Best bang for buck performance upgrade

[ian986]

I have got the upgrade bug recently more than likely since I have started reading this forum. I Thought that I would buy myself some more Ram, Have 4GB installed already was going to take it to 8 GB but motherboard wont have it! So I am stuck with 4GB unless I change the motherboard I am running a intel Q6600 775 Socket So seems quite limited with that socket config, So I am guessing would have to get a new processor and what would I get? and to make things worse I am running a micro ATX case. I am guessing the motherboard and Processor is going to be the most costly option too! What about a SSD people seem to rave on about these but I think my motherboard is limited to 3GBs I have recently upgraded graphics card just because it was the lowest thing on WEI Score!!

Any help and advice would be very welcome
System spec to help

 

[Golden]

A SSD will without a doubt give you the single biggest improvement. Well worth considering. Its the only thing that will get your disk about 5.9 on the WEI.

 

[Mashed1316]

Hi there, do you really need to upgrade?

And if that's the case, would you consider switching to AMD?

A Phenom II X4 975, an AMD 870 Chipset Motherboard, 8GB RAM DDR3 @ 1600Mhz and the same rest, would make a hell of a difference, and of course a little SSD.

Maybe a SATA II OCZ Vertex 2 (small one, just for the OS)

That'd bump up the scores on your WEI, but still, that WEI is nowhere near the "Real Life" test, if you think you need to upgrade, then do it.. but if you don't feel like it, then it's not deadly necessary

My .02 cents

EDIT:

Here you have some links:

Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

Newegg.com - ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

That'd be a grand total of 525$, is that too much of an upgrade for you? you could pick up a cheaper processor, but at 200$ the Phenom II X6 1090T seems like a deal to me.

There you have some things to think about

 

[ian986]

A SSD will without a doubt give you the single biggest improvement. Well worth considering. Its the only thing that will get your disk about 5.9 on the WEI.

Would it still work well even though MB can only transfer at 3GBs Dont I need a MB that can transfer a 6 GB's to get the best out of a SSD?

Sorry This might seem like silly question but I really dont understand it!

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

yes it will work.....I wouldn't worry about the sata 6 gig till it's motherboard time....

 

[ian986]

Hi there, do you really need to upgrade?

And if that's the case, would you consider switching to AMD?

A Phenom II X4 975, an AMD 870 Chipset Motherboard, 8GB RAM DDR3 @ 1600Mhz and the same rest, would make a hell of a difference, and of course a little SSD.

Maybe a SATA II OCZ Vertex 2 (small one, just for the OS)

That'd bump up the scores on your WEI, but still, that WEI is nowhere near the "Real Life" test, if you think you need to upgrade, then do it.. but if you don't feel like it, then it's not deadly necessary

My .02 cents

EDIT:

Here you have some links:

Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX

Newegg.com - ASUS M4A87TD/USB3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 AMD Motherboard

Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

That'd be a grand total of 525$, is that too much of an upgrade for you? you could pick up a cheaper processor, but at 200$ the Phenom II X6 1090T seems like a deal to me.

There you have some things to think about

Wow I was looking at those processors at a web site while waiting for reply seems like best way would be to try and sell my old machine and buy a new one and build it to my spec! I really dont need such a high spec PC but this place gives me bad ideas LOL I never mind spending money if I am getting a upgrade!

 

[Mashed1316]

Even though you could go with the 1100T processor but that's only 100MHz higher, and i believe its 30$ extra, so i don't think that's a great choice.

Actually the best bang for the buck is the Athlon II X4 640 @ 3.0GHz, lists on Newegg at 100$ that's gotta be the cheapest Quad Core around, but given the fact that you want an upgrade.. i don't think there's too much of a difference between your current processor and the Athlon, so the best choice would be the Phenom II X6 1090T, given the fact that is listed at 200$

Think about it

 

[pparks1]

Would it still work well even though MB can only transfer at 3GBs Dont I need a MB that can transfer a 6 GB's to get the best out of a SSD?

Absolutely, there are only a couple of SSD's that can fully saturate a 3.0Gbps bus....

The thing to keep in mind is that the fabulous part of the SSD is not it's sequential read performance, but rather it's ability to get randomly to each and every file in 0.01ms. This is a huge benefit no matter what bus speed your mobo is.

 

[Golden]

Would it still work well even though MB can only transfer at 3GBs Dont I need a MB that can transfer a 6 GB's to get the best out of a SSD?

