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MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Well, considering ive been upgrading everybody elses pc's i figured it was about time to ask for some advice on my own pc.
Budget £300.
Components required, cpu, mobo, ram.
Current system.
C2D E6600 w/ freezer 7 pro.
4gb OCZ reaper 800mhz
Gigabyte ds3 mobo
1gb xfx 4890HD
corsair hx520
1tb sammy f1
1tb sammy f1
OS installed on 500gb sammy.
Case TJ09.
So as you can see, i only really need to replace my cpu, mobo and ram.
What you got for me ? I cought the end of a previous thread of mine, somebody offered advice on an am3 system, but then mentioned theres a new am3 cpu coming out.
Andy.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Hmm... £300 might be a bit tight for an i7 system, but I'll give it a go at £400. I know it's 33% more than your budget, but it is worth considering, particularly now that the i9s are coming out on 1366 slots, which you will be able to upgrade too later.
MSI X58 PRO @ £132.45
Intel Core i7 920 D0 @ £204.90
6GB of CAS9 1333MHz RAM by Corsair @ £82.92
Total £420.27
Now that that's on the table, we'll see if we can find something closer to £300 if you're not happy spending £120 extra... probably an AMD X4 on an AM2+/AM3 board. I'm not to crash hot with the latest and greatest of AMD, however, as until recently I was purely focused on hardware related to the i7 for my new build. What I recommend you will probably be 9 months out of date when it comes to AMD stuff. :)
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Phenom II X4 955BE ~ £147
I was gonna recommend a 955... I was just worried it might be crap and some person would tell me off for not knowing anything! :P
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Cat, what watt is the 965 gonna be, and are those confirmed prices ? for its release i mean.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Cat, what watt is the 965 gonna be, and are those confirmed prices ? for its release i mean.
There was a leaked price on a website and it said £180:
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/prod...A-AP2965&af=50
Other websites are quoting around the £200 mark though:
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=p...l=en&scoring=p
The only one of these retailers I have dealt with though is Insight.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Other websites are quoting around the £200 mark though.
Still works out cheaper than the i7 system I quoted. And you'll still get a very decent performance out of it. The primary advantage of the i7 is 8 threads after all, and if you are playing older generation games having more threads is not much of an advantage.
The secondary advantage of the i7 however is how easy it is to overclock. :)
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Any particular reason you're upgrading the lot, and not just going for a Socket 775 quad? Like a Q8400, for instance - or even a Q9550? I'd've thought it's hard to better your Reaper, at least, in which case you could look at a top end AM3 CPU but put it in a top end AM2+ mobo?
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scaryjim
Any particular reason you're upgrading the lot, and not just going for a Socket 775 quad? Like a
Q8400, for instance - or even a
Q9550? I'd've thought it's hard to better your Reaper, at least, in which case you could look at a top end AM3 CPU but put it in a top end AM2+ mobo?
He has a 965 based motherboard so the upgrade options are more limited.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scaryjim
Any particular reason you're upgrading the lot, and not just going for a Socket 775 quad? Like a
Q8400, for instance - or even a
Q9550? I'd've thought it's hard to better your Reaper, at least, in which case you could look at a top end AM3 CPU but put it in a top end AM2+ mobo?
I was curious about this too, if your not going to stretch to an i7, why not drop in a quad core and depending if you can get use out of it, another 4GB RAM
just read CAT-THE-FIFTH's post, I googled DS3, wasn't sure if it was p35 or 965
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Main reason i want to do the lot is..ive had this config 2 years now, ive never kept a pc that long. Dont get me wrong..it serves me right, but nowadays alot of performance can be had for little money, just fancy a change.
And a sad reason...i HATE the push pin design on intel coolers, why cant they just use a retention bracket like amd.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
And a sad reason...i HATE the push pin design on intel coolers, why cant they just use a retention bracket like amd.
that's why I always get aftermarket coolers. :)
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nightkhaos
that's why I always get aftermarket coolers. :)
This freezer 7 pro is aftermarket.
