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Answer» Hi there guys!
Im here basically because i need to do some upgrades to my desktop computer and need some guidance since hardware wasn't always my strong point and EVERYTHING just gets updated daily nowadays!!
Right, my rig is as follows :
Motherboard - ASUS P5N-E SLI
CPU : Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
RAM : 2( Yes still 2!!)GB Corsair XMS2 CM2X1024-6400C4 DDR2-800 (400 MHz)
Graphics Card : GeForce 8800 GTS
HDD : a 320GB SATA connected to what i believe it is a SATA 2 cable + an IDE 320 GB and another 2.5 SATA i just saved from a laptop.
windows 7 Professional
I dont think the rest are relevant so ill leave it as is and if you need any more info ill just reply with it!!!
What i need is a well balanced and capable rig. I am not the most hardcore gamer ever but i do LIKE playing a lot of the newest and most demanding games for example i would like to see how CRYSIS 2 would run or maybe that Russian FPS and some new car games e.t.c.
I also multitask a lot. I might have 30-40 tabs open, working in Microsoft Visual studio, watching 720p video streaming or downloaded and some other stuff at once which at this point is a PAIN in the *** since i only got 2 ram and Virtual just doesnt work as fast...
I dont want the most expensive and most future proof stuff but not the cheapest either.
I know i need new RAM which i had a look around but theres soo many that im not sure where to go so:
- What RAM would be best for my system and my requirements?
- Do i need a new Mobo or the one ive got is still good to go with new processors and Graphics Cards?
- Ive noticed that my graphics card is really capable still today but not at everything. For example Crysis 1 with full settings would run at about 10 15 frames??? Do i need a new one and which one would be best for value for money?
- Could i perhaps SLI 2 cards together? Maybe buy a new 8800 GTS? or another card? Is that possible?
- New CPU perhaps? I hear the new "i" processors are pretty good. Should i upgrade my processor as well?
- Im looking to spend around 300-400 Euros approx maybe less if possible.
Basically the only thing im really wondering about is if i need a new mobo. Im also going to get a new case so if it really needs everything to be upgraded i might as well sell it and get a new rig.
Thank you in advance for any help!
Sander.
Your current "rig" would probably be quite adequate for most users however given your desires in the "gaming arena i think i would tend toward this scenario "i might as well sell it and get a new rig." You are prepared to spend an amount " Im looking to spend around 300-400 Euros" which here in N.A. would get you a more robust computer capable of your needs. Sometimes it is like an automobile power increase by for instance changing or boosting the engine H.P then if you don't also change the drive-train you will have a problem. As an example in a computer if your increase the CPU demands you will have to also improve the PSU (and perhaps other components as well). If you want the pleasure (maybe) of doing an enhancement to your current computer then go for it. But if the objective is (with minimum hassle) to get to the point of a computer that will immediately meet your "needs" then i believe a computer replacement would be your best bet. Others may not agree. truenorthThanks for the reply.
Actually thats true. I would need extra cooling probably a new PSU and some other stuff....
I agree that the easiest solution is to go for a new system all together but i would then have to sell this one. And honestly im not sure im gonna get as much as i want for it. I could as well sell some of the stuff individually and turn it into a server or something like that...
Anyway what i need for the moment is some memory so i will try to upgrade that and see how far it gets me until i can afford a new one.
Any help on that?
Im thinking OCZ Platinum 1600 or Kingston HyperX at 2000MHz ?
I could also add 2 more 2GB modules but would it have to be of the same ones i already got on?
Thanks!!If your temporary objective is to increase the performance (more speed usually) of your current computer then it is generally accepted that dollar for dollar money spent on RAM is going to give you the most bang for the buck (or Euro in your case . What i would suggest that you do is run a free scan with the "Crucial" RAM scan software 1st. It will define what you have and tell you the MAX that your computer is capable of handling. Be careful though as often it will say recommend an upgrade to 4 GB but then your computer specs will only recognize 3 GB. So do a bit of research 1st. Also ALWAYS match the RAM (not only what you add but also with what is already in the machine). Just back to my original suggestion and your legitimate concerns re money to expend. You could pay up to $100.00 for a RAM upgrade and you will NOT recover that when and if you decide to sell it. truenorth I neither a memory expert nor a video card expert; my comments here are just my opinion.
See http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=P5N-E%20SLI for memory options from Crucial.com. They guarantee compatibility. However, OCZ and Kingston are probably fine choices. I believe Kingston has a memory selector tool on their website to help you choose the right memory; I'm not familiar with OCZ.
Your motherboard is SLI-capable, right? So, I'm guessing that a second video card, one with the same graphics chip as your current card, could be combined with your current card. Quote from: truenorth on February 27, 2011, 11:02:38 AM " Im looking to spend around 300-400 Euros" which here in N.A. would get you a more robust computer capable of your needs.
my machine cost me over $1000 Canadian Dollars. 400 euros is 538 Canadian Dollars. My machine cost over twice the price being proposed as being able to buy a more robust computer capable of their needs. Thing is, the machine they have is perfectly capable of meeting those needs, since almost everything they say they need I do all the time; As I type this I have 37 Tabs open total in two firefox windows, Camtasia Studio, Two instances of Visual Studio 2008, VLC Media player, MIRC, Editpad Pro, Winamp, Powerarchiver (which is currently archiving a backup to my external) and FLStudio which is in the process of rendering. I can switch between the programs without any noticable slowdown at all; I could probably run Just Cause 2 in addition to it with only minor slowdown issues.
Basically, I cannot fathom being able to get a machine better then that one for that low a price; particularly since, to my understanding, electronics and computer equipment is often more expensive there. And his current machine is perfectly capable of it.
Quote - What RAM would be best for my system and my requirements?
The question is somewhat disingenuous. As you noted yourself you already know you need more RAM. There is no special RAM you can get; any RAM purporting to be "gaming" RAM is a outright lie. Just get some more RAM. You might have to remove the RAM you already have depending on how it is configured; if you have 4 slots and each one has a 512MB stick you'll need to replace them all. (I have 4 slots, each with a 2GB stick; they are all the exact same brand and specs as well)
Quote - Do i need a new Mobo or the one ive got is still good to go with new processors and Graphics Cards?
i5 and i7 processors cannot be installed in Socket 755, to my understanding. I'm also assuming I remember the socket name properly. Either way I'm quite certain it uses a new slot.
Quote - Ive noticed that my graphics card is really capable still today but not at everything. For example Crysis 1 with full settings would run at about 10 15 frames??? Do i need a new one and which one would be best for value for money?
I doubt your being bottlenecked by the GPU; I have a 9800GT and usually get a steady 60fps on High.
Quote - Could i perhaps SLI 2 cards together? Maybe buy a new 8800 GTS? or another card? Is that possible?
you could try a 9800GT or a newer card. Or, you could get more RAM, most likely that is why your FPS is low.
Quote - New CPU perhaps? I hear the new "i" processors are pretty good. Should i upgrade my processor as well?
You cannot upgrade to an i5 or i7 or any of those. To my knowledge they use a different socket and would need a new motherboard.
QuoteBasically the only thing im really wondering about is if i need a new mobo.
Probably not. If you get more RAM you may want to make sure you are using a 64-bit Windows OS.
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