Upgrade bug... what should I change?

[RRRuss]

I have a bit of spare cash so want to make some changes to my system, but not sure what to do. I have the following:

- C2D E6600 @ 2.7GHz on stock cooler.
- Asus P5B Premium Vista Edition
- 4GB Geil PC6400 (4x1GB stick)
- Corsair HX620
- BFG OC 8800GTS 320MB
- Antec 900
- X-Fi Xtreme Music
- Pioneer DV212
- HP w2207 22" Monitor
- 74GB WD Raptor/320GB Seagate 7200.10

I want worthwhile upgrades. I know my spec is pretty decent anyway.

Initial thoughts are:

- Change w2207 to Dell 2407WFP-HC
- Change memory to something 'better'
- Change DVDRW to a Sata model
- Change GTS to a GT (if I can find any stock!)
- Change X-Fi to Auzentech Prelude
- Change E6600 to Q6600
- Change Raptor to 500GB 32mb Cahce Seagate 7200.11

Which of the above offer the best performance increase? I guess so will be negligible (like the processor change and memory).

I don't know what to do... should I just sit tight for Penryn? Is the mobo okay?

Any input appreciated.

Russ.

[Ciber]

- Change w2207 to Dell 2407WFP-HC

Seeing as the rest of your PC is good, that's a lovely screen and seeing as we tend to spend so much time looking at our screens, they should be the best we can get.

[godsdog]

I'd say be patient and hold on to your money, wait for a meaningful upgrade step. Your system is fine and no upgrade you've mentioned is going to give you dramatic perceptible differences, apart from maybe the monitor. Might be worth backing off till the new year anyway, see what bargains can be had.

[hse180]

Your system is still very good, i always have the Upgrade bug too. I am waiting for the new Quads in the new year before i upgrade the CPU.As for the 3870's and the Gt's they are always out of stock, unless you want to pay over the odds.
All depends if you can wait, i know i will be

[RRRuss]

If I go for the monitor, my GTS will stand no chance, but I guess I could run a lower res until the new range of cards come out (R700/9800)

Will the Penryn's require me to get a new mobo, or will a BIOS update sort mine out?

[Thorsson]

Get a new GTS (just about to come out) to replace the old. That's about the only worthwhile upgrade for gaming, unless you play Crysis.

[RRRuss]

Does new GTS beat old GTX? I have seen GTX for £260 ish, I assume the GTS will cost about £250, given current GT pricing?

[Rishi]

Currently I would save the money as I think you wont see that much of a difference from your setup at the minute, which is rather sweet.

Maybe give it a few months and see whats out there.

Unless your PC is struggling to do something specific?

[RRRuss]

Currently, it only really struggles with Crysis, but none of the cuurent cards seem to fare much better.

I think I may have the opportunity to change to a GT for £20 or so. If that happens, then its really a no brainer.

Someone has suggested a better cooler and going for 3.6GHz. Is this possible with my mobo and RAM?

[Blitzen]

- Change w2207 to Dell 2407WFP-HC - See point 4
- Change memory to something 'better' - Always a good upgrade
- Change DVDRW to a Sata model - ' Thats the way forward. Im about to do this myself
- Change GTS to a GT (if I can find any stock!) - Waste of cash. Wait for the new G92 GTS as its a better card (speed and heat wise)for a tiny amount more money
- Change X-Fi to Auzentech Prelude
- Change E6600 to Q6600 - Again. Waste of cash. Penryns will be here in a month and they will be cheaper and faster
- Change Raptor to 500GB 32mb Cahce Seagate 7200.11 - Nice upgrade. Should quieten down the system a fair bit

Does new GTS beat old GTX? I have seen GTX for £260 ish, I assume the GTS will cost about £250, given current GT pricing?

In quite a few things it does beat the GTX. Not much in it though. The new GTS also spanks the GT at higher res with eye candy and DX10, so if you have Vista with a large monitor the GTS is going to be great.
Rumour has it that the new GTS's will be around £200-240 so exceptional value considering a GOOD GT is costing £180-190 atm.

[RRRuss]

Thanks Blitzen, much appreciated.

Which SATA drive are you going for?

Also, is the Seagate the best choice? I am hearing good things about Samsung F1's?

[NightshadowUK]

Might be worth having a look at one of these:

- Scythe "Quiet Drive" ~ £22.90

It'd be a shame to get rid of your Raptor.