Upgrading

Kemik

Kemik

Kemik

Soldato
Joined
7 Nov 2005
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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!
 
I have an Abit AW9D-Max mobo with my E6600. It comes with a 7.1 sound card. But if you only use headphones and poor quality speakers this will do fine as I don't think a dedicated sound card is needed unless you were to get higher value speakers. :)
 
Hi

Im in a bit of the same dilema as you in regards to a motherboard to choose but regarding that package Ive heard a fair bit of bad press about the memory in question but at the same time ive heard good things regarding it!

The stock retail cooler for the E6600 is actually very good and can handle a small overclock without too much stress and hassle, if youve got good airflow through your case than the stock heatsink & fan might just surprise you.

I think its best if we wait for an expert to come along heh

Take care
Mike
 
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 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Any particular reason why you are going for the P5WDG2-PRO??

There is nothing wrong with that deal, the P5B Deluxe is more than enough for normal use, and the onboard sound is more than sufficient for your needs.

As with the RAM you should be looking at 2*1Gb for optimum dual channel performance, again the Geil PC6400 in that deal is fine.
 
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. :)
 
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Yeah I'd defo save some cash on the mobo towards a new DX10 card next year. Really any ASUS mobo with WS in the end is designed for high-end workstation in mind, thus as a gamer you don't have to look any further than P5B-Deluxe or P5W DH, which are just as good but a lot cheaper.

The best bang for the buck Geil Ram is the one included in the deal - PC6400C4 4-4-4-12, and no you don't really need a high end uber-fast Ram to achieve a great OC with that E6600, because you will likely reach the oc limit for your CPU before the RAM reaches its oc limit. Besides that Geil should easily oc to 900Mhz+ with higher voltage and loosened timings.

CS:S is not a very demanding game at all thus you'll be fine with onboard 7.1. if you are looking to improve gaming performance then you should be looking at the Creative X-Fi series.
 
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
 
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P5W DH is the top of the class Intel mobo using 975X chipsets, it has better functionality i.e. additional IDE channel, remote control w. IR receiver, crossfire support, ASUS digital home stuff that's suitable for media centre PC, although it does not OC as well as the newer P5B Deluxe which is using the 965P chipsets and does not have all the fancy features. But tbh the P5W DH is more than enough to OC your E6600, since you only need 400FSB to bring it upto 3.6Ghz.

It's up to you really whether you prefer to pay £25 extra for all the extra features.

I'd go for the P5B-Deluxe myself purely because it ocs well and I don't need all those extra features.
 
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