How Would You Improve My Setup?

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  1. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #1

    How Would You Improve My Setup?


    Hi,

    I had been using a XFX HD 5870 1GB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDMI DP Out PCI-E for over a year 13 months to be exact and it died. I was not insured luckily the retailer I bought it from agreed to repair or replace it.

    It was completely dead and they no longer stocked the original card, I opted for a Gainward GTX 570 Phantom 1280MB GDDR5 Dual DVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E with insurance as I didn't want to spend a great deal of money on a 580/680. As I'm in and out of hospital at the moment and therefore unable to work.

    I'm in the mood for upgrading my computer a little nothing major I'd like to keep my CPU and mobo unless it would offer a significant improvement. Would there be away of improving my current system? Buying a second graphics card, more RAM, adding a sound card or even overclocking?

    I use this machine mostly for games and my media playback (Blu-rays etc) If you don't think I need to that's fine but I'm open to all suggestions. Please let me know what you think. :)

    Spec:

    OS: Windows 7 64 Ultimate
    CPU: Intel Core i7 950 3.06GHz Socket 1366 8MB Cache
    MOBO: Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Intel X58 Socket 1366 8 Channel Audio
    RAM: Corsair Vengeance 12GB (3x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Non-ECC Unbuffered
    GFX: Gainward GTX 570 Phantom 1280MB GDDR5 x 1

    Case: Antec Dark Fleet DF-85 Case
    PSU: Antec Truepower Quattro 1200W
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #2

    Bleu,
    You have a very nice rig currently. I might consider your CPU cooling. Have you considered the great Corsair H100 and adding 4 premium fans in push pull?
    How Would You Improve My Setup?-hpim1447.jpg

    How Would You Improve My Setup?-hpim1452.jpg
    Then of course adding an additional GPU would be killer but I might suggest going in stages buy enhancing the CPU cooling and investigating a modest overclock. Then look into a nice SLi set up.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks Linne, I'm sorry if this seems really lazy but this was my first build. I've tried to do it myself with help from the internet that is. I wouldn't know which fans etc to buy and have no idea about CPU cooling and how I would go about installinh this. If it's not to much trouble could you recommend something so I know what I'm looking for?

    Grace
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #4

    Grace this is a very easy upgrade and yes the kit comes with almost everything you need except for the screws needed for the additional and recommended fans. Your case is ready to go for the H100 and the water radiator and pump are sealed and idiot proof. The pump even comes with paste already attached and all you need to do is remove the stock cooler, clean the i7 with various cleaners (we can help you with) and then mount the new unit, plug it in and your off to new low temps which the OC will need and like very much.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thanks again Linne, I hadn't really considered additional cooling at all. However when my boyfriend opened my case he could tell right away the graphics card had burnt out. You could smell it even though I hadn't played games in months due to being ill, all I did was restart the computer.

    I was hoping moving to Nvidia would help with heat - I'm told they do not get as hot as AMD/ATI cards not sure if that's true - but I will definitely invest in additional cooling when I get things sorted out.

    I haven't posted much on the Win7 forums but if you get to know me you will learn nothing is idiot proof.

    Thanks again! :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 11,424
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
       #6

    Yeah not real sure you can say Nvidia runs cooler than ATi, but the new DDR5 cards runs a lot cooler and use less energy than there DDR3 counterparts. We are all idiotic geniuses here ! You are in good company and please don't fear this in anyway. We work hard to give good timely advice that of course is up to you to take in of go your own path. But we do require pictures of your upgrades and tweaks so others and look and learn ! Suggest posting those in "Show us your rig"
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,413
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
       #7

    Grace, something to keep in mind; regardless of how much cooling you have, if you aren't cleaning out your case and components, with canned air as needed, dust will build up and cook far more than your new gpu. On my phone, so I will have to verify, but if your mobo is sli compatible, you should eventually opt for the second 570. You have plenty of psu to spare. :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 34
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    James7679 said:
    Grace, something to keep in mind; regardless of how much cooling you have, if you aren't cleaning out your case and components, with canned air...


    Didn't know you were supposed to do this...

    Thanks James I guess I'll have to start although I did take the opportunity to remove the layers of dust from inside my computer while it was out of action.

    As for the second GPU I'm not normally as poor as I am now. I've been off work for six months and various other things have happened. Would it be possible to put in another card as long as it was Nvidia? I saw a lot of 2GB RAM Nvidia cards. I was going to opt for one of these but my Boyfriend doesn't approve of all the tech spending whilst I'm ill.

    I had to just take a replacement for the same value as my old card. Couldn't get away with spending £200 on a new card and couldn't wait any longer.

    Edit:

    Just on the off chance anyone is looking for compressed air cans, I just ordered two from Amazon for £5. :)

    Grace
      My Computer


  9. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #9

    How about adding a SSD for the OS.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 202
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #10

    whs said:
    How about adding a SSD for the OS.
    I highly agree. on my laptop i have one in there and it feels like it runs 10x faster to me


    off topic: whats wrong? what illness do you have? I have a illness too
    Last edited by irbullet; 24 Apr 2012 at 22:00.
      My Computer


 
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