Need a professional opinion

[Zulthus]

Does this look like a good board? I'm planning on buying a Phenom ii x4 965 with it along with a second GTX 460. It's micro-ATX, so I'm sure that's a rare thing to have...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130269

The fuck... It was linked when I first posted it... :doh:

[Rbstr]

It'd help if you linked the board.

[Electrofreak]

It must be that new kind of micro-ATX which can't be seen by the naked eye. :p

[Zulthus]

It'd help if you linked the board.

Yeah, I'm not sure how I missed that...

[Rbstr]

What CPU and MB do you have now?

Depending on that I'm not so sure how much better off you are with new CPU/MB and another 460 than you are spending on a card that's from the newer generation? That glorious 28nm 660 is lurking on the horizon.

http://limages.vr-zone.net/body/16038/MSI_GTX660_700.jpg.jpeg
(that connector is obv. pchoped in but the box is apparently legit)

Or, potentially, not spending on a card and going with an i5 then upgrading the GFX later.

[Goku]

Little late to be buying a Phenom II. You really should be looking at i3 or i5. If you must go AMD get the 960T so you can unlock to a six core or get a 8120.

[Zulthus]

What CPU and MB do you have now?

Depending on that I'm not so sure how much better off you are with new CPU/MB and another 460 than you are spending on a card that's from the newer generation? That glorious 28nm 660 is lurking on the horizon.

http://limages.vr-zone.net/body/16038/MSI_GTX660_700.jpg.jpeg
(that connector is obv. pchoped in but the box is apparently legit)

Or, potentially, not spending on a card and going with an i5 then upgrading the GFX later.

I bought this PC prebuilt about 5 years ago because I didn't think I was going to play any games other than PS and BF2, so it's some shitty no-name chinese Foxconn mobo (2A92 it says) and a decent AMD Athlon ii x4 630.

I was thinking about a 670 but I don't really feel like dropping $400 on a single card at the moment; I'm kind of starting to lag behind CPU-wise. Goku said the Bulldozers were failures so I'm going to stray away from those... (I've never went with Intel before) if I was going to get an i5, I'd need a new mobo for that as well...

Thoughts?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

I dislike that Intel's CPUs are more expensive than AMD... but apparently they're 'better' (never had any trouble with my current AMD processor)

[Vancha]

You could get a 965 with an AM3+ motherboard, then should Bulldozer gen. 2 or gen. 3 actually turn out to be half-decent, stick one of those in there as an upgrade.

As far as "now" goes, you could get the i3 2100 and even that would perform better than the 965. There's not much point getting an i5 2500k with a B75 motherboard. Either bump that up to a Z75/Z77, or lower the CPU to a 2400.

[Goku]

The Pildriver FX still doesn't have a specific date. There are reports of third quarter, but bet on that being very near the end. Steamroller sounds like its actually going through quite a few changes to fix what was wrong with the original BD that comes out in 2013. However I am 100% sure that will require a new socket, so there really is not a upgrade path there.

Zulthus do you by chance live in near a MC? They have great combo deals on the 3570K and Z77 that would will make you feel better about purchasing them.

Athlon II X4 to a 965 really isn't a bump in performance. You are really just getting the L3 cache the AII X4 lacks, so thats probably around a 10% improvement in games if I remember correctly.

AMD really has no good mATX boards out there that support BD, and probably won't see any for PD either. You are already screwed there in terms of a upgrade. Only way you can fix this is sticking with a ATX. Intel however has numerous mATX boards that will meet your needs.

I did say the BD did fail. However if you don't mind overclocking and getting it to 4.6GHz+ you will notice a good improvement.

[Rbstr]

I dislike that Intel's CPUs are more expensive than AMD... but apparently they're 'better' (never had any trouble with my current AMD processor)

The question you have to ask yourself is "Am I spending money on a meaningful upgrade?"
Going to a new Phenom II isn't doing that. Going to an SB or IB likely is.

This is exaggerated but spending $100 on 10% improvement is silly if $200 gives you 100%

[Zulthus]

The question you have to ask yourself is "Am I spending money on a meaningful upgrade?"
Going to a new Phenom II isn't doing that. Going to an SB or IB likely is.

This is exaggerated but spending $100 on 10% improvement is silly if $200 gives you 100%

I'm not a great tech guy but I was assuming a processor from ~2004 would be quite a bit worse than the Phenom from '07. Regardless I'll go check out the Microcenter in Olympia and see if they have the deal on a mATX board with an i5.

[Ailos]

Currently, sticking to intel mATX boards with something like socket 1155 will probably give you the broadest options not just how many current processors are compatible, but also some upgrade paths in the future. Otherwise, upgrading from an Athlon 2 X4 to a 955 isn't much difference, and also, for PS2's purposes, I don't think you'll have issues with a 460.

