Upgrading pc

[steve08]

Hey guys, Hope i can get some advice here about upgrading my pc current specs are:

Intel core 2 duo E7400 @2.8ghz
Ram 2GB
32 bit windows 7
Integrated graphics
PSU 400-500 watt not sure will check later

I am looking to get a graphics card prob this MSI HD 6850 OC AMD Radeon Graphics Card - 1GB - R6850-PM2D1GD5/OC - Scan.co.uk or this MSI HD 6850 OC AMD Radeon Graphics Card - 1GB - R6850-PM2D1GD5/OC - Scan.co.uk

Also an extra 1 gb of ram to take it to 3gb
I am looking to start playing racing games such as rfactor or gtr2 i do realize i am going to have to upgrade the mobo/cpu at a later date.

If any one has any other comments as to what i should also upgrade or different components to add it would be most welcome.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I think that CPU requires a socket 775 motherboard. You can't do much upgrading to that CPU unless you also change the motherboard.

I'd think more in terms of cutting my losses, saving some money, and going with a new motherboard/CPU combination---rather than trying to upgrade the CPU on the existing motherboard.

3 GB of RAM is close to the maximum usable with 32-bit Windows. You may or may not notice much difference from 2 GB.

You can't do a whole lot useful otherwise. An SSD would help with overall snappiness of the PC, but isn't likely to affect gaming.

 

[steve08]

I think that CPU requires a socket 775 motherboard. You can't do much upgrading to that CPU unless you also change the motherboard.

I'd think more in terms of cutting my losses, saving some money, and going with a new motherboard/CPU combination---rather than trying to upgrade the CPU on the existing motherboard.

3 GB of RAM is close to the maximum usable with 32-bit Windows. You may or may not notice much difference from 2 GB.

You can't do a whole lot useful otherwise. An SSD would help with overall snappiness of the PC, but isn't likely to affect gaming.

ignatzatsonic thanks for the reply looks like a bit of saving is due, any recommendations on mobo/cpu bundles mid range price wise i should be looking at.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Look for socket 1155 motherboard and CPU combinations. That's an Intel specification, rather than AMD.

Most up-to-date motherboards require DDR3 RAM. Most likely, you currently have DDR2, which could not be used.

I've seen socket 1155 motherboard/CPU combinations for as low as $180. Add maybe $25 for 4 GB of DDR3 RAM.

A mid-range socket 1155 motherboard/CPU combination might be $300, plus RAM. At $400, you would be getting a very powerful PC.

The choice depends mostly on what you intend to do with it---game, write a novel, make an H-bomb, etc.

I realize you are in UK, but here are some US sources to give you an idea. You can shop for the same stuff at Amazon UK or whatever supplier you have in mind.

Here are the socket 1155 CPUs at Newegg. A midlevel one would be $100 to $200.

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, CPUs / Processors, Processors - Desktops, LGA 1155

Here are some motherboards for socket 1155. I'd get Asus, Gigabyte, or Intel. A price around 125 to 150 would give you most of the worthwhile features.

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, Motherboards, Intel Motherboards, LGA 1155


Add $25 for 4 GB of DDR3 240-pin RAM.

I'm assuming your case, power supply, graphics card, hard drives, and operating system don't need to be replaced.

 

[steve08]

Thanks dude will take a look at these as for psu graphics card will upgrade as currently have integrated graphics and will get a more powerful psu currently 400 Watts, operating system fine as are hdd.

 

[steve08]

The choice depends mostly on what you intend to do with it---game, write a novel, make an H-bomb, etc.

Get into pc gaming the likes of gtr2 / gtr3.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thanks dude will take a look at these as for psu graphics card will upgrade as currently have integrated graphics and will get a more powerful psu currently 400 Watts, operating system fine as are hdd.

OK.

Be aware that if your current Windows 7 license is OEM, you will need to get a new license if you change motherboards. If your current license is retail, you can reuse it with a new motherboard on the new PC.

 

[essenbe]

I agree about the 1155 MB and CPU. The 6950 will play any games out, and will work well on your current system and the new 1155. I would suggest you look for a 2GB model of it. The price is usually $20-30 more and will give you plenty of GPU ram. Many of the driving games are real GPU intensive. But, with your current system the CPU will be a bottleneck and you really can't affoard to use your installed ram for the GPU. For gaming I would go for the 2500 or 2500K if you intend to Overclock. You will get 4 cores with either of those CPU's I mentioned and great performance. I mention the 2GB 6950 because my previous card was a 1GB 6950 and I always regretted not spending $20 more for the 2GB model. I would look at the features of the motherboard and spend the time to read the user feedback to get a good idea of the problems you may encounter with whatever you buy. As mentioned by Ignatzatsonic, even though you can't buy from newegg, It is probably the best place around to do your research. I would look for a good Z68 or Z77 chipset as they are newer and most are upgradable with the new Ivy Bridge CPU's. If you need any more help, we are always around and love to help build systems.

 

[steve08]

Thanks for the replys guys much appreicated have a lot to think about now either go down the route of upgrading the current pc or save a bit of money and buy a ready made one from a specialist pc shop, decisions decisions ?? whatever route i choose its not going to be for a few months yet anyway.

