I'm thinking my next step is definitely a ssd, but I'm debating on using the ssd to supplement my hdd and keeping win7 or replace it with a ssd and win8.1 and use the hdd for mass storage. If I installed 8.1 on a ssd and booted from it, then would I have to reinstall all of my programs and games that were on the hdd or would they work fine? Also would I need to delete all windows programs on my hdd?
Anyways here's the current state of my build.
Mobo: MSI 970A-G46
CPU: FX8320 boost clocked to 4.0GHz
CPU cooler: Cooler Master GeminII S524 w/ Cougar 140mm HDB fan
Memory: 8Gb Samsung ddr3 1333
HDD:1TB 7200rpm hdd I pulled out of an old HP of mine mainly for the OS (still thinks its an HP)
GPU: Sapphire R9 290
PSU: Corsair 650TX
OS: Win7 64bit
Case: Rosewill Challenger (painted the entire front grill and disk drive blue and added 2 cougar 120mm hdb side intake fans)
Peripherals: 3x Vizio E241-a1 tv's for monitors, Corsair K60 and M60, Altec Lansing 2.1 speakers
I used to be a big console gamer and slowly converted to pc gamer over the past 2 years. I'm proud to admit that as of six months ago I have been console free. Its so liberating and my wife is happy that she can actually use our tv. That being said I sometimes feel like a total noob.
I knew literally nothing about computers when I started and picked up everything from watching youtube videos and talking with computer enthusiasts. I started with an old hp rockin an athlon x2 and 3gb ddr2. I upgraded the athlon 64x2 4200 to a athlon 64x2 5600+ (best cpu the mobo would support), installed 64bit win7, installed 8gb ddr2 800 (also most it would support), and installed a 2GB GTX 650. It quickly became apparent that I need to build a new computer because it just didn't cut it. I also blew 9 capacitors on that mobo and had my first experience every touching a mobo by soldering in new capacitors. I was so proud of myself when it worked perfect after that repair especially since the local computer repair shop I took it to said "you can't do that. you have to buy a new mobo".
I bought another HP after that which was a huge step up, but I again learned the limitations of using a prebuilt computer (who the heck thought of "proprietary cpu fans"?!) and decided to build my current computer. Its gone through several iterations of upgrades and I'm pretty proud of its current state except for the hdd.
While I sometimes feel like a caveman beating stones together compared to others, I learn fast and appreciate any advice or knowledge that comes my way.
PS I totally chose these parts before Logan recommended them. Did I sound like a hipster there... yeah I did... screw it I'm keeping it.