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SG03 - Internal upgrade suggestions

I

Intrusive

n00b
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
35
Hey guys,

It has been a few years since I built my rig and I was thinking about upgrading my ram (to 6gb) not long ago as I think that's the bottleneck right now, but I just wanted to see what you guys thought might be a better direction to take... mainly gaming rig, and I don't want to spend more than 250AUD. Pasted from sig:

CASE: Silverstone SG03 Black Micro ATX Tower
MOBO: DFI LanParty-JR P45-T2RS
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
HSF: Silverstone NT06-Evolution
PSU: Silverstone 600W ST60F Modular
HDD: Western Digital Caviar 1TB 16MB Cache 7200RPM SATA II
GPU: Hightech ATI HD 4850
RAM: G.Skill 2GB DDR2 1066mhz 5-5-5-15

Thanks guys, any comments will be muchly appreciated...
 
Does it not perform to your liking? I would say RAM or maybe SSD?
 
Tricky question. For GPU, a cheap GTX460 (even a 768MB one) would provide a decent boost. Could get it for that price easily, and probably still get extra RAM while at it. However while your CPU should be able to keep up reasonable frame rates in most games without gimping the 460 too horribly, in some a Quad would be much better. But there's not enough budget to upgrade both the CPU and the GPU - unless you can find a used Quad for a truly extraordinary price, I guess.

Those aside, a good SSD would give very snappy performance for desktop use, but wouldn't do much for games.
 
Is your ram one stick or two? If it is one, you can probably scull around the FS/FT forum for a companion stick on the cheap.

For your intended use, I'm torn between a newer vid card and a hard drive -- a SSD would make life in general with your computer snappier, but a 5000-series (or 400-series green-team) card would make gaming quite a bit nicer. Again, I'd check the FS/FT forum to see what is currently out there that will meet your budget.

What games do you typically play and at what resolution/eye-candy levels?
 
wonSR4 said:
Does it not perform to your liking? I would say RAM or maybe SSD?
Click to expand...

It's holding up for a 2 year old build, I'm just noticing that I do run out of ram in some instances. I haven't looked at SSD's since they came out cause they were always super expensive... Might check it out.

tvih said:
Tricky question. For GPU, a cheap GTX460 (even a 768MB one) would provide a decent boost. Could get it for that price easily, and probably still get extra RAM while at it. However while your CPU should be able to keep up reasonable frame rates in most games without gimping the 460 too horribly, in some a Quad would be much better. But there's not enough budget to upgrade both the CPU and the GPU - unless you can find a used Quad for a truly extraordinary price, I guess.

Those aside, a good SSD would give very snappy performance for desktop use, but wouldn't do much for games.
Click to expand...

Cheers. My main issue is that I want to upgrade the ram, but maybe a mobo/cpu overhaul might be worth it if I'm going to be spending ~150ish on the ram... I think the quad would run too hot in my SG03, at least that was the feedback from those that did it ages ago...

Machupo said:
Is your ram one stick or two? If it is one, you can probably scull around the FS/FT forum for a companion stick on the cheap.

For your intended use, I'm torn between a newer vid card and a hard drive -- a SSD would make life in general with your computer snappier, but a 5000-series (or 400-series green-team) card would make gaming quite a bit nicer. Again, I'd check the FS/FT forum to see what is currently out there that will meet your budget.

What games do you typically play and at what resolution/eye-candy levels?
Click to expand...

Playing SC2 atm at 1920x1080. This was what triggered the move to upgrade, I was getting lots of frame drops during cutscenes etc but that is probably because I had some of the settings too high for the card. I also noticed the 4850 spinning louder than usual on some occasions so I guess that added to it too. Also TF2, Civ 5 and a few others when I have time...

Currently, I've got 2x1gb sticks. Am I right in saying that it's probably best to stick with the brand/model of ram so as to not mess up their timings etc? I.e. this would be the go if I were to upgrade? (Same model/timings just different capacity). I live in Australia so can't really check out the FS/FT forum I think...

Thanks guys for your replies :)
 
Intrusive said:
I think the quad would run too hot in my SG03, at least that was the feedback from those that did it ages ago...
Click to expand...
Ah, yes, with the NT-06 it might indeed be a problem, especially with some warmer LGA775 Quads. With a Samuel 17 + fan my i5 750 stays cool enough, even overclocked (though I normally run stock).
 
Intrusive said:
It's holding up for a 2 year old build, I'm just noticing that I do run out of ram in some instances. I haven't looked at SSD's since they came out cause they were always super expensive... Might check it out.



Cheers. My main issue is that I want to upgrade the ram, but maybe a mobo/cpu overhaul might be worth it if I'm going to be spending ~150ish on the ram... I think the quad would run too hot in my SG03, at least that was the feedback from those that did it ages ago...



Playing SC2 atm at 1920x1080. This was what triggered the move to upgrade, I was getting lots of frame drops during cutscenes etc but that is probably because I had some of the settings too high for the card. I also noticed the 4850 spinning louder than usual on some occasions so I guess that added to it too. Also TF2, Civ 5 and a few others when I have time...

