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I've just aquired a brand new E4300 and mobo to swap for my (now totally defunct) XP2500+. I'm keeping my 1 gig DDR ram and 6800 AGP card for now.
Now my power supply is an own brand 420W supply from about 2-3 yrs ago. Whilst it ran an XP chip fine, so could a hamster on a treadmill. How will it fare with my new rig? Will it be a hinderance to overclocking. Am I an idiot for not even considering a branded power supply?
it will probably run the C2D chip ok but i would try overclocking with it, especially with it being so old
Which motherboard are you considering as most C2D mobos use DDR2 ram and PCI-E graphics cards?
Asrock 4dual-VSTA, does AGP, PCI-E, DDR 1&2
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=102221
ah ok, Done a build with those hybrid boards before and it was ok.
I would go for a new powersupply. You wont need anything too spectacular as you have and the base model C2D and your graphics card doesnt require much juice
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=518643
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=442822
something like that. tbf you dont even need THAT much wattage i dont think but at least it would offer you a certain amount of future proofing
I know this might not help in your case, but from what i know the "golden rule is to buy the best psu you can afford" And if your planning on overclocking, a good branded one is recommended since, It will help in keeping your system more stable as you give it more juice to get more out of it. Plus most of them come with loads of added benefits and features, too many to list, also there normally would a be a branded psu to suit your needs or budget.
i agree it all depends on budget. what i put above would be ok but if you do have to budget for it get a better brand
The Asrock will be the main hinderance to overclocking, as will the DDR ram and PSU.
The parts you have gone for, just arent for overclocking. If you want to overclock, you are going to have to spend more, simple as that.
PSU wise, you can pick up these for about £32 when they are on the today only offer at scan. But really, you should have a rethink, because I reckon you could be very disappointed :)
Agreed, but I'm not after a monster overclock. The system will be improved gradually over time and can be overclocked as the components improve. The improtant thing at this point is to get a system that doesn't go bang when I turn it on for the first time, hence the question about whether 420W from a generic power supply is sufficient ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Clunk
Whilst I would love to spend a small fortune on a new PSU, GFX, ram etc. I cannot possibly justify it at this time. Hence I'll be upgrading slowly but surely.
I doubt you will really need anything that pumps out 400 watts of power, so I would be inclined to buy a Seasonic PSU from scan - probably their 380 watter that retails in the £30 region on the today only offers. If you aren't too fussed about noise, then the X-clio PSUs are also fine but dont go for overkill with wattage:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2945&p=13
x6800 + 2GB DDR2 + 8800GTX pumps out 327 watts under gaming load..
Didnt see this bit :D... I think it should be OK but find out the actual wattage (multiply the rail by its wattages, and add these for all the different rails) - if it is 300+ watts by calculations it should be OK.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakleyb
Another way to test the PSU is to use a program like motherboard monitor and monitor the fluctuations on the rails when comp is under load. There are % fluctuations that are allowed and as long as the rails dont fluctuate too much from there intended values it should be alright i guess...
Thanks for the info, I'll take a look at it tonight. TBH I think I will go for a new PSU, doesn't make much sense gambling a new CPU/mobo on a 3yr old PSU.Quote:
Originally Posted by silentphoenix
Wise decision bud :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Oakleyb