Go Back   Hardware Forums > Computer Forum > New Build / Upgrade Advice

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 20-01-2008, 03:19 PM   # 1 (permalink) Top
Geek Trainee
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1
Status: Offline
Exclamation New PC, help! with upgrades

Hi there guys Im quite into computer games, more than I was say last year, Ive only ever played counter-strike and my current compaq 1.86 dual core could handle that no problem, but games like farcry >>> it chokes on.

So I want to buy a new pc. Its an ADVENT T9509, I know someone who can get me the base unit for about £400. The specs of this system are:
  • Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    2GB RAM
    320GB Hard Drive
    Nvidia Geforce 8300LE
So I know the graphics card isnt gaming material but I plan to upgrade that to an 8800GT

Now this is where my problem is, I know these specs are rather good for the money and when I upgrade the graphics to the GT it should easily be able to handle Bioshock. The only problem is that this system only has a 350 watt PSU which is definately not enough

I know which PSU i want to buy, I read on another forum about someone who had this same pc and upgraded the psu to a 550 watt and a 8800GT and he sayd it ran like a dream. So this is the upgrades I plan to buy

AKASA 550w PSU AK-P550FH Quiet ATX12V/EPS12V v2.01 Sli £30.00
Evercool SB-F2 Dual PCI System Exhaust Fan Blower £4.50
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro £10.00
Evercool HD-117 3.5" Hard drive Cooler HDD £7.00

Ok so those upgrades seem pretty good, to me that is, but I dont have a clue what im talking about, im a noob and have never upgraded a pc.

So can you tell me if these seem a good choice and is it easy to install a new PSU and all of these parts, or should I go to a specialist especially since ive never done it before.

Thank you all, much appreciated

  Reply With Quote
Whats this? Sponsored Listing
Old 20-01-2008, 02:33 PM   # 2 (permalink) Top
Ultra Geek
 
scorps65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 21 Male
Posts: 559
Times Helpful: 36
My Mood: Yehaw
Status: Offline

My Computer

Quote:
Originally Posted by kierans93 View Post
  • Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    2GB RAM
    320GB Hard Drive
    Nvidia Geforce 8300LE
Everything here is pretty good for gaming and such especially that Intel Quad. The graphics card, like you said, will need some work! I would definitely upgrade to a 8800GT.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kierans93 View Post
I know which PSU i want to buy, I read on another forum about someone who had this same pc and upgraded the psu to a 550 watt and a 8800GT and he sayd it ran like a dream. So this is the upgrades I plan to buy

AKASA 550w PSU AK-P550FH Quiet ATX12V/EPS12V v2.01 Sli £30.00
Evercool SB-F2 Dual PCI System Exhaust Fan Blower £4.50
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro £10.00
Evercool HD-117 3.5" Hard drive Cooler HDD £7.00
I don't know about your friends computer specs... but if your planning on buying a 550Watt PSU with the parts above AND these cooling systems... You might as well take a blow torch and fry those parts

Assuming that your going to upgrade to an 8800GT, your going to need something in the 600W-700W range. If your NOT going to upgrade and buy a 8300 than it MIGHT run on a 550. In either case i recommend a 650 so youll have extra wattage to upgrade in the future.

Things you need to look out for when buying a new PC:
RAM - Make sure your MOBO supports the RAM's speed (i.e. 800MHZ, 667MHZ) and the type of ram (DDR2, DDR, SDR).
CPU - Make sure the CPU you are buying matches the socket type of your MOBO.
MOBO - Buy a MOBO that will have room for future upgrades (2 PCI-E's for SLI, 4 RAM slots, few PCI slots Audio Cards etc...)
VGA - Nothing to worry about here but just make sure it fits in your MOBO's PCI-E or AGP
PSU - VERY IMPORTANT... make sure the PSU comes with wires that are compatible with your MOBO. Check if the PSU comes with the right MAIN POWER CONNECTOR (ATX cable... 24 or 20), a CPU POWER CONNECTOR if your mobo needs it (usually 4-pin cable)... and if you want to SLI in the future make sure the PSU has SLI support and alo has a 6-pin POWER CONNECTOR
__________________

Last edited by scorps65; 21-01-2008 at 12:25 AM..
  Reply With Quote
Old 22-01-2008, 11:48 AM   # 3 (permalink) Top
Mega Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 476
Times Helpful: 38
My Mood: Meh
Status: Offline

My Computer

OuCH at the cyan/terqouise writing lol.
  Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A Few Questions about Some Upgrades NeonBlackJack New Build / Upgrade Advice 3 11-12-2006 09:52 AM
Help/Advice about which upgrades to buy SirDeity New Build / Upgrade Advice 12 08-08-2006 05:45 PM
Laptop upgrades harakim Laptops and PDA's 3 29-12-2005 11:43 PM
name the upgrades dstebbins New Build / Upgrade Advice 10 30-10-2005 07:52 PM
Upgrades matttibb General Hardware 26 12-12-2004 10:58 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:08 AM.



Copyright © 2000 - 2008 · HARDWAREFORUMS.COM · All rights reserved, Hosted by Servint