Upgrade Time (finally)

L

Lok

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 3, 2006
Messages
334
Alright, it's time to completely overhaul my current PC and get something a bit more with the times. My current hardware configuration:

WinXP Pro
MSI K8N Neo4 939 mobo
AMD Opteron 180
2GB Crucial RAM
Thermaltake heatsink/fan (can't remember the exact name but it's done a damn fine job)
EVGA 8800GT SuperClocked

I have $500 to get a new CPU, mobo, RAM and heatsink/fan. I plan to keep the 8800GT and all of my gaming is done at 1280x1024 resolution. I never do any graphics rendering or movie editing or anything of that type. This machine is mostly used for gaming (and studying for certs lol). Here's what I'm thinking:

Intel E8500 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136043

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 (and the retention bracket) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I don't plan on doing any overclocking...but could a good overclock be done with that hardware? I've never overclocked anything and would like try... Any input/suggestions/opinions would be very welcome and appreciated :)
 
Ditch the P35 motherboard. It's been superceded by the P45 chipset. Some other motherboard recommendations:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $87
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $110
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $135
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45 Motherboard - $137
Biostar TPower I45 Intel P45 Motherboard - $150
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $185
Asus P5E Deluxe Intel X48 Motherboard - $220
DFI Lanparty DK X48-T2R Intel X48 Motherboard - $220
Gigabyte GA-EX48-DS4 Intel X48 Motherboard - $225

Just to help you out: All of these motherboards have PCI-E 2.0 which may be useful for future GPU upgrades. If you don't need RAID, more than 6 SATA ports and only need semi-decent overclocking, check out the DS3L. If you need 8 SATA ports, RAID, 4 PCI slots, and legacy ports, then get the Neo3-Fr. If you don't need more than 6 SATA ports but want RAID, firewire, a second PCI-E x16 port, a second gigabit port, support for 16GB of RAM, optional eSATA, x8/x8 Crossfire, and great overclocks, then get the DS3R. If you like the DS3R but want better overclocking capability and 8 SATA ports, then get the UD3P or the UD3R if you don't need that second PCI-E x16 slot. If you like the DS3R but need 8 SATA ports, want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup, just support for 8GB of RAM, and don't need a second gigabit port, get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want a motherboard with excellent overclocking capabilities above all else (feature wise), go with the I45. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38. If you have cash to burn, need x16/x16 Crossfire, and don't give a damn about getting the most value for your money, get the Asus, DFI, or Gigabyte X48 motherboards. Do note that the Asus website can be slow sometimes.

But yes you could get a good overclock (Around 3.8Ghz) with that hardware.

Also, what power supply do you have?
 
My PSU is an Antec TruePower 2.0 550W...I'm hoping I don't have to upgrade it either...but I will if need be.

edit: It's been very reliable, too
 
Is it making any sort of squealing or odd noise?
 
Nah no squeaking or squealing noises...the PC itself is kinda loud cuz of the fans lol...but nothing out of the ordinary.
 
Lok said:
Alright, it's time to completely overhaul my current PC and get something a bit more with the times. My current hardware configuration:

WinXP Pro
MSI K8N Neo4 939 mobo
AMD Opteron 180
2GB Crucial RAM
Thermaltake heatsink/fan (can't remember the exact name but it's done a damn fine job)
EVGA 8800GT SuperClocked

I have $500 to get a new CPU, mobo, RAM and heatsink/fan. I plan to keep the 8800GT and all of my gaming is done at 1280x1024 resolution. I never do any graphics rendering or movie editing or anything of that type. This machine is mostly used for gaming (and studying for certs lol). Here's what I'm thinking:

Intel E8500 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

DFI LANPARTY DK P35-T2RS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136043

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 (and the retention bracket) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

I don't plan on doing any overclocking...but could a good overclock be done with that hardware? I've never overclocked anything and would like try... Any input/suggestions/opinions would be very welcome and appreciated :)
Click to expand...

Well my friend I think its time you introduced yourself to the wonderful world of free Ghz, because that's what you're looking at really. OCing is much easier than you think. In fact if you acquire the proper parts which you seem to have its just a few key strokes and you're done.
I will echo Danny's mobo recommendations and IMO would try to steer you into a Gigabtye or Asus mobo. The Asus is arguably higher end and more feature loaded but the Gigabyte is a solid performer that will serve you well OC or not.

Its very likely with the HSF you selected you could/should be able to clear over 4Ghz with that cpu. Since you're capped at 1280x1024 you might even consider stepping down to the E7200. I've got one of those myself pulling a respectable 3.6Ghz. Its $70 less to and while it only has half the cache of the e8500 for a budget build like yours it will be adequate especially for 1280x1024 gaming. Also with that $70 saved you are half way to a new 4850 as well.
 
The reason why Danny was asking about your power supply is because the Antec SmartPower/TruePower 2.0 series have had a history of dying often (and at random times). While yours may be good now, if you could afford to, I recommend getting a new PSU ASAP.

