Omnimaga

General Discussion => Technology and Development => Computer Usage and Setup Help => Topic started by: ruler501 on December 25, 2013, 08:19:45 pm

Title: Most worthwhile Upgrades
Post by: ruler501 on December 25, 2013, 08:19:45 pm
I built this computer a little ways back

PCPartPicker part list (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2pXut) / Price breakdown by merchant (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2pXut/by_merchant/) / Benchmarks (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2pXut/benchmarks/)

CPU:  Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74770k)  ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler:  NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-cpu-cooler-krakenx60)  ($125.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard:  MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z87g41pcmate)  ($109.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory:  G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31866c10d16gab)  ($135.00 @ Newegg)
Storage:  Samsung EVO 1TB 2.5" Solid State Disk (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te1t0bw)  ($581.95 @ Newegg)
Storage:  Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003)  ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card:  Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-211970040g)
Case:  Rosewill PATRIOT ATX Mid Tower Case (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-patriot)  ($75.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:  Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx750m)  ($95.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive:  LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-gh24ns95)  ($21.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System:  Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700404)  ($97.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor:  Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/hannspree-monitor-he245dpb)  ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor:  Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/hannspree-monitor-he245dpb)  ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Monitor:  Hannspree HE245DPB 60Hz 23.6" Monitor (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/hannspree-monitor-he245dpb)  ($129.99 @ TigerDirect)
Keyboard:  Rosewill RK-9000BR Wired Standard Keyboard (http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-keyboard-rk9000br)  ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Other: 320gb 5400RPM laptop harddrive (Purchased)
Other: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased)
Total: $2029.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-01 11:48 EST-0500)

Now I've made some money from trading doge and christmas and am looking to upgrade it. I got a liquid cooler and an SSD, but I can get more(I have about $400 more). What else would most benefit my computer? I mainly use it for gaming and programming(run a few VM's sometimes). If there are no really great upgrades I'll probably just save the money.

I was  told that a sound card might be a nice addition and this looked like a good one http://pcpartpicker.com/part/creative-labs-sound-card-70sb151000000 I don't know much about them though. One thing I think it might be good to note is that I don't have the best speakers(using ones built into my monitors and a cheap($8) set right now) and my headphones are Logitech G930's which are wireless 7.1 and I believe they have a sound card built into the usb dongle they use. Would it be worth much to add a sound card without buying new headphones? I don't really want to have to buy new headphones right now so I probably won't do it if it doesn't help much(I compose music occasionally though)

What other upgrades might be worthwhile? If I go with the sound card I still have over $200
Title: Re: Most worthwhile Upgrades
Post by: ruler501 on December 31, 2013, 05:47:10 pm
BUMP
I was gone for a week but just got back and ordered the SSD and cooler. They should be here later this week. I still have ~400 I could spend if there are worthwhile upgrades for that price(if I get a second graphics card for crossfire I'll probably need a new PSU)
Title: Re: Most worthwhile Upgrades
Post by: Keoni29 on December 31, 2013, 05:58:59 pm
You need a usb fridge.
(http://a.tgcdn.net/images/products/frontsquare/96b3_usb_thermoelectric_cooler_warmer.jpg)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/96b3/

Cools down to 46° F
Title: Re: Most worthwhile Upgrades
Post by: ruler501 on December 31, 2013, 10:12:57 pm
No room on my desk for it :P
Monitors and microwave(with printer on top). Take up all the space.

Edited first post to include all the upgrades added and other updated infromation