Time for a (small) Upgrade

Spankworthy · 15 Jul 2009 at 19:14

It's been a while since i posted on here but I need some advice. I've been away from the whole hardware scene for a few years and I need to upgrade my PC but don't know what goes with what and what is best value and suited to the particular things I use my PC for.

I use my PC for general office and web based tasks but I have recently become addicted to FSX in a big way and my current kit just doesn't cut the mustard any more. I know it's very CPU dependant so that is the key in this upgrade.

I currently have the following kit: -

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (1.86Ghz @ 3Ghz)
Gigabyte P965 DS3 Rev 1
Corsair 4x1GB DDR2 PC6400
WD Raptor 74G (OS)
Seagate Barachuda 250GB (Media etc)
Maxtor 120GB (so old i don't know the model - Apps)
Leadtek Nvidia 8800GT
SB Audigy LS
Lan-Li PC-8A case
Enermax 750W PSU
22" Samsung Suncmaster 226BW (runs FSX at 1680 x 1050)

This is running a 32bit version of Vista Premium but will be upgraded to 64bit vista/Windows 7 soon.

Looking at the Gigabtye Website my mobo can't take any of the Core 2 Quad CPUs so i think i need to rip out the core bits (CPU, Mobo, RAM)

I'm not bothered whether it's Intel or AMD as long as it will run FSX pretty well.

I have a budget of around £300 so not massive but enough to get some decent kit. If possible i would like a dedicated HD for FSX as i have quite a few add-ons and i am planning more which will take up a fair bit of space, something around 300GB would be fine.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

JeremyW · 15 Jul 2009 at 22:08

One option might be to keep your mobo and replace your CPU with a 65nm quad core Q6700 (see: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-155-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=567). These overclock quite well and would leave you enough in your budget for a fast harddrive.

Spankworthy · 16 Jul 2009 at 00:32

Cool - i just checked on the CPU compatibility list on Gigabytes site and it's on there! I must have missed that originally.

Cheers for the heads up, is there a particular HD you would recommend in the size range i am looking for?

demonfatality · 16 Jul 2009 at 01:56

Samsung SpinPoint F1 500GB SATA-II 16MB Cache..

JeremyW · 16 Jul 2009 at 11:19

Spankworthy said:
Cool - i just checked on the CPU compatibility list on Gigabytes site and it's on there! I must have missed that originally.

Cheers for the heads up, is there a particular HD you would recommend in the size range i am looking for?

After suggesting to you the CPU I bought for my Gigabyte 965P, I'm also going to suggest to you the HD I bought

.

I bought the Western Digital 640Gb for three reasons:

1. it has 320GB platters which provide great transfer rates,
2. Western Digital provide a 3yr warranty on it and
3. I didn't need 1TB I just wanted speed.

The Caviar Black wasn't available when I bought, but is slightly faster (32MB cache vs 16MB on the blue) and has a 5 year warranty, so that is what I would suggest, unless you need the full 1TB of storage.

HTH

Jeremy