Improving my computer

[fiedler]

Hey basically I want to up my computer's performance as I currently think it's **** lol..
I think the processor might of gone as it's struggling with 3 bots for a pretty easy game.. Where as I used to be able to run 6+ while doing other things

Here are my computer specs

I've probably got £300 I can spend now and maybe another £250 in the next month or so

 

[cmndr_andi]

The first thing I would suggest doing is picking up a decent CPU cooler and and overclocking the CPU as far as it can go - so long as your motherboard supports overclocking.

Also, if you are finding that your computer performance has recently decreased, then doing a quick reinstall of windows is often worthwhile (just make sure you backup your important data). If you don't mind spending some money - then upgrading from Vista to windows 7 is really worthwhile (make sure you get the 64 bit version so you can address all your RAM).

 

[fiedler]

The first thing I would suggest doing is picking up a decent CPU cooler and and overclocking the CPU as far as it can go - so long as your motherboard supports overclocking.

Also, if you are finding that your computer performance has recently decreased, then doing a quick reinstall of windows is often worthwhile (just make sure you backup your important data). If you don't mind spending some money - then upgrading from Vista to windows 7 is really worthwhile (make sure you get the 64 bit version so you can address all your RAM).

Okay, I'll try find out where my reinstall disk. If not I'll go buy windows 7 tomorrow
Can you reecomend a good CPU cooler? a lot of my friends use fans next to their rigs does this even help ? lol

 

[Pohly]

Okay, I'll try find out where my reinstall disk. If not I'll go buy windows 7 tomorrow
Can you reecomend a good CPU cooler? a lot of my friends use fans next to their rigs does this even help ? lol

i would suggest one of these

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-002-CS&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-035-OP&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

they will keep the temps low and allow a decent oc maybe 3.6-4.0 (not 100% sure what that cpu can do tho )

 

[fiedler]

i would suggest one of these

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-002-CS&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-035-OP&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

they will keep the temps low and allow a decent oc maybe 3.6-4.0 (not 100% sure what that cpu can do tho )

I'm pretty sure it'll be able to do 4.0 when I need it too
it's just it has really high CPU usage like with 2 java based games open and internet its at like 75% :S
I think I might reset to system defaults and just start over
although I am thinking about asking for a i7 2600k for my birthday or I'll just buy it although I'm not positive that my MOBO is compatable
if you could tell me how I can find out if it is it'd be very appriciated

 

[maj]

Your current mobo won't be compatible as Sandybridge uses a different socket and chipset. Also I'd stick to the i5 2500K if your only playing games.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Aye, as above - a motherboard like yours that supports the Core 2 Quad Q9550 (LGA 775) CPU is incompatible with CPUs using a different socket , including the LGA 1155 sandy bridge i7 2600K. The Q9550 is one of the fastest CPUs you can run on a LGA 775 board, so you won't be able to do a worthwhile cpu-only upgrade. To get more CPU performance you will need to either overclock your CPU - so long as your motherboard can OC (and invest in better CPU cooler) or buy a new motherboard + CPU + DDR3 RAM, which is relatively expensive.

For a CPU cooler - I would have a look at this one, good for overclocking and quiet. however, to make sure your motherboard is good for overclocking would you be able to tell us what the make and model number of it is (you can find this by running CPU-Z and looking in the "mainboard" tab).

As for a full CPU + mobo + RAM upgrade. Due to your relatively low budget I would go with an i5 2500K. It's not quite as fast as the 2600K, but it is still a very quick quad core (here is a comparison in a range of tasks) and costs ~£70 less. Here are the parts I would suggest going for:

Also, if you want to do some overclocking I would suggest going with the same CPU cooler I linked to above.

 

[olivier renault]

<thread hijack> Oh, you wise one seem to be versed in the knowledge of CPU coolers... What's the diff between the Venom and the Nero S? How about the MUX 120?

In short, the best silence / performance ratio for over £30. Under £30, that's the Gelid. But always wonder about the middle bracket.</thread hijack>

 

[freddie64]

Is this a pre built computer from a purple shirt shop or similar?

Just thought, you may not be able to overclock if it is (no options in bios).

 

[cmndr_andi]

<thread hijack> Oh, you wise one seem to be versed in the knowledge of CPU coolers... What's the diff between the Venom and the Nero S? How about the MUX 120?

In short, the best silence / performance ratio for over £30. Under £30, that's the Gelid. But always wonder about the middle bracket.</thread hijack>

The main difference seems to be that the Venom uses a higher speed (and higher noise) fan. Have a look at this review.

The MUX 120 seems to be a slightly smaller version of the TRUE bundled with a decent (and quiet) 120mm fan - so a winner in my book, especially for £40.

The Titan Fenrir is also a good shout at this price range.

My current thinking is that if you are going to spend over £30 on a CPU cooler and want good performance and low noise - then you may as well go the whole hog and invest in the Thermalright Silver Arrow. At the low fan setting there isn't much that can touch it (just make sure it will fit in your case).

 

[fiedler]

Is this a pre built computer from a purple shirt shop or similar?

Just thought, you may not be able to overclock if it is (no options in bios).

Well it was prebuilt but by a specialised gaming company so I'm pretty sure it can be but I just don't know how I'm going to go have a look at the threads in the overclocking section to try learn

Aye, as above - a motherboard like yours that supports the Core 2 Quad Q9550 (LGA 775) CPU is incompatible with CPUs using a different socket , including the LGA 1155 sandy bridge i7 2600K. The Q9550 is one of the fastest CPUs you can run on a LGA 775 board, so you won't be able to do a worthwhile cpu-only upgrade. To get more CPU performance you will need to either overclock your CPU - so long as your motherboard can OC (and invest in better CPU cooler) or buy a new motherboard + CPU + DDR3 RAM, which is relatively expensive.

For a CPU cooler - I would have a look at this one, good for overclocking and quiet. however, to make sure your motherboard is good for overclocking would you be able to tell us what the make and model number of it is (you can find this by running CPU-Z and looking in the "mainboard" tab).

As for a full CPU + mobo + RAM upgrade. Due to your relatively low budget I would go with an i5 2500K. It's not quite as fast as the 2600K, but it is still a very quick quad core (here is a comparison in a range of tasks) and costs ~£70 less. Here are the parts I would suggest going for:

]http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6260/315sb.png[

Also, if you want to do some overclocking I would suggest going with the same CPU cooler I linked to above.

Hmm that's not bad I was considering getting the already overlcoked one I'm pretty sure I've seen someone post it it's @4.80GHz IIRC any opinions on that

Also I can probably double the budget in next few months to maybe £500 - 600
But when it starts getting to that price I will probably start considering getting a whole new computer just because then I can use this one to run useless **** downloads and that and then play properly on the other one

Your current mobo won't be compatible as Sandybridge uses a different socket and chipset. Also I'd stick to the i5 2500K if your only playing games.

Okay that's fine cheers