• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Upgrade or New Build

What should I do?

  • Upgrade to Q6600/Q6700 and add RAM

    Votes: 1 10.0%

  • Upgrade MOBO/CPU/RAM

    Votes: 3 30.0%

  • Start over

    Votes: 5 50.0%

  • DELL? Yikes.

    Votes: 1 10.0%
  • Total voters
    10
F

fatpirate

n00b
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
34
Looking for some advice on whether to build an entire new rig or upgrade my current PC.

Current Build Running Windows 7:

Intel Board DG965WH
Intel 6300 Core 2
4 GB ram DDR2
Intel SSD 40gb Hard Drive for OS and Photoshop
500 GB Seagate 7200.10
NVIDIA Geforce 8800 GTS 640MB
Antec Nine Hundred

My basic plan is to upgrade CPU to Q6700 or Q6600 and bump RAM up to 8/12GB for Video Editing. My plan would be to use that for 1-2years and build a new system then.

My question is should I be looking to go whole hog and build a new rig? Can I get away with just a new mobo/cpu/ram and reuse the other parts I have?


1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Very little gaming anymore. Photoshop, video editing (5d mk II) and general web.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Would like to keep a rebuild >$400; new build would be >$1000 Tax free in Oregon!

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US-OR-Portland Area

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
My question is whether to upgrade CPU and Add RAM, Upgrade CPU/MOBO/RAM or start over.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

PSU CORSAIR HX 620W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

8800 GTS 640MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130071

6) Will you be overclocking?
Current MB doesn't allow. Would be willing to try...

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1980x1200 Dell 2407-WFP

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Next three months

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
I don't know anymore. USB 3.0 would be nice, would not be using RAID/Crossfire/SLI.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes 64bit Windows 7, Vista, and XP keys.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
New mobo+cpu+ram IMO. DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3 now and is a dead end. You can find a nice ATX Z68 mobo + a Core i5 for $300 and spend the rest on RAM.

Example:
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502 $115
CPU: Core i5 2400 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074 $180
Memory: Corsair Vengenace 2x4GB DDR3-1600 (Combo with mobo) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.788454 $32

If you need more RAM NCIX has a special on 2x4GB Kingston HyperX's for $34 (buy two).
 
Last edited:
Xeth said:
New mobo+cpu+ram IMO. DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3 now and is a dead end. You can find a nice ATX Z68 mobo + a Core i5 for $300 and spend the rest on RAM.
Click to expand...

spot on, thats what I'm doing in January. 2 sticks of 1GB DDR1 RAM for my 939 was $41! I don't know what I was thinking :eek:
 
Your best bet would be a new CPU + mobo + Ram. Xeth's build is definitely solid but that combo deal expires at the end of this month. Not to mention that those parts may not be the same parts we recommend in late January to March considering that Intel is supposedly releasing their new CPUs around that time frame.

So if you want up-to-date parts recommendations, bump up this thread when you're 2-3 weeks away from buying. Otherwise, you would have an outdated and possibly overpriced parts list.

But no matter what, you're looking at a new CPU + mobo + RAM upgrade. Socket 775 is effectively a dead-end and dead platform.
 
BUMP!

The motherboard failed. I need new gear ASAP. Any help is appreciated. Really wanted to wait but the time has come. Need suggestions for Processor/Mobo/RAM. Also would like to pick up larger SSD (120gb+) and maybe copy of WIN7 if a good price available. $500-$600 would be preferred but can be stretched if justified.

Thanks
 
$190 - Intel Core i5-2400 CPU
$90 - Intel BOXDH67BLB3 Intel H67 mATX Motherboard
$44 - G.Skill Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$200 - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SSD
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit OEM
----
Total: $624 shipped

If you want to be able to OC, I recommend this setup:
$320 - Intel Core i5-2500K CPU + MSI P67A-G43 Intel P67 ATX Motherboard
$44 - G.Skill Sniper F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$200 - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SSD
$100 - Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit OEM
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156
----
Total: $694 shipped
 
fatpirate said:
How much of an impact would overclocking have when Photoshop/Video editing?
Click to expand...

Can't comment on photoshop but with video editing/rendering and assuming a 4.4Ghz OC, you're looking at roughly a 30% to 40% performance increase depending on the application over a 3.3Ghz 2500K.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top