Advice on upgrading gaming rig

[whitewartexx]

Hi guys!

My current rig is as follows:

-Intel i5-3470 with Asrock B75M-DGS
-2 x G.Skill 4 GB DDR3 RAM
-Hitachi 500 GB 3.5" SATA3 HDD
-OCZ 120 GB Agiity 3 SATA3 2.5" SSD
-HP 24x SATA DVD-RW Drive
-Sapphire 2GB HD7850 O.C. DDR5 PCI-E
-Seasonic S12II Non-modular 520W 80+
-NZXT Source 210 Elite Casing

Could you guys recommend me a suitable and worth upgrade for the motherboard (and maybe plus the CPU), and where to buy+ask them to assemble?

I am providing the whole rig as the motherboard has to be compatible with all the components of the PC.

Thank you very much!

 

[shadow84]

A partial purchase as such, you have to ownself fix le. Besides, your mobo is still valid for current gaming.

Better off upgrading your hdd/ssd/gpu.

 

[MianBaoFren]

Upgrade gpu can le. Cpu and mobo good enough.

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[whitewartexx]

A partial purchase as such, you have to ownself fix le. Besides, your mobo is still valid for current gaming.

Better off upgrading your hdd/ssd/gpu.

Upgrade gpu can le. Cpu and mobo good enough.

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The reason why I'm upgrading the motherboard and not the GPU and such is because over the years, my PC has spoilt a few times (press "On" button and CPU LED lights up without showing anything on the monitor, can hear fans spinning, keyboard and mouse lighting up, then around 8 seconds after the button LED lights up, the CPU LED turns off and on again, and repeats continuously...), and actually, now this problem has appeared again. I suspect it's the motherboard that's why I'm thinking of changing it.

For some reason, the problem stated above only happens randomly and occasionally throughout the years, like for example I can't use the PC for 1-2 days because of this "boot loop", but after 2 days, I press the CPU button and it starts up normally. Weird...

EDIT: Also I forgot to mention, for the games I play currently, my current graphics card is already capable of maxing them out, so I have no complaints about the current graphics card.

 

[MianBaoFren]

The reason why I'm upgrading the motherboard and not the GPU and such is because over the years, my PC has spoilt a few times (press "On" button and CPU LED lights up without showing anything on the monitor, can hear fans spinning, keyboard and mouse lighting up, then around 8 seconds after the button LED lights up, the CPU LED turns off and on again, and repeats continuously...), and actually, now this problem has appeared again. I suspect it's the motherboard that's why I'm thinking of changing it.

For some reason, the problem stated above only happens randomly and occasionally throughout the years, like for example I can't use the PC for 1-2 days because of this "boot loop", but after 2 days, I press the CPU button and it starts up normally. Weird...

EDIT: Also I forgot to mention, for the games I play currently, my current graphics card is already capable of maxing them out, so I have no complaints about the current graphics card.

Then u trash that mobo, sell the cpu. Get a next gen cpu next month. Unless u can get a second hand mobo I don't recommend buying new one ba (unless price is very cheap which is unlikely).

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[Koenig168]

If you are going to upgrade the MB+CPU, then you might as well jump to Skylake/Kabylake and change the RAM as well.

Otherwise, it would make more sense to just change the MB since that appears to be faulty. I suggest you look at Marketplace or vr-zone for a used board as there is no point splurging on a new socket 1155 MB, assuming you can even find one.

 

[whitewartexx]

Thanks for the replies!

I was considering getting the Gigabyte GA-Z170-D3H with the i5-6400.

Is this combo worth for future proofing my PC? And also compatible with all my current components?

谢谢你们的帮忙！ ：）

 

[MianBaoFren]

Thanks for the replies!

I was considering getting the Gigabyte GA-Z170-D3H with the i5-6400.

Is this combo worth for future proofing my PC? And also compatible with all my current components?

谢谢你们的帮忙！ ：）

nope.

by getting a z mobo, are u ever going to overclock? factor this into your consideration before buying features that u won't need.

the i5-6400 is ok but why not step up a notch and get the 6500. it's way better for a minimal price.

lastly, dun go for skylake anymore. kabylake out next week. plan ur rig then.

