7 Years Old - Now What

hendersondayton · Jul 23, 2014

So in 2007 I built a PC. It has since gone out of style and I need help choosing what I can keep and what needs replaced.

I need an upgrade and really don't know what, if anything from my current setup I can keep. Below is a few lines I stole from my DXDIAG file.

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: P35-DS3R
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3582MB RAM
Page File: 414MB used, 5050MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0193&SUBSYS_042110DE&REV_A2
Display Memory: 640.0 MB

Basically, I want to upgrade the CPU to a Quad Core of some kind (i5 or i7), a 2GB (min) GPU (prefer NVidia Geforce but open to changing) and Windows 8.

My questions are, what are my options with the current MOB I have (I think its a socket 775 but I am not sure. It is a PCI Express x16), and the PSU (600W seems good enough but its old...does that matter?).

I don't want to buy a new PC if I can work with what I have.

Thanks for any help!

Onus · Jul 23, 2014

Your system is indeed socket 775, which is essentially obsolete. While you might find a Q9550, Q9450, or Q6600 on eBay, you'd be spending money on a dead-end path for limited gains.
What is the brand and model of the 600W PSU?
What is your total budget?

TechyInAZ · Jul 23, 2014

That's pretty much identical to my 2nd computer, but it has 8GB DDR3 and a Pentium D.

your options with your mobo are core 2 quad and core 2 extreme. Core 2 quads are coming down in price so if you buy a $100 Q9450 and a $100 GTX 750 or r9 260X then you will be good for another year depending on how intensely you use your PC.

However, that's already 7 years old, your a whole lot better getting a budget upgradable system than upgrading a 7 year old PC.

delellod123 · Jul 23, 2014

i believe the best CPU you could put in would be the Core2Quad 9650
No Core I series chips for the 775 motherboard. That Core2Quad is a beast and will perform very well though. Compared to what you are currently using.
May want to upgrade GPU. Any single GPU should work with your PSU, though the psu may be old enough to have lost some of its efficiency.

CPU support list here: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2746

Thelps · Jul 23, 2014

Unfortunately the Intel Core i5 and i7 processors are Socket LGA1150. Consequently, they won't fit in your current Motherboard.

As for your PSU, 600w is indeed still usefull though you must ensure it provides at least 1 8-PIN PCIe x16 power connector and at least 1 6-Pin PCIe x16 power connector to be able to power the latest Graphics Cards. If it provides at least 2 6-Pin PCIe x16 power connectors then you can run many cards from the last 2 years or so, though not the top-end varieties (all of which require at least 1 PCIe x16 8-pin Power Connector). Your Motherboard also only supports a PCIe x16 1.0 slot. These days the latest motherboards are up to PCIe x16 3.0 with 2.0 being able to run all available cards and thus still the current standard.

Realistically, apart from possibly the PSU, I don't see much there that's worth salvaging, unless you want to double the RAM, get a Core 2 Quad Processor (fastest available for Socket 775) a GeForce 500 series (fastest card that won't bottleneck) and work another year to 18 months out of the system before true obsolescence.

It would really be more cost effective to start a completely new build and either sell this system or donate it to a school/charity.

DeadRam · Jul 23, 2014

Don't save/reuse anything. It's a waste of money. I just retired a similar system (P35, q6600, 8800GTS) and built a Core i3 for $500.

InvalidError · Jul 23, 2014

Thelps :

Current-gen (Haswell) uses LGA1150 and next-gen (Skylake next year unless it gets hit with Broadwell-esque delays) will use LGA1151.

Broadwell-K, if it ever actually comes out will also use LGA1150 on 9x-series chipsets.

Onus · Jul 23, 2014

Of course it depends on your needs. You could put Linux on this machine and happily use it for email, surfing, and office-type applications; Linux would make it feel speedy again. For games though, you'll pretty much need to replace everything.

InvalidError · Jul 23, 2014

Onus :

Not so sure about that. I tried a few Linux distribution on my E8400 after I got my current i5 and with all the junk newer distributions enable by default, I was not particularly impressed performance-wise.

hendersondayton · Jul 23, 2014

My budget is $1000. I am all for starting over if that is the best course of action but I am not a savvy PC builder. It would be great if someone (speak up if you have the time) could tell me what to buy...my only request is QUAD Core (2.5ghz at least) and 2GB GPU. I am partial to Intel and NVidia but I am willing to part ways.