[Zulthus]

The Pildriver FX still doesn't have a specific date. There are reports of third quarter, but bet on that being very near the end. Steamroller sounds like its actually going through quite a few changes to fix what was wrong with the original BD that comes out in 2013. However I am 100% sure that will require a new socket, so there really is not a upgrade path there.

Zulthus do you by chance live in near a MC? They have great combo deals on the 3570K and Z77 that would will make you feel better about purchasing them.

Athlon II X4 to a 965 really isn't a bump in performance. You are really just getting the L3 cache the AII X4 lacks, so thats probably around a 10% improvement in games if I remember correctly.

AMD really has no good mATX boards out there that support BD, and probably won't see any for PD either. You are already screwed there in terms of a upgrade. Only way you can fix this is sticking with a ATX. Intel however has numerous mATX boards that will meet your needs.

I did say the BD did fail. However if you don't mind overclocking and getting it to 4.6GHz+ you will notice a good improvement.

I'd do ATX but my case can't hold it... it's a small-ish HP case, prebuilts don't give much room for improvement

http://www.newtechnology.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HP-Pavilion-Desktop-PC.jpg

That's why I was thinking about going for that SLI mATX mobo I posted somewhere up there if I was going to get an AMD chip... sounds like I need to go for intel however... so I looked up a different one

Amazon.com: EVGA Intel P67 SLI Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard 120-SB-E672-KR: Electronics

It looks like that would fit an i5 and has room for a second graphics card... good choice there?

[Ailos]

I'd do ATX but my case can't hold it... it's a small-ish HP case, prebuilts don't give much room for improvement

http://www.newtechnology.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HP-Pavilion-Desktop-PC.jpg

That's why I was thinking about going for that SLI mATX mobo I posted somewhere up there if I was going to get an AMD chip... sounds like I need to go for intel however... so I looked up a different one

Amazon.com: EVGA Intel P67 SLI Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard 120-SB-E672-KR: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Intel-Micro-Motherboard-120-SB-E672-KR/dp/B004ZMYMLC)

It looks like that would fit an i5 and has room for a second graphics card... good choice there?

That earns my thumbs up.

[Mutant]

I'm not a great tech guy but I was assuming a processor from ~2004 would be quite a bit worse than the Phenom from '07. Regardless I'll go check out the Microcenter in Olympia and see if they have the deal on a mATX board with an i5.

The reality is that we are in the world of "good enough" for gaming CPUs. Limited budgets are generally best spent maximizing GPU.

[Goku]

I'd do ATX but my case can't hold it... it's a small-ish HP case, prebuilts don't give much room for improvement

http://www.newtechnology.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/HP-Pavilion-Desktop-PC.jpg

That's why I was thinking about going for that SLI mATX mobo I posted somewhere up there if I was going to get an AMD chip... sounds like I need to go for intel however... so I looked up a different one

Amazon.com: EVGA Intel P67 SLI Micro ATX DDR3 1333 Motherboard 120-SB-E672-KR: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Intel-Micro-Motherboard-120-SB-E672-KR/dp/B004ZMYMLC)

It looks like that would fit an i5 and has room for a second graphics card... good choice there?

To be honest. You shouldn't be using a HP case for this at all. Just get a new cpu/motherboard along with a new case. Get the GTX 460 in a month or so when you saved up enough funds again.

Actually answer all these (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=37183). That way we get a sense of what to do for you. Linking random parts doesn't really do this.

[Rbstr]

IMO, it looks like that's a normal mid-tower that can fit a regular ATX board.

[Goku]

Even so I don't like people using prebuilts for a number of reasons. Mostly limited airflow, not much space, and you can't do much for cable management.

[Zulthus]

Even so I don't like people using prebuilts for a number of reasons. Mostly limited airflow, not much space, and you can't do much for cable management.

This is true... airflow is fine for the most part but I don't/haven't needed much space. I just now wanted to see if I could get a new mATX board + CPU .

1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?

I guess around $450.

2. Where do you live (Please list if possible town, state, and country)?

Lacey, WA

3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?

Gaming

4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically.

Just looking for a new mobo/CPU, possibly GPU and you recommended a case

5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts.

Everything but what's listed above

6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?

I have a 1680x1050 Acer

7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit?

I have 64-bit Windows 7

8. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.

SLI is all I really care about.

9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?

Nope

10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?

Whenever I find what I'm looking for

Here's a pic of my case

http://i.imgur.com/DS2ap.jpg

I don't think an ATX board will fit in there :p

[Goku]

Yeah that case isn't going to cut it unfortunately. What kind of PSU is that?

[Zulthus]

Yeah that case isn't going to cut it unfortunately. What kind of PSU is that?

Antec 650w from Best Buy

[Goku]

Do you know the specific model? Not saying it has to be replaced, just curious.

[Zulthus]

Do you know the specific model? Not saying it has to be replaced, just curious.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

[Goku]

Do you have DDR3 currently with your processor? If so whats the voltage rating? Once I know this I'll come up with something.