 

[whitewartexx]

nope.

by getting a z mobo, are u ever going to overclock? factor this into your consideration before buying features that u won't need.

the i5-6400 is ok but why not step up a notch and get the 6500. it's way better for a minimal price.

lastly, dun go for skylake anymore. kabylake out next week. plan ur rig then.

Oh okay thanks for the advice of getting the i5-6500 instead.

So I wait for Kabylake to release, then buy Skylake at a lower price? How long will it take for the shops at Sim Lim Square to have the new processors in order for the price to fall? Or are you suggesting that I get Kabylake? Because I usually avoid getting new products close to release as they may have various bugs and other issues.

As for getting a Z170 motherboard,

For example, while the H170 chipset may sound like the ideal choice for the majority of our customers, we have found that the Z170 motherboards are often a better fit even if a customer doesn't need all the features present in the Z170 chipset. The main reason is that motherboard manufactures tend to add more additional ports, headers, and features on their Z170 motherboards since that is what is considered the "premium" chipset. Often times, just a couple of additional ports can make the difference between a motherboard working for a customer out of the box or needing to use add-on PCIe cards to get the proper functionality.

However, if there is no difference performance-wise between the Z170 and H170 motherboards besides overclocking, then I guess I will get the H170 instead.

 

[Encrypted11]

Chipset spec
http://ark.intel.com/m/compare/90595,90592

Long story short: Not very different, few more USB and raid support. You can also find fairly feature packed B150 boards with M.2, 4 RAM sticks, USB C etc. Probably don't want to limit your options.

And if you buy new cpu older board, the preloaded BIOS may not have the whitelist of newer CPU. You need to flash the BIOS. Some need RAMs/CPU etc all installed to do so, some only requires power.

 

[MianBaoFren]

Oh okay thanks for the advice of getting the i5-6500 instead.

So I wait for Kabylake to release, then buy Skylake at a lower price? How long will it take for the shops at Sim Lim Square to have the new processors in order for the price to fall? Or are you suggesting that I get Kabylake? Because I usually avoid getting new products close to release as they may have various bugs and other issues.

As for getting a Z170 motherboard,


However, if there is no difference performance-wise between the Z170 and H170 motherboards besides overclocking, then I guess I will get the H170 instead.

Get latest gen la... gauge the options after the release and the price/performance ratio.

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[whitewartexx]

Chipset spec
http://ark.intel.com/m/compare/90595,90592

Long story short: Not very different, few more USB and raid support. You can also find fairly feature packed B150 boards with M.2, 4 RAM sticks, USB C etc. Probably don't want to limit your options.

And if you buy new cpu older board, the preloaded BIOS may not have the whitelist of newer CPU. You need to flash the BIOS. Some need RAMs/CPU etc all installed to do so, some only requires power.

Ohh I see, so performance-wise should be around the same right, so that means it's more worth to get H170 I guess?

P.S. Can I ask if you overclock your GPU? Since you have the Z170.

Get latest gen la... gauge the options after the release and the price/performance ratio.

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Ehhh okay, just cause now the PC can't be used and my family kinda needs to use it urgently.. Plus I remember the early Skylake processors had some bug if I'm not wrong...same with the early Xbox 360s in the past...same with particular iterations of iPhones (battery problems), same with the Galaxy Note 7 (explosions)... That's why I usually avoid buying just released products lol.

Also, as asked in my previous post, any idea how long it will take for the shops at Sim Lim Square to have the new processors? Thanks again.

 

[MianBaoFren]

Ohh I see, so performance-wise should be around the same right, so that means it's more worth to get H170 I guess?



Ehhh okay, just cause now the PC can't be used and my family kinda needs to use it urgently.. Plus I remember the early Skylake processors had some bug if I'm not wrong...

lol. see what u need first.....
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Z170-H170-H110-B170-Q150-Q170---What-is-the-Difference-635/

read this to make up your mind. ignore the q series. we dun have those.

