Extensive Upgrading Questions and Advice Needed

J

jaymorz

New Member
Hello ladies n' gents, I'm planning on upgrading my CPU from:

D-ATHLON 64 x2 5200+ AM2 DC processor

to an i7 4770k. However the problem is that the sockets don't align and therefore I'll end up having to replace my foxconn nforce 590 SLI motherboard. My knowledge about computer hardware is only as far as the internet can take me, which is a whole lot but limited in practicality. My current desktop computer is an aurora 7500 R4 which i purchased back in 06. My desktop PC currently has the following:

-Full-tower black case 2.0B alienware P2 Chassis (will this mechanically/physically constrain putting/choosing a new motherboard?)

-2GB of ram (XG691 QIMONDA 1GB DDR2 PC2-6400 JEDEC STD REV. EU)
[i'll get back to this later in my thread post]

-Integrated audio c51XEM2AA sound card (Will I have to alter this so its compatible with the new motherboard?)

-Geforce Gtx 460 1GB (I assume the GPU slot of the new motherboard will be compatible with the 460?)

-Alienware 750 watt OEM ATX PSU (I couldn't find the complete specs of this on any online source nor the alienware website, will this be sufficient for running the new CPU?)

-XP operating system

-Thermaltake 760is bigwater liquid cooling system connected to my current CPU (can this work on an i7 CPU?)

I have the complete list of specs for my PC but I think this is sufficient information to make any decisions as installing a new motherboard is reliant on the surrounding hardware i have installed.

My major reason for upgrading my CPU in the first place is that my fps playing online games has bit the dust since I last played, which was 60 fps flat in WOW back in 08-09. People are pointing the finger at my old CPU and recommended me an i7 which will make a world of a difference.

So my questions, on top the pre-existing ones, are:
1) Is this drastic change necessary? or can a small tweak like increasing my ram to 4g make the difference i need?

2)Should I just purchase a new desktop tower? I am reluctant on this decision because of all the work I've done to it. It runs great, just need extra juice to keep up with modern technology

3)If you guys recommend the motherboard swap, could you answer the previous questions I had in my specs list.

Thanks a lot for your time!
 
A few points:

If you upgrade to the i7 4770K, you will also have to upgrade to a 1150 motherboard and upgrade the RAM to DDR3. (You will want to change OS to Win 7 or Win 8) If your sound card is PCI-e, then it will work with the new motherboard.

If you are wanting to get a little more life out of your current system, then upgrade the RAM to at least 8GB if possible and REPLACE that GTX460 with a newer higher-end GPU.
 
Thanks for the reply, yea everything is pretty much outdated. If I were to go with all that would the current PSU (alienware/dell manufactured) be sufficient to accommodate all those changes?

Also should i look into purchasing a kit that includes the i7 and ram that i need? And is a foxconn motherboard a bad choice for the LGA1150 socket in comparison to other companies such as asus and gigabyte?
 
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Definitely pick asus/gigabyte over foxconn. Your psu should be fine but you could share its exact model name so we can make sure that it is. If you don't do a lot of graphically intense gaming (Battlefield 3/4, Crysis 3, Metro, etc..) you should be fine with your current graphics card. If your liquid cooling system works with lga 1150 you can also re-use it, even if it doesn't there's probably a sneaky way to make it work, an adapter or zip ties.
 
If you get a new CPU use the HSF that come with it. It's too risky to jerry rig your water cooler trying to fit the new CPU. Also you can get an i5 and save a bunch or use toward a better video card.
 
Thanks for the advice so far fellas,

@springwater The exact title of the PSU component is what I mentioned earlier
-750 watt OEM ATX power supply unit PSU (I had this custom from Alienware directly in the assembly process)

I think I'm going to go with the i5 3570k processor. I've been trying to get opinions of the type of motherboard/ram I should lean towards, however, I haven't come across one unanimous decision yet. In particular a bundle with the i5 3570k processor, motherboard and 8-16gb of ram would be ideal.

In addition, I think my GPU is going to stay as the Geforce GTX 460 for now.
 
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You haven't said where you live. If you live in the U.S. and near a MicroCenter, then you would most likely be able to find a good deal on a Mobo/CPU bundle and they often discount RAM and other items when bought with the Mobo or CPU.

It is hard to just say buy this particular motherboard/RAM because people use their computers for different reasons. The bundle that you are looking for with i5 3570k, Mobo, and RAM will depend mostly on how and where you shop.

The major motherboard manufacturers such as Gigabyte, Asus, AsRock and others all make good products.

As for getting a concrete decision, just know that everyone will have different opinions.....just take a look at some of the builds in people's signatures and you will quickly see how it varies.
 
