Cheap simple upgrade available??

[ndaar]

As you can see from my signature im running an I5 750 system which i built at the end of 2009.
Obviously its on the older 1156 socket and the mobo is limited to sata 2 so dont see the point in a ssd as it really needs sata3 to shine and cant sli as the second pci runs at x4.
I recently changed GPU from an ati 5770 to the msi 560ti 2gig so GPU is ok.
Im curious if im missing an easy upgrade option without obviously changeing mobo and processor to 1155?
Otherwise ill wait till next year and see what new developments are made.

 

[ndaar]

Yeah have though about an overclock....it was originaly bought as a bundle so the CPU has a zalman cnp510x heat sink on it so im sure it will go higher.

as for ssd would you go for the:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-075-OC&tool=3

or go for the 120gig version? ive looked at ssd several times but always get put off by the recent reviews saying they have had problems with firmware on them.

Oh and i use my computer pretty much every day, play games past and present, watch dvds, do work, bit of everything.

 

[ndaar]

As for overclocking, how hot does your CPU get under full load (using a stress tester like prime 95) when overclocked to 3.3GHz.

At its current clock of 3.3GHZ

Useing prime 95 tortue test the results are:

CPU: 75C

after stopping the tortue test the results drop to:

CPU:40C

 

[ndaar]

I thought the zalman heat sinks were ok?? oh CPU has fallen down to 31C now that its cooled a bit. I have ordered a 120mm case fan the other day as there is no rear case fan so not sure if that will make a bit of an impact, obviously that is cheaper than a new heat sink.

 

[ndaar]

Sorry, is that the CNPS10X you are currently using?

If so, it is a decent cooler, but certainly not one of the best. This review compares it to a Thermalright IFX-14 (an earlier version of the silver arrow).

As you say, you really need a rear case fan when running an overclocked quad core CPU - so you get get good case airflow. But please bear in mind that it may not provide a massive performance improvement for CPU temps at load (which a new CPU cooler like the Silver arrow would provide).

Thanks for the advice, ill fit the rear case fan when it gets here monday runs some tests and then work out if i need a new cooler Notice the silver arrow you suggested is out of stock currently though. Also ill look at a 120ssd. Cheers guys

 

[ndaar]

Aye, it's just that popular. It is often a recommended bit of kit for high end builds here on OCUK, since it beats the performance of ~£100 closed water cooling kits while being quieter and much cheaper.

Going for the case fan first is a good idea, best to try it out and see if it helps much. If it doesn't help enough then a new cooler like the silver arrow would be a very nice upgrade and allow you to achieve a really nice overclock.

I'm no expert on overclocking the i5, but may I ask what settings (voltages mainly) you have used to achieve your current 3.3GHz overclock?

Soz id logged off LOL
Hmm CPU-Z says:

When the CPU is running in x20 multiplier its 1.248V (reads the CPU @3497.0) &
when its running in x9 multiplier its 0.96V (reads CPU @1499.0)

Bus speed 166MHZ

So its actualy running slightly above 3.3. I didnt do the overclock it was pre done for me.

 

[ndaar]

fitted the rear case fan. system idles at at around 28c and tortue test gets to 60c so the rear fan has made a nice difference its dropped a few degrees off the GPU as well.

 

[ndaar]

this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-009-CR&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=1427

is the SSD to get. very reliable and a good brand and price. as you can see from the benchmarks below it absolutely destroys the OCZ agility 3

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/425?vs=371

don't be fooled by the higher quoted sequential read/write speeds on the agility 3. in real world uses it's 4k read which makes the biggest difference in noticeable things. furthermore, even in the few situations in which the agility 3 would outperform the m4, in many cases it would be prevented from doing so by the SATA2 interface.

Thanks for your advice im ordering it in a few weeks when i got the money