Core2 upgrade re-using old bits and pieces

davejuk · 12 Jan 2007 at 11:17

I've been meaning to upgrade for about 6 months now, since core2 showed up.

This is my current system. Nothing is overclocked, although I have replaced the stock CPU cooler with a much quieter fanless model.

Intel P4 550 (3.4GHz "Prescott")
Intel D925XCV Main Board
2 x 1GB DDR2 (533/667MHz) *
ATI Radeon X1800XT 512MB *
2 x 80GB WD 10,000RPM Raptors HDD's *
2 x 200GB Maxtor HDD'S
Pioneer DVR111 DVD Burner
Antec 550W PSU
Large Silverstone case, not sure of model

* = parts I plan on re-using

I did intend on getting a quad core Kentsfield but I'm not paying £500 for a processor. So I plan on getting a cheaper core2, then get a quad core when prices are down to around the £200 mark in 6 months time.

I use my PC mostly for work but I do like to play games. It might also be worth noting that I have the Dell 30" LCD which has a native res of 2560x1600, which would be my optimum gaming resolution. Otherwise I'd have to go down to 1280x800.

So at the moment I have the following questions:

E6600 "Conroe" or E6400 "Allendale"? Is it worth the extra £60 for Conroe's 4MB cache Vs. Allendale's 2MB?

What main board would be best for getting these chips up to a decent clock speed, say around the 3GHz mark?

Are all chipsets that support Conroe able to handle the quad core Kentsfield's?

I might also consider upgrading my graphics card in 6 months time when I go quad core. Would it be worth getting a dual 16x PCI Express main board now, so I could add an extra X1800 XT, or would I be better off dumping it and getting a newer one?

Other than that, I'd like recommendations for a case and power supply.

Thanks.

melbourne720 · 12 Jan 2007 at 12:13

I'd say a e6300 (or a e6600 if you can afford it), decent CPU cooler (sythe ninja, tuniq tower), DS3/4 or 680i Mobo if you want guranteed quad core support.

Case, something nice from Lian Li. PSU, Enermax, Seasonic, modular and at least 500W and you won't go far wrong.

Alf4 · 12 Jan 2007 at 13:52

Firstly, Hello

If you want a cheaper CPU for now and plan to upgrade later then I would suggest a ASUS P5B Deluxe Mobo with a 6300. Your memory should be good enough for a 2.8OC dont know about above this. What make mem is it?

The P5B boards are good overclockers at a good price as is the DS3 and DS4 gigabyte boards.

Alf

davejuk · 13 Jan 2007 at 12:32

Alf4 said:
Firstly, Hello

If you want a cheaper CPU for now and plan to upgrade later then I would suggest a ASUS P5B Deluxe Mobo with a 6300. Your memory should be good enough for a 2.8OC dont know about above this. What make mem is it?

The P5B boards are good overclockers at a good price as is the DS3 and DS4 gigabyte boards.

Alf

That's what I was thinking. And thanks for the main board recommendation, I'll check it out.

Memory is Corsair "Value Select", purchased as a 2x1GB pair. I can't see any information on timings on the box but I expect it's on the modules themselves/

2.8GHz should be fine but it would be nice to get to 3GHz, or beyond.

davejuk · 13 Jan 2007 at 15:25

Does the Asus P5W DH Deluxe support nVidia SLI? Or would I have to go with ATI crossfire?

w3bbo · 13 Jan 2007 at 19:47

davejuk said:
Does the Asus P5W DH Deluxe support nVidia SLI? Or would I have to go with ATI crossfire?

It dosn't officially support SLI but you can get hacked drivers that will allow you to have sli although these are invariably older drivers. Better to go x-fire with the P5WDH or get a 650/680i motherboard for SLI.

davejuk · 14 Jan 2007 at 19:01

OK thanks. Not exactly an ideal solution then. I don't expect I'll get 2 graphics cards anyway, but it would have been nice to have the option to choose.