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Major Overhall of PC


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#1
Albino

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Hey,

I'm off to Uni soon and want to upgrade my computer significantly before I go, but, being a bit of a noob when it comes to these things, I thought I'd come to you for advice. Currently, my system stands thusly :

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz 800FSB
RAM: 1.5GB DDR
Hard Drive: 120 GB
Optical Drive: 16x DVD-RW Drive (+/-) Dual Layer
Monitor: 24" LCD Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP
Graphics Card: Point Of View GeForce 7800GS

I'm not really sure what type of motherboard I have, but it's safe to say it's pretty antiquated.

That's my primary concern, to get a new mobo. I've been looking around at a few, but have really little idea what means what. I understand my current graphics card is AGP and a lot of newer motherboards use PCIe? I'd really like a motherboard which can take more than one graphics card, including my current one, as it wasn't cheap. But if it comes down to it and it's not practical to keep my card, then I understand and i'll sacrafice it. As well as this, would you recommend a new CPU? I think mine is getting on to being three years old, and it's time for an update. I've had a look at a few duo cores but again don't really know what I'm looking at. Is quad core worth it? I also want to upgrade the amount of RAM i have, but i guess with a new mobo i wont be able to keep my current RAM?

A few more things too (sorry) I'm looking to get a new sound card simply because mine is the cheapest, nastiest thing i could find, and doesn't really do anything justice. And a new DVDRW+- drive is needed because mine has just died.

Quite a lot huh? I've had a look around ebuyer.com for these things, and there's quite a lot of choice.

I'll link a few items I liked to look of, and let me know what you think.

Sound Card
Motherboard Bit too unecessary?
Case - Strong enough PSU?

As for other components, I don't really know, sorry, I have tried though :blink: I've got roughly £500 to spend, but if it goes over that it's not really a problem.

I'd appreciate any help anyone could give :help: (if you could use ebuyer.com i'd be extemely gratful) I'm hoping not to have to upgrade for quite some time after this!

Thanks everyone :whistling:

Edited by Albino, 27 August 2007 - 07:05 PM.

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#2
jackflash1991

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Do you game? And do you want to play the new DirectX 10 games?

I am not exactly sure of the conversion from Euros to USD but 500 Euros equals like $700 right.

Also take a look at this to give you some ideas: http://techreport.co...icles.x/12808/1
The Grand experiment is the closest to the 500 Euros I think.
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#3
Albino

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Thanks Jack, that links pretty cool! The stuff they have on there seems pretty awesome, pretty powerful too!

Yeah I game a bit, I mean, not a lot, just some CSS and HL2 a bit and then some GTA, and whatever really, just what takes my fancy. See, at the moment CSS won't run in highest resolution on my new monitor, so I wanna get that sorted really. I also do a lot of video editing so that's where the RAM comes into it, and at uni I'll need CAD programmes for my degree, so I'd like them to run pretty smooth.

By the way, I use pounds not euros, so i guess £500 is closer to $1000, but I'm not exactly sure of the maths.

I think by the sounds of things its better to go for a core 2 duo, i guess they're better than my current CPU right?
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#4
jackflash1991

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If you are not interested in the new DirectX 10 games your 7800GS is ok.

Sorry I guess I got a little mixed up with the symbols. So 500 pounds = $1002.55 exactly.

Yes, the cheapest and worst Core 2 Duo is about 3x better then your Pentium4 and the best Core 2 Duo (not extreme) is about 4x. If you are going to do cad you might want a good procesor I would suggest an Intel E6750, right here: http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/130484

And I think cad needs a lot of resources to run smoothly so I would suggest 2GBs.

That 680i SLI board is made for extreme gamers. I would suggest a 650i SLI board. Something like this: http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/125082

And a 550W Power supply, here: http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/114931

Edited by jackflash1991, 27 August 2007 - 09:29 PM.

