Upgrade for < £400?

[deadfolk]

Hi All,

I'm currently experiencing a motherboard crisis with my current setup, and rather than spend cash I don't have on replacing like-for-like, I'm looking into spending cash I don't have on an upgrade!

Currently, I'm running a Q6600 oc'd to 3.3Ghz, using DDR2.

Obviously, I'm going to need a board, CPU, cooler and at least 4GB DDR3.

Is there anything I can get for < £400 (preferably closer to £300, as those ones don't come with a free divorce) that will offer a worthwhile upgrade on what I have?

I know there's a deal on a bundle on OCUK this week for an overlocked i5 with all the gear, but by the time I can actually make the purchase, that will have gone back up another £40, pushing it from the border to well over my budget.

Are any of the other bundles worth my while, or should I mix and match? I don't have any particular loyalty to either manufacturer, and the machine is mostly used for gaming.

So - can anyone offer any insight? I've tried to do my homework, but the numbers only get you so far...I'm interested in what you guys have to say on the subject.

Unless I go with one of the bundles, I doubt I'll be overclocking - getting lazy and risk-averse in my old age!

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Phatzy]

what is your full spec?
a Q6600 @ 3.3 is still very good for gaming, if getting a i5 or a i7 you'll proberly get an extra 2-5 fps.
I'd overclock your Q6600 abit more and put your money towards a GFX (like a 5870/5850 or wait for GT300).

 

[deadfolk]

Thanks for your reply.

Full spec:
Abit IP35 Pro Motherboard
Intel Q6600 Quad Core @ 3.3Ghz
Tuniq Tower CPU Cooler
2GB (2x1GB) OCZ PC-8500 RAM
Gigabyte GeForce 8800 GTS 512MB

I know that a better GFX would be the most sensible upgrade normally, but my motherboard has started playing up and needs replacing...I was actually all set to buy a 58xx, but that's going to have to wait a little while now.

I can't find a suitable replacement motherboard other than this foxxconn one on OCUK and I'm not sure I'd get the same overclock on it. Memory is my biggest concern - I'd need to get some DDR3 for the board, but I really have no clue what I'd need. I posted a question on the memory forum yesterday and have no replies yet, so I don't really know what to do on that front. The whole memory thing is a bit of a minefield - I always get the impression that unless you get sound advice on exactly which chips to go for, it's really pot-luck on what will work well for you. Especially when overclocking.

If I knew what memory was a safe bet to use in this combo, I'd be tempted to go that way.

 

[gjc10212]

I've got a very similar rig to you if you want an upgrade try the members market for a Q9550 (maybe a used M/B too). I'm not sure if you will see any real world performance gains from the overclocked Q6600 to Q9550 (lower temps). If the IP35-pro is playing up I would just look for a used replacement and save more for a system later.

Link to some clearance items here:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=595&catid=689

 

[pastymuncher]

A decent P45 board and a new graphics card would seem the best bet.

 

[deadfolk]

A decent P45 board and a new graphics card would seem the best bet.

I'm starting to lean that way.

Can anyone recommend a P45 board? Specifically the ones on OCUK? They're not badly priced, and I'd go for any of those price-wise. Anyone have experience?

 

[Phatzy]

as you only got 38 post you wont be able to go to MM, but the blackops is good buy at £80ish. another 2GB of OCZ for 64bit.

you not find another IP35 on fleabay? Heard they are good clockers

 

[deadfolk]

as you only got 38 post you wont be able to go to MM

Yeah - more of a lurker than a poster, as there's usually not much useful I can add! Just out of curiosity, what is MM anyway?

you not find another IP35 on fleabay?

I'm a bit wary of buying used components, to be honest...especially with something like a motherboard, I'd really want the warranty.

My current thinking is either:

Blackops board & 4GB of as-yet-undetermined DDR3 (my current is only DDR2)

OR

One of the Asus P45 boards and stick in the 4GB DDR2 still sitting in the jiffy (which I ordered before the board went mental.)

Anyone have any experiences with either the Foxconn blackops or the ASUS P45 range?

Also, would going to the X48 chipset and DDR3 RAM make an difference performance-wise?

 

[Phatzy]

or this

 

[pastymuncher]

I would go for either the Asus P5Q Turbo or the Gigabyte EP45 UD3LR. Both good boards but cooling is a bit better on the Asus. Personally i would steer clear of the Blackops as it's extremely picky with ram. You would also need new ram as well then.

Graphics card either go for the XFX 4890 on this week only or wait until the 5850's come into stock.

 

[deadfolk]

I think I'm going to go with one of the Asus boards. Probably the deluxe, as the Turbo doesn't seem to support crossfire and I'd like to keep my options open.

The blackops looks nice, but the memory thing makes me nervous...plus, I've done well with Asus in the past.

I'll get that bedded in and then start looking at a nice new ATI card...

Thanks for all your help, gang!

 

[pastymuncher]

The Turbo does do crossfire.

 

[PermaBanned]

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core i7 920 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 2.66Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - OEM + Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Game £199.99
(£173.90) £199.99
(£173.90)
XFX X58i Intel X58 (Socket 1366) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard £134.99
(£117.38) £134.99
(£117.38)
OCZ Obsidian 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600Mhz Triple Channel Kit (OCZ3OB1600LV6GK) £79.99
(£69.56) £79.99
(£69.56)
Sub Total : £360.84
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £9.50
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £55.55
Total : £425.89

Would be the best performance, but you don't really need it. I second the notion that a new motherboard would be a better option. Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R.

 

[DIABLO]

Hmm spending money on motherboard with very limited future upgrades seems a bit of a waste to me i'd be tempted to sell the cpu and ram while it's still worth something and make the leap to a i5 or i7 setup.

 

[El Jimben]

Hmm spending money on motherboard with very limited future upgrades seems a bit of a waste to me i'd be tempted to sell the cpu and ram while it's still worth something and make the leap to a i5 or i7 setup.

Yep, no point flogging the dead tech horse.