Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 28

Thread: Complete upgrade

  1. #1
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Complete upgrade

    Hi all,

    First post, so please be kind!

    I'm looking at upgrading my current set up:

    P4 3.4 Ghz (Prescott)
    2Gb DDR2 RAM (don't know what manufacturer, nor how to find out)
    MSI MS-7091 micro-ATX motherboard
    7950GT
    Hiper 530W PSU

    I'm mostly a gamer (playing BF2 mostly but will eventually go for newer ones ) but do a lot of surfing too.

    First thing I want to change is the CPU. As I've got a small case and small motherboard I'm going to need a new case (the one I've got is c**p to say the least and doesn't have any fans - the only fan is the heatsink one!). I don't want to spend more than £50 on the case (preferably incl. delivery but not too bothered); I've decided on the Coolermaster CM690 in the review section here, so am wondering the cheapest place to get it?

    At the moment I'm using a Zalman CNPS7700 heatsink so I need to know that the above case is big enough to fit that inside with room around it (currently it's very cramped against my PSU).

    I don't know enough about motherboards to know what is compatible with what, so this is where the advice comes in very handy

    I'm thinking about getting a Quad core as I won't be able to upgrade in the near future (buying a house soon) so can someone recommend the best?

    Also looking to go for 4Gb of RAM (running XP and I know it doesn't see all 4Gb) just to future-proof as much as possible.

    For the time being I'll stick with the 7950, unless someone knows of a stonking deal on an 8800 or better?

    Hoping to stay below the £300 barrier (incl. case), but if a worthwhile improvement can be found for a little more I might be able to stretch to £300 without case.

    Apologies for the length of this post!
    Last edited by Glyndo; 12-05-2008 at 08:04 PM. Reason: Added budget - thanks Disturbed Guy

  2. #2
    HEXUS.social member Disturbedguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Manchester
    Posts
    5,113
    Thanks
    841
    Thanked
    482 times in 357 posts
    • Disturbedguy's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Rog Strix Z370-H Gaming
      • CPU:
      • i7 8700K
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair something or other
      • Storage:
      • 1 x Samsung 960 EVO (250GB) 1 x Samsung 850 EVO (500GB)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 1080Ti
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • 32inch Samsung TV
      • Internet:
      • Crap

    Re: Complete upgrade

    If you post up a rough budget I think more people will be able to help you as they will have an idea of what money there is to play with.

  3. #3
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    794 times in 741 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Cheapest place for the CM690 is scan when it is on today only. Usually around £44/45.

    Requests can be made here themanwhocan@scan.co.uk

    They also ofthen have 4GB PC6400 ram kits for £55, so request it while you're there

    An Abit IP-35 dark raider would server, it's a very good board and again if it finds it's way onto today only it will be ~£60.

    That leaves you with £140 for the CPU and possibly a new HSF if the old one doesn't fit? is it socket 775?

    The best CPU's are the Q6600 and E8400 (I suppose) but personally if you want to go dual core I would just get a cheap pentium dual core for around £50 and overclock it, they reach 3.0GHz quite nicely. That way you will save £100 off your £300 budget to go on something better later.

    Otherwise the Q6600 is a great chip which also easily overclock to 3.0GHz but that is over 4 cores

    Scythe Mine or Ninja are a good choice for the HSF, reasonable prices and great cooling.

  4. #4
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    That leaves you with £140 for the CPU and possibly a new HSF if the old one doesn't fit? is it socket 775?
    The Zalman is a 775 HSF. Would it be any good if I get the Q6600 or will I need to upgrade that too?

  5. #5
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    794 times in 741 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: Complete upgrade

    It might be ok.. certainly worth a shot. The big towers are best for cooling them but certainly stock and with light overclocking a semi-decent aftermarket jobby should do.

  6. #6
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Thanks for that Mike.

    I've started Phase 1 of the project - I've ordered the CM-690 from Scan. I got free next day delivery (courtesy of AV Forums) so it came to £51.10. Got day off work Friday so arranged for delivery then. With a bit of luck it will come early morning so I can start moving things over - although I'm tempted to wait a bit longer to make sure I know what I'm doing!

  7. #7
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    794 times in 741 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Honestly I would pay even more for that case it really is a peach

    Nothing in the mid-range will really be coming out soon and prices are about where they will be for a while I think.

    I would buy the RAM when you see it for £55 ish, that can't get much cheaper.

    Motherboard wise, the only boards on the way are P45 and they look like they might be quite expensive, expecially at first. That's the last board for S775 so after that everything you buy now will be redundent lol

  8. #8
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Once again, thanks Mike!