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#5
Troy

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I was still working on my answer when jackflash1991 responded up one, so it's interesting to see us recommend the same processor and RAM! If you aren't going to use SLI, I recommend the P35 chipset for a motherboard, anyway, here's my parts. You could either buy a new case on top, or just rip parts out of your current one and use it.

http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/131173
Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R Socket 775 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard - 71.60

http://www.ebuyer.co...oduct_info/rb/0
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz 1333FSB Socket 775 4MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor - 120.07

http://www.ebuyer.co...duct/98710/rb/0
Corsair 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered CL5(5-5-5-12) Heat Spreader Lifetime Warranty - 70.75

http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/125105
EVGA 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 DVI TV Out PCI-E Graphics Card - 179.89

http://www.ebuyer.co...uct/116522/rb/0
Coolermaster eXtreme Power 650W PSU - ATX 12V V2.01 120mm Fan 20+4pin - 76.70

http://www.ebuyer.co...uct/127260/rb/0
Samsung SH-S183 SATA 18x DVD±RW/RAM Black - Bare Drive OEM - 17.62

The total comes to 536.63, so it's only a little bit over for you. I don't know what your current hard drive is, either, but if you upgraded to a SATA 2 (3.0GB/s) drive, you would be able to get better speed out of the system. Something like this would be very nice, lots of space for your stuff. Also I didn't add a separate sound card because the onboard audio on that motherboard (or any new one these days, pretty much) you should see (or hear) a big difference.

EDIT: all prices I've listed include VAT, so whatever that is, if you don't need it, yours would be cheaper.

Edited by ruthandtroy, 27 August 2007 - 09:42 PM.

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#6
james_8970

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VAT is their tax,
Unless your a serious gamer and want the best of best graphics, I'd wait a while before buying a GPU, that one you have still has life left in it. Come november there will be better DX10 (likely 10.1 cards) available.
I recommend this memory, better latencies, same price.
http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/116755
James
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#7
Troy

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If you're buying a new system then you won't be able to keep your current graphics card if it's AGP...

And james, good find on the RAM!
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#8
jackflash1991

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Oh I forgot the AGP. Good catch Ruthandtroy.
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#9
Albino

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Thanks for all the replies.

If you are not interested in the new DirectX 10 games your 7800GS is ok


Am I to assume that sooner or later all games will be made for DirectX 10? Or is this some time away?

I think Core 2 Duo seems to be the way to go, and the E6750 looks great! Is there much difference between that and the E6850, other than the price? I'm just thinking of the future here, as I probably wont upgrade again for another well, maybe 2 years.

So with that in mind, which is the best processor to buy? And motherboard too - am I right in thinking AGP soon won't be around much? I do like my card a lot, but I guess if I want to be able to upgrade again in the future then I'll need to get PCIe? Or is there a way to have both on one mobo?

If you aren't going to use SLI, I recommend the P35 chipset for a motherboard


SLI is principally having more than one graphics card right? If so, I'd love to have that option of having another graphics card in there, but again that'd probably mean I can't keep my current one?

Main thing I think is a new motherboard that will allow me to keep upgrading in the future. If PCIe is the way to go, then so be it.

I recommend this memory, better latencies, same price.
http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/116755


I like the look of that memory, certainly beats my current stuff!

Is it worth having SLI then?

(sorry, I am a real noob when it comes to this stuff)
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#10
jackflash1991

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Ok then get a 8800gts 320mb as said by Ruthandtroy.

http://www.ebuyer.co.../product/125105
EVGA 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 DVI TV Out PCI-E Graphics Card - 179.89

The difference between the e6750 and 6850 is +0.34GHz. It will give you better performance but for an extra $100, I don't think it is worth the money. Take a look for yourself, here: http://www23.tomshar...m...3&chart=435

(sorry, I am a real noob when it comes to this stuff)

No worries. In fact you seem to know more then most people.

Edited by jackflash1991, 28 August 2007 - 11:31 AM.

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#11
Albino

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The difference between the e6750 and 6850 is +0.34GHz. It will give you better performance but for an extra $100, I don't think it is worth the money. Take a look for yourself, here: http://www23.tomshar...m...3&chart=435



Yeah, I can see what you mean actually, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't notice the difference. Okay, that's sorted then, I'll get the E6750, as well as the EVGA 8800GTS cos that looks awesome too. Added to that, the RAM james_8970 suggested, that means three things down, more to go.

