Evening folks, stuck this here as I use the PC for gaming mostly but if it should be in one of the Computer forums apologies.
Birthday in a couple of months and I think I'll have nothing better to have/buy than some new bits for my PC. Will put specs below but I think a processor would be my next logical step. However it is a Dell and therefore I think it will limit what cooler I can put on apart from the standard. So I think I will need a new case as well, which then will probably require a new motherboard as I understand Dell use their own shape or size. So first thing is to confirm with you guys that I need all those bits or if I can leave out the case or motherboard for the time being and just get the processor and perhaps a cooler. I'm also not sure where I would stand with Windows if I took everything out of the Dell and put it into a new case with a new motherboard and processor, they don't provide CD's nowadays so I'm not sure if I would also have to get a proper copy.
Case - I started looking first as they are less likely to change much over the time I look around. So far on my short list is a Fractal Design Define R4, Corsair Carbide 300R or 500R and Corsair Vengeance C70, those four are mostly due to being noticed on the Amazon warehouse, the Fractal is appealing most at the minute. Still have some places to check out so the list may grow but any recommendations or views on those would be great. Think a budget up to £80 for this, doesn't need to be fancy as it is kind of 'side on' to where I sit partially behind the monitor. Doesn't need space for more than one video card or more than a few hard drive bays either.
Processor - The last I checked an i5 is the best price/performance for games, don't think I'll overclock so I don't need the K version. Which is a good option at the moment? Definitely no more than £200 here especially if the cooler ends up being more than I think it will be.
Cooler - I need to look at some reviews but I liked the idea of a closed water model like a Corsair H80. Are those kind worth it or does a decent air cooler match up or better them?
Motherboard - I haven't really looked into as it's the area I know least about. Not sure which specs are of importance, I don't think I'll ever go as far as using multiple video cards for example. Starting from scratch here so no idea on what a good budget point is, will probably look and come back rather than throw out a vague request on this point.
For reference, what I already have;
Dell Studio XPS 8100
i7 860 (I believe, that or a 9xx)
8gb RAM
Seasonic 550W PSU
MSI 7950
Windows 7
Hopefully that's enough for some of the knowledgeable builders to add in some guidance. Also remembered there was a thread in here about prices and other bits that I'll go through to see if that has anything else to look at.
Thanks very much
Tom
Birthday in a couple of months and I think I'll have nothing better to have/buy than some new bits for my PC. Will put specs below but I think a processor would be my next logical step. However it is a Dell and therefore I think it will limit what cooler I can put on apart from the standard. So I think I will need a new case as well, which then will probably require a new motherboard as I understand Dell use their own shape or size. So first thing is to confirm with you guys that I need all those bits or if I can leave out the case or motherboard for the time being and just get the processor and perhaps a cooler. I'm also not sure where I would stand with Windows if I took everything out of the Dell and put it into a new case with a new motherboard and processor, they don't provide CD's nowadays so I'm not sure if I would also have to get a proper copy.
Case - I started looking first as they are less likely to change much over the time I look around. So far on my short list is a Fractal Design Define R4, Corsair Carbide 300R or 500R and Corsair Vengeance C70, those four are mostly due to being noticed on the Amazon warehouse, the Fractal is appealing most at the minute. Still have some places to check out so the list may grow but any recommendations or views on those would be great. Think a budget up to £80 for this, doesn't need to be fancy as it is kind of 'side on' to where I sit partially behind the monitor. Doesn't need space for more than one video card or more than a few hard drive bays either.
Processor - The last I checked an i5 is the best price/performance for games, don't think I'll overclock so I don't need the K version. Which is a good option at the moment? Definitely no more than £200 here especially if the cooler ends up being more than I think it will be.
Cooler - I need to look at some reviews but I liked the idea of a closed water model like a Corsair H80. Are those kind worth it or does a decent air cooler match up or better them?
Motherboard - I haven't really looked into as it's the area I know least about. Not sure which specs are of importance, I don't think I'll ever go as far as using multiple video cards for example. Starting from scratch here so no idea on what a good budget point is, will probably look and come back rather than throw out a vague request on this point.
For reference, what I already have;
Dell Studio XPS 8100
i7 860 (I believe, that or a 9xx)
8gb RAM
Seasonic 550W PSU
MSI 7950
Windows 7
Hopefully that's enough for some of the knowledgeable builders to add in some guidance. Also remembered there was a thread in here about prices and other bits that I'll go through to see if that has anything else to look at.
Thanks very much
Tom