Partial Upgrade or go all out?

[Mit321]

Currently have a Dell Studio 435mt with the specs:
Core i7 920
4GB DDR3
ATI 4850 HD 1GB


Wanting a computer that will run Skyrim and BF3 on high, was planning on building a completely new computer but taking the Core i7 920 from this one but then realised this would mean I was stuck on the X58 chipset.

I have three possible choices I could either:

A) Upgrade the 435mt with good brand PSU, 8GB RAM, new GPU and possibly SSD.
B) New Computer with X58 chipset and i7 920
C) New Computer with i5 2500k and newer chipset?

Don't want to go much above £500. Monitor, KB/Mouse and all that jazz I already have.

What do you guys think?

[Pob255]

What resolution are you currently running?

Off hand all you should need is a new graphics card.
Probably a new PSU for safety
And a new case.

I say a new case because while the Dell Studio 435mt is a standard, if a bit small, mATX case and the motherboard is a standard mATX size the pci-e slot is lower down than normal, this means that if you get a new card it'll be twice as thick which would put the air intake for the cooler flush against the bottom of the case which is going to cause air flow issues.
On top of that is the hard drive mounting method + narrowness of the case means most cards are not going to fit unless you remove the bottom hard drive.

4gb of ram is still plenty and should have any major impact on games, however I would investigate what form it's in because the x58 can use triple channel ram, ie 3 stick per set not 2, you really should have 6gb (3x2) or 12gb (3x4)

New case + psu £90 http://www.ebuyer.com/250952-coolerm...rc-502-kwa1-jp (psu is a bit OTT but it's a good price and better cooling than the stock dell case)
£140 ish for a gtx560 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-k...-mhdmi-plusfre or 6870http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-xfx-hd-6870-4200mhz-gddr5-gpu-900mhz-1120-cores-eyefinity-hdmi-2x-mini-displayport-2x-dvi-i
Ram depends on what you currently have but to buy 6gb (3x2gb) of 1600mhz is only £35 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/6gb-%...-9-24-xmp-150v although check first you may well just be able to buy a single 2gb stick to add in to get you 6gb, just remember to match speed, cas and voltage and you shouldn't have a problem. (fully matched sets are really only needed when overclocking)

[Mit321]

What resolution are you currently running?

Off hand all you should need is a new graphics card.
Probably a new PSU for safety
And a new case.

I say a new case because while the Dell Studio 435mt is a standard, if a bit small, mATX case and the motherboard is a standard mATX size the pci-e slot is lower down than normal, this means that if you get a new card it'll be twice as thick which would put the air intake for the cooler flush against the bottom of the case which is going to cause air flow issues.
On top of that is the hard drive mounting method + narrowness of the case means most cards are not going to fit unless you remove the bottom hard drive.

4gb of ram is still plenty and should have any major impact on games, however I would investigate what form it's in because the x58 can use triple channel ram, ie 3 stick per set not 2, you really should have 6gb (3x2) or 12gb (3x4)

New case + psu £90 http://www.ebuyer.com/250952-coolerm...rc-502-kwa1-jp (psu is a bit OTT but it's a good price and better cooling than the stock dell case)
£140 ish for a gtx560 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-k...-mhdmi-plusfre or 6870http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-xfx-hd-6870-4200mhz-gddr5-gpu-900mhz-1120-cores-eyefinity-hdmi-2x-mini-displayport-2x-dvi-i
Ram depends on what you currently have but to buy 6gb (3x2gb) of 1600mhz is only £35 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/6gb-%...-9-24-xmp-150v although check first you may well just be able to buy a single 2gb stick to add in to get you 6gb, just remember to match speed, cas and voltage and you shouldn't have a problem. (fully matched sets are really only needed when overclocking)

1680x1050

Only issue with swapping the case out seems fitting the new motherboard into the new case seems a bit of problem, if you google it everyone is struggling with how the front I/O connections should go. Also don't really want to have to mod a case if I get it as I would like to keep using it for future upgrades etc.

[UseItNow]

I had a Dell case in which I took the contents out of it LOL, threw it away and stuck all the goodies inside another case for the sibling.

There is leg work as you say but I was careful on how I took it apart, keeping an eye on what went where.

Its difficult I know, all the best whatever you decide!

Anyway, on another case, I took the board out, the board actually had the connectors drawn on it, so it was just a matter of looking at it to figure out what went where, simple!

First thing I'd say is have a good look at the board and the area (I MEAN NOT JUST AROUND THE CONNECTORS) but that whole segment, a few inches up etc as the drawing was quite a bit away from the connectors itself! You may find its there if you're lucky!

[Mit321]

Found this case/ PSU combo:

http://www.ebuyer.com/220862-coolerm...le-rc-692-kka3


For around £10 more seems like a better case? Will the 650W PSU be good enough for the future upgrades? Haven't read the best reviews of that PSU either...

Would it be better to go for:

http://www.ebuyer.com/291687-nzxt-te...case-t410e-001

This seems like a brand new case with great reviews and its only around £50, then just get a reputable brand PSU for around the same price?