Upgrading, recommendations?

[Kais]

Sorry for making yet another one of these threads, but I need to start planning now in order to map out my money management : \

Anyways, my current computer:

Motherboard: P5Q Pro
CPU: Core 2 Duo 8500
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 4850
4gb ram, Corsair HX520W, Arctic Cooler Freezing Pro 7, Windows 7

I was planning to get an i7 930 from Microcenter since it's fairly close. However, this means I need to upgrade my mobo also (apparently only supports core 2 or something). Would anyone know a good mobo for around $200?
I think I'll try my hand at oc'ing this time around also, so would the ACFP7 be suffice?

As for GPU, I'm totally undecided. I'm planning to buy a new one down the line (around after FFXIV comes out), but I don't know if I'll have enough for a 5970, 5870 or 5850. Never used a nVidia card so I'm lost as far as that goes.

[sruon]

You're gonna have to upgrade RAM, PSU as well, as for the cooler you'll need a bracket for the 1366 socket since it's slightly bigger than 757 socket so you may as well buy a new one + thermal grease.

HD4850 can be saved for a bit of time if you don't have money to upgrade /everything/ at the same time as it's still a honorable card. Which brings the next question.

What budget?

[Kais]

Hmm, about 400 this month, possibly 400 next month, 200 in September, 200 every month after

About above/less that range

[sruon]

CPU : i7 930 @ Microcenter for $199

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188049 $179 after mailin rebate

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231225 $149

Those 3, are pretty much indivisible. I know it's $529 but couldn't find much cheaper.

Then you can pretty much hold a month using these 3 pieces + your old case/HDDs/stock cooler/old PSU/old GFX.

Month 2:

Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608016 $60 (really you can probably get away with buying a bracket for $3 for your old cooler but idk where, if you can find it definitly buy it at the same time as your CPU)

Thermal Grease: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-007-_-Product $10 (if you find bracket for cooler, buy that first month as well)

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=corsair%20750 $109

Total cost so far: $708

At this point you should have $200 left, and hopefully you may have sold your old parts to get some more, so depending on your budget and what you really want...

GPU:
GTX460: $190 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130562
GTX470: $349 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-549-_-Product
5850: $309 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-318-_-Product

and after that you're pretty much set, slowly grind your way to new HDD, new case etc...

Possible alternatives: i5 750 build or Phenom x4, but I don't know shit about AMD.

Hope I was helpful.


Edit: Price drops are to be expected very very very very soon on most graphic cards.

[hopefulki]

If you are going for the i7 930, and plan on overclocking (I highly recommend), look up batch #s, I hear microcenter actually let's you look through and choose one if you find a good sales rep. As for mb I like the P6T(D/Deluxe) from Asus, great board.

There's a lot of good ddr3 out there, G.Skill has great prices for 3x2gb sets and perform amazingly.

Megaheilms is a great cooler, very solid and awesome cooling and if you have any 120mm fans, you don't need to buy then seperately.

As for gpu, u hear good things about the new 465s, but I haven't tested myself. You can prob upgrade that last and save up for a 5xxx ati card.

[Kais]

Hmm, is it possible to stave off 6gm ram for next month and get the CPU, Mobo, and heatsink this month (already have grease from like 2 years ago)? Currently using http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820231219.

[sruon]

Those are DDR2, you need DDR3 or you'll fry the motherboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

Can get one of these for $45 and it will boot, won't be optimal and kinda wasted money unless you buy 2 same afterward (and assuming it's even good to start with)

But it will boot.

[Kais]

Ah I see, thanks for that info.

All of that seems peachy Scruon, I'll talk it over with the folks to see if they can help me out.

I think I'll go with Megahalems Hopefulki pointed out + 120mm fan. Reviews says it's large; would the Antec 900 be large enough to accommodate it?