New Egg offers "DIY" packages that give you all the components that would fit together (I assume they do this) but again...I had help the last time I built my PC and that guy is no longer around. Its a lot of money to spend with the potential of not knowing what I am doing.

Onus · Jul 23, 2014

My father's old PC is almost exactly like the OP's (it was mine before it was his). I put Mint on it, and it seemed very quick for LibreOffice and Firefox. I did use a SSD though.

InvalidError · Jul 23, 2014

hendersondayton :

On a $1000 budget, you can get almost anything you want but you would need to be more specific with exactly what you want and what for if you want something more closely fitted to your actual needs... for $1000, the budget distribution would go something like this:
- i5-4xxx, $170-240 (they are all quads and over 3GHz)
- h97/z97 motherboard, $80-150
- aftermarket HSF/LC, $30-150 (not necessary unless you go for a i5-4670k/4690k and z97 motherboard for overclocking)
- 16GB RAM, $130-180
- GPU, $120-250
- PSU, $50-80
- case, ~$75
- 1TB HDD, $70
- Windows OEM, ~$100

How much you should invest in each component depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Onus · Jul 23, 2014

The only thing I'd alter in that distribution is that I'd rather have a 120GB-256GB SSD in the build, and would drop the RAM down to 8GB if that helped me to get it.
If you are not interested in repurposing, selling, or donating your current PC, you can re-use your case to save money (and if you [still] like it).

hendersondayton · Jul 23, 2014

I want to game as well as I can for $1000. My wife uses the PC for facebook/pintrest (enough said). She stores tons of pictures so perhaps increased file storage. My kids like to mess around on the internet but they are 4-7-9 so they don't do anything crazy. Beyond this, my only requirements are Quad Core at 2.5Ghz (min) and at least 2GB GPU.

I think I can piece a build together (hardware) and I can run install windows and run updates/drivers (this is all in the manuals right?)...but knowing WHAT parts to buy is my shortcoming.

This is why I am asking for help piecing it all together.

I like my case. Its a full tower.

Derza10 · Jul 23, 2014

Here is a build, You can drop down to the i5-4690 (non K), change the motherboard and not get the CPU cooler if you don't plan to OC - should shave another $50-$75 off... But this is what i would get for ~$1k.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HDLxRB

EDIT: if you are reusing your tower my build will come just under 1k. Bah i forgot to add ram lol... one sec i'll rework it.

InvalidError · Jul 23, 2014

Derza10 :

You might want to add some RAM in there!

Derza10 · Jul 23, 2014

InvalidError :

Haha yea i just noticed it right before you replyed

Derza10 · Jul 23, 2014

Here you go... I assume you won't overclock so i made those changes for you.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZrKLFT

hendersondayton · Jul 23, 2014

No overclocking! Thank you so much for the suggested build. I know nothing about "part picker" as I am familiar with new egg. I assume, as it states, the parts come from all over?

Derza10 · Jul 23, 2014

hendersondayton :

Yes it gives you the cheapest prices from a lot of retailers... it will link you to the page where you can buy each part.

hendersondayton · Jul 23, 2014

Great! Last One...on a scale of 1-10, what are the chances I botch this when putting it together? Plugging and assembling should be easy enough...but the software installing, options choosing, updating, etc is where I am scared...

Derza10 · Jul 23, 2014

Its fairly easy to install the software/updating everything...Just install windows first then all the other items that need drivers will come with CD's that will walk you threw the steps.. This should get you started... (installing the motherboard software should be done first once you get into windows this will get your network card working - cd comes in the box) If you want to get the most up to date drivers you can do a quick internet search and get them fairly easy.

1 meaning you botch it up completely and 10 being everything goes without issue... I'd say somewhere in the 8-9 range.

hendersondayton · Jul 23, 2014

Thank you! I noticed you removed the case cooler...I assume this is not required if I don't intend to overclock?

Derza10 · Jul 23, 2014

hendersondayton :

you mean the CPU cooler I assume? Yea its not needed if you arn't overclocking... the cooler that comes with the CPU will suffice.
I also put windows 7... if you want to get windows 8.1 it should be the same price... its personal preference. Here is the link to 8.1 if you want to go that rout http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615

Pondering · Jul 23, 2014

Super long video that is intel specific. Get some caffeine, you will need it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zOYdNEHDQo

7 Years Old - Now What

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