How to move my computer into the future/rate my computer!

Here's my computer:

Case: CM Storm Scout
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67
GPU: Nvidia GTX 550 Ti
CPU: Intel i5 2500k
Power Supply: Thermaltake 600W Power Supply
Hard Drive: 500 GB
Cooling: All of my cooling comes from the 5 fans in the case and the fans that came with the parts.
RAM: 4GB Microcenter Generic RAM. (Yes, this absolutely sucks.)
OS: Windows 7 Home Edition (64 Bit)
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This all cost me about 800$, we bought all of the parts from the closest Microcenter and put it together right away. This was the first computer I've ever built. This was made almost 2 months ago now.


I haven't really learned how to overclock yet, I've done a little bit of tuning up on the GTX 550 Ti, but I haven't tried with the CPU. I think I need a bit more cooling power before I up the CPU power though.

What do you guys recommend doing so that my computer will better transition into the future? How does my current build look? How do I OC my CPU?

 

It looks alright for the average user.

If I were you I'd start saving up for:
Corsair H60 CPU Cooler so you can OC to ~4.2-4.5GHz easily

Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) RAM

Either another 550 Ti or a 480/580. The extra 550 Ti will put you about on the level of a 580 when SLI'd (assuming your mobo supports it) but it doesn't really leave room to upgrade. Since you're looking towards the future, personally, I'd go for the 580 since you can 4 way SLI them down the road and one card solutions are always preferable. Microstuttering becomes an issue with multi-card systems.

You'd probably also need to upgrade your PSU for all of that, especially if you plan on OCing the GPU and CPU. I'd recommend a Corsair TX750 v2 if you don't mind a non-modular PSU.

 

I'd definitely suggest an SSD.

 

SSDs are nice but for someone who has never used one they are not needed. It's probably one of the best upgrades you can make sure, but to someone who has never experienced it they won't really care. They're more helpful for fast boot times and making your programs super snappy anyway. There's not really that many tangible benefits of one for gaming.

 

This might be a misconception, but I thought that SSD's didn't last particularly long. I want this computer to have parts to last me a very long time (I don't have a whole lot of money, but I'm going to need upgrades here and there.) People have recommended them to me, but my intuition tells me to wait until they are cheaper and more advanced.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

SSDs last longer then HDDs since they have no moving parts, get a nice 60gig OCZ agility 3 for your OS/few programs, and you won't want to go back to a mechanical hard drive for the OS.
Pick up 8gig of non generic ram(corsair & gskill are good)
And if you want a cheapish heatsink for your CPU the Coolermaster Hyper 212+ is excellent for the price $30-$40

 

An ssd is the only thing that you really need on that build.

 

This. I was thinking about it as I was reading your post and it would definitely be the best. I'd say, save up for the Corsair cooler first because 4.5GHz is kinda phenomenal. Good Luck to you.

 

i7 2600k or i5 2500k?

 

Fayded, the 2500k & 2600k hit 4.5ghz like every chip, I've seen chips be stable at 5+ghz on water & air. they are insanely good OCers.

 

Ah, sorry. I got confused, it's the i5 2500k.

 

Yeah he wasn't saying it was rare or anything, just that the cooler I suggested would easily allow him to do that. 4GHz on the stock cooler would be impressive to me.