    I think I'll keep a running "blog" sort of effort here; I've never built a PC before and the only upgrading experience I have is changing my PSU, Graphics Card and Heatsink. Think I'll keep a running total of the costs too - if it helps people who are trying to decide between upgrading, self-building or buying a pre-made PC then surely it's a good thing?

  9. #9
    Jay
    Jay is offline
    Gentlemen.. we're history Jay's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Jita
    Posts
    8,365
    Thanks
    304
    Thanked
    568 times in 409 posts

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Once you have 100 posts you can sell your old stuff on here as well.
    □ΞVΞ□

  10. #10
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Quote Originally Posted by Jay View Post
    Once you have 100 posts you can sell your old stuff on here as well.
    I think I'll either give my old PC to the in-laws or use it as a test rig to improve my customisation skills - the case could use some serious cosmetic surgery so I'm more inclined to go with that.

    Good to know about the selling option here though, cheers.

  11. #11
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Well new case arrived today, at 10:15. I know some people have moaned about City Link (couriers used by Scan) but I can't argue with that!

    Couldn't believe the size of the case compared to my old one. To put it into perspective, the space in the CM-690 for the motherboard is the size of old case!

    Just finished transferring everything over and after a bit of trouble with the hard disk (the cable kept falling out - turns out my old cable tie was restricitng the length of cable) but now it's running well.

    Just checked the temps too - in the old case the CPU was running at 60C at idle () but now it's running at a much cooler 45C!

    Next up, motherboard, CPU and memory bundle. Pay day next week so not long!

  12. #12
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Complete upgrade

    I really wish people would mention the one Major flaw with the CM690 esp if reuseing older pc bits.
    IDE hard drives will not fit in the drive mounting system in this case, if you're all SATA no problems. This is the one major flaw that's prevented my from getting one.

    Minor niggle is the top mounted USB and stuff.

    Apart from that It's a lovely case and a very nice price.

  13. #13
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    794 times in 741 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: Complete upgrade

    I didn't know that, what doesn't fit exactly?

  14. #14
    Gentoo Ricer
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Galway
    Posts
    11,048
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    944 times in 704 posts
    • aidanjt's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Strix Z370-G
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7-8700K
      • Memory:
      • 2x8GB Corsiar LPX 3000C15
      • Storage:
      • 500GB Samsung 960 EVO
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
      • PSU:
      • EVGA G3 750W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define C Mini
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus MG279Q
      • Internet:
      • 240mbps Virgin Cable

    Re: Complete upgrade

    A SATA backplane maybe?.. It's getting more common in cases all the time.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  15. #15
    Senior Member Pob255's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The land of Brum
    Posts
    10,128
    Thanks
    605
    Thanked
    1,220 times in 1,121 posts
    • Pob255's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus M5A99X EVO
      • CPU:
      • FX8350 & CM Hyper 212+
      • Memory:
      • 4 x 2gb Corsair Vengence 1600mhz cas9
      • Storage:
      • 512gb samsung SSD +1tb Samsung HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EGVA GTX970
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic GX 650W
      • Case:
      • HAF 912+
      • Operating System:
      • W7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • iiyama XB3270QS-B1 32" IPS 1440p

    Re: Complete upgrade

    On both the soft plastice drive caddie things and the back of the cage they are too narrow/blocked off to fit ether Molex power and/or IDE ribbon cable.

    You could use the 3.5" bay adaptors to fit hard drives into the 5.25" bays but that does sort of take away the hole point of it's nice drive tray system.

  16. #16
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Glyndo's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z77-D3H
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Corsair Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 8TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 4GB ASUS 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 650W
      • Case:
      • CoolerMaster CM-690
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 2 x Samsung 24"
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity

    Re: Complete upgrade

    Right, it's been a long time to say the least! Finally ordered my motherboard - gone for the Gigabyte EP35-DS3R.

    I'm going to be getting the Q6600 and going for 4Gb memory next week, which leads me on to my question - how do I find out what memory is compatible with the motherboard? I've checked the Gigabyte website but got a bit confused trying to read all the numbers!

    I was looking at this memory so can someone confirm whether it is compatible?
    Last edited by Glyndo; 17-06-2008 at 10:44 PM.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. In desperate need of an upgrade!
    By Allen in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 30-12-2007, 08:10 PM
  2. Replies: 14
    Last Post: 16-11-2007, 11:09 PM
  3. Advice on an upgrade
    By Disturbedguy in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 16-11-2007, 08:29 PM
  4. Quick upgrade question?
    By chriswood_7 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 18-10-2007, 10:29 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •