Old build refresh - best 2nd hand CPU starting point

slipd · 25 Apr 2020 at 23:59

Hi guys,

I've been using my 'second build' a lot since the Lockdown; its had more use in the last month than in the past 4 years probably

I do all sorts on it, apart from gaming. That's done on my sig rig.

The setup in question is based around a Q6600, with 4GB DDR2. It has a capable SSD and a dedicated SoundBlaster, proper old Skool... even in web browsing/Spofity/video playback, I've begun to feel restricted with it. I'm not complaining, its just showing its age I guess. Plus, I've been spending a lot more time on it, then comparing it to my gaming setup/Dell XPS work i7 laptop.

I'm really after advice on what 2nd hand path way to go down; AMD or Intel - which chip will give me the starting point I need to build the rest of the setup around. Motherboard and RAM is the only other stuff I will be changing, if anyone wants to make a recommendation that too, thanks.

Obviously I want the obvious increase in CPU/memory performance but USB 3.0 would be very welcome and maybe M.2 at a push? Most boards from the past 10 years have gigabit LAN, so I'm taking that for granted. The current setup is also only 32-bit, so I'll be cracking out one of my retail 64-bit 10 licenses that I bought at launch...

£100 is my starting budget. If I'm really convinced, this might be subject to change

Thanks.

pugheaven · 26 Apr 2020 at 02:59

Well mate, to start you off I have a spare i7-3820 Quad Core LGA2011 that will go in a nice X79 Motherboard hanging around you can have! it's been running 4624mhz 100% for 9 years until last week when I slapped a different CPU in this board.

X79 was without doubt one of the best chipsets ever released hence why they command good prices on auction sites etc. However if you can find one, it'll last for ages, I've got no problems running everything on mine at 4k with zero problems.

El Jimben · 26 Apr 2020 at 10:42

First gen Ryzen would give you a decent boost over what you have currently & you might be able to pickup some bits in the MM if you're quick. There was a bundle that sold recently that's within your budget - https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/r5-1600-mobo-ram.18883165/

slipd · 26 Apr 2020 at 15:19

Thanks both! I will look into it... always used to be into my AMD stuff but switched to Intel in 2011 and it's still an influence now when I system building for others. My main is long overdue an overhaul and I was looking at building it around a 3700x - but that's for another thread.

Thanks for the linkage@El Jimbenm, that did seem like a great price.

So, the first Ryzen's. AM4/2017? Still quite new/slight overkill perhaps? I'll keep my eyes peeled on the MM :cool:

jigger · 26 Apr 2020 at 15:28

A 1600AF would be a good option.

Tetras · 26 Apr 2020 at 19:02

Since CPUs have been so stagnant between Sandy and Ryzen, it's hard to do massive upgrades for pennies. My choice would be hand-me-down your Sandy and get a 3700X for your main.

Cyber-Mav · 26 Apr 2020 at 21:42

slipd said:
in web browsing/Spofity/video playback,

Thats odd. The q6600 should be more than capable of handling those tasks. Granted 4k video playback will need dedicated gpu assist so a better gfx card e.g. gt1030 or so would do.

slipd · 26 Apr 2020 at 22:31

Tetras said:
Since CPUs have been so stagnant between Sandy and Ryzen, it's hard to do massive upgrades for pennies. My choice would be hand-me-down your Sandy and get a 3700X for your main.

This is something I've weighed up before actually... knowing the way I work things though, I'd probably end up without both computers at the same time

Still a possible though.

Cyber-Mav said:
Thats odd. The q6600 should be more than capable of handling those tasks. Granted 4k video playback will need dedicated gpu assist so a better gfx card e.g. gt1030 or so would do.

Do you know, I can't recall what is was I was doing but Task Manager was on and I was constantly topping 4GB - and I don't have paging enabled. Everything was getting sluggish! I'm spoilt with my alternatives, so I guess I notice it more. 32 bit Windows is probably quite restrictive I'd imagine?

Cyber-Mav · 27 Apr 2020 at 02:19

Your original post said you have 8gb ram. So why are you running 32bit?
Speed of a system is as much to do with the configuration as it is to do with the hardware. Someone who is clued up can get greater efficiency from an older setup then the average noob.
Kids these days just throw more hardware at the situation. Those who grew up with 386's and upwards over the years will know what older hardware is capable of and will give it the respect it deserves.

slipd · 27 Apr 2020 at 15:32

Cyber-Mav said:
Your original post said you have 8gb ram. So why are you running 32bit?
Speed of a system is as much to do with the configuration as it is to do with the hardware. Someone who is clued up can get greater efficiency from an older setup then the average noob.
Kids these days just throw more hardware at the situation. Those who grew up with 386's and upwards over the years will know what older hardware is capable of and will give it the respect it deserves.

Good spot! My bad - no, it only has 4GB, that's all the board supports. The build was initially cobbled together from bits I was accumulating in my role as a techie. - I would not have ever bought a 32 bit myself, it was a reclaimed key.

I'm using her now, and today its okay. A few spreadsheets, bit of emailing etc. But as soon as I fire up more than about 5 Chrome tabs, or use Spotify she starts to creek! It's not her fault, I know

I think reading/writing to my NAS at the same time is congesting things also - only 100MB lan.

Cyber-Mav · 27 Apr 2020 at 16:51

what chipset does the board use? even the old p35 chipset supported 8gb ram. 16gb was possible on p45 if i remember correctly. some boards had ddr2 and ddr3 capability although cant use both types at the same time. think those were gigabyte boards.
check the board get pic of it if you can. first step would be to see if it can get to 8gb ram. chrome always eats the ram up.

Tetras · 27 Apr 2020 at 18:30

slipd said:
Good spot! My bad - no, it only has 4GB, that's all the board supports. The build was initially cobbled together from bits I was accumulating in my role as a techie. - I would not have ever bought a 32 bit myself, it was a reclaimed key.

I'm using her now, and today its okay. A few spreadsheets, bit of emailing etc. But as soon as I fire up more than about 5 Chrome tabs, or use Spotify she starts to creek! It's not her fault, I know

I think reading/writing to my NAS at the same time is congesting things also - only 100MB lan.

My Windows 10 installs use 3GB+ doing nothing, so I'm not surprised that Chrome kills it with only 4GB.

slipd · 27 Apr 2020 at 19:03

Cyber-Mav said:
what chipset does the board use? even the old p35 chipset supported 8gb ram. 16gb was possible on p45 if i remember correctly. some boards had ddr2 and ddr3 capability although cant use both types at the same time. think those were gigabyte boards.
check the board get pic of it if you can. first step would be to see if it can get to 8gb ram. chrome always eats the ram up.

This is she:

Almost certain it only supports 4GB in total...

Edit: yup, I was right.

"4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 4 GB of system memory"

Cyber-Mav · 27 Apr 2020 at 21:23

Is that 4 ram slots that support 4gb sticks per slot? Or a single ram slot that supports 1 stick of 4gb.

You need to provide the motherboard model number because socket 775 deffo supports more than 4gb of ram.

slipd · 27 Apr 2020 at 21:30

Cyber-Mav said:
Is that 4 ram slots that support 4gb sticks per slot? Or a single ram slot that supports 1 stick of 4gb.

You need to provide the motherboard model number because socket 775 deffo supports more than 4gb of ram.

Yep, 4GB in total. Can you not see my piccy; its a Gigabyte EP31-DS3L

Cyber-Mav · 27 Apr 2020 at 21:40

Yes i see the pic now it didnt show up earlier.

P31 chipset thats really unlucky there. Had it had been the p35 8gb would be a straight drop in.

Methanoid · 10 May 2020 at 13:16

@slipd if you do upgrade and want to move on that mobo, give me a shout please

humbug · 10 May 2020 at 13:27

slipd said:
This is she:

Almost certain it only supports 4GB in total...

Edit: yup, I was right.

"4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 4 GB of system memory"

That box art... brings back memories.

Methanoid · 10 May 2020 at 13:27

I had this board back in the day (obviously not HIS board but same model!)

slipd · 10 May 2020 at 14:22

@Methanoid - sorry, only just saw your post! All my vintage bits are/have been selling on a popular auction website... "EP31-DS3L"

@humbug - watch this space, I've got plenty more like that coming soon, I'm going through my lofts at a rate of knots