Upgrade advice

[DarkRanger]

So I have R3000 to spend on an upgrade of 3 components. I need a mobo, CPU and RAM.

I have the following in mind:

Intel® Core™ i5 3470
INTEL® "Executive Series" "Elkhorn Creek" B75 Chipset
Transcend® JetRam™ High-Performance 4GB DDR3-1333 240-Pin Module x 2

Would you recommend something else? I'm kinda sorted in the GFX card department as I have a 550Ti already.

[Ron2K]

One can get a low-end motherboard with the Z77 chipset for a price comparable with what you've selected. (There's a few floating around; I suggest you do your own research here).

The B75 chipset is more business orientated while the Z77 chipset is more performance orientated -- so rather than make an extremely pointless "ZOMG!!! B75 suxxors, get the Z77" recommendation, I suggest that you chose between the two based on your machine's intended purpose.

CPU and RAM look good.

[KALSTER]

Maybe try for a P75 chipset? Rebeltech has a Gigabyte for R897 HERE.

[DarkRanger]

Isn't P75 old tech?

[StarBound]

With R3000 you dont have a lot of options. The absolute best you can do with that amount is an MSI Z77A-GD43 for around R1300, an i3 for around R1000, then the 8gb ram 2x4gb at R600. There is no way to get an i5 on that budget unless you compromise on the motherboard and compromising on certain mobos will leave you crying in the end.

[Ron2K]

Isn't P75 old tech?

There isn't a P75 chipset; Gigabyte (and possibly others, though I haven't checked) brand their B75 boards as P75.

[StarBound]

If you can push your budget with R700 then:
i5 3450 - R1900 - http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?ma ... ts_id=6040
MSI Z77A-GD43 - R1200 - http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?ma ... ts_id=5700
Corsair Vengance 1600mhz ddr3 2x4gb - R600 - http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?ma ... cts_id=255

Else you will need to drop the i5 for an i3. This is the best/closes comparrisson I can get:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the- ... -tested/20

[DarkRanger]

Not too fussed about the RAM speed. 1333 will do for now. And the mobo, I was thinking of this one? How does it compare to the one you posted starbound?

[StarBound]

I'd say the downside to that one is its a micro atx but I doubt it really factors in to your situation. I'm just an MSI fan and they have the cheapest varient on the Z77 that is standard ATX.

As for the ram 1600 is pretty much standard and price difference isn't that big anymore.
But I'll add 2 stick here for pricing anyway. Might help.
1333 - R190 - http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?ma ... ts_id=5405
1600 - R230 - http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?ma ... ts_id=5408

I suppose any cost cutting will work. But the MSI is cheaper than the Gigabyte atleast on rebeltech anyway.

[KALSTER]

Isn't P75 old tech?

There isn't a P75 chipset; Gigabyte (and possibly others, though I haven't checked) brand their B75 boards as P75.

Doh!

Don't like micro ATX either, though my last two have been...You just miss the space.

That Z77 looks nice, though personally I'd rather go B75 (or the Gigabyte P75 ATX) and 1333 RAM and be able to afford an i5 than getting the i3, a Z77 and 1600 RAM.

[DarkRanger]

Okay so I went ahead and bought what I initially thought with minor tweaks:

Intel® Core™ i5 3570
GIGABYTE GA-P75-D3
Transcend® JetRam™ High-Performance 4GB DDR3-1333 240-Pin Module x 2

Got to say: HUGE improvement. I'm so happy with this PC now...

[KALSTER]

Cool. Enjoy!

[StarBound]

Awesome