Core 2 Upgrade Advice Suggestions Welcome

evergreen

evergreen

evergreen

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Joined
15 Jan 2006
Posts
14
Hi

I have an old socket 478 based system

SPECS are

Abit IC7 Max3
P4 Northwood 3.4GHz
Corsair XMS 3700 1GB kit
Gainward 6800GT Golden Sample
2 x 74GB Raptor RAID 1 on Intel ICH5R
2 x 120GB Caviar SE RAID 1 on Sil 3114
Antec 480W True Blue PSU

I guess that is the relevant bits I want to reuse the majority of components and only replace Mobo, GFX MEM and CPU

I was thinking of the following

ASUS P5W-DH
2GB Geil Cas 4 PC6400 DDR2
1.86GHz Core 2
ATI 1900XT
Zalman Cooler

All in about £650ish for the upgrade

I'm hoping to get 400MHz FSB out the setup so I can clock the Core 2 to 2.8GHz i heard the Asus can struggle to get much above this without volt modding the NB (420 to 440 seems to be the limit).

I play mainly HL2 CSS Dow and Battlefield

I know the nvidia boards would kick the ATI in to touch in Dow

But the 1900xt seems for most games to be faster than a 7900GT which is the comparable part from Nvidia in terms of price.

Would I need a PSU upgrade or can I continue to use my Antec unit.

Any thoughts suggestions would be most welcome

Many thanks guys sorry if these have been asked b4 but OCUK seems to have some nice this week only deals this week. :)
 
You should be ok with that power supply. Wouldn't want anything much less though - from what I've been told.

Your spec is very similar to one I've just put together aswell. Only difference is I'm going for the E6400 2.13Ghz and the ATI x1800XT 256Mb. The graphics card should provide petter performance than a stock x1900GT, but perhaps not quite the same level as the x1900XT - however, it wouldn't be far off and it would save you a fair amount of cash.

From the reviews I've read, I also change the cpu cooler to the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (£23.44 inc VAT). Provides excellent cpu cooling with the added benefit of helping exhaust hot air from within the case.

But I guess those are personal choices rather than necessary alterations to your spec. If you're happy with it, go for it - lucky beggar!! :)
 
Thanks for reply matey gonna order that i think but change cooler to Tuniq Tower 120. New toy yum yum.

Now what shall I do with that old stuff hmmm?

Anyone know if i can port the Sil 3112 RAID array straight on to the Sil 4723. I'm guessing probably not but you never know?
 
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Was gonna go for the Gskill "G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400 (2x1GB) CAS4 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ)" but the geil is cheaper. I figure as long as I can hit 40MHz FSB then I can run the RAM at 800MHz and not bother clocking it.

Really want an Nvidia board as most of my cards get moved in to my linux boxes but I just can't justify it on the price/performance ratio.

Come on ATI build some decent linux drivers ffs.
 
m3lv1n said:
Was gonna go for the Gskill "G.Skill 2GB DDR2 HZ PC2-6400 (2x1GB) CAS4 Dual Channel Kit (F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ)" but the geil is cheaper. I figure as long as I can hit 40MHz FSB then I can run the RAM at 800MHz and not bother clocking it.

Really want an Nvidia board as most of my cards get moved in to my linux boxes but I just can't justify it on the price/performance ratio.

Come on ATI build some decent linux drivers ffs.
Click to expand...
The Geil is marginally cheaper, I'd still go for the GSkill.

Your signature is in breach of forum rules as well btw.. ;)
 
Awww crap only have 20 pin power on my antec :mad:

Its under 500 characters is it still in breach if so I'll change it :)
 
Opps yeah adjusted sig think its ok now.

I have an Antec True Power 430W which has 24pin power in another box I could switch it but would it be gutsy enough for the new rig?

I will be clocking the conroe the ATI card if possible but thats not so important.

Gutted to say the least I was just about to click on the purchase button.

If not I was looking at these

Antec NeoHE 500W Modular ATX2.0 £70.44

Enermax Liberty 500W ELT500AWT ATX2.2 Modular £70.44

can't really spend anymore than that.
 
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