Upgrade or wait and re-build?

Higadeb

Higadeb

Higadeb

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Joined
25 Feb 2010
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476
Location
Bristol / Kent
Right so I have a PC which I use for Media/Audio Creation only.
It follows:

E6600 (dual core @ 2.4 stock)
Asus P5W dh Deluxe
6GB DDR2 RAM
8800 GTS
X-Fi Titanium

I was wondering if I could get a little extra kick out of at as it has started to struggle on newer softwares (notable audio creation). My first idea was to upgrade the CPU to a quad core, but I don't think half of the programs I use are capable of using four cores so that would be a bit pointless. The only other option I really have is to boost the RAM to 8GB. Although again I don't think that would make a significant difference.
What would you recommend? Is it worth trying for say a Q6600 and additional RAM? Or should I start saving up and build a new machine? If so, how much do you think a new machine would cost me. Remember this is solely Media/Audio creation so there is no need for massive video cards.
 
i have heard that Q6600 can be overclocked quite well but can not be bought new - i have a used one that i am thinking of selling if interested :)

do you play games on it? or is it just for media and audio creation?
 
Kellaway:

"Right so I have a PC which I use for Media/Audio Creation only."

:P

Well, as the system you have at the mo is already very good, i'd start saving and upgrade to a ddr 3 i7 system, like you've already said adding more memory isnt going to do much, neither is purchasing a quad core 6600 as most the programs you use dont support quad core :)
 
^
snap his arm off.

What configuration is your ram in? 6gb is odd for a dual channel system.
 
I thought dual channel systems had to populate the ram slots with same capacity ram.

That's what wiki says anyway.

Buy that Q6600.
 
Chrisavz said:
Kellaway:

"Right so I have a PC which I use for Media/Audio Creation only."

:P

Well, as the system you have at the mo is already very good, i'd start saving and upgrade to a ddr 3 i7 system, like you've already said adding more memory isnt going to do much, neither is purchasing a quad core 6600 as most the programs you use dont support quad core :)
Click to expand...

you wouldnt know how many times people have asked me to help them, saying that they dont play games and then moan at me when despite saying they cant play games that what they have doesnt play games very well - better to be safe then sorry!
 
Get a decent cooler if you don't already have one and overclock that E6600. It is wasted at 2.4Ghz. Most will hit 3.2-3.6 Ghz and some will go even further.
 
My option would be this :

Sell off your current E6600 , The mixed 6GB memory and the 8800GTS. :)

You will need to add some of your own cash to this , but its not going to cost lots i dont hink.

Look at a Q6600 - Or whatever quad you can manage to get for £100 or less.
Look for a matched 8GB memory set. This will give you some room more than you had at least especially when going quad.
Pick up a cheap DX11 card like this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-162-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

Obviously not a gaming card but one that will do the needs you require.

Just throwing some ideas your way dude. :)

Best of luck with this.

McT
 
I meant the anandtech website CPU comparison table.

The one with the two drop down boxes, to select a CPU against another.

I'm not home at the moment so can't do it myself, using my phone now.
 
Yes, I can understand how that might be a bit annoying Kellaway! I have a separate machine which I use as a media center/games machine. So this one has no need for games at all, other that perhaps solitaire whilst waiting :p
If you are planning on selling your Q6600 how much would you sell it for? Not promising I'd buy it, but might as well weigh up my options.
RAM wise I might buy some of these I already have one set of them so I can just replace my 2x1GB kit with them and I'll be up to 8GB.
As for the GPU, I've had a chat with a friend of mine and he said he would be willing to give me an old HD 4870 1GB. I assume this is a fairly descent upgrade. I can't think of a reason not to go with it...
Can anyone recommend me a good cooler for the CPU? I have water-cooling in my other machine so I'm a bit out of touch with regards to the latest and greatest air coolers.
Thanks again all :)
 
Hmm, I've had a think and have decided that if I'm going to be spending a few hundred on this I might as well start again from scratch and give my current machine to my sister. Hers is still in the days when 128mb RAM was a quality amount.
What do people recon? i5 or Phenom II?
 
if you are on a tighter budget then Phenom II but that has more up-gradability in the future (so i have heard) it depends on what i5 you are going for what what your budget for the whole system will be
 
Any thoughts on this one? It's a little above my budget (~£350) But I should be there in a few weeks. I have gfx, case & psu.
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