Small(ish) Upgrade to PC

Hioncc · 31 May 2010 at 08:36

Hello,

It's been around 2 years since my last computer upgrade, and feel it's well needed.

My current specifications:
+ ASUS P5N-MX
+ 20x DVD±R DVD-RW
+ Integrated 6 Channel HD
+ 500W Standard PFC
+ 250GB Serial-ATA
+ 4GB DDR2 800MHz
+ 1GB GeForce 9500GT
+ Windows Vista Home Basic 64bit OEM
+ Intel Quad Core Q6600 (4 x 2.4GHz)

I have quite a bit to spend on upgrading (£300ish if I choose to upgrade), or would it simply be more effective to build a new system from scratch (Obviously would pay more if this is the case).

Regards

DIABLO · 31 May 2010 at 10:41

Do you play game? If not i would'nt upgrade anything as that is still a powerful system especially if you overcloked the CPU. If you really want to spend some money and don't play game (in which case a graphics card upgrade would be good) then i'd recommend a Harddrive upgrade to a SSD and save the rest of your cash until you can afford to upgrade the MoBo, CPU and RAM together.

stulid · 31 May 2010 at 11:33

you still have a very good cpu, which just needs some overclocking.

so a new psu, graphics card and a cpu cooler would be what i would get.

psu- http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-032-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

graphics card- http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-238-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1711

heatsink- http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-009-TI&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

spirits247 · 31 May 2010 at 11:37

I agree - you still have a nice machine.

PSU, graphics card and CPU cooler is where I'd spend money too and get that quad overclocked to at least 3Ghz.

asoxedri · 31 May 2010 at 12:04

stulid said:
you still have a very good cpu, which just needs some overclocking.

so a new psu, graphics card and a cpu cooler would be what i would get.

what he said.

Hioncc · 31 May 2010 at 13:10

Thank you kindly for all your inputs.

Will http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-009-TI&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395 fit on my current motherboard?

Regards

thingemajib · 31 May 2010 at 13:22

windows 7.

Redmint · 31 May 2010 at 13:25

Hioncc said:
Thank you kindly for all your inputs.

Will http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-009-TI&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395 fit on my current motherboard?

Regards

Should fit any 775 motherboard.

Marine-RX179 · 31 May 2010 at 13:35

Hioncc said:
Thank you kindly for all your inputs.

Will http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-009-TI&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395 fit on my current motherboard?

Regards

Rather than the motherboard, I think what you should check is if your case is big enough for it.

Redmint · 31 May 2010 at 14:01

Good point, also make sure to check your case is big enough for the graphics card upgrade.

DIABLO · 31 May 2010 at 15:08

Guys whats the point upgrading the cooler is he's not overclocking or a Graphics card if he doe'snt game? and a PSU is a total waste of money unless me needs the extra power.

Devrij · 31 May 2010 at 15:17

DIABLO said:
Guys whats the point upgrading the cooler is he's not overclocking or a Graphics card if he doe'snt game? and a PSU is a total waste of money unless me needs the extra power.

He never said he wouldn't overclock it, just that he hasn't already, and his interest in the cpu cooler indicates that he is going to overclock. He hasn't said anything about whether he games or not (the 9500GT implies he might though), and I completely agree on the PSU being fine unless he decides to go pretty wild with this upgrade/OC.

My suggestions would be: overclock the cpu (investing in a cpu cooler will help you here).
If you want to play newer games at high settings upgrade your gfx card to an ati 57xx/58xx card, and then enjoy having spent very little for a good gain in performance.
Upgrade to Windows 7 (you can install directly over vista without losing apps/data, but backup first as it can go pear shaped), as it's a much nicer OS all-round compared to vista and will enrich your daily computing experience.