what to do with q9300?

wojsku · 17 May 2011 at 09:37

hi everyone. I'm new to forum so this is my first post really apart of the welcome thread.
My specs:
q9300 2.5GHz 6Mb cache
mobo Ga-q35m-s2
2 x1GB ddr2 ram pny 800MHz
asus radeon 4890
arctic freezer on cpu
coolermaster haf 922 case
psu corsair 550W
I also have spare 2x 2GB ddr3 ram corsair xms3 1600MHz a gift from my mate.

Because my pc is getting quite old now I started thinking about upgrades. But I don't have £260 for i5 2500k and a mobo. I need to choose a a cheap path at the moment. Any ideas guys what to do to improve performance for under £100?
new mobo could make a big difference and allow me to overclock over 3Ghz but than I would probably need a faster ram on ddr2 or buy a mobo that supports ddr3 and use corsair. but than what mobo and on what chipset?
thanks fro help.

wojsku · 17 May 2011 at 12:02

I could add more ram but this mobo will not let me overclock at all. it's already running on highest possible fsb. If it could it would be overclocked long time ago.
this might help:

don't see a point buying ddr2 ram for £25. i could possibly buy mobo for similar price and use ddr3 ram that i have. and new mobo could allow me to overclock.

If I go for p45 chip it would have to be ddr3 mobo cause I already have ram.
crossfirex would be nice to. but im not sure about powersupply its only 550W. would it run stable two 4890? I think 4890 uses 190W on load.
x38/x48 would be even better cause it supports 2x pci-express x16 each. is it a big difference between 2x x8 and 2x x16 in crossfirex? cause it might not be worth the difference in price between p45 and x38/x48.
ideal mobo would be ddr3 with high capabilities to overclock and support for a double x16 crossfirex. but thats only top range of x38/x48 which is not cheap to buy.
i use pc for gaming and any other purpose of an average pc user.

wojsku · 17 May 2011 at 12:45

I found asus p5e3 used for £75. its got everything i mentioned. fsb can be adjusted between 200Mhz and 800Mhz. its ddr3 and 2x x16 crossfirex.
but than:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-139-MS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1490 is only £35. it doesn't have 2 pci-express but its ddr3 and cost only £35. anyone knows what is max fsb?

wojsku · 20 May 2011 at 08:30

thanks for an advice. i keep my eyes open for a decent board on p45 for a good price. damn they are really expensive- about £80 on online auctions.
my board is not p35 but Q35 which is very poor. i know that you mention that p35 is not the best but what if I find a decent board like asus P5K3 premium for a low price due to the fact it's not a p45.

wojsku · 23 May 2011 at 21:48

I finally bought asus maximus formula for £75. do you know about what fsb I will be able to run stable q9300? hopefully it can do something about 500mhz.