Sorry This might seem like silly question but I really dont understand it!

Work well? Lets put it this way....once you install a SSD, I guarantee you will never look back Its the easiest single biggest improvement you could make to your system

 

[ian986]

I think I will poss go with a new MB and SSD!!

I will try the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz this will be my first non intel processor I just need to make sure it will all fit in my Micro atx Box I think the one Punkster recomended is ATX MB So I have looked on the net and I can buy a mini atx board £80-£100 both look the same cant work out what the difference is can anyone explain how MB numbers work ?
these are the two boards I am looking at if anyone has any better idea please let me know
MSI 880GMA-E45 AMD 880G (Socket AM3) Motherboard
The other one is 880GX



Thanks again

 

[Mashed1316]

ian! the processor will fit without any problems, the only difference between ATX and mATX is the fact that the mATX has less expansion slots, ergo, the size of it.

BTW, if you're adding a PCIe Video Card (the HD 5670 that you have in your system specs) you don't need the 880G Chipset, you know? the difference between the 880G and the 870 Chipset is that the 880G has on-board video (HD 4250) and the 870 Chipset doesn't, of course the 870 is a little less expensive and since you don't need the onboard video, you could save up a couple of pounds

Here's what i've found in Novatech!

Asus M4A87TD/USB3 AMD 870 (Socket AM3) ATX DDR3 Motherboard

Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 AMD 870A (Socket AM3) ATX DDR3 Motherboard

MSI 870A-G54 AMD 870 (Socket AM3) Motherboard

The Gigabyte 870 is a little more expensive than the MSI 880G but Gigabyte products are top notch!

Of course these are ATX boards, if you need a mATX board, then i guess these aren't the best choice, but still, the same thing again, ATX boards have more expansion slots which opens your possibilities for adding a better sound card, a PCI expansion USB card, well, there's too many options to choose.

Bottom line you'll go fine with either Chipset and either board type (ATX, mATX) the processor will fit and it'll have no problems whatsoever. So, choose one, buy and enjoy

Cheers.

EDIT:

870 Chipset: No on-board video, 1 PCIe 2.0 @ x16, if the board has 2 PCIe, the 2nd slot will work at x4.

880G Chipset: HD 4250 on-board graphics, 1, 2 or 3 PCIe 2.0 @ x16, the boards with 2 PCIe works at x16 and x4, the ones with 3 PCIe works at x16 (single), x8/x8 (dual) and the other PCIe works at x4.

890GX Chipset: Same as 880G but with a different on-board video card (HD 4290)

890FX Chipset: No on-board video, from 2 to 5 PCIe slots, configurations from x16/x16 (dual), triple x16 and x16/x16/x8/x8 in a Quad Crossfire configuration.

Hopefully i didn't confuse you too much

 

[ian986]

Yes I am a newbie to all this computer mods, before just went to a shop and bought a pc ready made!The last one I bought and was made to my spec this is the currant pc with a few mods now thanks to this site LOL it is a micro atx so I can only have that motherboard, also I am limited to space that is why I can only have this size.
With that in mind which is the best brand to go for as I want to get the right MB as proberly wont change for a long time.

 

[Mashed1316]

Well, about the best brand, i really don't know, but i have a Gigabyte motherboard and i love it, i've heard good reviews about ASUS motherboards.

Lately i've heard good comments about AsRock and Biostar, but i don't know.. personally i don't like them.

I'd say ASUS or Gigabyte.

I just saw your Case, and yes, you'll need a mATX board hehe

 

[ian986]

I think I have finally made my mind up with which parts to purchase MB
Asus M4A88TD-M EVO/USB3 AMD 880G (Socket AM3) uATX DDR3 Motherboard

I not sure on the processor AMD PhenommII X6 Black Edition 1090 3.2 GHZ Or the 1100 3.3 GHZ it is a extra £20 is it worth it ?

Some of the reviews say the fan is quite noisey so it is worth changing to something else like a cool master?
I will also go for a SSD is there anything I need to know about these I found the brand you recomended in a 80gb drive which would hold most of my stuff on so looks like the one for me but I dont understand all these different models and makes please advice so i dont end up with wrong one this is what I found
OCZ 80GB Vertex 2E SSD SATA-II 2.5" Read = 285MB/s.. | Ebuyer.com The crusial ones seem faster but could be just me getting wrong end of stick!!
Last but not least need to get memory sorted out Dual Channel or tripple channel ? The ones which was recomended are dual I think I have found the web site is this right?

