Upgrade ideas/possibilities, advice needed

Gas Panic!

Gas Panic!

Gas Panic!

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Joined
22 Jan 2006
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924
Hi guys,

My current HDD is on the way out, and I'm going to need to replace it. I'll only need to install Windows onto it, so it doesn't have to be massive, but I'll have my music/games on there also so it'll need to be 50Gb+.

So firstly, what SATA HDD would be worth me getting? I've heard Seagate/Samsung/WD are the best makes, but I'm not sure which one to plump for.

Second thing is, I'm thinking of going Dual-core. My current A64 3200+, while OK in games, is letting me down in the Windows dept... I'd ideally like a fast, stable system, and am not really looking into overclocking. I was looking at the X2 4400+, as it's .2Ghz faster per core than my 3200+ and has double the cache - 1Mb.

Third and final thing, I currently have 4 x 512Mb sticks of GEIL value RAM. I'm not really looking at upgrading RAM, what with the recent price hikes (crazy!) but I just wanted to know whether the difference between 4 x 512Mb sticks and 2 x 1Gb sticks is noticeable? It's running at 2.5-3-3-6, 2T if that helps.

So yes, any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm ideally looking at having a system that will be able to manage all the newest games at Medium - High settings for the next Year/Year 1/2. I have an X1800XT GPU, so I won't be needing to upgrade that any time soon.

Thanks.
 
Whoops, sorry.

I have a Viewsonic VA1912w monitor.

Budget- looking at around £150-£200. My Dad is going to USA in a few weeks so will be able to pick up the CPU for cheaper there.

Edit: Not really looking to upgrade Mobo/GPU etc, just the HDD + CPU, and possibly RAM at a later date.
 
dont upgrade!!

i have basically the same setup, i have a 3500 (ven), 1900xt, 80gb HDD, 2 gb of ram (4 x 512mb). the 1800xt should get u through until dx10 comes out, then prehaps build a new system then. By that time a lot of this stuff will have come down in price. Thats what im waiting for anyway!!

if u wanna upgrade, try and get x2 3800 on ebay for cheap. around £85.

And about the ram, ive done extensive research on this, there not much difference when runnning 2t compared to 1t, maybe a 350 points in 3d mark! no difference in games tho!!
 
So you're wanting a new CPU rather than a whole upgrade, Mobo, Ram, CPU?

Also, whats your full system spec might help decide what needs upgrading.

s-
 
I have currently:

Antec 450W SmartPower PSU
A64 3200+
Asus A8V-E SE S939 Mobo
X1800XT
2Gb RAM - 4 x 512Mb
19" WS Monitor

Looking to upgrade:

CPU
Possibly RAM

Definitely need:

New HDD.

That's it, basically.
 
Thermaltake said:
dont upgrade!!

i have basically the same setup, i have a 3500 (ven), 1900xt, 80gb HDD, 2 gb of ram (4 x 512mb). the 1800xt should get u through until dx10 comes out, then prehaps build a new system then. By that time a lot of this stuff will have come down in price. Thats what im waiting for anyway!!

if u wanna upgrade, try and get x2 3800 on ebay for cheap. around £85.

And about the ram, ive done extensive research on this, there not much difference when runnning 2t compared to 1t, maybe a 350 points in 3d mark! no difference in games tho!!
Click to expand...

Good advice, thanks. RAM won't be a worry then, that's nice. :)
 
Personally, as new parts are coming out soon id either not upgrade, or if you're willing to spend more at a later date, DX10 etc.

Id get this as it gives you a fair amount of boost till new parts.

HD-024-SA Samsung SpinPoint P HD160JJ 160GB SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-024-SA)
£33.95 £33.95
CP-120-AM AMD Athlon 64 4000+ (Socket 939) - Retail (CP-120-AM)
£99.99 £99.99
Subtotal £133.94
VAT £23.44
Total £157.38

Although, you can just get a 80GB HD for £30inc.

Upto you really.

s-
 
definatly not, the 4000 would be a waste of money!!

for a £100 u can get a X2 3800, then overclock it!
 
Thermaltake said:
definatly not, the 4000 would be a waste of money!!

for a £100 u can get a X2 3800, then overclock it!
Click to expand...

No, because why overclock when you can have a core 2.4ghz which will run games smoothly till DX10 comes out and there are further Conroe price drops.

If he was to get the X2 3800, he'd need to buy cooling for it, which would cost atleast £20.

For bang for buck, id get the 4000 purely because its quick straight from stock.

s-
 
i have a 3500 at 2.7ghz and doesnt do as well as a x2 3800 in the cpu tests i do with my friend, i think he would be better off buying a dual core processor for the same money.
 
I can either get a 4000+ for £99, or an X2 4400+ for just over that in the USA.

For the same price, which would be better (ie. faster!) and perform better in games? I'd have thought the X2, due to newer games taking advantage of it?
 
Rivey said:
I can either get a 4000+ for £99, or an X2 4400+ for just over that in the USA.

For the same price, which would be better (ie. faster!) and perform better in games? I'd have thought the X2, due to newer games taking advantage of it?
Click to expand...

If you can get it for the same price, the X2 4400 by far. 2 x 2.2ghz will kill 1 x 2.4.

s-
 
As for HardDrives, is there much difference between Samsung/Seagate/WD?

I'm not looking for a Raptor as it'll cost too much, but I'd like something fairly fast + reliable.

Thanks.
 
Ive had 0 problems with Samsung, and im not alone (i dont think) i say Samsung SP are best value for money, but thats just my opinion.

The 160GB it offers is great value :)

s-
 
Samsung do look great, but the three drives offered by Samsung/WD/Seagate all cost the same, have the same specs... but the only difference is that Seagate has a 5yr Warranty, compared to the 3yrs offered by the others.

Deciding factor?
 
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