Computer upgrade check (psu etc)

oxygene

oxygene

oxygene

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ok I am hoping to upgrade my puter soon. but not sure if the PSU will handle the new spec, or if theres anything else I need to change.

Old spec:
Amd 64 3000
2gb ddr
crappy mobo
X800 pro
PSU -Tagan 480W
case - cheiftek
soundblaster audigy 4

new system (hopefully)
E6600
Abit Fatal1ty FP-IN9 SLi nForce 650 (Socket 775)
Ati 2900XT
4gb ram

So the question stands. would this new system be fine on my odl power supply?
Also what is a good custom cpu cooler these days if I wanted to OC to 3ghz? and would it fit in my case :p
 
If the case is a Chieftec Dragon then pretty much any CPU cooler should fit, they are monsters of cases. :D I'd recommend either a Noctua NH-U12F or Tuniq Tower.

Your existing PSU should be fine in terms of power capabilities, is it ATX2.0 compliant? If not you will need 20-24pin adapter for the motherboard and a molex-PCI-E adapter for the graphics card. :)
 
semi-pro waster said:
If not you will need 20-24pin adapter for the motherboard and a molex-PCI-E adapter for the graphics card. :)
Click to expand...

IMHO and experience, not the best route to go down with this level of kit, especially on an older PSU - (They become less efficient, stable and robust with age ;) )
 
yah I am still split between an actual upgrade or a fully new build. The price difference is like £400, but could be worth it.

and yes, it is the Dragon case. pit its not great for fans, only 1 rear really. And the front door broke off a year back. Whats a good case these days?
 
on another note, everyones saying those 2900 XT's run hot yet theres only heatpipe cooling available, and no custom coolers. Are there some coming?
 
AndyOcUK said:
IMHO and experience, not the best route to go down with this level of kit, especially on an older PSU - (They become less efficient, stable and robust with age ;) )
Click to expand...

This is true but the advice is if he wants to keep the cost down. If the Tagan is ATX2.0 compliant then he doesn't need the adapters and it ought to be fine anyway. :)

oxygene said:
And the front door broke off a year back. Whats a good case these days?
Click to expand...

I took the door off my case years ago because it was more of a pain than a benefit. The Lian-Li PC7+ comes highly recommended for ~£50 or the Akasa Zen is a decent cheaper option at ~£30.
 
sweet, dont think the PSU is atx 2.0, it doesnt even have sata power connectors, needed an adapter. then again the mobo connector does have 2 / 3 different ways to connect. But prolly better to get a whole new psu...

I am getting more and more tempted by a new system.
Just written up a pricelist for the upgrade, then another for an uber poser pc.

Doc:
newpc.jpg
 
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If the PSU is old then I would go with AndyOcUKs advice and buy a new PSU. You could save a bit of money by getting the Corsair HX 520w instead of the Tagan plus it is modular.

I don't know if the soundcard is strictly necessary unless you have very good speakers, onboard sound is pretty decent these days or just pick up one of the cheaper X-Fi cards without the Fatal1ty branding.

I'd drop the Ram cooler as well unless you are going to be seriously overclocking because the Ram will be unlikely to get all that hot otherwise. Apart from that it should be a nice system. :)
 
yah I went for that psu cause I wasnt sure what was needed and it sounded pretty violent :p A modular is def what I want, and you'd know why if you looked into one of my cases. As for the sound, I heard so many good things about x-fi, but it is an optional extra I spoise as I have audigy 4 on 7.1 atm.
As for the ram cooler. Prolly wont be overclocking much. How much would I need to go if the cpu is going from 2.4 to 3/3.2 ghz? Would that effect the ram much?
 
I updated the price list above now too. Its taken the price down a nice chunk and it would still be an uber machine. Any other suggestions are welcome
 
another quick question. Whats peoples views on 4gb ram? 2gb runs fine under vista cept for a few memory holes in progs. Are things like spore or crysis gonna use up this much!? Unlikely. I could get 2gb of faster ram for £60 less.
 
ok looks like my lump sum of money wont be going towards a new computer. Tescos have skrewed me over for my summer hours! I need the money for rent.
 
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