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Questions before an upgrade

G

Graffight

n00b
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
33
First i'd like to thank the people on this board who helped me build this computer in the first place. I'm looking to do some upgrades, and i had a couple of questions.

I currently have this Gigabyte Motherboard

and 8 gigs of memory

I want to max out my memory with This

But I didn't know if it was compatible, because it doesn't show up on this list from Gigabyte


Also is it possible to get a Phenom II X6 1100T anywhere? I'd like to max out my CPU as well.

This is my current build

I'm looking to spend about $400 max on this upgrade, would it be better or cold i get more bang for my buck to upgrade the MOBO/CPU than to try to hunt down a 1100T?
 
That G.Skill 4GB stick should work with that Gigabyte.

As for the CPU, honestly, ebay, craigslist, or the FS/FT subforum we have is probably going to be your best bet for that Phenom 1100T. Even then though I still don't think it's worth the money at around $170 to $200. At that point, you might as well go Intel or even AMD AM3+.

After the RAM is factored in, you would have about $350 leftover for a new CPU and mobo if needed. Before I go on, please answer the following questions:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
2) Will you be overclocking?
3) When do you plan on doing the upgrades?
4) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? UEFI? etc.
5) What hard drive are you using now?
 
Danny Bui said:
That G.Skill 4GB stick should work with that Gigabyte.

As for the CPU, honestly, ebay, craigslist, or the FS/FT subforum we have is probably going to be your best bet for that Phenom 1100T. Even then though I still don't think it's worth the money at around $170 to $200. At that point, you might as well go Intel or even AMD AM3+.
Click to expand...

That's what i was thinking, it might be better to get a new mobo and cpu. I'm more interested in the memory, but if i could go up to 32 gigs that would be ideal.

After the RAM is factored in, you would have about $350 leftover for a new CPU and mobo if needed. Before I go on, please answer the following questions:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Photoshop, Video Editing, 3ds Max
some gaming,
pfft, I don't do no browsing, that's stuff's for losers :D

2) Will you be overclocking?

unlikely (not quite that awesome)

3) When do you plan on doing the upgrades?

in a week or two

4) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? UEFI? etc.

honestly i don't know, SLI usually isn't necessary for 3d or photoshop so it won't help, but i guess it would be nice for gaming. everything else i'm unsure about :confused:

5) What hard drive are you using now?
My Primary

Secondary


updated computer specs

One other thing,

Not looking to upgrade it now, but when it comes to video cards, can i put just about anything on this motherboard, or are there limitations to how i can upgrade? I'm thinking of getting a third monitor in the future, but I don't think this card will support 3.
 
Last edited:
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Graffight said:
I'm more interested in the memory, but if i could go up to 32 gigs that would be ideal.
Click to expand...
What OS are you using then?

Graffight said:
Not looking to upgrade it now, but when it comes to video cards, can i put just about anything on this motherboard, or are there limitations to how i can upgrade? I'm thinking of getting a third monitor in the future, but I don't think this card will support 3.
Click to expand...

Pretty much any single GPU will work with that mobo and PSU. Your current GPU would support a 3rd monitor if that 3rd monitor has DisplayPort or if you use a DisplayPort to DVI adapter.
 
Danny Bui said:
What OS are you using then?



Pretty much any single GPU will work with that mobo and PSU. Your current GPU would support a 3rd monitor if that 3rd monitor has DisplayPort or if you use a DisplayPort to DVI adapter.
Click to expand...

Windows 8

cool thanks, so Nvidia vs Radeon really doesn't matter.
 
Graffight said:
Windows 8
Click to expand...
All right then, here's what I recommend:
$189 - Intel Core i5-3470 CPU
$73 - Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Intel B75 mATX Motherboard
$100 - 2 x Corsair Vengeance CML8GX3M1A1600C9 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
----
Total: $362 shipped

Combined with the RAM you have now, you would have a total of 20GB of RAM. If you want 32GB, just get two more of the Corsair RAM I linked.

Graffight said:
cool thanks, so Nvidia vs Radeon really doesn't matter.
Click to expand...
Nope, doesn't matter.
 
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