Upgrading Mobo, CPU, and Ram

[Curbkiddytech]

Hey all,

So it's that time again to upgrade half of the computer, mainly a new Mobo, CPU, and Ram.

Old CPU: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield Quad-Core 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Processor BX80601950 - Newegg.com

Old Mobo: ASUS Rampage III Formula LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

Old Ram: G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9T-3GBNQ - Newegg.com (Over the years I upgraded the RAM on its own, that's not the current RAM in my system)

I'm a PC gaming enthusiast, and am looking for the best hardware within a reasonable price, no more than $300 per part.

Any suggestions/advice is appreciated!

 

[PP Mguire]

Gaming enthusiast entails......? Do you stream, record, edit video, or do you just game with said machine?

Also, what GPU, PSU, and storage media do you currently have?

 

[Curbkiddytech]

Currently my GPU is a 780GTX, probably will upgrade to 980GTX for Christmas.

PSU: CORSAIR RM Series RM1000 1000W ATX12V v2.31 and EPS 2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

And I don't stream much, just play games.

 

[PP Mguire]

Should be decently equipped already besides maybe the RAM. Way overkill on the PSU but it'll last you a good long time so that's good.

ASRock Z97 Extreme6 LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com
Intel Core i5-4670K Haswell Quad-Core 3.4GHz LGA 1150 84W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I54670K - Newegg.com

What RAM do you currently have? If you have 8GB you could reuse it.

 

[Curbkiddytech]

Currently have 24GB of RAM.

For the CPU is there an i7 available instead of the i5?

 

[PP Mguire]

6 sticks total of RAM?

If all you do is game then you don't need an i7. Games don't utilize HT.

 

[Curbkiddytech]

3 stick of 8GB

 

[PP Mguire]

Ah ok, you can reuse those. If you want, you can buy another 8GB for 32GB total. Not necessary at all, but I know some people are OCD about that kind of thing.

 

[Curbkiddytech]

Awesome, thanks for all the help!

Just one quick question for that CPU, I play ARMA 2 a lot which is a very CPU intensive game. Even with the GPU and RAM that I have now it still stutters every now and then. Will it be smoother with that CPU?

 

[PP Mguire]

Yes. Even the second gen Sandy Bridge Core i series was a significant jump in performance compared to first gen. That i5 is a 4th gen Core i. I mean, I even play Amra 3 fine with a second gen.