Hello and Advice please :)

S

syypher

Geek Trainee
Hello everyone! I'm new here glad to be part of the community :)

I am looking to upgrade my system and I was curious if you guys could help me on my decision on which part needs the upgrade the most!

What I do: I play video games quite a bit including Crysis, CS:S, WoW, L4D, etc. For those WoW players I only run at 20fps in Dalaran and sometimes skip around. I want it to be flawless with no lag or skips in anything I do.

My system:
Motherboard: XFX Nforce 680i LT
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40ghz
Memory: DDR2 8bg @ 800mhz (4x 2gb sticks)
Power Supply: 500w
Video Card: NVIDIA Geforce 8800 GT

I've heard multiple things from different people and I would like some more sound advice on this. Some people say I should go with the new DDR3 Ram and upgrade my Mobo/ Cpu to i7's. Some say to achieve better gameplay all I would really need to do is upgrade my Video Card. Any advice on this?

Another question seperately. Would an i7 cpu (Specifically the Intel Core i7 920 Processor BX80601920) + compatible mobo upgrade or would a upgrade to a NVIDIA Geforce 285 GTX net me the best overall gaming upgrade as far as no longer skipping or having any frame rates go down.

Thanks ahead! :D
 
Well everything you have right now is near top of the line except the video card.

Your CPU has 4 cores, and you won't notice and difference in an i7. Also you can not get ddr3 ram unless your mobo supports it.

If you do want a new mobo/cpu/ram, you will also need a new copy of an OS. But upgrading from what you have is just a complete waste of money.

The 1st thing I saw was the power supply, 500 watts in very underpowered for what you have. If you get a new video card, you will NEED a new power supply.


A new video card will increase your FPS in every game 10 fold.

Lets start here, a new video card- GTS250/Radeon 4850 or higher.

I would say go with this card.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

The radeon 4890, its new and the best card out right now. From reviews with a similar build to yours, it gets 120 FPS on crysis max.

That card will NOT let you down.

Now for the power supply, a good quality brand

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies


Those in a combo with your build will dominate any game.

Have fun
 
wow! thank you so much! you even supplied me with some things to look @! you were a great help! def going to be going that route now! +thanks

what do you think about OC'ing my CPU? maybe to 3.0 or something? Nothing big or will it actually be a bit noticeable?
 
syypher said:
wow! thank you so much! you even supplied me with some things to look @! you were a great help! def going to be going that route now! +thanks
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Agreed; I have that exact PSU, and I can vouch for its quality. About the video card though, if you ever plan to run Linux you might consider going NVidia instead. Their drivers are about 100x better than ATI right now, so it would save you a lot of heartache.

I picked up an eVGA GTX 280 1GB for under $200, and it's a very capable card. In fact, it edges out the Radeon HD 4890 by a few FPS in most benchmarks.

syypher said:
what do you think about OC'ing my CPU? maybe to 3.0 or something? Nothing big or will it actually be a bit noticeable?
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If you could get a stable overclock, it would noticeably improve performance -- especially in single-threaded games. Stable being the key word... beefing up the PSU goes without saying if you're replacing the video card anyway, and a new HSF for the CPU wouldn't go amiss. These guys were able to get quite a lot more real-world performance out of the Q6600 by overclocking it to the 3GHz neighborhood. You may have to replace your RAM with 1066MHz DDR2 to match the FSB to get any real progress, but DDR2 is dirt cheap right now in any case.
 
Anti-Trend said:
Agreed; I have that exact PSU, and I can vouch for its quality. About the video card though, if you ever plan to run Linux you might consider going NVidia instead. Their drivers are about 100x better than ATI right now, so it would save you a lot of heartache.

I picked up an eVGA GTX 280 1GB for under $200, and it's a very capable card. In fact, it edges out the Radeon HD 4890 by a few FPS in most benchmarks. Even the GTX 275 can hold its own, and that cards even cheaper.

If you could get a stable overclock, it would noticeably improve performance -- especially in single-threaded games. Stable being the key word... beefing up the PSU goes without saying if you're replacing the video card anyway, and a new HSF for the CPU wouldn't go amiss. These guys were able to get quite a lot more real-world performance out of the Q6600 by overclocking it to the 3GHz neighborhood. You may have to replace your RAM with 1066MHz DDR2 to match the FSB to get any real progress, but DDR2 is dirt cheap right now in any case.
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ya i was thinking about going that route except getting the nvidia version of the card :P probably the 285...

the link you posted was awesome! thank you thank you!
 
syypher said:
ya i was thinking about going that route except getting the nvidia version of the card :P probably the 285...
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OK, but the 285 can be pricey if you don't get a great deal; maybe $300-$400. The 280 runs warmer, but performs well and you could conceivably SLI 2 of them for about the price of a 285... think about it. :)
 
Anti-Trend said:
OK, but the 285 can be pricey if you don't get a great deal; maybe $300-$400. The 280 runs warmer, but performs well and you could conceivably SLI 2 of them for about the price of a 285... think about it. :)
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very true i was looking at them right now... like 350...

what do you think about these 2? which would you get... i read the 275 is pretty much the same as the 280 and i like these price ranges a lot more too lol

Newegg.com - EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1280-TR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1282-TR GeForce GTX 280 Superclocked 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

im leaning towards the 1st one as far as price/ performance >_< not 100% sure though... any thoughts?
 
