Lately I’ve been thinking about upgrading my computer. Not really because it runs bad or anything, as the past few upgrades I’ve made has been solid and sound. However, I’ve been looking into getting more RAM and after acquiring myself a USB3 external hard drive, I have to get myself a motherboard that actually support this.
This means however, that I run into a problem. As I currently have a 1st generation Intel Core i7 processor, the i7 920, I’m locked into the LGA1366 socket, which really limit my choices of upgrading the motherboard. To future proof my desktop computer a bit more, I think that I have to replace my old CPU and move away from the Bloomfield architecture and over to one of the newer iterations of the Intel i family. Currently for me, it’s kind of a toss up between the Core i7-4770K or the i5-4670K of the Haswell architecture. I used to do loads of programming on the computer, but as it’s turning more and more into a gaming computer, I think I’ll stick with the i5-4670K though.
This is my current setup:
CPU: Intel Core i7-920 2.66Ghz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Intel DX58SO ATX LGA1366 Motherboard
Memory: OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3-2000 Memory
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5″ Solid State Disk
Storage:[ Seagate Barracuda 320GB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F1 DT 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card
Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: Samsung 2333T 23.0″ Monitor
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Wired Standard Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse
Headphones: SteelSeries Siberia v2 Headset
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-14 06:22 EDT-0400)
As you can see, it’s a decent computer, but as mentioned before, I have problems with choosing hardware for upgrading, due to my current processor being socket LGA1366. This means that if I really want to buy a Core i5-4670K, I have to get a motherboard that is socket LGA1150, which would also mean that I have plenty of options for upgrading hardware from there on. After all the current i7 920 have served me faithfully for almost 5 years and I’ve had nothing but good times with it, so I think going with a new i5-4670K will give me at least 5 more years of nice gaming, good graphics and all that.
While doing this upgrade, I would also like to swap my optical drive, from a DVD-Writer to a BluRay-Writer and also swap out my old Logitech G15 with a better keyboard.
All this said and done, I’m now looking more at a setup like this:
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5″ Solid State Disk
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 320GB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F1 DT 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card
Case: Corsair 550D ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Asus BW-14D1XT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: Samsung 2333T 23.0″ Monitor
Keyboard: Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Elite Wired Gaming Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech G500 Wired Laser Mouse
Headphones: SteelSeries Siberia v2 Headset
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-10-14 06:48 EDT-0400)
With this solution I would have achieved all the things I wanted. A better processor and a better motherboard, with which I have to option to actually use the full power of my SSD, more RAM and as an added bonus a new keyboard and a BluRay-drive.
All this would set me back around DKK 4.400 or around $800. I know it’s a lot of money and I know that you don’t need hardware that good, but I like future proofing and then not having to think about it for years to come. After all, my rig still play most games I play on full power.
Lastly as you can see I’ve been using the great website PCPartPicker to show off my builds and such, but I’ve stripped off all the parts that show how much the items cost. Mainly because the prices in either pounds or dollars is irrelevant for me here in Denmark, but also because it simply looks better when formatted on this site.
Also, if you feel like building your own computer and harvest the savings (results may vary), and the feeling of accomplishment it is to build your own computer, don’t hesitate to visit the great people at /r/buildapc on reddit, as they are a great community who won’t hesitate to help you to the best of their knowledge.
When I actually decide to do this upgrade, I’ll let you know. I wonder what’ll be next, I think something about cable management. Until then, enjoy some of these nice cable management pictures!