What to do next?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510
Hey! Thanks & I appreciate you for stopping by my thread. New here tho just signed up the other day. Unfortunately I have lost communication with buddy that originally built my computer, so as of now I'm on my own, researching & browsing on forums.

Now I have been using computers for awhile but I'm just starting out to try & build them. Was wondering if somebody on here wouldn't mind helping me out, not a problem but some advice? where to go/what to do next? My main use for this build was for gaming as I prefer to use my laptop for forums/emails/youtube.

My main goal (If possible) would be to upgrade the processor speed without replacing the motherboard? Only reason why I go for this first is 'cause I've seen around on this forum and others, of computer gamers posting their specs, & if not all, most have 3.8ghz & higher. Couple games coming out later this year & I wanna be ready for them!

I don't mind ordering online, but I'm in Canada so preferably a site with shipping 2 Canada!

Now it would probably help if I listed my specs? To the best of my abilities here's what I got, with questions, my mistake if numbers don't belong or I give too much info, Please don't let my lack of knowledge fool you from helping !!


  • First off it's a desktop running windows 7 64bit, & if this matters.. right now I got it hooked up to my t.v, but I just got a new desk so ill be using a monitor shortly.

  • Geforce GTS 450

  • EVGA P55 MICRO

  • Intel Core i5 CPU 760@2.80ghz

  • 4g ram, eventually would like to go to 16, is it safe? says this exactly on the p55 micro: max memory frequency 1600mhz(16gb)

  • black-edition Thermaltake v3 case

uhh that's pretty much all I know about my comp :??:



Thanks again for reading!
 
Solution
SU11YBEAR
This is the Evga overclock thread for p55, havent used this board myself so cant give any direct advice,
What is your CPU cooling at the moment, and what PSU do you have (Wattage should be on the side)

Upgrading RAM is easy and since your board supports DDR3 shouldn't be too hard or expensive, make sure your version of windows is 64bit though otherwise it can't use more then the 4Gb you have already

For playing newer games your key concern will probably be your GPU, so a light overclock on the CPU should keep you going for a bit but I would look into upgrading graphics, depending on budget should give you an idea, also the hierarchy has your card on it so you can compare where it sits relative to whats avaiable (but basically any card...
Sort by date Sort by votes
4745454b

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
Apr 29, 2006
29,241
437
93,590
Your CPU isn't bad. Older, but should still handle modern titles ok. If this is for gaming you need to up the ram, and get something faster then the 450. That's the only real upgrades I see. Ram upgrade is good as long as you are using a 64bit copy of windows. And a faster GPU should work as long as your PSU is large enough. We need that info first though.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
SU11YBEAR

SU11YBEAR

Honorable
Jan 7, 2014
463
0
11,160
This is the Evga overclock thread for p55, havent used this board myself so cant give any direct advice,
What is your CPU cooling at the moment, and what PSU do you have (Wattage should be on the side)

Upgrading RAM is easy and since your board supports DDR3 shouldn't be too hard or expensive, make sure your version of windows is 64bit though otherwise it can't use more then the 4Gb you have already

For playing newer games your key concern will probably be your GPU, so a light overclock on the CPU should keep you going for a bit but I would look into upgrading graphics, depending on budget should give you an idea, also the hierarchy has your card on it so you can compare where it sits relative to whats avaiable (but basically any card that costs more then 100 should be able to outperform it)

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-3.html

Unfortunately if you want to do more general upgrading the 1156 socket isnt used anymore so you would probably need to look for a used chip

For Canadian sites I generally use newegg.ca or ncix.com (live in Ontario), if you want to find the best price pc part picker has a Canada search option
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
popatim

popatim

Titan
Moderator
Dec 2, 2009
38,904
980
135,890
Yeah, you wont get a much faster processor for that. You will need a new motherbd and cpu to see 3.8+.

The other suggestions to upgrade the ram and the GPU are right on the money, these upgrades will also xfer over to a new motherbd so its not money really wasted.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


Oh ahah sorry bout that, forgot that part, yeah its 64bit, I do intend to game with it, where do I find out how much my powersuppy can handle??. my mistake man to keep adding to the post, I keep forgetting info
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


Thanks for letting me know about the socket, I can stop looking now ahah! I also live in ontario !

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
4745454b

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
Apr 29, 2006
29,241
437
93,590
PSU info is found on the side of the unit. You'll have to open up the side of the computer and find the sticker with into on the side. It should look something like this.

DSC_0613_S.jpg


If it has more then two 12V lines as some do, there should be a sentence similar to "12v1 and 12v2 not to exceed xxxW" That's the number we care about as that will tell us what kind of GPU you can handle. While you are in there you should look at the ends of the PSU and see how many 6 or 6+2 cables you have. If you follow this link all the way to the bottom, the second to the last picture shows the 20+4 ATX plug, the 4+4 ATX AUX/EPS plug, and the two 6+2 PCIe plugs.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=384

 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


Uhoh man, took off both sides of my computer and there is no stickers, It looks like I may have to take the psu out instead. I could try and get you some pictures?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510



Hey man, sorry for the wait. Not sure if this is the exact model but took the psu out and its 650 watt lsp : http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7850413&CatId=1483

EDIT*
Was gonna up my ram to 8gb - http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7104116&CatId=11478

& then I was thinking this for a video card - http://www.ncix.com/detail/asus-geforce-gtx-760-directcu-de-85679-1396.htm
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SU11YBEAR

SU11YBEAR

Honorable
Jan 7, 2014
463
0
11,160
That PSU, its down on Tier 5 (replace immediately)
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Found one that's lower output (Tier 2A for the Neo Series) but should still be enough for your system (for the 760 recommended min is 30A on 12V and 500W http://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards)
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-neoeco520c

The RAM you got isn't on the supported list for your mobo
http://www.evga.com/support/motherboard/legacy/
The only 8G solution I could find that is supported and in stock is this one (Corsair 4x2GB 1600 kit, 122 at Newegg.ca)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145261

Video card is good and a good price
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


Thank you sully, so my mobo has 4 slots for ram?


