Upgrading my Gaming PC, need advice

L

Ladic

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 30, 2006
Messages
1,232
Ok, I'm doing an overhaul to my gaming PC. In some of my parts ill put a link so u can see them.


First a list of the parts I already have and I'm planning to keep on the new build:

-PSU: Antec NeoPower 650 Blue 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371010

-Video Card: VistionTek Radeon HD4850 512mb DDR3 PCI-E 2.0

-Audio Card: Audigy 2 ZS

-DVD: DVD+-RW (x2) SATA


This are parts I'm not going to change right now, but probably withing a month or 2.


-HD: 250GB Sata2 (Backup HD)

Will Raplce with

-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB (Backup HD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218


-RAM: 4GB (1GBx4) CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

will replace with either: (Which would be best???)

-CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
or
-CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197


Stuff I need to change Now:

-CPU: C2D E4400
Will Replace with
-C2D E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037


-HD: 200GB Sata1 (OS Drive)
Will replace with
-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB (Backup HD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218


-MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128012
Replace with
-???????????




Ok, for the mobo, I think I might just go with 1 PCI-E x16, I don't know if Xfire is really worth it for me, since I usually just end up selling the old video card and getting a more powerful one.

I would like to have at least 6 USB on the back of the Mobo.

I don't know how important is E-Sata on the back of the mobo?
 
No reason to replace your RAM besides a slight increase in overclocks. Even then, is it really worth the extra $90 to $100 for a small increase in OC? So stick with your current RAM.

Some motherboard recommendations:
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $95
MSI P45 Neo3-FR Intel P45 Motherboard - $120
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Intel P45 Motherboard - $135
Asus P5Q Pro Intel P45 Motherboard - $150
DFI Lanparty DK X38-T2R Intel X38 Motherboard - $180
Asus P5E Deluxe Intel X48 Motherboard - $220
Gigabyte GA-X48-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 high overclocks, then get the DS3R. If you like the DS3R but need 8 SATA ports, want an onboard pre-installed fast booting Linux setup, only need support for 8GB of RAM and don't need a second gigabit port, get the Asus P5Q Pro. If you want Crossfire with full x16/x16 bandwidth, get the Lanparty DK X38. If you have cash to burn and don't give a damn about getting the most value for your money, get the Asus or Gigabyte X48 motherboards. Do note that the Asus website can be slow sometimes.

Though what revision DS3 do you have? The Rev 3.3 and 1.3 of the GA-P965-DS3 recently got a BIOs update that allows to support the E8400 and other 45nm CPUs.

What size monitor do you have?
 
thanks for the recommendation.

The mobo Manual says Rev .3301.
But I'm putting the current Mobo and CPU on another build, so I need to get a new Mobo anyways.

Don't really need RAID, only use 2 hard drives, 1 for my OS and programs/Games and the other for my backup stuff.
I think 4 Sata would be plenty (2 for HD and 2 for DVDrw Drives), but 1 or 2 more wouldn't hurt.

I was wondering if I'd get much of a performance boost from the other ram, but I'll just keep the current one as you have recommened.
 
Ladic said:
I was wondering if I'd get much of a performance boost from the other ram, but I'll just keep the current one as you have recommened.
Click to expand...

You won't get a performance boost in real world apps from faster RAM or lower latency RAM.

Sounds like the DS3L is all that you need. Oh wait, will you be overclocking?
 
Even if he is overclocking the Gigabyte should be a solid enough chipset unless he needs to get ridiculous
 
There are plenty of guides, both here and elsewhere, that can show you how to safely do it.

But for many people, stock speeds are enough.
 
lt_shiro said:
You do know your board should support the e8400...
Click to expand...

I'm putting my current board and CPU towards another build I'm giving my brother, that is why I'm looking to get a more up to date mobo for myself.
 
Can't vouch for the P5QL-E. The only major gripe that I have with that motherboard, as well the P5Q, is the placement of the 24pin connector. It's in a very very stupid position IMO. That's definitely gonna lead to some cable management problems.
 
Ladic said:
what does SATA RAID 0/1/5/10 mean?
Click to expand...

It means that the motherboard supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, or RAID 10.

That side by side still doesn't change my gripe with the mobo.
 
You can turn any internal SATA port (that supports AHCI) into an eSATA port with a simple bracket:

$3 - Kingwin 15" eSATA PCI Bracket cable Model ESAC-02

Google for RAID if you don't know what it is.
 
Check out Danny's list of motherboards on post #2.

Which components did you end up buying?
 
Ok, I found the Gigabyte mobo for $10 cheaper and Mwave.com, but how good is this website?

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=BA25140

It is the same one right?

If that website is good, then it would make the gigabyte $20 cheaper than the ASUS and definatly worth buying. Just need to know if this is a reliable company?


I ended up buying: E8400 - WD 640gb HD, the rest I already had, Visiontek Radeon HD 4850, corsair 4gb ddr2 800 (1x4gb), Antec Modular 650warr psu, Audigy 2ZS
 
I have bought from them before, they are pretty decent. Got everything on time and in good shape, great prices too.

I personally like the MSI neo board myself, but I like MSI.
 
IIRC, Mwave has higher shipping charges than NewEgg... but overall, it would still be cheaper buying it from Mwave.
 
P43 Express came out AFTER the E8400, so it definitely supports it out of the box. If not, Gigabyte needs to get their ass in gear. Gigabyte likes to list the LATEST BIOS for CPU support, instead of the lowest version needed.

mwave is great, except for shipping. I used to do will-call back when I use to drive around that area a lot. However, I rarely make it out there anymore, so most of the time I go with newegg now (or fry's, zipzoomfly, etc).
 
Sorry, I meant their shipping charges are sometimes high. However, you could save a couple bucks with a CPU/Mobo combo. They also do testing, for a small fee.
 
ah k, gotcha thanks.

Their shipping for that mobo is only $1 higher than newegg so its not so bad, I still end up save like $10 compared to newegg price.
 
How about if the CPU is bundled with it? do you save any more over newegg again?
 
enginurd said:
Sorry, I meant their shipping charges are sometimes high. However, you could save a couple bucks with a CPU/Mobo combo. They also do testing, for a small fee.
Click to expand...

Actually the previous two times for me mwave has just killed newegg for shipping, and it's always the same exact time newegg takes to ship. It just depends on the items but it always seems to me that mwave does a more fair job of combining shipping then newegg does.
 
Ladic said:
Ok, I found the Gigabyte mobo for $10 cheaper and Mwave.com, but how good is this website?

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=BA25140

It is the same one right?

If that website is good, then it would make the gigabyte $20 cheaper than the ASUS and definatly worth buying. Just need to know if this is a reliable company?


I ended up buying: E8400 - WD 640gb HD, the rest I already had, Visiontek Radeon HD 4850, corsair 4gb ddr2 800 (1x4gb), Antec Modular 650warr psu, Audigy 2ZS
Click to expand...

mwave is an excellent company. I have purchased a bunch of stuff from them over the past two years. Good customer service.fast shipping, generally same day out like the egg. Your stuff will come from California only, so plan accordingly.
Another plus, as of yet, they only charge sales tax in California; which is a big deal for me, since I live in NY where unfortunately newegg now charges almost 10% sales taxes as does Amazon.:(
 
so the CPU and HD shipped yesterday from Newegg and should arrive here tomorrow!!!!

The Mobo from Mwave shipped yesterday also but its gonna arrive monday!!! grrrrrr
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top