Spec check / need advice on upgrade please

drunkenmunky · 20 Feb 2008 at 10:59

I want to upgrade my computer but need some advice on what to get Here is a spec that I have made up, please tell me if this is any good or if you recommend anything. Thanks.

Asus P5KC Motherboard

OR

Asus P5K-E Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)

OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400C4 800MHz Reaper HPC Enhanced Bandwidth Edition Dual Channel DDR2 (OCZ2RPR800C44GK) x 2

OCZ Modstream 520w PSU

NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS (320 MB)

Creative SB X-Fi XtremeMusic Sound Card

Seagate ST3200822A HDD (200 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)

PIONEER DVR-110 DVD Writer

I have listed 2 motherboards as I'm not sure which to get. USB ports are important, I need a minimum of 4 on the back. Overclocking isn't too important but I would like to do to get the best out of my system. I already have the PSU, graphic and sound card, hard drive and dvd writer which is listed above. I mainly use a computer for the internet, photoshop and games such as Crysis and BioShock.
Also, I need a good quality case to put all this in.

V3g3tto · 20 Feb 2008 at 11:57

Mobo is pure preference out of those two. I believe they are pretty much the same except you're paying around an extra £20 for the WiFi of the P5K-E. If you can live without it, then go for the P5KC, which has the ability to run both DDR2/DDR3 (Not that it would be that great running DDR3 on that board with that FSB)

The 320MB GTS Probably ain't worth getting, for same price you could get a 512mb HD3870, or for an extra £10-20 get a 512mb 8800 GT. The 320 GTS's are slower than both of those by quite a bit.

Everything else looks fine, though people here will say get the Corsair VX520 PSU instead hehe.

Case-wise, depends what you wanna spend and whether you want silence or cooling,etc.

drunkenmunky · 20 Feb 2008 at 14:36

Thanks for the reply. I already have a graphics card, I'm not looking to upgrade again just yet.
As for the case, I want something quiet and cool. I heard something about air-cooling which I'm looking into. A tool less and preferably a removable motherboard plate is a must. Looks wise, it should look good, not too bothered about having a window in the side panel. Price range up to £80.

I have asked this in another topic but would the memory I want sit comfortably in all 4 memory slots of either of these motherboards?

melbourne720 · 20 Feb 2008 at 15:11

Get an Asus P5K, very good quality and loads of USB ports on the back.

As for a quality case, try a Akasa Eclipse. It is pricey, but you get what you pay for. It also has the motherboard tray and is very good for cooling.