Gotta remove the fan to get two pins out easier, just a general ball ache lol. Not sure if others are any better ?
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Do i go for that system today/tomorrow cat, or do i wait for the x4 965 ? Will there be much of a difference ?
Also what cooler is best for the am2/+/3.
cheers.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Do i go for that system today/tomorrow cat, or do i wait for the x4 965 ? Will there be much of a difference ?
Also what cooler is best for the am2/+/3.
cheers.
IMHO I personally think that unless the X4 965 reduces the price of X4 955 then there is not much difference TBH. It is like going from a stock cocked Q9550 to a Q9650. Unless you intend to overclock a lot I would stick with the stock cooler too as it seems good enough upto around 3.5ghz from what I have read. Before spending any extra money I would give it a try.
This article maybe of use to you though as it compares the stock heatsink to some aftermarket coolers:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/16744
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Main reason i want to do the lot is..ive had this config 2 years now, ive never kept a pc that long. Dont get me wrong..it serves me right, but nowadays alot of performance can be had for little money, just fancy a change.
And a sad reason...i HATE the push pin design on intel coolers, why cant they just use a retention bracket like amd.
Well, several Xigmatek coolers use a crossbox bracket on the back of the mobo and bolt-thru .... though it's an option, not supplied with the cooler as default. Just be careful to get the right crossbox, and there's several for different coolers.
As for an upgrade, how about ....
Asus P45 mobo .... from about £70 to £150, depending on what features you want. Assume £100 for a midpoint.
Intel Q9550 ..... around £160.
Xigmatel cooler and crossbox £25-£30-ish.
Cost, about £300. Oh, and use the same RAM as you already have.
If you want to go i7, flog the mobo, cpu and RAM, add you're £300 budget and you're about there .... though personally, I don't really see the benefit, other than paper specs.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Will the hx520 psu cope with either an am2 sys or the c2d quad sys.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Will the hx520 psu cope with either an am2 sys or the c2d quad sys.
Yes it will be fine. I am running an HD4830,4gb of DDR2,two hard drives,an optical drive,a card reader,an overclocked Q6600 and an overclocked HD4830 on a 400w PSU.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Tempted to go q9550 and Biostar TPower I45. And use the current ocz reaper ddr2 i have.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Tempted to go q9550 and Biostar TPower I45. And use the current ocz reaper ddr2 i have.
The Phenom II X4 955BE has a DDR2 memory controller too so you can use your DDR2 in an AM2+ motherboard.
For instance this Gigabyte looks very good for the price:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/GIGABYTE-GA-MA790X-UD3P
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=3107
It is a crossfire motherboard too like the Biostar.
With an X4 955 the total should be under £230.
Here are some other 790 series motherboards too:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-31-391-0
The other alternate is to see how much a Core i5 based setup will be next month.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
I think the two choices i have cat are.
x4 955, 4gb ddr3, gigabyte am3 mobo.
or..
keep my current ram, go q9550 and biostar mobo.
Dont really want to swap to am3 and still use ddr2 if that makes sense.
Which is the better performer ? Everywhere im reading the 955 scores lower than the q9550...but if im buying a c2d quad am i not just buying old technology compared to the am3 system ?
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Cat.
Would...
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/4GB-(...ered-CAS-9-DHX
Work with the 955be and ga-ma770t mobo ? Its only a few quid more than 1333mhz.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
I was going to ask about the motherboard seeing as gigabyte make
GA-965P-DS3
GA-EP35-DS3
GA-P35-DS3
GA-EP43-DS3
GA-EP45-DS3
they also make some amd based ds3 boards, but i ruled them out
Have you started with the basics like a better cooler and overclocking that e6600?
If you look at that review CAT linked the e8400 isn't really that far behind the Phenom II X4 955BE
And the e6600 is only very slightly slower than e8400 when both are at the same clock speed.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
I don't see the point in a new motherboard if your existing DS3 will support the Q6700 CPU which it should do. Mine overclocked to 3.33Ghz without any effort and got me from 2 to 4 cores on an older Gigabyte motherboard plus a load more cache on the CPU. All this adds up to a much better PC without much expense. The few games that do support 4 cores I am now happy with the performance.
