Upgrade advice required

Zaireekairl · 3 Aug 2011 at 18:15

Hello everyone,
I've a gaming rig that is beginning to show its age and am looking for some advice. I'm looking to keep her ticking over for a year or so till I can splash out on a new top of the line system.

Specs include:

Q6600 Quad core Processor (currently at stock, intend to OC)

4gb OCZ PC2 6400 Memory ddr2 (looking to upgrade to 8gb, faster herz if possible)

ATI Radeon 3800 HD 512mb gfx card (former crossfire but lost sister card)

Formula Maximus 1 mobo.

PSU: Hunt key Green Star 550w

I'm looking to spend as little money as possible so I can save up for next year so I'm looking at a gfx upgrade, a processor overclock and more memory for W7 64, not a mobo overhall. Not expecting top of the line graphics performance and super frame rates on future titles. I'm just looking for something to keep pace with these titles.

What gfx card would you guys recommend? Is a memory upgrade necessary? What kind of ocing can I get away with on the Q6600?

stulid · 3 Aug 2011 at 18:16

What PSU do you have?

This is currently on pre-order deal - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18301805

Zaireekairl · 3 Aug 2011 at 19:14

Hi Stu, new I'd forget something, its a Hunt key Green Star 550w Psu.

stulid · 3 Aug 2011 at 19:27

Get a new one.

never skimp on the PSU brand, a 500w+ will be fine from a good manufacturer.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-042-BQ&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1083
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-007-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1497
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1098
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-034-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084

Zaireekairl · 3 Aug 2011 at 19:48

Thanks Stu, Is my brand of psu bad? I don't think it has given me any problems. Those cards look good. What do you think about my memory, should I upgrade up to to 8gb. Is there any point?

stulid · 3 Aug 2011 at 19:51

For gaming 4GB is all you need, and besides DDR2 is expensive at £50 for 4gb.

Your PSU is no good, cheap PSU's never give the power they say.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=123
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=154
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSqVDjF8sAQ
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/low-cost-psu-pc-power-supply,2862.html

pastymuncher · 3 Aug 2011 at 20:46

Your mobo is a very good one and should get your Q6600 to at least 3.6Ghz (9x400) even with your current ram. I had the next one down from your board (P5E) and that got my old Q6600 to 3.8Ghz prime stable. Listen to Stulid about the psu. Huntkey are a terrible brand.

Zaireekairl · 3 Aug 2011 at 23:19

Thanks lads think i'll go for the OCZ.

Zaireekairl · 6 Aug 2011 at 20:42

Bumping this tread up to ask for some advise. Today my PC has been playing up. I have had significant trouble starting up windows and when I did the systems seems slow. My 2nd hard drive does not appear and when I play Fallout 3 there are resolution and AA issues. I am hoping these problems are due to the PSU as I think she might be on her last legs. It seems there are gfx, and hard drive problems so it either the PSU or the mobo (I think). What do you guys think?