|
When using this resource, please read FragKrag's opening post. The Tech Support forum regulars have helped create countless of desktop systems without any compensation. The least you can do is provide all of the information required for them to help you properly. |
GeneralStan: you sure an older LGA 775 mobo from Dell is going to have a BIOS update available (and/or bclk shenanigans or whatever) to make newer LGA 775 CPUs usable? I am unaware of how this would work with stock parts from Dell.
Yeah, I wouldn't buy anymore DDR2 RAM or get a new OS for that old computer. A good option would just be to wait it out.
But for about $130 you can get a Athlon II X3 445 3.1 GHz and Gigabyte AM2/AM2+/AM3 mATX mobo, which is fairly powerful and reasonably priced for a stopgap measure. With that mobo you would reuse the old 2 GB DDR2 RAM. At a later date you could get a new CPU, mobo, and RAM (and HDD).
PSUs at least don't get outdated much, so you could also get one now if you'd like. There's also an argument to be made that a GTX 460 would give you great performance now, and in a couple years in a new build you could pick up a second one to run a then-still-respectably-powered SLI GTX 460 setup. With the rest of a $400 budget you could get a OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W + Gigabyte GTX 460 1 GB (with $40 MIR back).
But I'd be a little worried running a Athlon II X3 and GTX 460 in a stock Dell case. Maybe you could leave it opened up, or find some reasonable cooling solution.
Just some other options to think about.
|
I would save the $400. No reason to spend it on upgrading to old parts :/
|
On September 17 2010 10:11 GeneralStan wrote:Show nested quote +On September 16 2010 17:12 blitzkrieger wrote:Hey I was wondering if I should upgrade my CPU/Motherboard. I bought a crappy Dell comp a while back, XPS 410 and have been upgrading it for a long time (06 maybe). I plan on building an entire comp and have been doing research but atm funds don't allow. 350W -> 650W PS (some OCZ Silent X Stream) 2GB -> 4GB Ram ??? -> Nvidia 9800GTX+ Vista 32 -> Windows 7 64 bit 2.13Ghz Dual Core Duo 120GB HD (suits my needs) 22" monitor @ 1680x1050 I also use that readyboost with an 8GB flashdrive and have maybe 16GB page file ram as well. I wanted to replace the processor but I figure I'll probably have to replace the Mobo as well but the issues with what socket is compatible and all that is too much for me. Here is a link to what I think my Mobo is: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps410/en/SM_EN/specs.htmIs it even worth it to upgrade my CPU and/or Mobo or should I just wait and build a new PC in a year or two? Could an i7 work well with my setup (assuming I replace the mobo?). I'm pretty bad at compatibility issues but I know how to install everything (except multiple harddrives lol). + Show Spoiler +1. Spend $200 to max out your current upgrade path, and save the rest for later on down. You'll be able to use the whole current computer as a capable backup when the time comes. 2. Spend the full $400 and give your PC a whole new lease on life, but at cost of foregoing putting more awesome guts at the center of computer later down the line. 3. Wait and make do with the current clunker until you get all new and shiny i7 isn't doable on a $400 budget for cpu/mobo/RAM
Also this year it's all dead end. AM3 is dead end and so is lga 1156 the only benefit to am3 is that am3+ will support your cpu but am3+ cpu's wont support your mobo which is the likely way to upgrade.
|
On September 17 2010 10:11 GeneralStan wrote:Show nested quote +On September 16 2010 17:12 blitzkrieger wrote:Hey I was wondering if I should upgrade my CPU/Motherboard. I bought a crappy Dell comp a while back, XPS 410 and have been upgrading it for a long time (06 maybe). I plan on building an entire comp and have been doing research but atm funds don't allow. 350W -> 650W PS (some OCZ Silent X Stream) 2GB -> 4GB Ram ??? -> Nvidia 9800GTX+ Vista 32 -> Windows 7 64 bit 2.13Ghz Dual Core Duo 120GB HD (suits my needs) 22" monitor @ 1680x1050 I also use that readyboost with an 8GB flashdrive and have maybe 16GB page file ram as well. I wanted to replace the processor but I figure I'll probably have to replace the Mobo as well but the issues with what socket is compatible and all that is too much for me. Here is a link to what I think my Mobo is: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xps410/en/SM_EN/specs.htmIs it even worth it to upgrade my CPU and/or Mobo or should I just wait and build a new PC in a year or two? Could an i7 work well with my setup (assuming I replace the mobo?). I'm pretty bad at compatibility issues but I know how to install everything (except multiple harddrives lol). 1. You could drop an 8400 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037&cm_re=e8400-_-19-115-037-_-Product) into the socket and that will work. It's the pretty much top of the line Core 2 Duo (Dual Core), and that's going to give you the most bang for your buck for SC II in replacing your CPU. The problem here is that you're spending $170 on a dead-end upgrade, which might be alright if you're going to build a better computer in the future. It will certainly make it an acceptable gaming machine for the forseeable future, and a backup to what you hope to build (where that 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo is really going to hold you back alot.) 2. Alternatively you could spend the full $400 and pick up an i5-750, and a Mobo, and RAM, which will give you a suitable performance boost, and will be worth spending money to upgrade graphics at some point in the future. ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128437 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275 for example). On the other hand, if you wait until you're building a full computer, $400 will likely go a lot farther as new CPUs will have been released. 3. Wait. In short: 1. Spend $200 to max out your current upgrade path, and save the rest for later on down. You'll be able to use the whole current computer as a capable backup when the time comes. 2. Spend the full $400 and give your PC a whole new lease on life, but at cost of foregoing putting more awesome guts at the center of computer later down the line. 3. Wait and make do with the current clunker until you get all new and shiny i7 isn't doable on a $400 budget for cpu/mobo/RAM
Thx for all the info. I'll prob go with 3 just because I'm feeling that I'm trying to put lipstick on a pig now lol. Might as well have the fun and excitement of making a fully custom case with fans lighting and building a PC sooner, as compared to upgrading my Dell a little bit.
