Need a professional opinion

[Goku]

Originally Posted by Zulthus

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



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?

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. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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



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

[Goku]

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

[Zulthus]

Originally Posted by Goku

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]

Originally Posted by Goku

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371015

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Goku]

Need how much volts it needs to run.

[Zulthus]

Originally Posted by Goku

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/Produc...82E16813138355

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116505

Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103064

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]

Originally Posted by 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/Produc...82E16813138355

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116505

Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103064

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 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 ($20 MIR)
LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Case - $59.99 w/ promo code EMCNEHA38 (Ends 6/4)
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus - $29.99 ($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. 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.