Well I must say a big thank you to all your advice and help to someone who really does not have a clue what they are doing! I look forward to your advice

 

[Mashed1316]

Well, good choice on the motherboard. ASUS is a top quality manufacturer.

The only difference between the 1090T and the 1100T is 100Mhz in the clock, which can be totally achieved by raising the multiplier to 17 (16 is default), so i don't think is worth the extra £20, but at the end is up to you, i mean. if you don't like to overclock or your motherboard is limited when it comes to overclocking, then it could help, but i really think that the 1090T is more than enough and you won't notice any major differences.

Good choice on the SSD, Crucial C300 and OCZ Vertex 2 are my favorite ones, 80GB is a decent capacity for your OS and apps.

RAM, Dual Channel @ 1600MHz, buy G-Skill or Crucial (1.5V), about the latencies, CL9 or CL8 is more than enough (9-9-9-27 or 8-8-8-24)

About the heatsink, the OEM one is more than enough if you're not overclocking, but if you want cooler temps, i'd suggest you go with a Cooler Master Vortex Plus, is cheap and it works really good throw some Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound and you'll have really low temps on that CPU..

Cheers! and keep us updated

 

[ian986]

I Went to the shop to purchase the above parts told the guy what I wanted and he said that it should all fit no problem, however the computer was massive over kill for what I want, but if that is what I wanted then fine! But he said that also my motherboard is under warranty still, and the reason I started all this was because board would not accept 8GB of ram! So he said that take board out and they will send off and they will get me another one that works or a credit even though the mother board is nearly 1 year old! I paid nearly £60 for the board I said was not really that bothered it a pain taking computer to bits and would not have a pc while this was happening ! But then he told me there is a new chip coming out in a 3 weeks Northbridge I think I must of had a blank look on my face he said it was next generation of i5 and i7 I replied with they will be a lot more exspensive than he AMD he does not think so! Apprently they have been having problems with the chips but will get sorted out very soon! Has anyone else heard this ? While I was there I picked up a crucial Real C300 128GB SSD going to try and install that now eek

 

[pparks1]

But then he told me there is a new chip coming out in a 3 weeks Northbridge I think I must of had a blank look on my face he said it was next generation of i5 and i7 I replied with they will be a lot more exspensive than he AMD he does not think so! Apprently they have been having problems with the chips but will get sorted out very soon! Has anyone else heard this

There is a problem with the sandybridge "CHIPSET" on the motherboard. It's actually a problem with the SATA II controllers degrading performance over time. There is not a problem with the actual Intel Sandy Bridge chips themselves. So, your CPU is just fine.

There is a discussion here about this;
http://www.sevenforums.com/news/141624-intel-discloses-chip-glitch.html

 

[ian986]

I dont have one yet I was going to buy a AMD PhenommII X6 Black Edition 1090 3.2 GHZ Or the 1100 3.3 GHZ But the guy in the shop said to wait and get this new super processor as will be faster and simular pricer to the AMD ? Anyone know this to be true

Thanks

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

Yes...but AMD has a 8 core cpu on the way...always something faster if you can wait.................The biggest problem with Intel is they change sockets like most people change socks......

 

[pparks1]

Yes...but AMD has a 8 core cpu on the way...always something faster if you can wait.................The biggest problem with Intel is they change sockets like most people change socks......

Which may or may not be a problem. I've "NEVER" upgraded a processor on any computer I have ever owned. I always just stick with the machine as is, and rebuild a brand new box every single time. Thus, Intel changing sockets regularly for somebody like me is a complete non-issue.

I dont have one yet I was going to buy a AMD PhenommII X6 Black Edition 1090 3.2 GHZ Or the 1100 3.3 GHZ But the guy in the shop said to wait and get this new super processor as will be faster and simular pricer to the AMD ? Anyone know this to be true

Thanks

Yes, the Intel Sandy Bridge CPU's are great, they will pretty much outperform anything else out there and are very reasonably priced. While AMD is working on an 8 core, my guess is that it will perform at nearly equivalent levels to what Intel has out right now. (unless you are running a specific application that makes very good use of multiple cores and needs a high performing multi-core CPU).