I think Corsair is making watercooling idiot proof, you guys recommend that? I'm sure it'll be even more idiot proof in a few months.
Also I just bought Windows 7 64bit for this PC, I assume I can use it for my new PC right? And put Vista back on this? Or will Microsoft make me buy a new Windows 7?
But ugh I feel like my CPU is bottlenecking me 
|
So I just bought the i5, the case, and 2 x 2gb ddr3 1600 RAM.
Then I just found out tonight, as my bday present, are going to pay for $500 of my computer, thus increasing my budget. I now am looking to spend around ~$1200-$1300. Any recommendation difference in specs? More space on SSD? better gfx card? Return the processor (which I got for $159 btw when it was ~$209 on newegg) and go for i7? Nicer case? Need a power supply now however, as part of the deal was I give my old computer to my younger brother. I figure he can keep his hard drive though and I can keep mine.
Operating systems once again aren't a problem.
|
|
|
Better monitor?
I would put more money into something that you won't replace very often.
|
I'm just going to keep the monitor I'm using. I don't see any reason to get a better one. So all the same specs cept bigger SSD? Because that doesn't exactly improve any of your performance in terms of power or anything, right? Just load times only..?
Although I'm sick of my chrome or firefox taking seemingly forever to load....
Although with a $300 bigger budget... not going to spend it ALL on a larger SSD. I don't need everything on it! Maybe I'll get an 80 GB instead of a 60 GB but...
Love the prompt responses though...
|
I think you should upgrade to a 120GB SSD 
You never know when you want that space
|
|
|
Can you elaborate more on the motherboard? Does that mean it enables 6GB of RAM? So I'd have to buy another stick? Or just get a deal ofc and return the one I bought already.
|
On September 17 2010 19:15 FabledIntegral wrote:Can you elaborate more on the motherboard? Does that mean it enables 6GB of RAM? So I'd have to buy another stick? Or just get a deal ofc and return the one I bought already.
Hes saying that you might need a motherboard with Sata 6Gbit/s or also known as Sata 3 to fully utilize a SSD.
|
Which is wrong.
SATA 3 is currently only giving a noticeable performance boost with the Crucial Real SSD.
|
So uhh... it's unrelated to RAM? haha. Stay with 4 GB RAM?
So I'm prob going to just order everything else online today....
Should I get now with an increased budget or around $300 (I figure I'll just pocket the other $200 as I was slightly over my limit anyways)...
1) Better SSD
2) Better Mobo
3) Better GFX Card
4) More RAM (which might require better mobo...? idk. Like I said I have an i5 760 if that matters).
5) Still need a PSU
6) Better case?
|
On September 18 2010 01:46 FragKrag wrote:
Which is wrong.
SATA 3 is currently only giving a noticeable performance boost with the Crucial Real SSD.
SATA6 I guess you mean I have SATA6 and that very same SSD 
|
On September 18 2010 05:50 Born)Slippy wrote:Show nested quote +On September 18 2010 01:46 FragKrag wrote:
Which is wrong.
SATA 3 is currently only giving a noticeable performance boost with the Crucial Real SSD. SATA6 I guess you mean I have SATA6 and that very same SSD
SATA 6GB/s is SATA 3
The 3 doesn't specify bandwidth, it specifies revision like USB 3.0
|
Most SSDs including the Vertex 2 have SATA II (3.0 Gbps) interfaces anyway, so they would not benefit from having a motherboard with SATA III. i.e. SATA III capability would not even be used.
You could upgrade to a GTX 470 (or HD 5850) I guess--that would be the only real performance difference you could make with the rest of the budget. Granted, a GTX 460 is enough for modern games.
More RAM would not require a better mobo in general. In general, there's no point to getting a better mobo than some reliable board from a good brand (e.g. Asus, Gigabyte), unless you're looking for a specific feature like multi-GPU support, certain numbers of I/O ports above the norm, etc. Most boards take 4 sticks of RAM, and when you get 4 GB of RAM, that's almost always 2 sticks of 2 GB each. But a RAM upgrade doesn't give better performance either unless you actually need the space.
