Could someone check my spec please :)

SKILL

SKILL

SKILL

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
7,282
Location
Melksham
Hi, Looking for a quick upgrade, my current spec is ancient (XP2400+, 9700 Pro, 2Gb DDR) and looking for a not-too-expensive upgrade to core 2 duo...

My current thoughts are for:

Tuniq Tower 120 CPU Cooler - £35.24
OCZ 4Gb PC2-8500C5 Dual Channel Pack - £68.14
Asus P5Q - £76.36
Intel E2180 Core 2 Duo - £45.81
Gainward HD4850 - £108.09
Arctic Silver 5 - £4.69

(plus a logitech G25) makes it £496 (before delivery)

My main questions are:

I'm looking for 3GHz+ on the processor, from what I've read this setup should hopefully get me somewhere in the 3-3.4 region, is this a reasonable assumption?

Are there 'better' heatsinks/motherboards for the same price, or on the other hand equal stuff for less?

Do I need PC2 8500 or will 6400 stuff do fine? back in the day when I last overclocked you really need to keep the ram in synch with the fsb, is that still the case?

I've currently got an Antec TrueBlue 480W PSU (iirc), will this power that setup ok?

Any other thoughts? I'll be running XP so I know 4Gb of ram is a bit overkill (eg i'll lost ~.5Gb) but I'll also be running Linux which will use the full 4Gb, and eventually I'll get vista, maybe :p
 
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looks fine, as you thought drop the memory to the geil black dragon pc6400.

psu should be ok as long as it has the pci-e power connector on it.

cooler wise go for which ever is the cheapest out of the 2 tuniq's when u order.
 
Bump up the processor to an E2200. That will give you more chance for a higher clock.

You might want to get a P5Q Pro instead, as it isn't much more, but it isn't a requirement. MX-2 thermal paste will be better than AS5.

Also, yeah, the memory change.
 
Impatience struck and I ordered (back at 11), did bump it up to the P5Q Pro though, and checked that my psu does have a pci-e connecter (it does, 2x 6-pin apparantly)

so spent a bit more on my memory than needed but it wasn't a significant amount so I'll have to live with it :p

On the plus side, it's been despatched so should have it tomorrow morning ready to set up in the afternoon (half day at work on a friday), then to play some games in lovely high detail that I currently can only run at 800x600 low-med details :p

Cheers for the replies anyway :)
 
Damn men you should pick cheaper mobo and e7200 anytime.

That mobo is overkill for any of the E2xxx series and even E7200.

P35DS3L + E7200 will be your best choice there and will do much better.
Also the GeiL Black Dragon will be better there.
And MX-2 is better than AS5 as well.


You're more likely to expect 2.8-3.2ghz depending on the chip you get, if u're lucky then maybe 3.3-3.4 unless you like running your CPU at 70c+ load.

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PS. I've got almost same setup for sale, almost new, a lot cheaper, too bad you got hurry so much ;-).
 
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