The 280 has more RAM with more memory bandwidth. It'll run a little warmer, but it shouldn't make much difference. Since the 280 is being phased out you can get a bargain right now. Especially since if a card dies and eVGA is out of 280's, you'll get a free upgrade. I'd go 280.

Of course the 275 is still a very decent card, and has the same exact core as the 285. If you've got a chassis that already runs hot it might be the better option.
 
Anti-Trend said:
The 280 has more RAM with more memory bandwidth. It'll run a little warmer, but it shouldn't make much difference. Since the 280 is being phased out you can get a bargain right now. Especially since if a card dies and eVGA is out of 280's, you'll get a free upgrade. I'd go 280.

Of course the 275 is still a very decent card, and has the same exact core as the 285. If you've got a chassis that already runs hot it might be the better option.
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wow your awesome. good to have someone so helpful because im actually planning on buying these in the next like... hour... lol

since i am also planning on OC'ing which cooler for my cpu would u suggest if you could help with that too please :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835186134
Newegg.com - CoolIT SYSTEMS Domino A.L.C Advanced Liquid Cooling - Water Cooling

those were the 2 ive read around are pretty popular and have good ratings and such. unless there is something else youd suggest. (Planning on going to about 3.0 or 3.2 ghz, no higher than 3.2)

+thanks by the way again! :D
 
Also, what kind of case do you have?

About overclocking, yes do not push a c2q above 3.5 the c2q's do not overclock to well but you should be able to get it at 3.5 stable.

If you are going to overclock it, do not mess with it until you have an aftermarket cooler.

Also what video card are you going with?
 
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1282-TR GeForce GTX 280 Superclocked 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

im going to end up going with this card

and this is my case

http://ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=13&pPath=411&productID=411

I am still undecided on the cooler. Someone told me that those coolers are meh and the air cooler I posted was kind of outdated and he said this:

"you want one of the heatpipe direct touch mega-coolers. OCZ Vendetta 2, Xigmatek 1283 or Dark Knight, or Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer."
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anyone agree? which of those would best fit my case? sorry for all the noob questions but I really appreciate everyones help here a lot. once i get everything squared off im going to go get them :)
 
Whoever told you that direct contact heatpipes are much more efficient was right. Any of those would be a good choice for air cooling, so I'd pick one based on whichever you can get for the best value.
 
Anti-Trend said:
Whoever told you that direct contact heatpipes are much more efficient was right. Any of those would be a good choice for air cooling, so I'd pick one based on whichever you can get for the best value.
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kk i have decided on my cooler. im going to get this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003

and mount this fan on it instead of the one it comes with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835185054

do you guys think that will fit in my case?
http://ultraproducts.com/produ...Path=411&productID=411

I am going to get the Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1282-TR GeForce GTX 280 Superclocked 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards for my graphics card

and i think im going to go for Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies as my power supply

what do you guys think?

Edit: Think that CPU cooler will fit in here? http://ultraproducts.com/produ...Path=411&productID=411
 
 
connor53 said:
Can you please post your final specs.

Also the CPU fan I posted will be the best and easiest choice.

Also dont get that case

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - Thermaltake V9 Black Edition ATX Computer Gaming Chassis with Dual Oversized 230mm Ultra-Silent Cooling Fans VJ400G1N2Z Mid Tower - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - XCLIO WTBK ADVANCED Fully Black Finish Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

Get either of those, I own and use the 1st one and its perfect. Plenty of airflow and ALOT of room
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I already own that case lol... >_<

My final specs are going to be:
Q6600 C2Q @ 3.0 (OC'ing it from 2.4)
680i LT mobo
8gb Ram @ 800mhz (4x 2gb sticks)

Upgraded parts:
Geforce 280 superclocked from EVGA (Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1282-TR GeForce GTX 280 Superclocked 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards)

New CPU Fan XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
Newegg.com - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

2x of these fans 1x for my back case fan and 1 to replace the fan that comes with that CPU XIGMATEK heatsink/fan
Newegg.com - Scythe DFS123812-3000 "ULTRA KAZE" 120 x 38 mm Case Fan - Case Fans

750w power supply
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

Artic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

I am now just looking for a Fan Controller from Newegg.... but a lot of them have some people saying they catch on fire and stuff...wtf
 
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