 

[essenbe]

Don't buy a ready made one, build it yourself. And, yes you can do it. You have some of the best experts there are here. We'll help you do it yourself. Trust me, you will be happy you did and end up with a better computer.

 

[steve08]

The only thing that concerns me is placing the cpu into the motherboard and using the thermal paste afterwards.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The only thing that concerns me is placing the cpu into the motherboard and using the thermal paste afterwards.

I'd go to youtube and look for vids of CPU installation.

The tendency is to overdo the thermal paste. You can use a thin stripe (the width of uncooked spaghetti) or a BB sized dot.

The highest anxiety part of it is probably mounting the heatsink on the CPU.

You can make it all easier by mounting the RAM, CPU, and heatsink onto the motherboard before you put the motherboard into the case.

Understand what power supply cables are necessary and where they will connect to the motherboard before you put the motherboard in the case.

 

[essenbe]

See if this will help.




EDIT: Also, as far as the upgrade or build new, it is not mutually exclusive. You can upgrade your current system as long as you make sure that the upgrades will also work on the new system. The 6950 is an example. If your current PSU will handle the upgrade it will work on your current system and the newer system also. It will work better on the new system but would upgrade what you currently have. Hard drives, SSDs are the same. I would shy away from ram and other upgrades which would probably not be compatible with the new system.

 

[steve08]

Ok guys these are my 3 components so far for future build (may change yet due to opinion)

Asus P8Z77-V LE Motherboard (Socket 1155, 32GB DDR3 Support, ATX, Intel Z77 Express, USB 3.0, CrossFireX Support, Dual Intelligent Processors 3): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Intel Sandybridge i5-2500 Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155) (Retail Boxed): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Antec 300 Three Hundred Case | Ebuyer.com

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ok guys these are my 3 components so far for future build (may change yet due to opinion)

Asus P8Z77-V LE Motherboard (Socket 1155, 32GB DDR3 Support, ATX, Intel Z77 Express, USB 3.0, CrossFireX Support, Dual Intelligent Processors 3): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Intel Sandybridge i5-2500 Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155) (Retail Boxed): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Antec 300 Three Hundred Case | Ebuyer.com

The Antec 300 case has a good reputation as a lower-priced case. No problems with it.

I have the i5-2500 processor myself, with no issues. Depending on your budget and intent, you could go with a somewhat slower processor and use the saved money on something else--maybe an SSD?

As far as the motherboard goes, I wouldn't lock myself into any particular model or brand until you get within a week or so of ordering as prices, models, and availability will change over time.

Just keep doing your research, make a tentative list of parts, and stay aware of new developments.

Buy your stuff all at one time at the time of assembly, rather than piece by piece over a period of months.

 

[steve08]

Ok guys these are my 3 components so far for future build (may change yet due to opinion)

Asus P8Z77-V LE Motherboard (Socket 1155, 32GB DDR3 Support, ATX, Intel Z77 Express, USB 3.0, CrossFireX Support, Dual Intelligent Processors 3): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Intel Sandybridge i5-2500 Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155) (Retail Boxed): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Antec 300 Three Hundred Case | Ebuyer.com

I have the i5-2500 processor myself, with no issues. Depending on your budget and intent, you could go with a somewhat slower processor and use the saved money on something else--maybe an SSD?

So i could get away with an i3 cpu?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Ok guys these are my 3 components so far for future build (may change yet due to opinion)

Asus P8Z77-V LE Motherboard (Socket 1155, 32GB DDR3 Support, ATX, Intel Z77 Express, USB 3.0, CrossFireX Support, Dual Intelligent Processors 3): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Intel Sandybridge i5-2500 Core i5 Quad-Core Processor (3.30GHz, 6MB Cache, Socket 1155) (Retail Boxed): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Antec 300 Three Hundred Case | Ebuyer.com

I have the i5-2500 processor myself, with no issues. Depending on your budget and intent, you could go with a somewhat slower processor and use the saved money on something else--maybe an SSD?

So i could get away with an i3 cpu?

You could get away with an abacus, depending on what you intend to do. I hear of many people doing quite well on gaming with lower level CPUs if they have a high end graphics card. On the other hand, if you are encoding video or crunching numbers, maybe you want a more powerful CPU at the expense of a high end graphics card.

If you want to get a general idea of CPU horsepower of various i3, i5, and i7 processors, go here:

PassMark Software - CPU Benchmark Charts

Look in the high end and high to midrange CPU charts. You aren't likely to notice differences of a thousand points. And maybe only slightly for most tasks on differences of several thousands of points. Most tasks don't put a serious load on a processor. What's the difference between a 235 Chevy and a 409 when you are just going to the 7-11 for a pack of cigarettes--rather than running a drag race?

You may get more enjoyment from an i3 with an SSD rather than an i5 or i7 without an SSD, etc. It just depends on what you intend to do with the PC. The advantages of an SSD are pretty much constantly in your face---faster booting, faster application opening, faster disc access generally. That might be more noticeable to you than the difference between an i3 and an i5.

I have no idea about your particular racing games with an i3 versus an i5.