A Q9550 will be slightly quicker and runs at 95W instead of 105W but at so much extra cost I wouldn't bother. Just wait and see what happens with the i5 before deciding on a major upgrade.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
The Phenom II can run only two channels of DDR3 at speeds of 1333mhz. However AMD processors are more sensitive to latency than outright memory speed. The advantage of the DDR3 1600mhz RAM is that it can run at 1333mhz at lower latencies hopefully.
These articles also examine the effect of DDR2 and DDR3 on the performance of the 955:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...55,2278-3.html
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3551&p=3
Still have you looked at the Q6700 as a drop in replacement for the E6600 as it will offer slightly higher than stock performance and two additional processing cores??
Also the Core i5 is coming out soon and looks promising.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
So..the phenom II wont run ddr3 1600mhz ?.
You seem against the am3 upgrade now cat ?
Dont really wanna buy the q9550 and mobo, then sell my mobo and cpu and be left with ram
when for the same cost.
I can buy the 955, mobo, ddr3 1333 4gb, and sell my mobo cpu and ram to get some funds back if that makes sense ?
So at stock clock speeds the phenom II will only run ddr3 1333mhz >
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
So..the phenom II wont run ddr3 1600mhz ?.
You seem against the am3 upgrade now cat ?
The Phenom will run it but at 1333mhz.
Not against the upgrade necessarily but I would want to wait until the Core i5 comes out if Intel keeps to the September release date. It would be negligence on my part if I just reccommended the Phenom only as an upgrade and 4 weeks later something came out for a bit more cash which was far better. The same goes for a Core2 quad upgrade. On top of this it should cause Phenom prices and Core2 prices to decrease a bit and as will the other bits. Also lower latency DDR3 running at lower voltage is also being released for the Core i5 launch and this may cause the existing higher latency stuff to drop in price too.
After all I am trying to recommend the best value for money upgrade.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
The Phenom will run it but at 1333mhz.
Not against the upgrade necessarily but I would want to wait until the Core i5 comes out if Intel keeps to the September release date. It would be negligence on my part if I just reccommended the Phenom only as an upgrade and 4 weeks later something came out for a bit more cash which was far better. The same goes for a Core2 quad upgrade. On top of this it should cause Phenom prices and Core2 prices to decrease a bit and as will the other bits. Also lower latency DDR3 running at lower voltage is also being released for the Core i5 launch and this may cause the existing higher latency stuff to drop in price too.
After all I am trying to recommend the best value for money upgrade.
I see what you mean, and whilst its nice to wait and see what is coming out, i kinda prefer to live in the NOW, so recommendation at this point in time cat, ignore the I5.
I just know if i dont buy the upgrades the money will either get spent on my bike (kawasaki 636), my car, or something else that i didnt really wanna spend anymore cash on lol.
Im tempted to buy another 24" dell before they get discontinued too, but pc takes first priority me thinks.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
The 955 is on today only now too at £140.29
hmmm, ide still have to drive a bit further and go to aria to pick up the gigabyte 770t anyway.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
I see what you mean, and whilst its nice to wait and see what is coming out, i kinda prefer to live in the NOW, so recommendation at this point in time cat, ignore the I5.
I just know if i dont buy the upgrades the money will either get spent on my bike (kawasaki 636), my car, or something else that i didnt really wanna spend anymore cash on lol.
Im tempted to buy another 24" dell before they get discontinued too, but pc takes first priority me thinks.
Ok,then I would go for the Phenom II X4 955BE!! :p Regarding the RAM I would look at lower latency 1333mhz RAM or normal 1600mhz RAM and run it at 1333mhz and lower latencies.
Also I would look at the HP LP2475W 24" monitor as with a discount code and quidco it comes to under £400!! :)
PS:- awesome bike you have!
