Windows 7: Upgrading PC

Sean1082 · 13 Mar 2011

I'm looking to upgrade my PC soon and have some questions about compability. I have always purchased my PCs pre-built, so I don't have much experience in this field.

I am almost certain this CPU is compatible with this motherboard. Are there any other motherboards out there that are better quality than this? I am not too worried about the price, I just don't want anything over the top.

I am also looking into upgrading my RAM. Opinions on this corsair ram?

EDIT: Should I be using thermal paste? I have done some research on it as I have never looked into it before. Would it be beneficial?

Thanks
Sean

DocBrown · 13 Mar 2011

I prefer AMD cpu's with Gigabyte MBs, but that just my opinion.

One of the first things to check, that the MB will fit properly in your current case.
Next is your power supply rated enough for the new CPU & MB

Sean1082 · 13 Mar 2011

Thanks for the reply.

I have this case which is fairly new. That would fit any new motherboard, right?

I also have a 650 W power supply. It's on the somewhat lower end of things. I would prefer a 1000W to be safe, but it should do the trick for the time being, ya?

DocBrown · 13 Mar 2011

That case & PSU should work great.

I would go with either of the 1st two 890 Gigabyte MB's with that CPU

Newegg.ca - Computer Hardware,Motherboards,AMD Motherboards,GIGABYTE

Edit:

Here is what I built the 1st of the New Year

Show Us Your Rig [2]

Sean1082 · 13 Mar 2011

Those mobo's seem extremely well laid out and good quality. Nice feedback is also a plus, it has a fair bit of that.

Thanks a lot for your input, I appreciate it.

bobkn · 13 Mar 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Sean1082

I'm looking to upgrade my PC soon and have some questions about compability. I have always purchased my PCs pre-built, so I don't have much experience in this field.

I am almost certain this CPU is compatible with this motherboard. Are there any other motherboards out there that are better quality than this? I am not too worried about the price, I just don't want anything over the top.

I am also looking into upgrading my RAM. Opinions on this corsair ram?

EDIT: Should I be using thermal paste? I have done some research on it as I have never looked into it before. Would it be beneficial?

Thanks
Sean

Asus maintains CPU compatibility lists for their motherboards.

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Support-

According to it, the 970 is compatible for BIOS 1606 and newer.

Perhaps Gigabyte maintains similar lists.

Essentially all CPU heatsinks require some sort of thermal interface material. Some heatsinks come with it already applied. I don't know about AMD, but Intel once used something that was very difficult to remove after it was fused to the CPU after a few thermal cycles. I always removed it and used a third-party product. Arctic Silver was the gold standard (no pun intended) for years, but it's not purely a dielectric (nonconducting) paste.

Here's the latest review that I know of:

Thermal Interfaces Roundup: Retail Products - X-bit labs

Windows 7: Upgrading PC

Upgrading PC problems?