1156 Socket CPU upgrade

[smeders]

Hi all,

I currently have a old PC that I'm using as a streaming PC for music whilst I play online with my laptop. I'm looking to upgrade some parts to use it as a gamong PC and will tie me over for a year or 2.

Current Specs:

I3-560
P55M Pro Motherboard
8GB DDR3 1333mhz
GTS540 1GB
500GB SATA 2 HDD
160GB IDE HDD
430W PSU

Proposed Spec:

CPU: Xeon X3450/X3440 or X3430 or i5 750 or at a long shot I7 860 (MB will support all, I just want best performance as they are all around same price. Cheapest CPU is X3430/X3440 or I5)
MB: P55M Pro Motherboard (recycle)
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1333mhz (recycle)
HDD 1: 1TB SATA 2 HDD
HDD 2: 500GB SATA 2 (recycle)
GPU: R7 260x (£70) (Any other suggestions for £70-80 welcome )
PSU: Upgrade to 500/550W if needed$?

Most demanding game I play is GTA 4 on 1080p so as long as i can play it on high on 1080p I will be happy! Got around £250 for upgrades.

Many thanks!

 

[EarthDog]

I dont see why you need to upgrade it in the first place. Its a music streaming PC. A what you have should easily do that.

Im confused though as then later you mention gaming... so, is this only for steaming or are you trying to play some games with it?

 

[smeders]

My apologies, am looking to upgrade it to become a mid gaming PC and take over from my laptop.

 

[EarthDog]

You may want to edit that post... it says something completely different! LOL!

Anyway, I would go quad core (i5 760) and grab the best GPU you can with the leftover cash.

 

[smeders]

Any benefit over I5 compared to the Xeon? The X3450 has the same clock speed plus HT. There's only a £10 difference between it and the I5 so just want best performance between the CPUs. Cheers

 

[EarthDog]

Oops, I meant the 860 which has HT... but either will do. Since i doubt any game you play on that machine uses over four cores, there isn't a point in HT on such a device IMO. Choice is up to you though.

 

[smeders]

Oops, I meant the 860 which has HT... but either will do. Since i doubt any game you play on that machine uses over four cores, there isn't a point in HT on such a device IMO. Choice is up to you though.

Prices for the CPUs are:

I7 860 - £60-75
I5 750 - £40ish
Xeon X3450 - £40-45
Xeon X3440 - £40ish
Xeon X3430 - £30ish

I've looked into the 780/3450 and there's multiple people saying the 3450 and 860 are not too different in performance, is the £30-35 difference really worth it?

 

[smeders]

1156 PC upgrades

Hi all,

I currently have a old PC that I'm using as a streaming PC for music whilst I play online with my laptop. I'm looking to upgrade some parts to use it as a gaming PC and will tie me over for a year or 2.

Current Specs:

I3-560
Asrock P55M Pro Motherboard
8GB DDR3 1333mhz
GTS540 1GB
500GB SATA 2 HDD
160GB IDE HDD
430W PSU

Proposed Spec:

CPU: Xeon X3450/X3440 or X3430 or i5 750 or at a long shot I7 860 (MB will support all, I just want best performance as they are all around same price. Cheapest CPU is X3430/X3440 or I5)
MB: Asrock P55M Pro Motherboard (recycle)
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1333mhz (recycle)
HDD 1: 1TB SATA 2 HDD
HDD 2: 500GB SATA 2 (recycle)
GPU: R7 260x (£70) (Any other suggestions for £70-80 welcome )
PSU: Upgrade to 500/550W if needed?
Case: Recycle
CPU Cooler: Recycle

CPU prices:

I7 860 - £60-75
I5 750 - £40ish
Xeon X3450 - £40-45
Xeon X3440 - £40ish
Xeon X3430 - £30ish

Currently thinking of the X3450 as it is a quad core at 2.66ghz (3.2 turbo) which is the same as the I5 and it also has HT for the same price or an extra £5

The most demanding game I play is GTA 4 on 1080p so as long as I can play it on high on 1080p I will be happy! Got around £250 for upgrades.

Any suggests more than welcome

 

[EarthDog]

It's 200 MHz difference. A couple % difference I would imagine.

 

[smeders]

It's 200 MHz difference. A couple % difference I would imagine.

Dont think its going to be work it surely for an extra 200Mhz? Could always OC it a fraction to make it up if performance is very poor?

 

[smeders]

bump?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

What's the PSU model? How old?

Take the X3440 or X3450.

 

[smeders]

What's the PSU model? How old?

Take the X3440 or X3450.

Thanks for the reply. I believe is some cheap 430w that came with the case. The fan is starting to go on it but has lasted almost 5 years running pretty much 24/7 most months.

I'm aiming at getting the X3450 at £50. However the X3430 I can get for £30. 3450 as a base of 2.66GHz (Turbo 3.2) and the X3430 2.4GHz (Turbo 2.8GHz). Do you think the extra £20 is worth it? Was thinking of putting it in perm turbo mode and OCing it a little.

Anything for the GPU? All I want is something 2GB and £95 or under

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Definitely get a new PSU. A Seasonic G550 would be great.

If you're planning to OC it shouldn't matter which you buy.

For the GPU, I wouldn't buy anything lower than a 750 Ti.

 

[EarthDog]

Merged duplicate threads. Please keep one thread on the same exact subject please.

 

[smeders]

Definitely get a new PSU. A Seasonic G550 would be great.

If you're planning to OC it shouldn't matter which you buy.

For the GPU, I wouldn't buy anything lower than a 750 Ti.

Hi, thanks for the reply.

I know the Seasonic is a cracking PSU however its more expensive than my GPU and almost 1/2 my budget!

I was looking at a EVGA 500W Bronze PSU and it seems to have some positive reviews: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=351

Was thinking:

CPU: X3450 £45
GPU: R7 260X 2GB £90
PSU: EVGA 500W Bronze £39
HDD: Seagate 7200.14 1TB SATA III 3.5" Hard Drive - 7200RPMrpm, 64MB Cache £44

Total: £218

Wanted to stay sub £200 but its only £18

Any suggestions for improvements?

 

[ATMINSIDE]

I'd pick a Western Digital WD10EZEX for the HDD. Should shave a few pounds as well.

I'd take a 750Ti over the 260X, personally. Pretty close in price.

 

[smeders]

I'd pick a Western Digital WD10EZEX for the HDD. Should shave a few pounds as well.

I'd take a 750Ti over the 260X, personally. Pretty close in price.

Ok update:

X3450 £45
R7 260X is £90, cheapest 750ti i can find is £101
EVGA 500W Bronze £38.99
WD 1TB 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive - Caviar Blue £42.99

260X build: £216.98
750ti build: £227.98

 

[smeders]

Just saw this PSU. Extra 50W and Corsair brand:

http://www.ebuyer.com/702009-corsair-vs-series-550-watt-power-supply-vs550-cp-9020097-uk

 

[ATMINSIDE]

You're not even going to be close to using 500W.