[Zulthus]

Do you have DDR3 currently with your processor? If so whats the voltage rating? Once I know this I'll come up with something.

4 GB Dual channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)

[Goku]

Need how much volts it needs to run.

[Zulthus]

Need how much volts it needs to run.

Oop, sorry, 1.5v.

[Ailos]

HPs cases from that era aren't too badly designed. I do believe there is at least a vent in front of the hard drives in there (is it?). If you want to spend only the necessary amount for the upgrade, buy some cable ties, and the inside of that case will look a lot neater. If you want your rig to operate cooler and quieter, I would instead invest into an aftermarket heatsink for the new CPU, because even $100 cases dont do too much to dampen noise, its better to simply not create it in the first plzce. That said, your budget is pretty decent. Here's the mono, CPU, and heatsink combo I'd buy:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138355

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505

Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

A few notes: somehow, newegg is pricing Ivy Bridge the same as Sandy Bridge right now. When at the same price, go for Ivy, otherwise, go for whichever you feel is the best value (whichever gives the most cores and speed/$). Also, that heatsink SHOULD fit in your case, but double check your clearance before you order. Those front-to-back flow heatsinks do a lot keep your CPU cool and keep the noise down, so even a smaller version of that one (80 rather than 90 mm) will still be better than the stock cooler that comes with the CPU.

Edit: also, I suggested Ivy bridge here because you will also have an upgrade path in the future for a 600 or 700 (when those hit store shelves) which use PCIx3.0. I also dont think you really need a new gpu, a 460 should really be fine for now, and if you cant play games with maxed out settings at 1600x1040, your Athlon needs some upgrading.

[Zulthus]

HPs cases from that era aren't too badly designed. I do believe there is at least a vent in front of the hard drives in there (is it?). If you want to spend only the necessary amount for the upgrade, buy some cable ties, and the inside of that case will look a lot neater. If you want your rig to operate cooler and quieter, I would instead invest into an aftermarket heatsink for the new CPU, because even $100 cases dont do too much to dampen noise, its better to simply not create it in the first plzce. That said, your budget is pretty decent. Here's the mono, CPU, and heatsink combo I'd buy:

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138355

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116505

Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

A few notes: somehow, newegg is pricing Ivy Bridge the same as Sandy Bridge right now. When at the same price, go for Ivy, otherwise, go for whichever you feel is the best value (whichever gives the most cores and speed/$). Also, that heatsink SHOULD fit in your case, but double check your clearance before you order. Those front-to-back flow heatsinks do a lot keep your CPU cool and keep the noise down, so even a smaller version of that one (80 rather than 90 mm) will still be better than the stock cooler that comes with the CPU.

Edit: also, I suggested Ivy bridge here because you will also have an upgrade path in the future for a 600 or 700 (when those hit store shelves) which use PCIx3.0. I also dont think you really need a new gpu, a 460 should really be fine for now, and if you cant play games with maxed out settings at 1600x1040, your Athlon needs some upgrading.

There is a vent in front of the hard drive, yes.

I'd go for an ATX mobo but it wouldn't fit inside that case. As you can see the mATX barely fits :p That's why I was looking at that EVGA one I linked earlier, it should be able to fit the processor you linked and can SLI video cards as well. I will look into the heatsink too (the PC runs really quiet already except for the GPU fan during max settings on BF3) so I'll see.

I'll probably go for that Ivy Bridge processor too, but I'll just see what Goku has to say.

[Goku]

Here is what I came up with:

Intel Core i5-3570K/ASUS P8Z77-V LK Combo - $364.98 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.908895) ($20 MIR)
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Case - $59.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112154) w/ promo code EMCNEHA38 (Ends 6/4)
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus - $29.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065) ($10 MIR)

Total = $474.96 - $20 Promo = $454.96 - $30 MIR = $424.96

You get a $15 gift card to newegg for buying the 3570K as well.

Motherboard is a lot better quality then the Biostar for cheaper due to the combo and MIR. Supports everything you need. Case is good quality for that particular price point. The HS will be enough to handle at least a mild overclock on a 3570K. If you want a slightly better cooler for the same price, but no MIR get the Hyper EVO (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099). May net you a few extra 100MHz for a couple bucks more.

I see you don't plan on overclocking right now, but you have the room for this. Its wicked simple to overclock these. You just set the appropriate settings (multi and vcore) and you can get this to 4.2 GHz easily in minutes. You can play around with it more to get higher too. Even if you do not do this now you can in the future allowing you to get a free performance boost.

Zulthus what GTX 460 do you have? There is 1GB 192-bit versions on Newegg right now. Those cannot do SLI with 1GB 256-bit GTX 460s, due to the 256-bit being based on the GF104 and 192-bit being based on the GF114. Be careful if you are looking around to get one is all.