Upgrading my 6 year old hardware

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1

Hey there everyone, i'm looking for some advice, so please forgive the length of this,

Last time i upgraded my computer hardware (aside from adding memory) was about 6 years ago.  

I use my computer for large, high rez digital painting, and a bit of 3D modeling/rendering and game modeling.  I base my computer off of how well it can handle the latest games on their highest settings.  I figure if i can upgrade my rig to where it can handle a game like Thief 4 on it's highest settings, without over clocking anything, it will last me a long time.  I don't overclock, because i'm afraid of wasting my processor earlier than it needs to be wasted.  I prefer mileage over power.  With that said, however, i am willing to spend the extra money on very nice equipment that will last a while. This is what i am currently running on (runs Skyrim on ultimate settings surprisingly well):

 

Windows 7 Ultimate 64

16GB RAM (unsure if Windows can actually use all that RAM)

CPU: Intel i7 920 @ 2.67 Ghz

GPU: GeForce 9600 GT

Motherboard: Intel DX58SO

 

If i can get away with it, i'd like to upgrade my rig without having to replace my motherboard.

Here is my problem - i don't want to aimlessly go onto newegg.com and order the most expensive thing i can find.  If anyone can help, i'm open to spending up to a total of $3000 on 1. a new processor 2. a new video card, and 3. at least one solid state hard drive (500gb).

I found a link providing a list of Intel processors that are compatible with my current Intel motherboard -

(http://processormatch.intel.com/Processors/CompatibleProcessors?componentName=DX58SO)

So, basically, i'm looking for an excellent processor, and excellent video card, both of which will last me a very long time. The reason this is in the "build a pc" thread, is because i'm also curious if anyone believes that it would be imperative for me to buy a new motherboard as well.

I'm not interested in water cooling, i have a big cool master fan that has been doing well for for years, and is showing no signs of wearing down.  As i said, over clocking is not my thing.

 

So, if there is anyone out there who understand the market better than myself, i'd love to hear your advise.  Thank you so much for reading!

2

Your going to want a new motherboard too so look at a 4930k and a 2011 socket motherboard and look at a gtx780 and a samsung evo or crucial m500 for the ssd

3

You definitely are going to want to get a new motherboard since even the top-end CPUs for LGA 1366/1156 will get crushed by more recent offerings.

I think this would be a pretty good upgrade. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3jCkk

4

+1

5

Pretty damn strong upgrade

+1

6

With Haswell-E coming out later in the year, and the fact that there will be a new X99 chipset as well, it may be best to wait a bit and pick up one of the new parts. Also, you might be able to find the older parts on sale. 

7

Unless you'd desperately in need of an upgrade, this is probably the best solution.

8

your fan may have to go too because you do need a new board and cpu. I doubt a six year old cpu cooler will fit on a brand new board without going high-tech redneck on it.

9

what.

10

sorry, brain went to dumb, was thinking about CPU cooler  not fan case.

11

Well if you base power of your pc on games then just get gtx770, put it in your old pc and you can play all games on highest settings...If i were you i would wait for broadwell(early 2015) and buy broadwell xeon.  And if you really want to play some current game just get some cheap second hand gpu like gtx 460(it will run every game almost without problems)

And if you are not tinkerer then really there is no reason to spend so much money on computer. It is not money efficient

12

Thanks for the reply

Honestly, what i would really love is to be able to build a pc that can handle current games, but also have the ability to smoothly run programs like photoshop, zbrush, maya, after effects, and illustrator.  I use all of them from time to time.  Is basing the power of my computer on current games not wise?  

I am not much of a tinkerer, but i don't mind spending the money if it means my hardware will last a long time without issues.

13

What is your power supply(exact name and wattage) and what is your computer case?
Do you have aftermarket heatsink on cpu?
Are you satisfied how your pc performs with your work programs: photoshop maya etc. ?
Do you render a lot? or do some intensive cpu tasks? 

1000dollars on cpu or 400 either way you will be upgrading pretty much after same time. unless you are rendering 24/7. then it would be ok to buy really expensive cpu

14

You can get away with half the price.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3lMPB

Then you can add another or upgrade the gpu when you are 2 generations further and even get a decent price back for your 780. You can save another 100 easy bucks with a 770 and just upgrade it after a few years.

Also with a decent case and a good cpu cooler you can use the quick overclocking functions fine on the motherboard. They generally have 5 profiles and with the middle one you get a nice speed boost with little extra energy costs and most of all unless you have a really bad cooler it will always work.

For gaming you don't need anything LGA2011 related It's just wasting money. The only reason to go for LGA2011 if you do really heavy rendering/video editing and or encoding and I really mean when it's crunching for hours on end.

Dunno about your PSU but a good PSU will help 550 watt for single GPU and around 750 if you plan for dual GPU.