Spec for PC upgrade

yimpster

yimpster

yimpster

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I'm currently looking at upgrading my shuttle sn25p.

I have 2Gb x Mushkin DDR XP4000 RAM that i'd like to carry over to my new rig. However you may feel that this might be a significant bottleneck...

I'm looking at the new Shuttle SD37P2. So i'll need a new CPU and graphics card. I'll be doign a mixture of gaming and video editing. My screen is an NEC 20GWX2 running at 1680x1050.

Not sure which combo offers best bang for my buck

Any advice gratfefully received.
 
This one? If so I don't think you can use your Ram, it is DDR I assume and the Shuttle(any new Socket 775 motherboard in fact) only supports DDR2.

Would you be overclocking? If so then a 6300/6400 Conroe and 2gb of good DDR2 Ram would be wise, if not then aim for a 6600 Conroe will work better with a motherboard that uses the 975 chipset.

For the graphics card I'd probably pick up an X1900XT or maybe the X1950XT depending on your price range.
 
That's the right one. I don't think i'll be overclocking much to be honest, i might have a play initially but once it's set up i'll leave it alone.

Which memory would be a good buy?? I don't want to spend a fortune, but something that offers good price/performance..

Is the 6600 worth the extra 100 pounds over 6300? I don't mind spending money on the right combination of components.

I think the X1900XT would be more in my price range..though there seems to be a big choice in manufacturers and 256/512...any preference??

I just don't want to waste money on leading edge tech that will not offer me much more for the dosh...
 
If you aren't going to be overclocking much then I'd probably suggest the 6600 and pair it with some decent PC6400 Ram (maybe Geil or Corsair, I'd go for whichever was the cheaper) and then you have a very fast system at stock but still with potential to overclock later if you choose.

512mb on graphics cards normally really comes into its own above 1600x1200 which is slightly above your monitor so you would be on the cusp of benefitting, I reckon I'd get the 512mb version and that way if you upgrade the monitor in the future you can still use it but this is of course only if it is comfortably affordable. As for brands, there isn't normally a huge amount of difference, HIS fits Arctic Coolers as standard but other than that they are all based closely on the reference designs so performance is about the same.
 
thanks so much for the feedback - i'm almost decided. One last question..if you don't mind.

according to the shuttle site the memory support is

4 x 240 pin slots, supports Dual Channel
supports DDR2-533/667 DDR SDRAM memory
max. 2 GB per DIMM, up to a total size of 8 GB

I may have got this wrong but would i be better off saving a few pounds on PC6400 RAM..as the mobo doesn't support that speed.

like i said i'm happy to pay for the right combo...just like to get it right first time... :)

cheers again
 
just out of curiosity has anyone got the shuttle sd37p2 ?? and care to comment on it?

cheers for your feedback semi-pro waster...i'll follow your recommendations
 
Right my SN37P2 arrived today. My E6600 should arrive today/tomorrow.

I've still to decide on RAM and graphics card.

Could anyone comment on these choices as i'd like to place the order today.

G.Skill 2GB DDR2 LA PC2-5400 (2x1GB) CAS4 Dual Channel Kit (F2-5400PHU2-2GBLA) (MY-012-GS) @ £146 (inc VAT)

and

Connect3D ATI Radeon X1900 XT 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-053-CO) @ £164 (inc VAT)

I won't be doing much overclocking and the shuttle only goes up to 5400 speeds at the moment (though perhaps it could change in a Bios update)

Many thanks

Adam
 
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