 

[whitewartexx]

lol. see what u need first.....
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Z170-H170-H110-B170-Q150-Q170---What-is-the-Difference-635/

read this to make up your mind. ignore the q series. we dun have those.

Alright after some research, I have decided to get the Z series of motherboards. Will the Gigabyte-GA-Z170-D3H with Intel i5-6500 be compatible with all the PC components in the Original Post? Thanks.

Hi guys!

My current rig is as follows:

-Intel i5-3470 with Asrock B75M-DGS
-2 x G.Skill 4 GB DDR3 RAM
-Hitachi 500 GB 3.5" SATA3 HDD
-OCZ 120 GB Agiity 3 SATA3 2.5" SSD
-HP 24x SATA DVD-RW Drive
-Sapphire 2GB HD7850 O.C. DDR5 PCI-E
-Seasonic S12II Non-modular 520W 80+
-NZXT Source 210 Elite Casing

Could you guys recommend me a suitable and worth upgrade for the motherboard (and maybe plus the CPU), and where to buy+ask them to assemble?

I am providing the whole rig as the motherboard has to be compatible with all the components of the PC.

Thank you very much!

 

[Encrypted11]

Ohh I see, so performance-wise should be around the same right, so that means it's more worth to get H170 I guess?

I don't overclock my GPU for negligible performance gain.

But I meant to say if you want a board with fairly good amounts of expansion (i.e. 4 RAM, M.2. NVME SSD support, 6 drives etc), a well implemented mid range mATX B150/H170 board would do it without being excessively wasteful on features you won't properly utilise. Or else if you don't need the expansion, even a H110M is not an issue.

Anyway to take advantage of the maximum USB count etc, you need a case that supports that. If not it would not make a difference.

 

[kurui_]

Alright after some research, I have decided to get the Z series of motherboards. Will the Gigabyte-GA-Z170-D3H with Intel i5-6500 be compatible with all the PC components in the Original Post? Thanks.

Just curious, what function of the z170 board do you need? I see you only using 3 sata ports. No m.2 ssd and not overclocking.

You'll need to change your ram to ddr4 rams too.

 

[whitewartexx]

Just curious, what function of the z170 board do you need? I see you only using 3 sata ports. No m.2 ssd and not overclocking.

You'll need to change your ram to ddr4 rams too.

Oh thanks! So the only thing that's incompatible is the RAM I see.

About my decision on Z170...

Z170 motherboards do have features such as being able to run faster RAM, more SATA and USB ports, RAID, better audio, etc. which may still make it worth. Gigabyte and Asrock have Z170 motherboards that are priced lower than some H170 and B150 motherboards. And you may want to just leave the option of overclocking open for the future

 

[MianBaoFren]

Alright after some research, I have decided to get the Z series of motherboards. Will the Gigabyte-GA-Z170-D3H with Intel i5-6500 be compatible with all the PC components in the Original Post? Thanks.

No no no no no!
Have u actually read what u need? U don't overclock don't get things that u don't need!

Let me tell u something. many people want z to future proof yet they will never use the features in the end. All the previous advice by others indicate that u can work with a h110m and not a single problem.

And advice from overseas DO NOT APPLY to sg when it comes to pricing. That guy may be right when it comes to selecting z mobos in their country but in sg, it's definitely priced higher than the rest so don't even think about it.
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[ZrE0_Cha0s]

Oh thanks! So the only thing that's incompatible is the RAM I see.

About my decision on Z170...

well base on what they say are right, but u also need to get the right component to perform such task as well.

den again, if gaming, depends on what games u playing, most of them are gpu dependent, while a few title are cpu dependent. so even with all these faster system, but your gpu is the bottleneck, also no point in it.

lastly do u really intend to OC? bear in mind, OC can go south for your system, if not doing it correctly.

 

[kurui_]

Oh thanks! So the only thing that's incompatible is the RAM I see.

About my decision on Z170...

Ehh... H170 have the same amount of sata and USB ports (14) as the Z170. Z170 got 2 more USB 3.0. H170 supports raid too.

If you're considering to overclock, at least get a i5 6600k and a decent cooler. I think it is not worth it to do bclk overclocking on a i5 6500..