Parts I will be keeping is my computer case and current video card. Here is what I want to upgrade to
Intel Core i5 2500 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
ASUS P8P67 Deluxe ATX LGA1155 P67 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI Sandy Bridge Motherboard
Corsair CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9 Vengeance 4GB 1X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 Memory
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB SATA3 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB Cache 3.5IN Dual Proc Hard Drive OEM Ultra X4 750-Watt Modular Power Supply
This will probably run me $920CAD. I compared to Dell XPS Laptop and Desktop, the desktop specs have some good but what really sucks is the PSU and number of USB ports. Laptop would be nice for mobility but hard to expand. What do you think of those specs? I mostly use my PC for browsing the web, downloading, listening to music, a minor gaming. The only good part to the Dell XPS, coming to about $900 for the lowest model comes with 24" monitor and wireless card, I only have a 19" monitor that I am borrowing and no wireless card. Thanks for any advice. Reminder I am Canadian
So you're keeping the graphics card, which you'd get a benefit from upgrading, and yet changing the power supply, which you don't need to upgrade? I'm confused...
I wouldn't trade a Corsair 550W PSU for an Ultra brand anything. You only need to upgrade that PSU if it is so old you dont have proper connections. Judging by your current CPU and graphics card, i say you are fine.
Also you may want to look at Gigabyte motherboards as well to see if there is something you like. Most of Asus recent offerings do not have the same great quality as the earlier boards that built their reputation.
Well, whoever by, they're wrong. Apart from the 550W VX being ample for your system (you could actually run the entire system three times over on that PSU, and I would typically recommend a 330-380W unit for a new system to that specification), the Ultra 750W you're looking at is actually worse than the 550W Corsair it would replace!
Of that upgrade:
i5 2500 -> get the 2500K instead. It's similarly priced but it can be overclocked. The standard 2500 can not.
P8P67 Deluxe -> Asus boards are pretty low quality these days, buy a Gigabyte P67A board instead. A P67A-UD3 is fine for your needs.
Corsair RAM -> You need two 2GB (or better, 2 4GB) sticks, not one 4GB. Memory for P67 systems is designed to run in pairs.
HDD: Fine, if that's enough storage for your needs.
PSU: Buy a new graphics card instead, that's the limit on your games performance, not the CPU. I'd recommend a Radeon HD6850 on an intermediate budget.
I am in the Collingwood area. I was looking at NCIX and I can do pickup at Markham, Ontario or with TigerDirect there's also stores in Vaughan and I believe Markham.
Strongly agree on the Gigabyte recommendation. They handle their own quality-control, and put more copper in their boards; dissipate heat better. Much lower RMA numbers too.
Even to this day, Dell exhibits higher PSU failures than is acceptable.
