Upgrading my rig questions

[SHAFT]

Here is what I'm working with currently below. I'd like to improve my GPU, add an SSD, and increase my RAM. My question is, is it just that easy as buying all new GPU, harddrive, and RAM and having someone install it?

-EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset)
-Intel Core i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz 3.19 GHz
-GeForce GTX 295
-6GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Dominator DHX 6GB ram
-500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
-1000W Corsair HX power supply (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
-Windows 7 64 Bit

I don't know shit about upgrading computers and the whole thing is a bit daunting.

[Androidpk]

What sort of gaming are you doing? You can probably get a good Nvidia 500 series card on the cheap these days. Not sure why you feel the need for more ram, you really won't see any performance boost going from 6GB to whatever but RAM is super cheap these days. Installation of all this stuff is pretty easy. Plug and play for the most part.

[Mogonis]

You don't need much. Your power supply is severely overqualified for one HDD and one video card, and this can be detrimental. Either install multiple video cards, or downgrade your power supply. Slap in an SSD...or three, or some Caviar Black HDDs.

Computer components are easy to install. Everything is standardized and often color-coded.

[SHAFT]

I don't know why I have the 1000w power supply. I'm looking at the gtx 670 from evga on newegg, but I'm reading some negative reviews. Seems like the over clocked 670 is better than the 680.

Yeah I'm hearing I'm good with the 6gb of ram I have.

I like fps' and would like to get into gw2 and run it at max

[Parkbandit]

http://cdn4.mos.techradar.com//art/magazines/PC%20Format/Issue%20267/PCF267.tut_1.plan03-580-90.jpg

[Mogonis]

EVGA GeForce GTX680 SuperClocked 2048MB (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-SuperClocked-DisplayPort-Graphics-02G-P4-2682-KR/dp/B007KC1R9E/ref=zg_bs_284822_14?tag=hardfocom-20)

Special Offers and Product Promotions
Clip this coupon to save $20.00 on this product when you buy from Amazon.com Here's how (restrictions apply)
FREE One-Day Shipping if you purchase this item using your Discover Card. Enter code DSCVRFSP at checkout. Here's how (restrictions apply)
Six-Month Financing: For a limited time, purchase $149 or more using the Amazon.com Store Card and pay no interest for 6 months on your entire order if paid in full in 6 months. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid in full within 6 months. Minimum monthly payments required. Subject to credit approval. 1-Click and phone orders do not apply. See complete details and restrictions.

[SHAFT]

Yeah that looks good mogonis. Thanks for the tips

[SHAFT]

That's a sweet drill PB

[Androidpk]

There is nothing detrimental about using that size PSU, it's only going to draw as much power as is being used by the computer.

[Reliel]

Don't be afraid of fan size on a graphics card. I have one the size of a fist and it runs silent.

4013

[SHAFT]

I ended up going with a super clocked 680 on new egg. Cheaper than amazon and a free copy of borderlands 2. Thanks for the advice again, much appreciated.

[Mogonis]

There is nothing detrimental about using that size PSU, it's only going to draw as much power as is being used by the computer.
There is. The detriment is to the power supply, not the system. The efficiency sweet spot is around 80% of its max rating. He probably doesn't even hit 300W under full load. It's future-proof, but he overpaid for his current needs.


Don't be afraid of fan size on a graphics card. I have one the size of a fist and it runs silent.
Heh. Yes. Bigger is better and quieter with quality fans. Two things to watch for on video cards though. Their heatsinks can be heavy, and so big they block the next PCIe slot.

[SHAFT]

The new GPU should get more out of the power supply though

[Reliel]

Heh. Yes. Bigger is better and quieter with quality fans. Two things to watch for on video cards though. Their heatsinks can be heavy, and so big they block the next PCIe slot.

I don't use that slot and the heatsink on mine is actually very light all things considered. Not a bad deal on Tiger Direct.

[Bobmuhthol]

The efficiency sweet spot is around 80% of its max rating.

Less efficiency isn't going to hurt the PSU, and inefficiency arises from severe underloading -- targeting 80% is pretty aggressive. At least 50% should be fine.

[Mogonis]

That's 80% under heavy load. Large power supplies are less efficient at lower loads. That's energy wasted and potentially more heat. Besides, the Corsair HX PSUs are some of the best. The HX1000 deserves to be dragged through the trenches.

[SHAFT]

When I install this card, I'm going to remove the old GPU's drivers, install the card, then install the new drivers if they aren't automatically installed? Just want to make sure I have the process down.

[Delarock]

If you're fairly confident, which it seems like you are, you shouldn't have any issues with an SSD. I just did my old laptop, and I don't know that much about computers. Aside from having to order a connector, it was pretty much plug and play. Probably easier than GPU. Fine tuning it is another story... But I'm waiting to see the final release of Win 8 before I finalize everything.

[Bobmuhthol]

You don't really need to uninstall existing drivers (beyond, say, an application suite that you won't be using). Your machine has tens of thousands of drivers on it -- it will just use the ones for the hardware that it finds. And even if the new drivers are automatically installed, almost every video card is going to have a much larger and more useful set of drivers than whatever Windows gives you.

[SHAFT]

Installing that was amazingly easy. Now to play

[Fallen]

What are you looking to play?

[Back]

And what kind of monitor set-up do you have?

[SHAFT]

Downloading some stuff for gw2. I do need a new monitor. I have 22" right now, want to upgrade to a 27". They seem like the best value.