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
Ok,then I would go for the Phenom II X4 955BE!! :p Regarding the RAM I would look at lower latency 1333mhz RAM or normal 1600mhz RAM and run it at 1333mhz and lower latencies.
Also I would look at the HP LP2475W 24" monitor as with a discount code and quidco it comes to under £400!! :)
PS:- awesome bike you have!
I was waiting for you to reply so i can go to scan/aria.
Lol cheers on the bike, il post a pic hang on...
http://i31.tinypic.com/6775p2.jpg
Quicky on the ram then cat seeing as ive been waiting for your reply so i can get going to scan and aria..which do i go for, im a fan of both ocz and corsair.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/4GB-(...d-CAS-9-9-9-24
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/4GB-(...ered-CAS-9-DHX
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
I would go for the DDR3 1600mhz ram and I would run it a 1333mhz with low latencies.
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Should i buy an aftermarket cooler whilst im there cat ?
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Should i buy an aftermarket cooler whilst im there cat ?
It depends if you want to overclock or not!
If not the stock should be fine:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/16744/1
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Catttttyyyy im back.....
Bought the 955be from scan on today only.
the 1600 corsair dominator.
then tripped to aria and bought the gigabyte ma770t-ud3p.
Did a bench test, and without touching anything the ram runs at 1066mhz :S, so i went into the bios did the " manually set multiplier" jobby, tested it at 1333mhz, it booted fine, tested it at 1600mhz, it booted fine, when i say booted i mean it turned on and then said insert system drive (no hdd's plugged in yet.)
Although the dram voltage is set to auto..stock its like 1.5v, this dominator says like 1.8v on the actual dimms !?
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Catttttyyyy im back.....
Bought the 955be from scan on today only.
the 1600 corsair dominator.
then tripped to aria and bought the gigabyte ma770t-ud3p.
Did a bench test, and without touching anything the ram runs at 1066mhz :S, so i went into the bios did the " manually set multiplier" jobby, tested it at 1333mhz, it booted fine, tested it at 1600mhz, it booted fine, when i say booted i mean it turned on and then said insert system drive (no hdd's plugged in yet.)
Although the dram voltage is set to auto..stock its like 1.5v, this dominator says like 1.8v on the actual dimms !?
With most of these higher speed DDR3 dimms you will need to set the voltage manually so I would check the Corsair website for details.
Now all you need is an HD4890 to replace that "slow" 8800GT!! :p
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CAT-THE-FIFTH
With most of these higher speed DDR3 dimms you will need to set the voltage manually so I would check the Corsair website for details.
Now all you need is an HD4890 to replace that "slow" 8800GT!! :p
Did i not post in here ?
I replaced my 8800gt last week...with an xfx Hd 4890 ;).
With regards to the ram voltage, would it fail to post if the voltage was incorrect ? As it posted fine at 1066, 1333, and 1600mhz !
Andy.
EDIT : And i like the "slow" 8800gt comment, im taking your in agreement with me that although the 8800gt is now dated, it can still hold its own in modern games.
On here...
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/106742...y/Product.html
Its listed @ 1.5v ? Unless the 1.8v is what it can go up to ?
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Re: MY own computer upgrade finally, advice needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modd1uk
Did i not post in here ?
I replaced my 8800gt last week...with an xfx Hd 4890 ;).
With regards to the ram voltage, would it fail to post if the voltage was incorrect ? As it posted fine at 1066, 1333, and 1600mhz !
Andy.
EDIT : And i like the "slow" 8800gt comment, im taking your in agreement with me that although the 8800gt is now dated, it can still hold its own in modern games.
On here...
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/106742...y/Product.html
Its listed @ 1.5v ? Unless the 1.8v is what it can go up to ?
Regarding the 8800GT it is still a capable card otherwise Nvidia would not have rebranded it another two times(9800GT and GTS240)!! :p
This is the spec sheet according to Corsair:
http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/TW3X4G1600C9DHX.pdf
It says 1.8v at 1600mhz. I would try the lowest voltage between 1.5v and 1.8v which is stable for 1333mhz with low latencies.