PSU is difficult to say if you're not shopping on newegg and we won't really know the price. The units R04R linked are good. Lots of good models are sold by many companies, and many bad models are also sold, some by the same companies that sell good models. If in doubt, get a Corsair PSU, as their whole lineup is reliable. And you can check this review list.
After upgrading the SSD to a larger capacity, I'd stick with pocketing most of the extra money and saving for a future upgrade or anything else.
|
Hey,
thanks for this brilliant thread. I have exactly NO clue about hardware at all, so I am totally lost which things I have to consider. I do, however, know what I want to do with my new PC and would appreciate your opinion on my matter. I ll just go and answer your numbers top-bottom and re-edit any further needed information needed into my post.
1. Budget
The lower the better. I could spend up to 600€, but since my requirements are really low (see 2.) I want to get away with the cheapest gear that meets my requirements as close as possible.
2. Resolution
I m easy pleased here, no high expectations.1600x1200 would be fine, but I d settle for 1280x1024 if it saves me >100€.
3. What do I need it for
I'm watching mostly movies & streams and surfing the web. My new PC should handle SC2 on medium settings. Mostly casual online laddering, single player and the occasional UMS.
I watch my movies with beamer + 5.1 sound system, but I do not need BluRay or HD. As long as I can watch my DVDs without getting eye cancer I m fine.
4.Upgrade Cycle
If the PC can handle Diablo3 on medium settings too I might end up never upgrading it. SC2+D3 will be the last games I play actively myself.
5. When?
This year. Either within the next weeks or around Christmas.
6.Overclocking
Not needed.
7.OS
I plan on getting Windows 7.
8. Second GPU
I dont think so : -).
9. Location
I m living in Germany. I have no problem waiting for my parts to be delivered though. So if shipping is available and saves me my money I'd order from the opposite of the world.
I try and answer any further questions as best as possible.
Thanks in advance for any help.
|
On September 18 2010 17:47 Brockster wrote:+ Show Spoiler +
Hey,
thanks for this brilliant thread. I have exactly NO clue about hardware at all, so I am totally lost which things I have to consider. I do, however, know what I want to do with my new PC and would appreciate your opinion on my matter. I ll just go and answer your numbers top-bottom and re-edit any further needed information needed into my post.
1. Budget
The lower the better. I could spend up to 600€, but since my requirements are really low (see 2.) I want to get away with the cheapest gear that meets my requirements as close as possible.
2. Resolution
I m easy pleased here, no high expectations.1600x1200 would be fine, but I d settle for 1280x1024 if it saves me >100€.
3. What do I need it for
I'm watching mostly movies & streams and surfing the web. My new PC should handle SC2 on medium settings. Mostly casual online laddering, single player and the occasional UMS.
I watch my movies with beamer + 5.1 sound system, but I do not need BluRay or HD. As long as I can watch my DVDs without getting eye cancer I m fine.
4.Upgrade Cycle
If the PC can handle Diablo3 on medium settings too I might end up never upgrading it. SC2+D3 will be the last games I play actively myself.
5. When?
This year. Either within the next weeks or around Christmas.
6.Overclocking
Not needed.
7.OS
I plan on getting Windows 7.
8. Second GPU
I dont think so : -).
9. Location
I m living in Germany. I have no problem waiting for my parts to be delivered though. So if shipping is available and saves me my money I'd order from the opposite of the world.
I try and answer any further questions as best as possible.
Thanks in advance for any help.
this might be interesting information for you:
http://www.computerbase.de/forum/showthread.php?t=215394
|
On September 18 2010 08:36 Myrmidon wrote:Most SSDs including the Vertex 2 have SATA II (3.0 Gbps) interfaces anyway, so they would not benefit from having a motherboard with SATA III. i.e. SATA III capability would not even be used. You could upgrade to a GTX 470 (or HD 5850) I guess--that would be the only real performance difference you could make with the rest of the budget. Granted, a GTX 460 is enough for modern games. More RAM would not require a better mobo in general. In general, there's no point to getting a better mobo than some reliable board from a good brand (e.g. Asus, Gigabyte), unless you're looking for a specific feature like multi-GPU support, certain numbers of I/O ports above the norm, etc. Most boards take 4 sticks of RAM, and when you get 4 GB of RAM, that's almost always 2 sticks of 2 GB each. But a RAM upgrade doesn't give better performance either unless you actually need the space. PSU is difficult to say if you're not shopping on newegg and we won't really know the price. The units R04R linked are good. Lots of good models are sold by many companies, and many bad models are also sold, some by the same companies that sell good models. If in doubt, get a Corsair PSU, as their whole lineup is reliable. And you can check this review list. After upgrading the SSD to a larger capacity, I'd stick with pocketing most of the extra money and saving for a future upgrade or anything else.
Perfect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