Hey m3, thanks for the help so far. I live in NY and the closest major wholesale electronics store is newegg. However, I found a nice bundle (i5 3570k, Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H MB, and 8gb Patriot Viper Xtreme ram) in tigerdirect. [http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8688707&CatId=6982]

The functionality of the computer should gear towards casual gaming and seldom hardcore gaming. With the new set up, should I look into purchasing a new liquid cooling system for my PC if my current one does not fit to the 1150 socket? I've had overheating problems from before.



***I've compared the rear input and output connectors of that motherboard in the bundle to the location of the input and output connectors of my current motherboard and they hardly match at all. This seems like another issue i need to take into account if i want to keep the same chassis) *****

This is what the I/O connectors of my current mobo looks like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186098


*******I've been told from several sources that the chassis I currently have fits the mobo listed above******* I think I'm going to go with this purchase fellas.
 
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The bundle that you picked will be fine for what you plan to do. Based on your old motherboard, your current CPU cooler will probably not fit. A great cooler for $30 is the Coolermaster HP 212 Evo. Now if you aren't planning to overclock, then the stock cooler was made to do it's job. Also case temps play a factor also.

The motherboard you bought comes with its own back panel to attach to your case, and you should have no problems with it fitting, since your old mobo and your new one are both ATX size.

DO NOT FORGET TO INSTALL THE BRASS MOTHERBOARD STAND-OFFS TO MOUNT THE MOTHERBOARD TO IN YOUR CASE. If the new motherboard requires more than the old mobo did, then spend the $5 and buy a pack.
 
Just went ahead and purchased the bundle off tiger direct. As for the cooling system I currently have, apparently it's compatible with the 1155 socket: http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model_Specification.aspx?id=C_00000941

The only reason why I'm considering using my current LCS is because temperatures run really high within my desktop computer and my fans get dusty really quick. However, if this cool master 212 evo will function better than my LCS i'll forgo it. What do you think?

Will purchase windows 7 64 bit home edition off amazon.

Debating if I should get 2 more 4gb ram sticks of the same model in the bundle to make that a grand total of 16gb

Lastly, I've read from several sites that a BIOS upgrade should be done to your computer before swapping out the mobo, will this be necessary in my case if I'm completely changing my OS?

Thanks for your continued support btw, really appreciate it

***Bought some stand-offs as well!***

Another question is that my current PSU has an 8 pin connector and all 8 pins are connected to my current motherboard. However, the mono that I purchased from tiger direct only has a 4 pin (2x2) slot for the PSU connector? I'm reading up on this and they you can separate the 8 pin connector into two 4 pin connectors, however, others do not advise doing this?

****Apparently there is an unused 4-pin connector that my PSU has, I'll go fetching for that thing when I get my shipment http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=NPS-750AB-1-R ********
 
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Bios upgrade should be done before swapping your mobo? Whoever said that wasn't very smart. No such thing has to be done, and even if you did it it makes no sense cause you're updating something that will be swapped anyway.
 
That's a good bundle and glad to hear your water cooler will fit but hopefully you still have the brackets for the 1155 CPU.
 
jaymorz said:
Just went ahead and purchased the bundle off tiger direct. As for the cooling system I currently have, apparently it's compatible with the 1155 socket: http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model_Specification.aspx?id=C_00000941

The only reason why I'm considering using my current LCS is because temperatures run really high within my desktop computer and my fans get dusty really quick. However, if this cool master 212 evo will function better than my LCS i'll forgo it. What do you think?

Will purchase windows 7 64 bit home edition off amazon.

Debating if I should get 2 more 4gb ram sticks of the same model in the bundle to make that a grand total of 16gb

Lastly, I've read from several sites that a BIOS upgrade should be done to your computer before swapping out the mobo, will this be necessary in my case if I'm completely changing my OS?

Thanks for your continued support btw, really appreciate it

***Bought some stand-offs as well!***

Another question is that my current PSU has an 8 pin connector and all 8 pins are connected to my current motherboard. However, the mono that I purchased from tiger direct only has a 4 pin (2x2) slot for the PSU connector? I'm reading up on this and they you can separate the 8 pin connector into two 4 pin connectors, however, others do not advise doing this?

****Apparently there is an unused 4-pin connector that my PSU has, I'll go fetching for that thing when I get my shipment http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=NPS-750AB-1-R ********
Click to expand...


If you have the brackets to fit, then definitely use your LCS.

Lots of thoughts on how much RAM is recommended. I tend to say 16GB is good. Also, same can be said on thoughts of whether it's better using 4 sticks or 2 sticks to get to the 16GB. I went with 2 8GB sticks, just in case I decide to go up to 32GB in the future. This keeps me from having to purchasing "all" new RAM.

Disregard any threads that said update the bios before changing out motherboards. Maybe they "meant" to say download the latest bios for the new motherboard and install.

Use the proper 4 pin connector from your PSU. Also on that Gigabyte motherboard that you bought, take notice that your CPU fan connector and system 3 fan connectors are side-by-side. Ensure to plug the CPU into the correct one..
 
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