Upgrade Rig Advice Please

[Lnz.71]

Looking to upgrade my computer with specs as follow.

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
2 x 4 GB RAM
PSU not sure, time to replace anyway

Re-using:
Transcend SSD
2 x HDD 500GB ea
DVD drive

Don't need OS, k/b, mouse, monitor, speakers, wifi adapter.

Rig is for gaming and light photoshop/illustrator/lightroom work. Games like ACU, AC Syndicate, BF4, ARK only on my 1080p 23" monitor. Don't need ultra settings, smooth and looks good is enough.

Currently looking at:
GPU: Palit GTX 970 Jetstream 4GB -- Qoo10 w/ $100 coupon = $400

Need advice on Mobo/CPU -- Skylake or haswell enough?
Ram, 2 x 4 GB Ram, 1600 or 1833 or ???. or maybe 2 x 8 GB?
PSU, hoping for recommendation on this, 550w or 650w?
Case, prefer to have PSU slot on the bottom, accessible USB slots on the front panel of case ~2 (not on top). Case sit on table not floor.

Budget including the GTX 970 above, I think about $1,000 should be ok?

So sad, BF didn't have much offer for new rig parts..

TIA experts

 

[MoneyFace =p]

What's your motherboard model? Honestly speaking i don't think you need to upgrade your CPU platform.

Have you overclock your 2500K yet? If not, please leverage on its max potential. A 2500K running on its max potential will surpass a non-overclockable Skylake combo that you can only have with your $1K budget.

Another set of 4GB RAM X2 will be essential if you have vacant slots for that.

Can consider renewing your PSU too, especially if it has gone out of warranty.

Need to know your motherboard form factor before chassis can be suggested.

 

[Lnz.71]

What's your motherboard model? Honestly speaking i don't think you need to upgrade your CPU platform.

Have you overclock your 2500K yet? If not, please leverage on its max potential. A 2500K running on its max potential will surpass a non-overclockable Skylake combo that you can only have with your $1K budget.

Another set of 4GB RAM X2 will be essential if you have vacant slots for that.

Can consider renewing your PSU too, especially if it has gone out of warranty.

Need to know your motherboard form factor before chassis can be suggested.

Appreciate your advice $face!

Tried countless times to overclock 2500k before, many many times. Never worked out well for me. Crash quite often, play with voltage until I give up. Esp since not familar with it at all, hah.

My motherboard now is Biostar TP67XE. I did something wrong with my installation the first time, such that my Mobo is stucked onto my case already lol. Many years back, can't remember clearly.

If add on another 2x4GB ram, can just add together with my old pair? Old pair no need to replace?

Yeah, cfm wana replace PSU, any recommendation for that please?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Appreciate your advice $face!

Tried countless times to overclock 2500k before, many many times. Never worked out well for me. Crash quite often, play with voltage until I give up. Esp since not familar with it at all, hah.

My motherboard now is Biostar TP67XE. I did something wrong with my installation the first time, such that my Mobo is stucked onto my case already lol. Many years back, can't remember clearly.

If add on another 2x4GB ram, can just add together with my old pair? Old pair no need to replace?

Yeah, cfm wana replace PSU, any recommendation for that please?

Using stock cooler? What settings you trying to reach?

Biostar TP67XE is a good board by itself using pretty good quality components, despite its lousy branding.

And yup just get another pair of RAM of the similar model. What RAM model are those?

 

[Lnz.71]

Using stock cooler? What settings you trying to reach?

Biostar TP67XE is a good board by itself using pretty good quality components, despite its lousy branding.

And yup just get another pair of RAM of the similar model. What RAM model are those?

Yep stock cooler. Can't remember what settings already. But I did try incremental increments.

Iirc, I did manage to OC a tiny tiny bit. But after OC also didn't feel any difference. So in the end, reset BIOs back to default -- afraid a little of OC might wear down my old system a bit faster lol. Because this current setup, "died" many times already. On many occasions, one fine day (totally random) when turn on power, 3 scenarios happen

1. Manage to POST but then no display and Mobo beep 8 times (think is GPU problem)
2. Power on, can't POST, auto switch off. Smack the chasis 1 time, then can will on byself, can't POST, and auto switch off
3. Boot normally, only after reseating RAM, GPU, push things here and there. Hence, the reason to upgrade.

RAM should be kingston I think...

Edit: If I don't change Mobo and CPU (also w/o OCing), only upgrade GPU, will the MoboCPU be the bottleneck for the above mentioned games @ 1080p smoothly?

 

[Allanlee82]

Yep stock cooler. Can't remember what settings already. But I did try incremental increments.

Iirc, I did manage to OC a tiny tiny bit. But after OC also didn't feel any difference. So in the end, reset BIOs back to default -- afraid a little of OC might wear down my old system a bit faster lol. Because this current setup, "died" many times already. On many occasions, one fine day (totally random) when turn on power, 3 scenarios happen

1. Manage to POST but then no display and Mobo beep 8 times (think is GPU problem)
2. Power on, can't POST, auto switch off. Smack the chasis 1 time, then can will on byself, can't POST, and auto switch off
3. Boot normally, only after reseating RAM, GPU, push things here and there. Hence, the reason to upgrade.

RAM should be kingston I think...

Edit: If I don't change Mobo and CPU (also w/o OCing), only upgrade GPU, will the MoboCPU be the bottleneck for the above mentioned games @ 1080p smoothly?

no, it will not be a bottleneck
maybe you can upgrade bit by bit, upgrade the gpu 1st since it can be bring forward to your next setup

 

[Lnz.71]

no, it will not be a bottleneck
maybe you can upgrade bit by bit, upgrade the gpu 1st since it can be bring forward to your next setup

Ok great! Already purchased the GPU. Will install it and see if it is sufficient.

What about RAMs and PSU?

$face recommended another set of 2 x 4GB, but rams got abundant of variations until spoilt for choice.

PSU not sure if 550W enough or should get 650W, prefer modular ones.

TYVM

 

[Lnz.71]

buuumppppp for advice

 

[Lnz.71]

buuumppppp for advice

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Try to get the same model for RAM to avoid compatibility issue.

PSU can consider Super Flower Leadex Silver 550W @ $100 from t258jgn

Chassis can consider Sharkoon T28