So given that I'm getting a new GPU, I guess that means I won't be keeping my current one (sell it on ebay.....:whistling: ) Which means I need a mobo that'll be compatible with all of the above things. There's very little price difference between the two linked for me (650i and Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R) - are any of them SLI? With SLI, is it that it has to be two graphics cards that are exactly the same, or could you have two different models? Also, could it run with just one (with a view to add another at a later date)? Also, I'd like to have four slots for RAM so I can have up to 8GB (is that right?) if needed.

DVD drive:

http://www.ebuyer.co...uct/127260/rb/0
Samsung SH-S183 SATA 18x DVD±RW/RAM Black - Bare Drive OEM - 17.62


That's a pretty good drive right? I'd love one that's reliable and good - I've had a lite-on for little over 3 years, haven't really worked it too hard, and it's already packed it in.

One more consideration - if possible, I'd like to keep my current hard drive. I'm not sure if it's IDE or SATA (how do I check) but it'd be great if I could keep it, maybe as well as getting a new one. I've already got two external drives (320GB Seagate) so space isn't really a problem, but if a better hard drive will speed things up, then go for it.

QUOTE
(sorry, I am a real noob when it comes to this stuff)

No worries. In fact you seem to know more then most people.


Thanks mate, I do try but I find it all a bit confusing - I'd love to know all the things everyone else seems to know.


So, so far I have:

EVGA 8800GTS 320MB GDDR3 Graphics Card
OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 (probably get two lots of this)
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 CPU.


Just need a mobo, DVD writer, and sound card :blink: (maybe hard drive too)

Will this all be compatible so far? And do you recommend having vista or will XP run just fine?
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#12
james_8970

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Any DVD drive you buy today will go in a pretty short period of time, there are alot of moving components and all the DVD drive manufactures keep prices down buy using cheaper materials.
If you really want SLI then you cannot choose a P35 chipset as it's only crossfire compatible.
You need to have Vista to run DX10, but if you want to upgrade later because you already have XP then you can go that route as well. There will be little to no difference in current DX9/DX10 game comparisons.
James
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#13
Troy

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SLI is when you are running two of the same graphics cards for better performance, although this is very extreme for the price/performance ratio. Just grabbing that one graphics card now should suit you fine for a while, and you could always sell it and upgrade down the track. Feel free to do a little research on it, if you like.
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#14
Albino

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SLI is when you are running two of the same graphics cards for better performance, although this is very extreme for the price/performance ratio. Just grabbing that one graphics card now should suit you fine for a while, and you could always sell it and upgrade down the track. Feel free to do a little research on it, if you like.


Yeah that's what I'm thinking. But what does P35 offer over SLI? Is it much better? I kinda want the best you see :whistling: I'm leaning towards the SLI boards, as they seem to be the way things are heading. In which case could anyone recommend a decent SLI board, that supports the EVGA 8800GTS, OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 and the Intel Core 2 Duo E6750? I mean, does the 650i offer much over the 680i? Am I right in thinking, very little?

I'm also pretty sure my hard disc is IDE, so would this be compatible with the mobo? I understand the connectors won't work/fit if it's not?

Also I'm still stuck for a sound card, or as ruthandtroy said, would it not make too much difference if I had one of those two motherboards?
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#15
Troy

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Those motherboards will give you good onboard audio, I suggest you try it first and if you still don't think it's good enough, then fork out for a separate sound card.

You cannot compare P35 vs. SLI. P35 is a chipset and can be compared to the 650i and the 680i. P35 Chipset motherboards do not support SLI, but they are extremely overclockable and very stable. SLI can be compared with Crossfire, which basically is Nvidia (SLI) vs. ATI (Crossfire). SLI is very extreme for the price/performance ratio. If you wanted more, I suggest going to the 640MB version of the 8800GTS.

The IDE hard drive will work, motherboards still come with an IDE connector. If you want the very best, go for a SATA2 (3.0GB/s) hard drive, it transfers data at much higher speeds = better performance.
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