 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


I like how you send me the links from what your reading! Right now i run 2x2gb. I'm not trying to go against what your saying but for the future what am I looking for in the RAM so I know its compatible with my mobo?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SU11YBEAR

SU11YBEAR

Honorable
Jan 7, 2014
463
0
11,160
Haha yeah I try to include my sources, RAM compatibility is a little hard to know off hand, key things to look for are dual/tri/quad channel, most motherboards are dual channel and most kits are dual channel but in some cases they are different, other then that you generally need to check the manufacturer sites, in a lot of cases "non" compatible RAM will work but if it doesn't then you are out of luck
Other key thing is maximum supported speeds, most motherboards that support overclocking can run higher speed RAM, if your motherboard doesn't though alot of times they will only support up to 1333 or 1600 MHz
As motherboards and chipsets age alot of time the newer RAM won't be listed as supported simply because the lists haven't been updated, but similar point as before you may find a better deal only to wind up with some paperweights
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


ahaha yeah man I'm not in the market for paperweights. Don't mean to bug ya or waste your time sully I'm just not to sure how to explain what I'm asking?? This mobo says dual channel tho, here man I'm better off sending you a acouple pics..

20140627_130228_zps65a87ec8.jpg
20140627_130236_zps04e1ddbf.jpg



Im seeing 2 more slots
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SU11YBEAR

SU11YBEAR

Honorable
Jan 7, 2014
463
0
11,160
No problem, so here is an easy to think of it, you have 2 sets of Dual Channel (Red and Black) so that provides you with 4 slots, so right now you have what is probably channel 1 (red) populated with 2 sticks, the kit I recommended would take both channels with 4 sticks (2 in red and 2 in black)
Since the kit I recommended is just 2 sets of dual channel RAM you could buy it each set separately, I say that since you can also get the part number off your existing RAM and order another set (since in theory you are running it already that means your Mobo works with it) and save some money that way

Edit - yes you have 2 more slots but it is never a good idea to mix and match RAM, if it is the same size, has the same timings, voltage and frequency it should work out ok, but there is not guarantee of that, in which case the mobo will only use the RAM that populates it first channel
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


Nope I understood everything you typed :). I'll try and find more of the ram I already got, but I'll most likely go with what you sent me.

Is my power supply a real big issue?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SU11YBEAR

SU11YBEAR

Honorable
Jan 7, 2014
463
0
11,160
K cool, sometimes go into lecture mode a bit since you never know what someones level of computer knowledge is

It is and it isn't (sorry for the dodge type answer), since you are operating with it already it clearly works, but it is hard to know how well it will work when you start pushing it harder, the main issue with a PSU that might give out is that if it fails it can take other stuff with it, if your PSU fails and sends a large voltage fluctuation down your 12V line it can kill your mobo/cpu and GPU,

So it comes down to basically an insurance type argument (of course you could still get burned if you get a bad PSU from a reputable supplier). Since your upgrade is looking like it is going to cost 300ish for the GPU (taxes and shipping) and then another 65-150 for RAM (65ish if you can find the same model and just grab one set or upto 150 with taxes and shipping again) you are looking at $450 to try and protect,

Personally I would change it out, since you are using a more expensive GPU and are thinking about O.C. I would definitely want something I felt more sure about.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


I don't mind lecture mode, if you don't mind typing it out ahah, just bare with the odd question I may have. I haven't been looking for too long but I don't think I'm gonna find more of the ram I already got. How ever, I found the ram you suggested, on amazon but seems to good to be true, only (compared to $130) $77 free shipping. I think I'll go with a PSU & RAM for now, thank you once again sully :)

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Kickin Klouds

Kickin Klouds

Reputable
Jun 23, 2014
18
0
4,510


Probably would've helped if I gave you the link? I'll throw it up anyways but its only a 1333 & hey that overclocking thread is working for me now :D, you sure my micro can be overclocked tho?

Not gonna go with it just cause its cheaper, but here's the link anyways: http://www.amazon.ca/Corsair-PC3-10666-1333Mhz-Channel-CMX8GX3M4B1333C9/dp/B002XN8ZX6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1403893393&sr=1-1&keywords=CMX8GX3M4B1333C9
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SU11YBEAR

SU11YBEAR

Honorable
Jan 7, 2014
463
0
11,160
ahhh ok, if it is 1333 then just double check that against the compatible list again
http://www.evga.com/support/motherboard/legacy/

Everything I have seen says yes, and from what I saw on that Evga link it looks like it was designed for it, and this report talks about how the p55 chipset in general allows for overclocking even though it wasn't the highest tier chipset (unlike now where you have to use a "Z" series to get an overclock)
http://techreport.com/review/17513/intel-p55-express-chipset

So yeah you should be good to O.C.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom