Upgrading

[Kemik]

Hello all,

My current system:

AMD 64bit 3700 (not sure on the socket) Processor
2gb RAM (2 x 512mb, 1 x 1gb)
ATI X1800XT 256mb RAM Graphics Card
Soundblaster 5.1 Live! Soundcard
580W Modular PSU
Gigabyte GA-K8NE Motherboard

I'm looking to upgrade my processor but seen as I'll need a new motherboard I thought I'd take a look around at RAM and a soundcard.

So, I'm currently leaning towards the Core 2 Duo (E6600 "LGA775 Conroe" 2.40GHz (1066FSB)) because that's what seems to be the best set of processors at the moment. I need some help picking out a motherboard. Don't worry if it doesn't have 3 RAM slots, I'll just buy some new RAM and sell my two 512mb sticks.

I'm currently looking at the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 for my soundcard. The sounds not a major thing as I just use my Medusa headset & £12 desktop speakers.

Do you think I'll need a new processor fan from the stock fan? If so, which would you suggest? I might overclock it slightly but my electric bill is slightly high atm so I won't be pushing it to the limit.

Finally, a suggestion for RAM. I want to keep it at 2GB so think about removing the 2 x 512 sticks. If you see a good deal for 2 x 1GB sticks then I'll consider that too.

At the moment, this deal looks pretty good: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-043-OK but I'd like your opinions on it, just in case it's a crap motherboard, or I don't need the 2 x 1gb ram and should just replace my 2 x 512mb, or the motherboard won't take my PCI-E graphics card, etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kemik]

Yeah, I was looking at the Asus P5WDG2-PRO but I'll look at Abit AW9D-Max too.

I'll only upgrade both my 1GB RAM stick and my 512MB sticks if it really makes a difference, otherwise I'll just upgrade the two 512MB sticks.

 

[Kemik]

I'll defiantly look at the P5B Deluxe then. The only reason I was looking at the Asus P5WDG2-PRO is because it was on the £1000 budget thread so I thought it must be good quality. I want this to be my last upgrade for at least a year and a half. The next upgrade will be my graphics card to a DX10 when they're out in full force and a bit cheaper.

Which Geil ram would you feel is the best "bang for your buck"? Is the 800MHz one enough or would it be worth paying the extra for the next version up?

For the sound - I'm a gamer. Will the on-board soundcard still be good enough for games like CS: Source and some upcoming ones?

Basically, I don't want to buy something just for someone to say - oh you should have paid an extra £20 and got X as it would be much better.

Thanks.

 

[Kemik]

Hmm, I think it's down to the RAM I choose now. GeIL PC6400, Corsair PC5300, Corsair PC2-6400, etc.

I have the extra cash but I only want to use it if I really need to and if it's really worth an extra £20 to £45.

The deal is just 3 products put together. They haven't put any discount for choosing that bundle so I could make my own "deal" pretty easy.

BTW, whats the difference between the Asus P5B Deluxe & the Asus P5W DH Deluxe?

Which would you recommend?

EDIT: I've done some research and according to http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/asus_p5wdh/ the P5B Deluxe beats the P5W DH Deluxe in the tests, even though the P5B Deluxe is cheaper. Weird :s