PC Upgrade.

[smithmr8]

Hi,
I built myself a fairly decent PC a year ago now, and I'm looking to spend a bit of money upgrading it.

Currently:
500GB Sata
3GB DDR2
nVidia 8600GT
P5N-E Sli
Crappy Cheap Case
Intel Q6600
The fan is a rather big one. ASUS something or other. Seems to keep the temps pretty low.

I'd really like some advice on some upgrades to improve the computer.
I do have another 1GB module of ram, but when I built the computer I had some problems with crashing, which was solved by removing it. But I need to run some tests to see whether it is the module or the mobo causing it.

[Lanky123]

What operating system are you running? If it's 32bit you wouldn't see much of that last 1GB of RAM anyway.

The graphics card is the obvious thing to upgrade, a HD4850 would be an excellent step up from the 8600gt.

What PSU do you have?

[NightshadowUK]

As Lanky said, the extra GB of RAM won't make a difference under a 32-bit O/S anyway.

I second the upgrade suggestion to a HD4850 if gaming's your thing (and if you've a worthy PSU). Also, if you've not already done so, overclock that Q6600!

[Zhaoman]

Apart from the graphics card, I can't see anything you'd want to improve. What mouse/keyboard are you using? If they're bog-standard ones then it wouldn't hurt to get something a little more comfortable.

[staffsMike]

If you have some money to throw about maybe get a better case as well as a graphics card. The HD4850's run pretty damn hot with the stock cooler so I would get an arctic cooling accelero for it with a nice quiet fan

[smithmr8]

I can't not upgrade my computer after a year, and with my taste.. this unfortunately means a bit more expense.

OS: XP Professional / Mac OSX 10.5.2 [Kalyway]

My PSU is a value one, which I got without thinking when I build the machine.
I would like to upgrade this to a decent one.

I've, so far, found a few things I'd like to get, but would like some advice. [I would like all items to be on eBuyer for convenience purposes.]

Graphics Card: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145605
HDD: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143288
Case: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/118268
DVD-RW: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141995

If you have any good alternatives to these at a similar price [or slightly higher], I would be greatful.

Alongside these, I would like a decent PSU that is going to be big enough to handle a system like the below:
P5N-E Sli
500GB and 1TB SATA HDD
Two DVD-RW's
Q6600 + ASUS Silent Square HSink
Bigger GFX card [Like above listed]
Wifi PCI Card
and some additional USB Devices.

Thanks.

[staffsMike]

How about

Graphics: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145524
HDD: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144339 - pretty much the fatest, quietest drive around. Comparable tot he 1TB if you don't need all of that space.
Case: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131551 - same cooling if not better but much better cable management.

PSU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114945, I'm very happy with my one of these. There is the enermax modu82+ or new dark power series to consider but I'd take the seasonic built corsairs still

[Zhaoman]

Do you need the 1Tb of space? Best (fastest) HDs on the market are currently 640Gb ones, you might wanna look into that.

I'd suggest shelling out more on the GPU front for a 9800GTX or HD4850. They're £30 more but will last you a hell of a lot longer than a 8800GT.

For PSU I'd suggest a Corsair 520W or a 550W Be Quiet Dark Power Pro. They are both modular and efficient and both recieved plenty of praise from press and customers.

P.S. I got that same DVD drive last year and found that the front panel was an absolute b*tch to remove. I would sharpen my nails before trying to tackle that drive again.

edit: oops Mike got there first!

[staffsMike]

ignore, delete.. being a plonker.

[smithmr8]

I do tend to fill up HDD's very quickly, which is why I'd like something a bit bigger.

And, for the case. I've had a few fairly dull looking cases, which is why I was kind of looking for a sweet looking case with some decent cooling.

The GFX. How does one of those compare to an 8800GT. Judging by the price, its probably better.

And.. the PSU. Is 520W going to be enough for that setup ?



Edit: I don't mind paying a bit more for the graphics side of things, as I do dabble in gaming quite a lot.

And, is the speed difference noticeable between the one listed by Mike and the 1TB one I listed.

[staffsMike]

Nope speed wise the two are fairly even I believe. Both using 320GB platters making them very nippy.

520W is ample, as long as it's being dealt with efficently (80+ and all that)

The HD4850 is deffinatly worth the extra £20 imo especially if you have a big monitor.

[smithmr8]

I've only got a 17" monitor at the moment. I've not used an ATI card for a while, but it seems to be a decent card so I think I'll give that one a go.

The PSU, would it be a safer bet to get one a bit bigger with an efficient rating.
Maybe: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/115010

[staffsMike]

Not a fan of coolermaster PSU's sorry. On paper it does seem alright but it wouldn't get my money.

[smithmr8]

Fair Do's.
What about this : http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135514

Edit:
How does this: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142166
Compare to the HD4580 ?

[staffsMike]

Yeah the TX is very good as long as you can life without modular cables

9600GT is worse than the 8800GT so it's doesn't really compare. On your monitor though it would be more than adequate.

[smithmr8]

Ah, ok.

So.. would this: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114945, or even this: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114941/
(Im willing to spend the extra)
.. be big enough to power ..:
P5N-E Sli
Q6600
Saphire HD4580 or Similar Card
500GB SATA and 1TB SATA
2 x DVD RW
Wifi PCI
ect..

Thinking about it, a modular PSU would make my PC so much neater and more pleasant to look at.