I second GonzoP's recommendation of choosing the E7200 over the E8500 -- like the E8500, it has some bundle deals with the Gigabyte EP45-UD3-series boards -- but instead of a new video card, I recommend an inexpensive yet quality PSU like the Antec Earthwatts EA650 (which is currently on sale). While the EA650 has more power than you'll (probably) ever need, it's also a better built PSU.
 
tiraides said:
The reason why Danny was asking about your power supply is because the Antec SmartPower/TruePower 2.0 series have had a history of dying often (and at random times). While yours may be good now, if you could afford to, I recommend getting a new PSU ASAP.

I second GonzoP's recommendation of choosing the E7200 over the E8500 -- like the E8500, it has some bundle deals with the Gigabyte EP45-UD3-series boards -- but instead of a new video card, I recommend an inexpensive yet quality PSU like the Antec Earthwatts EA650 (which is currently on sale). While the EA650 has more power than you'll (probably) ever need, it's also a better built PSU.
Click to expand...

Yes that's a nice call. The money he saves with the e7200 vs the 8500 he can get the Earthwatts. Yeah I got a Gigabyte/e7200 bundle myself for like $200 last month. Its the budget gamers best friend
 
I agree with everything thats been already stated.

Lok said:
Nah no squeaking or squealing noises...the PC itself is kinda loud cuz of the fans lol...but nothing out of the ordinary.
Click to expand...

Turn off all the fans and find out. If there is any, you can get that replaced by Antec if its still under its 3yr warranty. They replaced my $15 (Fry's Anniv. Special) SP2.0 500W (OEM is CWT) with a NeoPower 500W (OEM is Seasonic) -- much better quality PSU and still modular. :)

Lok said:
... I plan to keep the 8800GT and all of my gaming is done at 1280x1024 resolution. ...
DFI [mobo]
...
I don't plan on doing any overclocking...but could a good overclock be done with that hardware? ...
Click to expand...

For that res, that card should last you quite a while.

DFI's are known for OC'ing. :p However, if you're a novice OC'er, DFI's BIOS could be overwhelming. Therefore, I'd suggest an Asus or Gigabyte instead. They, too, can OC wonderfully.

GonzoP said:
...Yeah I got a Gigabyte/e7200 bundle myself for like $200 last month. Its the budget gamers best friend
Click to expand...
Are you sure its not the $99 E7200 + ECS GF7050VT-M bundle from Fry's B&M? :p

GonzoP said:
Well my friend I think its time you introduced yourself to the wonderful world of free Ghz...
Click to expand...
LOL
 
Some great advice here...thanks for all of it. I do plan on getting a larger monitor here fairly soon...so at some point I will be gaming on a higher res than 1280x1024 (I should have mentioned that earlier). And I listened to the PSU and couldn't hear anything that resembles a squeak or squeal. I can replace it...I was just wanting to keep as close to $500 as possible.

edit: That Asus board sure does look nice...
 
I suggest replacing the PSU ASAP. Contrary to what you may be thinking, an old or a bad power supply could work fine one day and die all of a sudden the next day. (I'm speaking from experience here, as I'm currently dealing with a three-year-old SmartPower 2.0 500W PSU that's now running with a dead fan.)

Here's a full setup for well under $500:

$223 - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R & Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 bundle (free shipping on both & free 2GB USB flash drive)
$27 - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro (free shipping)
$55 - G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 800 kit (free shipping)
$55 - Antec Earthwatts EA650 (free shipping)
=====
$360 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)
Click to expand...

You could use the leftover money as a "down payment" on a new monitor. If you're considering a 22 inch or larger monitor in the future, I suggest that you also purchase a new video card around that time. (Right now, the GTX 260 or the HD4870 are good choices, but more options may become available around the time you make your monitor purchase.)

However, you could get (nearly) everything that you want, follow my recommendation, and still keep everything at under $500.

$312 - Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P & Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 bundle (free shipping on both & free 2GB USB flash drive)
$44 - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 & ACK-I7751 retention bracket (free shipping on the CPU cooler)
$68 - G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1000 kit (free shipping)
$55 - Antec Earthwatts EA650 (free shipping)
=====
$479 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)
Click to expand...

I changed the RAM so, if you wanted to, you could overclock the E8500 to its limits. (The DDR2 1000 kit won't need to be tweaked much, if at all, while you're overclocking the processor.) I took advantage of the E8500's bundle deals and picked up the EP43-UD3P as well. It supports dual x8 CrossFire, so while you can still use your 8800GT with it, you may want to consider getting an AMD/ATI-based video card around the same time as your monitor upgrade. (However, unless you plan on gaming with high visual settings at a 1920x1200 or greater resolution, CrossFire is not a necessity.)
 
Alright...finally got it up and running :D First thing I checked was the processor. CPU-Z lists it as having a stepping of 6 and it being a revision C0. Is that about typical?
 
He got the E7200 and yes that's a fine model they've been out for months. The C0's should be good for 3.6, 3.8would be fantastic a needs a tad of luck/good set-up
 
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