Cheap simple upgrade available??

ndaar · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:29

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.

cmndr_andi · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:36

I would still suggest going with an SSD, even if you only have SATA 2. SSDs really shine (compared to mechanical HDDs) due to their tiny response times and fast random read/write speeds - both of these things won't be compromised much by the SATA 2 interface.

As for a new CPU, the i5 750 is a really nice CPU even today. Before you even consider replacing it I would suggest overclocking it to 4GHz and see if anything you do is being dragged down by the performance of the CPU.

d_brennen · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:37

SATA II is more than enough for a mid range ssd. Personally I'd just save your money bulldozer you could pop an Agility in there

s7cn · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:40

SSD might be good for you, depends what you really use your PC for. How about doing some overclocking on your CPU for a free performance gain?

ndaar · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:44

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.

cmndr_andi · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:51

I would suggest a 120-128GB SSD as you should be able to fit windows, all your key apps and a few games on it relatively easily (with 60-64GB things are very tight). As for which drive to go for, I would suggest this one. They don't seem to have the same reliability issues the sf2200 drives like the agility 3 have suffered.

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

If you want to invest in a better cooler - then I would really recommend this one. It's a bit expensive and big, but it is one of the very best air coolers and is really quiet (due to the large low speed fans).

s7cn · 9 Oct 2011 at 22:58

I considered getting a 60gb version as well but ended up getting a 120, and I'm already using 100/120gb

and thats mainly Windows, photoshop and a few other "big" programs!

ndaar · 9 Oct 2011 at 23:17

cmndr_andi said:
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

cmndr_andi · 9 Oct 2011 at 23:18

Ah, in that case I would suggest investing in a better cooler, as with a high-end CPU cooler (like the silver arrow I linked to above) those i5 750 chips will happily go to 4.0-4.2GHz.

ndaar · 9 Oct 2011 at 23:30

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.

cmndr_andi · 9 Oct 2011 at 23:38

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).

ndaar · 9 Oct 2011 at 23:44

cmndr_andi said:
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

cmndr_andi · 10 Oct 2011 at 00:00

ndaar said:
Notice the silver arrow you suggested is out of stock currently though.

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?

ndaar · 10 Oct 2011 at 00:46

cmndr_andi said:
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 · 11 Oct 2011 at 22:27

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.

SheepBeast · 12 Oct 2011 at 01:10

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.

ndaar · 14 Oct 2011 at 14:21

SheepBeast said:
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

stulid · 14 Oct 2011 at 14:41

Also, since those benchmarks were complied there has been a newer firmware (009) that boosts performance again of the M4 SSD.