Need Professional Advice

[Wizzardmk]

Hi Guys
I have the opportunity to upgrade my computer (or just parts)but i was wondering if it was worth it?
I have the following computer:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+
A8N-SLI Premium ATX S939
EVGA 7900 GT CO Superclocked 256mb (slightly overclocked)
OCZ High Performance 2gb Platinium
Raidmax 580
Antec Tower with plenty fans and controller

If i wanted to upgrade, what should i go for ?
Should i keep some of my parts or a complete new job?
Core2 duo is worth it? Which video card?
I wil keep my ram as i am very happy with it.

I am a Gamer and usually play FSX and Racing Sims mostly.
Any advice from you guys would be apprciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[steve258]

Can't keep your RAM I'm afraid unless you are going for another s939 CPU.

Do you OC? If you do it maybe worth it to go X2 or opty 165 and oc it as you have a very decent mobo. If you don't overclock then the next significant upgrade for you would be C2D - E6600 + OCZ 2Gb Plat. + DS3 will do nicely.

If it runs all your games smoothly then you can still hold onto your current rig for a little longer.

You have a pretty decent GFX as well, so the next worthwhile upgrade is going to be the 8800GTS 320Mb or going all out on the GTX.

 

[Tetras]

but i was wondering if it was worth it?

Does your current PC do what you want it for?

Yes = Stick with it, No = Upgrade.

If i wanted to upgrade, what should i go for ?

What do you want from the new PC?

I wil keep my ram as i am very happy with it.

Then your limited to DDR boards even if you go with C2D, ouch.

Core2 duo is worth it? Which video card?

Worth it in comparison to what? Would an E6300 + 8800 GTS be a decent upgrade to a 3700+ and 7900 GS in games? Maybe.... what resolution do you play at, what settings, which games?

I think you need to consider what your looking for here and what you do with the PC. Yes the 8800 series cards are a big upgrade to a 7900 GT and the Core 2 Duo line are a decent boost in a general performance sense but if you aren't feeling a need for speed then the longer you wait the bigger the upgrade jump will be. If your current rig can play everything you want at the settings you want and your TFT is res limited to 1280 x 1024 then you'd be wasting your time.

For general comparisons the graphics and CPU charts at tomshardware are not a bad place to start but keep in mind they are both intentionally set up to show the differences (and should be translated to a real world situation, i.e. yours, the settings you use, the games you play).

 

[Wizzardmk]

Thanks for the quick reply guys.
I am happy with my specs and it runs everything i need it to run but i am getting a free upgrade which is the reason why i am asking.
I dont want to go through the whole trouble of removing my stuff and exchanging them for the new parts if i will not get a significant boost.
I am also hesitant to doing a FULL upgrade but i will if i have too.
So if i go c2d i will have to give up my ram?
If i hold out for the upgrade, anything new coming in the future worthwild?
Thanks

 

[steve258]

Well the R600 is coming in a few months, and K8L is coming at the end of this year - hopefully.

Yes you will need DDR2 for C2D.

If it's a free upgrade to C2D then I don't see any reason not too. Free performance is always welcomed

 

[Tetras]

but i am getting a free upgrade which is the reason why i am asking

Well in that case any Core 2 and 8800 series card would be a significant upgrade and should last you a long time considering your happy with the speed of what you have...

Replacing those core components would be pretty likely to require a complete format (or repair) though yes.

DDR2 is not a requirement for Core 2, they can work with DDR but as I mentioned, you'd then be limited to only a handful of motherboards.

 

[Wizzardmk]

Ok, lets say i go c2d and change my processor(please include a good fan for cooling the processor).
Which one do you recommend?
I will also have to change my ram , so what do u suggest to match what i have now but for the new board?

Can i still use my video card or does that have to go also?
If so, which one along with a good cooling fan for the card.
Thanks

 

[artaxerxes]

Yes you will need DDR2 for C2D.

There are a few boards that take AGP, PCI-E, DDR & DDR2 for the C2D if you are looking for a cheap upgrade path. The ASROCK 4Core VSTA available for 40 knicker - though alas not on OCuk. That would allow you to utilize your already stellar RAM.

 

[setter]

was thinking along the same line,sell my current cpu,mobo and ram and upgrade to a c2d system.