What's the weak point on my computer? (What to upgrade next)

[btimbit]

Hey guys. Some newer games are starting to run slower so I'm thinking it's upgrade time. But I haven't been paying much attention to the computer world for a few years so am looking for some help.


My specs

Processor Intel Core i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80GHz
Memory (RAM) 10.0 GB
Graphics AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series
Total available graphics memory 5883 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 1024 MB
Primary hard disk 435GB Free (921GB Total)

What should I address first? And any recommendations of what to buy?

[PsYcNeT]

Video card, SSD.

The original i-series CPUs still have some life left; you'll always see a greater increase from a GPU upgrade, without question.

[Looch City]

SSD. The difference is night and day.

Then video card for that glorious ultra-high 1080p gaming.

[btimbit]

Can't believe I forgot about an SSD. Meant to do that years ago

[DoubleF]

Since the RPM wasn't posted, I would assume SSD is necessary if it's a 1GB drive (even if it's a hybrid drive, still not good enough as it's a 5400 rpm spinner with a 20+GB ish SSD component which might outdo a 7200 rpm spinner but is quite slow IMO). I'm guessing you have a 5400 rpm spinner. I think you can install speccy and check if you're not sure.

Convert your current drive to a slave drive, add a SSD. If you're adventurous, Raid0 two SSDs.

I'd evaluate that first to see if there is still lag before considering if video card needs updating.

My SSD go to (without too much research and worries on reliability) are: Intel, Samsung, Sandisk and Kingston. Other brands I would have to do much more research to see if I would take the risk.

[PsYcNeT]

A $240 GTX 960 is literally 3x faster than a 7750.
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX55553

Add a $110 256GB SSD on top of that and for $350+tax you will have a pretty massive upgrade.

[cDnStealth]

I currently have a similar build.

i7 860 @ 2.8
8 GB DDR3 ram
GTX 670
120GB SSD (for my OS)
1TB WD Black HD
850W PSU

I am planning on upgrading myself in the near future and the first thing I'll get will be a new GPU and case. My immediate thought was that it was time for a new processor/mobo and then I saw someone running The Witcher 3 on ultra with the same processor and a GTX 970. Now he overclocked his and it's something I'll consider doing once I get a better case with improved air-flow but the older i7's seem to be okay still. For the GPU I'd probably get a GTX 970 unless I had the cash sitting around for a 980ti.

[btimbit]

So it's been a while since been into any of this, so correct me if I'm wrong. A good, cheap way of getting an effective SSD setup would be to use it together with my mechanical drive, right? Say have OS files, programs and games on the SSD, while media and stuff where speed isn't much of a concern can stay on the disc?

Is there any real world difference if I were to get a 1TB SSD and have everything on that? Or would it be fine to save money and get, say, a 256GB one and be selective with what I need on it? Or is that still not recommended due to them slowing down over the years the more writes you have on it?

[cDnStealth]

Well a 1 TB SSD will cost you about $500 so I don't think it's worth it especially when you can get a 4TB HD for around half that. I only have my OS and a few programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc on mine. I'll occasionally install the odd game on an SSD but for the most part everything sits on my mechanical drive. Also, SSD drives have a lifespan on them so if you are constantly writing things to it you'll eventually wear it out.

[DoubleF]

Unless you hardcore torrent off a SSD, I don't you can realistically kill a newer SSD due to too many read and writes.

As cDnStealth said though, keeping your main files on the 1TB drive and just having OS and basic programs on your SSD is fine.

There are longevity tips for the SSD as well. No defragementing, TRIM and some last weird one about leaving unpartioned space, but I'm not sure how the last one works.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by cDnStealth

Well a 1 TB SSD will cost you about $500 so I don't think it's worth it especially when you can get a 4TB HD for around half that. I only have my OS and a few programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc on mine. I'll occasionally install the odd game on an SSD but for the most part everything sits on my mechanical drive. Also, SSD drives have a lifespan on them so if you are constantly writing things to it you'll eventually wear it out.

Thanks. Was curious if that was still a factor with newer ones

There's a 500GB Samsung SSD on sale at memory express for $200, thinking of that. Is it still recommended to only ever fill it to 75% capacity to prevent write speeds from slowing? That's why I'm thinking of a 500Gb one, I'd likely never have more than 300GB of stuff on it.

