I'm looking to upgrade my PC and will keep the existing case etc so the things I'm looking for are:-

 

CPU (Intel)

Motherboard (ASUS preferably)

Memory

SSD to boot from

 

It won't be used as an overclocked extreme games machine so cutting edge tech isn't really necessary but, as with all things, there is always an entry point whereupon the 'next' level isn't as linear as the previous one - in other words a sweet spot for cost versus power.

 

As it's been a while since building my present PC, I'd like some ideas on what CPU that sweet spot would get me (i3/i5/i7)? Ideally mating it with a 'latest spec' (haswell?) motherboard (ATX) with at least 6 sata connectors (do the new motherboard power connectors have ATX 20 pin sockets?). Any with legacy ultra dma 40 pin or serial 9 pin connectors?

 

Will my present graphics card (NVidia GeForce 8800 GTS) be as good (or better) than the onboard graphics that most boards seem to have now?

 

What amount of memory will I need (Win 8 - but not sure if 32bit or 64 bit is the way to go)?

 

As for the SSD, are there any that stand out from the rest and are there any to avoid?

 

Also, what pitfalls (if any) will there be in moving from Win7 to Win8 (fresh install)?

 

 

i5 4690K Haswell chip is probably your best value for money high(er) end processor, more than enough grunt for gaming and everything else.

Loads of good motherboards around.

8 gig of memory is plenty for the majority of people.

There are loads of good SSD drives.

 

No pitfalls in Windows 8 now it has 8.1

I work at Aria PC so...

 

CPU (Intel) - i5-4690K as above, best bang for buck CPU from intel you can get at the moment

Motherboard (ASUS preferably) - +1, I always go for ASUS boards as they are fantastic, Asus Maximus VII Ranger Intel Z97 is a fantastic entry level gaming board from ASUS ROG.

Memory - 8GB (2x4GB) Corsair Vengeance LP or 8GB (2x4GB) Crucial Ballistix are what we stand by at work

SSD to boot from - Personally the Samsung EVO range or the new Samsung 850 PRO series are fantastic, they have a very very low failure rate and are fast!

 

32bit will see all the memory but will only use 3.2GB including any allocated to onboard graphics.

64bit will see all the memory and will use all the memory.

 

Your GPU will most likely be better than the onboard as it not only uses faster memory, but will also allow the system to release the reserved memory for the onboard back to available RAM.

 

As for windows 8/8.1, I am using it and it works perfectly.

Once you get used to the tiles it is quicker than usual as you can just type what you want and it does a live search.

 

If you want the start menu back, there are apps which will do that for you.

64 bit no question. 32 bit is dead due to the 4GB RAM limitation. I'd have at least 8GB now. Intel i5 is best compromise, i7s don't give much more for their extra cost.

Memory - 8GB (2x4GB) Corsair Vengeance LP or 8GB (2x4GB) Crucial Ballistix are what we stand by at work

 

Do current motherboards need memory to be in pairs or can 1x8GB work just as well?

It seems that getting the single larger stick can work out as better value!

honestly the difference between a single stick and a twin pack is about 2% which we tested was negligible.

+1 on the samsung SSD. Got an 840Evo in my PC. Running alongside the "RAPID" software system its got transfer rates of 1.5GB/s!

I've been looking over the spec of the 840 & 850 drives and think the increased warranty etc of the 850 won't really be worth the extra dosh considering how the prices keep falling.

I would benefit from the 8 sata ports of either the Asus Hero or Asus z97 Pro though but need to see if either have 'things' that I'd miss from the other!

Could do with ordering tonight.......

If your not interested in overclocking you wont need to go for a "K" cpu. altho looking at it the cost difference is minor.

 

Also bear in mind in mobos that have many SATA ports usually have a mixture of intel and usually marvell controllers.

 

I would also consider binning the 8800 GFX card - the IGP in the intel cpu (HD4600) is equivalent to a 560GTX??? (according to 3dmark) and itll be infinitely quieter and more power efficient. (the 8800 doesnt support DX11 for a start)

 

EDIT: id also recommend at least 8gb ram these days.

Price difference between K and none K is about £5-£10 but K chips hold value much better so will give you more back if you sell on.

 

Indeed SATA ports usually are 75-80% Intel with the remaining being a secondary controller.

 

Forgot about DX11, we are waiting on DX11.1 

DX12 even

 

Im just speccing myself a beast of a 4790k rig at the moment.. .swaying towards an Asrock mobo, and a 970GTX of some description.

I would also consider binning the 8800 GFX card - the IGP in the intel cpu (HD4600) is equivalent to a 560GTX??? (according to 3dmark) and itll be infinitely quieter and more power efficient. (the 8800 doesnt support DX11 for a start)

 

I hadn't looked at the 3dmark onboard display spec compared to my 'old' card. I'll check it out and it may be the way to go - although it will eat up some (I wonder how much?) of the board 8gb memory. That 8800GTS card wasn't far off being cutting edge when I purchased it and from recollection was one of the first DX10 cards.

 

+1 on the samsung SSD. Got an 840Evo in my PC. Running alongside the "RAPID" software system its got transfer rates of 1.5GB/s!

 

That's what I decided on but one review about Rapid wasn't too impressive.

Only downside to rapid is that you might loose data if you have a power loss/crash and a lot loaded into the RAM at the time. Not seen anything negative otherwise.