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Recent upgrade, new spec

R

Royaltramp

n00b
Joined
Jun 22, 2008
Messages
26
Just went from:

Casecom Black w/ Blue LED fans
Asus P5N-E SLI Motherboard
500W Antec Smartpower II PSU
Intel Core2Duo E6550 2.33Ghz 1333FSB Processor
2048Mb (2x1024) DDR2 667Mhz Kingston RAM
256Mb Inno3D Nvidia 8600GT Graphics Card
250Gb Western Digital Caviar 7200RPM SATA Hard Disk
160Gb Maxtor 5400RPM IDE Hard Disk
HP dvd1040 lightScribe DVD-Writer
Saitek GM3200 Gaming Mouse (Currently set at: 1600dpi)
Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Blue backlighting)

To:

Casecom Black w/ Blue LED fans
Asus P5N-E SLI Motherboard
700W Hi-Power PSU
Intel Core2Duo E6550 2.33Ghz 1333FSB Processor
2048Mb (2x1024) DDR2 667Mhz Kingston RAM
1Gb Inno3D Nvidia GTX 280 Graphics Card
250Gb Western Digital Caviar 7200RPM SATA Hard Disk
160Gb Maxtor 5400RPM IDE Hard Disk
HP dvd1040 lightScribe DVD-Writer
Saitek GM3200 Gaming Mouse (Currently set at: 1600dpi)
Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Blue backlighting)

So what do you guys think? I know I won't be needing to upgrade my GPU for a long time now, but I can see the bottleneck with CPU (and maybe RAM). Only issue being that I have zero cash left in my upgrade budget right now.

Will the bottleneck be minimal or would it be advisable that I save up for a new CPU?

Edit: PS I was originally just going to upgrade to a 9600GT. I think I'm glad I spent a little more though.

-Matt
 
It looks like you upgraded the power supply and the video card.

Where did you get the Hi-Power PSU from? Why did you get the Hi-Power PSU?

Which monitor/resolution are you using? Which games are you playing?

Have you overclocked the processor yet?
 
Can't believe I forgot to say. 19" monitor, haven't overclocked the CPU, can't with 667Mhz RAM. The Hi-Power PSU was from ebuyer.com - Got it because I thought "Well, I ended up getting a not-so-reliable PSU when I went with a good name anyway, so why not go with someone less known and save a bit), at least it's not extra-value or anything.

So err, 1440x900, I'm looking to get my hands on Crysis and Bioshock now. Also Oblivion, World of Warcraft, Company of Heroes, Guitar Hero III, DiRT. I'll be getting more higher end games now though.

-Matt
 
Who makes Hi-Power PSUs? They sounds like crap, no offense...here's hoping it doesn't blow up.

No need for a GTX280 for that resolution, unless you're playing Crysis of course.

Grab another 2GB of RAM while it's cheap, DDR2 won't be any cheaper EVER.

And yes, overclock that thing, for petes sake. DDR2-800 is absurdly cheap, if you can afford a GTX280 you can afford $60 for 4GB of new ram.
 
The point is I've bought that now and I've completely blown my budget, overspent by a ton. So I can't buy anything else just yet. But I'm interested in knowing what to buy next.

I'm looking at the E8400 and 4Gb Corsair DDR2 800Mhz RAM. But it'll be a while.

-Matt
 
You might not have known this, but the Antec Smart-/TruePower II models were known for their frequent failures due to weak components. Antec has since solved this problem and its Earthwatts and NeoPower Quad lines are more reliable.

The easiest thing you could do is to reduce any potential bottlenecking is to overclock your processor. But in order to do so properly, you need a good aftermarket CPU cooler and RAM that can run at speeds of at least 400MHz (DDR2 800). Some figures:

enginurd said:
Stated FSB/4 = Actual FSB
Multiplier x Actual FSB = CPU Speed
1:1 Ratio: 2 x Actual FSB = RAM Speed
1:1 Ratio: FSB = 1/2 RAM speed

E6550:
Multi x Actual FSB, RAM Speed = Clock Speed
7 × 333Mhz = 2.3Ghz, DDR2-667 <<=== Stock speeds
7 × 400Mhz = 2.8Ghz, DDR2-800 <<== Easy OC
7 × 465Mhz = 3.2Ghz, DDR2-930 <<== Good OC
7 × 500Mhz = 3.5Ghz, DDR2-1000 <<== Great OC
Click to expand...

(Alright, you would be better off with DDR2 1000 RAM.)
 
Err, read the bottom spec. I'm using a GTX 280 not an 8600GT xD

And I've upgraded my PSU

Edit: Also the P5N-E only supports DDR2-800

-Matt
 
You'd have been better off getting an HD4850 or HD4870 along with a new CPU.
 
I don't like ATI. And I didn't post this to be told what I should or shouldn't have done instead. I'm just looking for feedback for the future, and comments on the kind of settings I should get with my new set-up.

-Matt
 
Save up for a new CPU, a decent aftermarket HSF, DDR2 800 RAM (either a 2GB or 4GB dual-channel kit), and a new power supply.

Other quality PSU brands include Corsair, Silverstone, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, Zippy, Estasis, Enermax's Galaxy line, Thermaltake's ToughPower line, and Cooler Master's Real Power Pro line.
 
I'm not buying a new power supply right after I bought a new one. But the rest of your suggestions sound good, E8400 look good?

-Matt
 
I'm recommending a new PSU because I don't trust the one that you bought. But if you trust it, fine; it was only a recommendation.

As for the processor, the E8400 is fine.
 
Heh, sorry, sounded like I wasn't listening to your recommendation. Yeah I understand, but given that my old machine with a horrible emachines (and known to die a lot) PSU only died after 2 years when the motherboard went, and my Smartpower didn't die on me, I'm not worried about it. And it seems to be a small-time brand but not an awful one.

Thanks for the recommendation though. And yeah, would it be better to get an E8400 or save up for a Q9xxx though?

-Matt
 
The easiest answer to the endless dual-core vs. quad-core debate is the answer to the following question:

Are you more of a gamer or more of a multi-tasker?

Gamers benefit more from the (generally) higher speeds a dual-core generates, whereas heavy multitaskers benefit from the additional cores the quad-core provides.
 
Well I dunno. That's the thing, from what I've seen it's the Q6's that have that argument, and the Q9's essentially act the same as dual's when not all four cores are in use.

If that's true though, I'll go for the E8400, saves me a bit and I'm more of a gamer.

-Matt
 
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