Small Upgrade Help

[Valo]

I was planning to build a new Sandybridge system back in January but decided to hold off until the B3 revision motherboards became available.

I know that the B3 revision is now available. The time waiting for it to become available though gave me time to think, and I don't know if I'm better just upgrading my current system and save some money rather than invest in a complete new system.

My Current System:
Intel Core2Duo E6400
Abit AW9D-MAX Motherboard - Specs
4GB DDR2 Corsair PC6400
ATi x1900xtx Graphics Card
Enermax 500W Liberty PSU

My Small Upgrade:
Intel Core2Duo E6400 > Intel Q6600 (Second Hand)
Abit AW9D-MAX Motherboard
4GB DDR2 Corsair PC6400
ATi x1900xtx Graphics Card > ATi 5770 Card
Enermax 500W Liberty PSU > Corsair TX 650 PSU

I think this could give me a good performance jump for a reasonably small outlay. According to the Abit website my existing board is able to support a Q6600 with just a bios update; I'm already running a later revision Bios17 - http://www.abit.com.tw/cpu-support-list/mb/intel_975x_aw9d_series.htm

Few Questions:

I've put down a new PSU as I would think that with running a Quad-core CPU and a more powerful graphics card, am I right in thinking my existing 500w unit won't be up to the task?

I'd also be interested at installing an SSD as a boot drive, would it be worth it with my current setup or is that best kept for my next full build?

Do you think I'm wasting my cash on the upgrade idea and should I just go for a full Sandybridge upgrade?

 

[R088ieS86]

Hi Valo, what do you use your system for? The answer to that will decide Q's 2/3

If your only installing a 5770 then your PSU will handle that and the upgrade to a Q6600.
Apart form it being a little noisey now and again its a good PSU.

 

[Liquid]

It's a tough one really, as selling your current gear now will give you more towards your upgrade than it will if you sell it later when the 'small' upgrade is no longer enough. Now if the small upgrade means your ok for another couple of years then it will be fine.

If gaming is the most demanding thing you do, then I would put the funds into a video card upgrade, which will give huge benefits given what you are currently running.

 

[Valo]

Hi Valo, what do you use your system for? The answer to that will decide Q's 2/3

If your only installing a 5770 then your PSU will handle that and the upgrade to a Q6600.
Apart form it being a little noisey now and again its a good PSU.

I use my computer for general office/web and to run a few VM's as i'm studying for my Microsoft Certifications. I'm going to start playing more games though like Starcraft2.

It's a tough one really, as selling your current gear now will give you more towards your upgrade than it will if you sell it later when the 'small' upgrade is no longer enough. Now if the small upgrade means your ok for another couple of years then it will be fine.

If gaming is the most demanding thing you do, then I would put the funds into a video card upgrade, which will give huge benefits given what you are currently running.

When I built up my ideal sandybridge system spec it worked out about £1200 as I would need a new case and it included things like an SSD and a BD-RW. I would have course like to get as much as I can now for my existing rig but it would still leave me short to cover the cost of the new build even with the money I've already saved.