Upgrade spec check please

ScarySquirrel · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:36

Hi all, just after a quick sanity check please

I'm looking to upgrade my PC, primary use is photo editing, my current machine is good for this, but it does struggle a bit with Lightroom and CS5 open at the same time. I've just got a new camera and the larger RAW file sizes are raping my machine.

Sooooo, I want to upgrade with the following bits:

I will be carrying over a 4870 1gb, whilst I do game a bit, not enough to justify a new GFX card, and my current rig runs everything I play fine already anyway.

My main question is about the RAM. Is that the right speed/type for this i5 setup? I would like to OC the CPU, but nothing ridiculous.

Second question, I have a CPU cooler on my E8400 like this one - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-010-NC&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395
I'm not sure if that's the actual one I have, but will this work on the i5 CPU? If so, will I need to find the original box to get an adapter? If so, this could be a problem as I might not be able to find it

Any glaringly obvious compatibility issues with the above spec?

Thanks

ScarySquirrel · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:43

Bugger, I forgot about a new PSU. What's a good one to go for?

hybrid572 · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:52

You want dual channel RAM- triple channel is for 1366 boards, not 1156.

The cooler looks like it'd fit natively (no adapter), but try it and see- worst comes to worst, you will just have to run it at stock speeds for a while.

As for a PSU, you could do a lot worse than this Corsair TX 650W for £70.99 - it has plenty enough power and will sustain both your GFX and a fairly hefty overclock.

daver · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:53

If you are going for the i5 you'd want the dual channel XMS3. Will probably need a new bracked for the cooler but someone else would be able to confirm.

cmndr_andi · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:53

Hi there,

The ASUS is a nice motherboard, but unfortunately its second PCIE x16 slot only runs at x4 speed - so not ideal if you want to do SLI/CF in the future. Instead, this board would be my pick, it doesn't do SATA 6G, but it does do PCIE x8x8 for dual graphics cards and is overall a pretty nice board.

Also, you don't want a triple channel memory kit, as your system can only handle up to dual channel memory. Hence you want either a 2 stick or 4 stick kit to maintain dual channel mode. I would suggest a 2 stick kit as it puts less strain on the memory controller. If you are happy with 4GB (plenty for games) then this is the one to have, and if you want a 8GB kit this is pretty decent considering the memory density.

The rest looks great.

As for a PSU, I would strongly suggest going for this one.

However, considering your CPU heavy uses - you may want to consider waiting till January 9th when Intel release their next generation "Sandy Bridge" CPUs and motherboards. Looking at this preview they will be very good for photo editing uses and be priced at the same level as existing LGA 1156 parts.

ScarySquirrel · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:54

Oooh thanks for spotting that, I didn't know about the RAM issue.

What RAM would you recommend? I'd quite like 8Gb.

EDIT: Just seen the other posts, thanks for the recommendations everyone. Think I'm sorted now

I don't see me every going for SLI or Crossfire, but appreciate the heads up on the mobo, will look at your recommendation also.

ScarySquirrel · 17 Dec 2010 at 11:59

cmndr_andi said:
However, considering your CPU heavy uses - you may want to consider waiting till January 9th when Intel release their next generation "Sandy Bridge" CPUs and motherboards. Looking at this preview they will be very good for photo editing uses and be priced at the same level as existing LGA 1156 parts.

Just seen this bit as well.

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably hold off until the new year in that case. Thanks