Or maybe I just really need to shake my old school mentality that bigger is better. There's a 250GB Samsung one, same series, 250GB for $120. That's probably sufficient

[Hugh Jahrmes]

My HTPC (random and cpu, 8gb ram, 180gb ssd for OS, 3tb and 4tb slaves, integrated video) i built a few years ago feels like it edges out my desktop (i7, 16gb ram, decent Radeon card for its time, 1.5&2tb drives). All mechanical drives are 7200. SSD was a life changer

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Thanks. Was curious if that was still a factor with newer ones

There's a 500GB Samsung SSD on sale at memory express for $200, thinking of that. Is it still recommended to only ever fill it to 75% capacity to prevent write speeds from slowing? That's why I'm thinking of a 500Gb one, I'd likely never have more than 300GB of stuff on it.

Or maybe I just really need to shake my old school mentality that bigger is better. There's a 250GB Samsung one, same series, 250GB for $120. That's probably sufficient

If you're really worried about it. In about 2-3 years, clone your SSD to a newer 250GB SSD which will likely have a read/write cycle of 15 years before it dies. The SSD will likely cost $50 at that point in time. I have older 60 and 120GB SSD which probably turn about 3-4 years old soon. They have been torrented on on occasion and still work fine (didn't know back then that torrenting would kill cycles like crazy for a few years). I don't think regular gaming etc would kill it within a few years unless you get a lemon which is an issue even with modern mechanical drives.

The 250 GB one will likely last until you itch to upgrade the SSD again or end up junking the whole system for being too slow. My vote is for the former as 250GB is going to feel small in a few years.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

My HTPC (random and cpu, 8gb ram, 180gb ssd for OS, 3tb and 4tb slaves, integrated video) i built a few years ago feels like it edges out my desktop (i7, 16gb ram, decent Radeon card for its time, 1.5&2tb drives). All mechanical drives are 7200. SSD was a life changer

7200 vs 5400 was a life changer too, but not like mechanical to SSD.

I remember paying something like $160 for the 60 GB one and being blown away as to how awesome it was (minus the storage size) and lamenting that most laptops didn't have dual slots for HDD.

I still laugh at people who complain SSD read/write suck vs other SSD. When would you ever push it enough to notice the difference for more than a few milliseconds? I just choose based on reliability and it's hella good enough.

[Old Yeller]

So what's the SSD brand to buy nowadays?

I bought an Intel 80 gb x25 SSD about 7 years ago and while it still works fine, I was thinking about upgrading to a slightly larger/faster (I think it's 250/150 seq. read/write) when I upgrade to Windows 10.

A $250 gb Samsung 850 EVO is a good price at memory express right now ($140):

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX55511

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

So what's the SSD brand to buy nowadays?

I bought an Intel 80 gb x25 SSD about 7 years ago and while it still works fine, I was thinking about upgrading to a slightly larger/faster (I think it's 250/150 seq. read/write) when I upgrade to Windows 10.

A $250 gb Samsung 850 EVO is a good price at memory express right now ($140):

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX55511

My go to are Intel, Samsung, Sandisk and Kingston. Generally I will pay a little bit of a premium for Intel and Samsung ones. The one you linked is a good one IMO.

[Madman]

Bought an Adata SSD and WD Black drive yesterday from Memory Express - finishing up the install of everything, but can't wait for the performance boost from this to keep my machine kicking for another year or 2.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX52522
Price match to Newegg at 119.99

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX49541
Price match to Bestbuy at 92.98

[Looch City]

http://www.shopbot.ca/ is your friend.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Old Yeller

So what's the SSD brand to buy nowadays?

I bought an Intel 80 gb x25 SSD about 7 years ago and while it still works fine, I was thinking about upgrading to a slightly larger/faster (I think it's 250/150 seq. read/write) when I upgrade to Windows 10.

A $250 gb Samsung 850 EVO is a good price at memory express right now ($140):

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX55511

That's the exact one I'm looking at too

[Vulcan]

Here's a 256gb Sandisk on sale for today at $105.

http://www.ncix.com/detail/sandisk-u...80348-1146.htm

You might also look at the Radeon R9 380 video cards that are a little stronger than the GTX960s.