Time to Upgrade?

[Nabobalis]

So, I got some spare cash for now , so I thought I'll get a upgrade for my PC. I'm not sure what to do with it.

I got:

Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
4GB DDR2 800MHz
Nvidia 8800GTX

My thoughts, was maybe the new ATI 4000/5000 series, but my CPU might bottleneck the GPU. Or a new motherboard/CPU combo but that means a new copy of Windows.

I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 but I don't really like how big it is.

Also my Antec P182 is getting rather damaged since I keep moving my PC from house to house.

Just don't know if anything would be worth the money right now.

[circuitmonkey]

I'd keep CPU, with that Cooler there is no reason why it shouldn't over-clock to over 3Ghz and I would doubt that would bottle neck any modern GPU be it 4000 or 5000 series. If it was my machine I would replace the GPU with one of the new ATI 5000 series and buy 3 new monitors, but then I value screen real-estate more then anything.

[ajones]

I don't see any need to replace the Q6600 to be honest. That graphics card is possibly the weakest part, but can't see it struggling with your 19" screen. Unless you move to Win7 then the memory is OK which only leaves the HDDs which is really expensive to move to SSDs at the moment.

I'd suggest you don't need to upgrade at the moment, unless you've either got money burning a hole in your pocket, or can't wait a couple of months to see what Fermi brings to the table.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If you overclock the Q6600 to around 3GHZ it will be fine and even the 8800GTX should be fine still with most games.

Have you considered moving over to an SFF build??

You could always get a mATX motherboard and a mATX case like a Sugo SG03 or a mini-P180.

[scaryjim]

You have exactly the same main rig as me, by the sound of it. I really can't see why you'd even consider upgrading it - at the very most get yourself a really good aftermarket cooler and overclock your Q6600 a bit. If you want to upgrade anything, I'd suggest a new monitor - something in the 20" 1650 x 1080 resolution area perhaps - your existing rig should be able to cope with that nicely and it'll make your games look a lot prettier

[circuitmonkey]

You have exactly the same main rig as me, by the sound of it.

Really.... Cause your sig system suggests otherwise

[Domestic_Ginger]

I would stick too unless what you're doing is struggling.

Value wise your system will depreciate but not as quickly as a new one!

[Pob255]

Yat the very most get yourself a really good aftermarket cooler and overclock your Q6600 a bit.

Ummm

I have a Thermalright Ultra 120 but I don't really like how big it is.

Overclock that q6600
A larger monitor, possibly keep the old one for a dual monitor setup.

How about putting some wheels on your case so it's easier to move about

[scaryjim]

Really.... Cause your sig system suggests otherwise

Where does it say my sig system is my main rig?

Ummm ...

Ooops, minor reading fail

[Ulti]

You could go for a new graphics card because if I recall correctly, the GTX uses 2 6 pin PCI-E connectors which suggest high power draw.

Also, as others are saying, overclock that CPU!

To be honest though, any upgrades will not show that much in performance (except on benchmarks)

[scaryjim]

You could go for a new graphics card because if I recall correctly, the GTX uses 2 6 pin PCI-E connectors which suggest high power draw.

This much is true, the GTX is a bit of a power hog. A newer graphics card will draw a lot less power; if you're concerned about your electricity bills something like a Radeon HD5750 would be a reasonable bet @ ~£100.

[peackshelb]

If I had your rig the first place I'd splash some spare cash would definitely be on a monitor upgrade. Depending on your usage, a 24inch VA or IPS based screen or even a decent 1080p VA or IPS based TV 32inch or larger makes for a great upgrade. Especially, as the GPU doesn't work any harder than for a 1080p 24inch monitor, but for many games a decent quality large LCD TV screen is amazing (can be had for around £500 if you find a good deal). Just depends on your usage if the TV or smaller monitor is the way to go.

[Nabobalis]

This much is true, the GTX is a bit of a power hog. A newer graphics card will draw a lot less power; if you're concerned about your electricity bills something like a Radeon HD5750 would be a reasonable bet @ ~£100.

How much better is than the 8800GTX? Is the 8800GTX about the same as the 9800GTX?

[Pob255]

I think the 5750 would be behind or about equal to the 8800gtx in performance.
the 8800gtx and 9800gtx (original) where pritty much neck and neck, it was one of the major complaints of the 9800gtx

The gts250 (aka 9800gtx+ with lower power demands) is slightly ahead of the 5750

So a 5770 which is ahead of the gts250 is the one you should look at.

But I still say overclock and new monitor first, try it out first and if you don't think the performance is up to it, then new graphics card.