Good for a few more years - another upgrade thread!

evapor8 · 4 Feb 2007 at 14:38

Currently running:

P4 2.8
Abit IC7-Max3
1GB branded (OCZ I think) DDR 3200 RAM
Radeon X1600 AGP

This gets me a 4.1 Windows Experience rating in Vista.

It's all about 2/3 years old, and I would like to speed up my system, which is used for audio/video duties (connected to my 26" Samsung and a 20" Samsung) web browsing, and not game playing.

I definitely want to go C2D. I will definitely need to change the graphics card as I'll need a pci-e card.

I was thinking:

C2D 6600
Gigabyte DS4 (I need firewire, so the DS3's no good)
Geil 2gb PC6400 (just bought this thanks to This Week Only)
Gainward BLISS GeForce 7900 GS SILENT 512MB
Corsair HX 520W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU (not sure my current psu has enough power - just want to make sure)

Any thoughts?

Have overclocked in the past, but would rather a 100% solid stock system, than squeezing a bit more out of a less powerful cpu (doesn't mean to say I won't try squeezing a bit more out of the 6600 at some stage!)

1. Not gonna have any compatability problems with this ram and mobo?

Am I missing anything?

Cheers,

Chris

BFG_9000 · 4 Feb 2007 at 14:41

Yep all ok, press to buy

CLOSED...

Minstadave · 4 Feb 2007 at 15:01

I might consider a HIS ATI Radeon X1950 Pro ICEQ 3 TURBO SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (H195PRQT512DD-R) over the 7900GS, though it looks like the HIS range has some reliability problems.

The PowerColor ATI Radeon X1950 Pro Extreme SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) would be a good alternative.

Dark_Angel · 4 Feb 2007 at 15:02

Minstadave said:
I might consider a HIS ATI Radeon X1950 Pro ICEQ 3 TURBO SILENT Heatpipe 512MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (H195PRQT512DD-R) over the 7900GS, though it looks like the HIS range has some reliability problems.

Agreed. If I were getting a card in that price range, it would be an ATI. Better performance, and AA/HDR works too.

Deiwos · 4 Feb 2007 at 15:25

Thought about going DX10 graphics card for definately future proofing with vista?

evapor8 · 4 Feb 2007 at 19:06

Thanks everyone.

Having considered what you've said, I've changed the graphics for:

Sapphire ATI Radeon X1950 Pro ULTIMATE SILENT 256MB

I've always been a Radeon fan anyway.

Will this one do the job? Again, I stress I don't game at all, just want it for DIVX/XVID/WMV viewing ... including the HD stuff.

Cheers for your help.

Chris

hp7909 · 4 Feb 2007 at 19:14

evapor8 said:
{snip}Will this one do the job? Again, I stress I don't game at all, just want it for DIVX/XVID/WMV viewing ... including the HD stuff{snip}

If that's the case, then go for this. Above that will be a waste TBH

evapor8 · 4 Feb 2007 at 19:18

hp7909 said:
If that's the case, then go for this. Above that will be a waste TBH

Looks good, but I'm already using the hdmi socket on my 26" Samsung, so I need dual dvi on the card.

But the idea remains the same .... you're suggesting that I don't need the power the X1950 offers yeh?

Chris

hp7909 · 4 Feb 2007 at 19:54

evapor8 said:
{snip}But the idea remains the same .... you're suggesting that I don't need the power the X1950 offers yeh?{snip}

For just viewing 'DIVX/XVID/WMV' you certainly don't. Even HD content/stuff, all of the 'modern' GFX cards OcUK stock can handle that. On the latter what's important is CPU & RAM, & to a certain extent hard disk

For Dual-DVI, maybe this. GeForce 7 series specs here (check -out 'Advanced Display Functionality') :cool:

evapor8 · 9 Feb 2007 at 19:20

OK.

Upgrades in my basket are now these:

Pretty happy with these I think (and hope to turn the old P4/AGP graphics combo into a media pc in the future.)

One last question ..... do the OEM Western Digital SATA drives come with cables?

Chris

melbourne720 · 9 Feb 2007 at 19:30

Don't buy the DQ6 - it is a waste of money. If you want an expensive mobo, get a 680SLi.

The best mobo would be a P5N 650 SLi, followed by a P5B and a DS3/4. The mobos should come with sata cables.

Also change that 6400 for a e4300 if you want to save some money.

evapor8 · 9 Feb 2007 at 20:37

melbourne720 said:
Don't buy the DQ6 - it is a waste of money. If you want an expensive mobo, get a 680SLi.

The best mobo would be a P5N 650 SLi, followed by a P5B and a DS3/4. The mobos should come with sata cables.

Also change that 6400 for a e4300 if you want to save some money.

Thanks mate. Have downgraded to the DS4.

I've also switched to the E6300 to save a few more quid. Where will I appreciate the power when viewing hi-def avi's? Will the cheaper cpu cause me any problems?

Chris

mattpj · 10 Feb 2007 at 01:28

Have you ordered yet? I don't know how much more you want to spend but the 8800 gts 320 for 199 is out now. Its better than a x1950pro... BUT everything is running great with this card. Even Oblivion which i thought would be horrid on it.

stinka · 10 Feb 2007 at 02:03

on recent reviews id deffo be getting the asus 650i/e6300. mine is super stable at 3.2ghz (cpu) and id be looking at the new 320mb 8800 gts, cosna go wrong son

stinka