New PC or upgrade current one?!

whiskey29

Active member
I bought my current Desktop from PC Specialist just over 2 years ago, I have added some upgrades myself (mainly new GPU, RAM, SSD and PSU) but now want to 'modernise'
my PC!! I have a few questions listed below, which i would be very grateful for any expert advice. I use the system mainly for gaming, Skyrim, SWTOR, WOW, etc and also watching Films. I will attempt overclocking, and plan to expand in the future with firstly another GPU (SLI or X-fire?)

I am quite confident in upgrading components myself and figured that may be the best option, however after a bit of research on E-Bay for prices, I would only be saving a few hundred pounds, and loosing the peace of mind from the warranty and knowledge that my rig is built properly!

Big questions:
1. Should i wait for any new technology, im not aware of current developments and whats about to come out.
2. Will the system bottleneck anywhere?
3. Buy new, or upgrade current?

Little Questions (mainly focused on buying new):
1. I have not opted for any software as I have Win 7 Premium on my SSD which i will move accross as my primary drive, in addition, I also have office 10 etc.
2. Is the Bigfoot card worth it? I plug into standard Phone cable via ethernet, but do network with my apple laptop, Apple TV, Kindle, etc.
3. Is i7 2600k sufficient, should i opt for the 2700k?
4. Going for the GTX680 as its the latest, is there anything you'd recommend over it?
5. Only asked for 2gb of ram as i will install my current 8GB of CORSAIR 1666Mhz
6. Is the case sufficient for upgrades, especially with view to adding a new GPU in the future? Or should i use my HAF Full Tower?
7. is the 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU any good? Should i swap it for a CORSAIR?
8. Are the speakers I have chosen any good?
9. What is the quality of the monitor I have chosen? Does it provide decent 2D as well as 3D?
9. Quite concerned over the Liquid Cooling options as I had a COOLIT that broke on me. Is Liquid cooling much better, or should i opt for something else?
10. Is the onboard sound on the Maximus V better than my current sound card?

Potential New Rig: Configure Here: http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/computers/intel-sandy-bridge-pc/

Case InWIN Dragon Rider Black Gaming Case
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7-2600k Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache)
Motherboard ASUS® MAXIMUS V GENE
Memory (RAM) No Change
Graphics Card 2GB NVIDIA GTX 680
2nd Graphics Card Upgrade to SLI later
Memory - 1st Hard Disk Bigfoot Killer 2100 PCI-E Gigabit LAN Card - Max Gaming (£59)
2nd Hard Disk 1x 2TB Western Digital Black (1st Hard Disk will be existing SSD)
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive No Change (replace with existing one below)
Memory Card Reader No Change (replace with existing one below)
Power Supply Is it worth upgrading to the CORSAIR 850W
Processor Cooling Coolit Eco II C240 A.L.C or COOLIT ECO II C240 dual radiator liquid CPU Cooler
Sound Card No Change (replace with existing one below)
Network Facilities Bigfoot Killer 2100 PCI-E Gigabit LAN Card
Monitor HANNS-G 23" 3D LCD Monitor
Speakers Logitech S220 2.1 silver/black speaker system
Eyefinity / GeForce 3D Vision NVIDIA GEFORCE 3D VISION 2 WIRELESS STEREOSCOPIC KIT

My Old Rig:

Case Coolermaster HAF 932 full tower black
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Processor i7-950 (3.06GHz) 4.8GTs/8MB Cache
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R:DDR3, 2-Way SLI & CrossFireX
Memory (RAM) 8GB Corsair XMS3 1666MHz
Graphics Card 1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX285 PCI Express
2nd Graphics Card NONE
Memory - 1st Hard Disk Crucial CT128M4 SSD
2nd Hard Disk 2x150GB WD VelociRaptor® SATA 16MB CACHE (10,000rpm)
1x1TB Western Digital External Drive
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 22x dual layer DVD writer ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader Internal 52 in 1 card reader (reads XD, MS, CF, SD, etc)
Power Supply 800W Quiet Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan
Processor Cooling Coolit Domino A.L.C. CPU liquid cooler - broke, now have a ANTEC Kühler Flow High Performance CPU Air Cooler - 120mm as a temporary fix
Sound Card Sound Blaster® X FI Xtreme Audio
Network Facilities Onboard 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN Port
Firewire & Video Editing 1 x IEEE 1394a FIREWIRE PORT ONBOARD
Operating System WINDOWS 7 Home Premium

Really appreciate your time and any help given :)
 

mantadog

Superhero Level Poster
Your old rig still isn't that bad you know but i know what you mean with buying a new PC, i probably would too :)

It's up to you if you upgrade or update, but i will answer the questions on your new build to help you.

1. Ivy bridge (CPU upgrade from sandy bridge) launches today, so by the time you get round to buying you will be buying a pc with ivy bridge. Not too sure on the specs yet, not had time to look but you will be looking at the replacment for the i7 2600k in their somewhere.
2.Nothing should bottleneck that system, all very high end stuff,
3.Your call.

1. I'm not sure that's strictly legal, that copy of windows is probably tied to your original PC unless it's a retail copy i believe. You would have to call up microsoft and lie to them to get it transfered to a new PC if its an OEM version- installed by PCS when you got your PC would be OEM
2.I wouln't bother as any advantage when playing over the internet is lost, you would have to be playing over LAN to get any advantage i think.
3.If you think you would notice a 0.1Ghz speed increase then go for the 2700k, apart from that it is identical to a 2600k.
4.GTX 680 is the latest and greatest, apart from a GTX 590 which are like gold dust and not worth it due to the power draw, waiting time to get one and they are very expensive.
5. Save the money on the 2GB and send in your old stuff to be fitted by PCS? They do it for people if asked at no extra charge, you just need to call in and get it sorted with the call centre.
6. Case is fine, no need to worry about it.
7. Corsair is best quality on a rig like that i would opt for the corsair PSU.
8.No ideal
9.Again no idea
10. 8 and 9
 

whiskey29

Active member
Thanks really appreciate the feedback, dont worry about the Windows legality issue, its a retail copy i have that hasnt been registered yet (I got it for £17 through an MOD/work discount scheme - seemed too cheap a deal to pass at the time)!

Would i be best waiting for the Ivybridge updates then, anyone from PCS out there who can answer whether id be best waiting or not?
 

mantadog

Superhero Level Poster
Well providing the prices are somewhat similar i would get an ivy ridge setup no doubt. PCS will soon have a configurator up to build an ivy bridge system when they do i will probably bother myself to look into the specs more, though as long as they slot into similar price brackets as the sandy bridge chips then they look like a solid buy.
 
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