not interested in OCing bro, thats the problem

Not now, but for sure will get into OCing later when needed.
Moreover it comes under his budget too, so why not.

ico said:
Instead of picking i5-3550 (Ivy bridge) + H77 mothebroard + CPU cooler, rather pick i5-2500K + Z77 motherboard in the same price. Atleast it can be overclocked in future.

Good suggestion.. :-D

the_conqueror said:
^ He's not interested in OCing bro, thats the problem

If that's the case better get i5-2400 + DH67CL & save some money... :wink:

The i5 2400 cpu is not available locally,a vendor i spoke to advised me to go for a i5 3450 CPU instead for Rs 11,700.Can this processor be considered reliable?Is it capable of running cpu intensive games and apps smoothly?Will it be a good idea to buy it?

Not Bad @ 12k..
Just a bit hotter though

AFAIK performance ~i5 2500k -2%

Chaitanya said:
Not Bad @ 12k..
Just a bit hotter though

AFAIK performance ~i5 2500k -2%

Thats the only thing which worries me,will i be able to avoid the heating issues altogether if i install an aftermarket cpu cooler such as the CM hyper evo 212?

Obviously yes..
for aftermarket cooler installed will bring chills to it. ;-)

Else see if you can get i5-2500k for 12.5k. A better performer than i5-3450 and doesnt have any heating issues.

@ OP what MobO do you have/planning 2 buy??

@saswat if he gets DH67CL as suggested earlier wouldn't 2500k be waste of money??

^^ You think that's waste of money! Not IMO coz if you can get a unlocked processor for around 500-600 bucks more then why not get it instead. Its futureproof too so that when you need to get more out of your proccy, you can simply get a Z77 board and OC. :wink:

Also getting Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H makes more sense than Intel DH67CL.

I meant it the other way...
I mean wouldn't pairing i5-2500k with (ahem!) dh67CL ( as i mentioned earlier ) be one of Epic Fail events::

BTW splurging money on 2500k + Z77 board would be better (i think so)

I'm eager to buy the asus P8B75-V mobo but I'm still not sure whether its available in kolkata or not.I could have bought the i5 2500k cpu but its slightly expensive(around Rs 14.5k at the local shops) and therefore,out of my budget.

Yup, I have already suggested that in OP's budget. Now it upto OP to choose.

That's really heavy pricing. Then your last option is to go with i5-3450.

I've finally decided to go for the following components:

Intel core i5 3450 cpu (i5 2400 is unavailable and i5 2500 is being sold for around Rs 14500 at the local retail outlets,thereby compelling me to opt for this particular cpu)

Asus p8 b75-V motherboard

CM hyper 212 EVO cooler(Will it be able to prevent my cpu from overheating?)

Corsair Vengeance 4GB*2

corsair carbide 400R case

The CM 212 evo cooler is quite large and occupies a lot of space-am i likely to face any problems while trying to install 2 of these ram modules on my motherboard if i use this cooler?

Also,can someone tell me the differences between CM hyper 212 evo and CM Hyper TX3 EVO Cooler?Which one is better suited for cooling a i5 3450 cpu?Can i go for CM hyper TX3 in case the evo 212 is not available?

i5 2500 or i5 2500k for 14.5k ? Either ways its way too expensive. Local rate for the 2500k should be around 12.5-13k max. Somehow I find kolkata rates are higher than other smaller towns/cities.

CM hyper 212 evo is a great cooler. Worth waiting for. Make sure your cpu settings are fine and the case has proper ventilation. All coolers (air/liquid) have their limits.

8GB ram looks like overkill. I think 2*2gb will serve your purpose just fine.

Ram installation wont be a problem if
1. You avoid push pull config with cooler.
2. Fix the single cooler fan towards the rear of the case.

Myth said:
i5 2500 or i5 2500k for 14.5k ? Either ways its way too expensive. Local rate for the 2500k should be around 12.5-13k max. Somehow I find kolkata rates are higher than other smaller towns/cities.

CM hyper 212 evo is a great cooler. Worth waiting for. Make sure your cpu settings are fine and the case has proper ventilation. All coolers (air/liquid) have their limits.

8GB ram looks like overkill. I think 2*2gb will serve your purpose just fine.

Ram installation wont be a problem if
1. You avoid push pull config with cooler.
2. Fix the single cooler fan towards the rear of the case.

Absolutely true-prices of most computer components tend to be on the higher side at kolkata's markets,which is very disappointing to say the least.This often forces most consumers on a tight budget to compromise on quality and go for cheaper components to avoid spending too much money.

I've heard that due to its humongous size,CM 212 EVO blocks one or more RAM slots on the motherboard,that's the reason I'm a bit hesitant to buy this cooler.But I do not intend to use it in a push-pull config,will that prevent the cooler from interfering with the Ram slots?

How different is the CM hyper TX3 from Evo 212?Is it just as big as EVO 212 and can it cool a i5 3450 cpu effectively?Also,does it block any of the RAM slots on a motherboard?

U

I don't think the TX3 will block any RAM slots.

my older pentium D cpu featured something called Pulse width modulation to control fan speeds automatically.Can these aftermarket cpu coolers,such as the hyper evo 212 regulate their fan speeds automatically or do we need to set them manually?

U

We need to set them manually.

Utkarsh Sharma said:
We need to set them manually.

Thanks for replying.Can u tell me how exactly are we supposed to set the fan speeds manually?What should be the optimal fan speed to keep a i5 3450 cool under all conditions?

quicky008 said:
my older pentium D cpu featured something called Pulse width modulation to control fan speeds automatically.Can these aftermarket cpu coolers,such as the hyper evo 212 regulate their fan speeds automatically or do we need to set them manually?

It gets regulated. The motherboard has a PWM Fan header. You need to connect the fan there.

Thanks for the prompt reply ico,I'm planning to buy the asus p8 b75 V motherboard soon-does it support PWM for automatic fan speed control?

quicky008 said:
Thanks for the prompt reply ico,I'm planning to buy the asus p8 b75 V motherboard soon-does it support PWM for automatic fan speed control?

yes. every motherboard has it for the CPU fan.

ico said:
yes. every motherboard has it for the CPU fan.

Glad to hear it.