Currently, I've got 2x1gb sticks. Am I right in saying that it's probably best to stick with the brand/model of ram so as to not mess up their timings etc? I.e. this would be the go if I were to upgrade? (Same model/timings just different capacity). I live in Australia so can't really check out the FS/FT forum I think...

Thanks guys for your replies :)
Click to expand...

Don't worry about timings (many manufacturers make those timings), just check various forums to see if anyone else is running the motherboard/ram combo you're looking into before you buy :)

Amazon ships internationally, so you might find some good deals there on some Kingston, Corsair or Patriot memory (I avoid OCZ like the plague). Don't know what duty will be like.
 
Well if you did upgrade your motherboard and cpu, would you still be staying on the 775 platform? If not, it's going to cost more than $150 for motherboard, cpu, and ram.

Agreed with the post above me and yeah I'm not surprised if your 4850 struggles with high settings at 1920 x 1080. It can't handle it. My older computer with a 4850 couldn't handle games running at highest settings on 1920 x 1200.
 
Intrusive said:
Currently, I've got 2x1gb sticks. Am I right in saying that it's probably best to stick with the brand/model of ram so as to not mess up their timings etc? I.e. this would be the go if I were to upgrade? (Same model/timings just different capacity). I live in Australia so can't really check out the FS/FT forum I think...
Click to expand...

No need to stick with the same brand or model. Just as long as the new set of RAM has similar timings and speed, you'll be golden.
 
I think I'll go with the ram for now and just start tuning the graphics down a bit. I don't want any issues so I think I'll stay with the same brand just different capacity. I wasn't initially thinking about it, but do you guys reckon that a cooler upgrade could be worth it? My PSU fan seems to crank and I can't get it to slow down, I think I might have to replace it with the P12 I have in the front of the case... I'm positive it's the PSU fan causing all the trouble too, it's facing the CPU and I've found that switching the orientation is much quieter but also much hotter for CPU under load... Maybe an AXP140 would fit with a fan instead?

Thanks for your replies, very helpful :)
 
Sorry guys, thread from the dead!

I ended up purchasing a 64gb Vertex 2 ssd for my system ages ago and it was one of the best upgrades ever, definitely a fan.

I've only just decided to spend a little more on my system now which is exactly the same as my initial post plus the ssd.

My 4850 has decided to kick into blow dryer mode everyone I launch a game, and I am trying to play DX:HR buy it's just not working for me.

With a budget of around $200 what would you recommend? Would a 6950 fit in the SG03 with case fan level with it? I want to get more ram but can't bring myself to buy some dated DDR2-1066 sticks.

Thanks guys :)

Edit: just wanted to add, planning in going to Europe next year and was wanting to also save up for a mobile gaming rig such as the M14X. Build quality, high resolution screen, portability, power and fantastic keyboard are the benefits that are winning me over. This pc upgrade is basically to tide me over till I can afford to blow 2k in the Alienware plus the trip money :) any thoughts on this avenue of upgrading?
 
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With a budget of $200, a HD 6950 is definitely not in the cards for you. But to answer your question: A referenve HD 6950 will just barely fit inside the SG03. Though I think it'll be very tight. Do note that non-reference cards might actually be longer so those won't fit inside that case.

Wait, is that $200 AUD or $200 USD?
 
I replaced my old 8800 with a GTX460. Gets pretty warm inside the case. The SG03 is a nice case but suffers from lack of good exhaust system. Be careful of how big of a GPU heater you put into it.
 
Damn I meant 6850/6870 definitely not 6950 lol.

I know what you mean Skott, that's why I'm trying to find a relatively quiet and cool card.
 
Has anyone had any 6850/6870 fit in their SG03? If so, which model? Quiet cool and short lol that's the criteria :)
 
The SG03 will hold a 12" card but you have to remove the bottom front fan. That is not exactly ideal cooling wise because then it only leaves you one front intake on the upper end. If I remember correctly a 6950 can fit in the SG03 but you have to use a slim 120mm fan to make it fit. I do believe someone here did that and posted a pic. Forget who that was now. Its been a while. If I remember correctly it was a very tight fit with that slim fan.

Anyhow, the 6850/6870 should fit knowing all this. You'll want to make sure the power connectors are on top of the card I'm thinking. The 6850 cards are generally about 8.5 inches or so long and the 6870 is around or a little less than 10 inches. The power connection (one 6 pin) for the 6850 is at the back and the 6870 power connection (two 6 pin) is on top.

Also if you are thinking of using one of the hydro coolers, H50/60/70 for example, they may fit with the 6850 but most likely not with the 6870. Don't hold me to that though because I haven't tried using either of these cards in mine. I'm just guessing without taking actual measurements. I advise you to research this more closely.
 
I have a reference HD6870 in my SG-03. Uh, one of the original HIS cards, I think... but all reference cards were the same. Fits with (from memory) less than 1 cm clearance to the lower front case fan. The power cables don't interfere as they connect to the top of the card, IIRC.

Unfortunately it's becoming increasingly difficult to buy reference cards... they all have custom coolers these days.

Edit: There's a Corsair H50 in there, too. It all fits.
 
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