Upgrading an old PC

Feb 22, 2018
4
0
10
Hi all,

I would like to upgrade the CPU and the Graphics card on an old pc, without spending a fortune. I am considering upgrading the motherboard if required. Below is the spec for the current PC. Please provide some recommendation/feedback.

Thanks

CPU-Z

Binaries
CPU-Z version 1.83.0.x64

Processors
Number of sockets 1
Number of threads 4

APICs
Socket 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0 0
-- Core 1
-- Thread 0 1
-- Core 2
-- Thread 0 2
-- Core 3
-- Thread 0 3

Timers
ACPI timer 3.580 MHz
Perf timer 2.344 MHz
Sys timer 1.000 KHz


Processors Information
Socket 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 4 (max 4)
Number of threads 4 (max 4)
Name Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Codename Kentsfield
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 775 LGA (0x4)
CPUID 6.F.B
Extended CPUID 6.F
Core Stepping G0
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 2399.8 MHz
Multiplier x Bus Speed 9.0 x 266.6 MHz
Base frequency (cores) 266.6 MHz
Base frequency (ext.) 266.6 MHz
Rated Bus speed 1066.6 MHz
Stock frequency 2400 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T, VT-x
Microcode Revision 0xBA
L1 Data cache 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 4 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 2 x 4096 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Max CPUID level 0000000Ah
Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 32 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 4 MB, 2 thread(s)
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 9.0x
Max VID 1.325 V


IBRS not supported
IBPB not supported
STIBP not supported
RDCL_NO no
IBRS_ALL not supported

Temperature 0 48 degC (118 degF) (Core #0)
Temperature 1 45 degC (113 degF) (Core #1)
Temperature 2 42 degC (107 degF) (Core #2)
Temperature 3 45 degC (113 degF) (Core #3)
Clock Speed 0 2399.76 MHz (Core #0)
Clock Speed 1 2399.76 MHz (Core #1)
Clock Speed 2 2399.76 MHz (Core #2)
Clock Speed 3 2399.76 MHz (Core #3)



Chipset
Northbridge Intel P45/P43/G45/G43 rev. A3
Southbridge Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) rev. 00
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 6 GBytes
Channels Dual, (Symmetric)
Memory Frequency 400.0 MHz (2:3)
CAS# latency (CL) 6.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 6
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 6
Cycle Time (tRAS) 18
Row Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) 52
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Host Bridge 0x2E20

Memory SPD
DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Nanya Technology (7F7F7F0B00000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number NT1GT64U88D0BY-AD
Serial number E3A73634
Manufacturing date Week 44/Year 08
Number of banks 8
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #3 6.0-6-6-18-24 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x51
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Hyundai Electronics (AD00000000000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number HYMP125U64CP8-S6
Serial number 00006289
Manufacturing date Week 49/Year 08
Number of banks 8
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #3 6.0-6-6-18-24 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 3
SMBus address 0x52
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Nanya Technology (7F7F7F0B00000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number NT1GT64U88D0BY-AD
Serial number 9BA43632
Manufacturing date Week 44/Year 08
Number of banks 8
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #3 6.0-6-6-18-24 @ 400 MHz

DIMM # 4
SMBus address 0x53
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Hyundai Electronics (AD00000000000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number HYMP125U64CP8-S6
Serial number 00006117
Manufacturing date Week 49/Year 08
Number of banks 8
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #2 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz
JEDEC #3 6.0-6-6-18-24 @ 400 MHz


Monitoring
Mainboard Model 0M017G (0x0000015C - 0x004E06E0)

LPCIO
LPCIO Vendor Fintek
LPCIO Model F8000
LPCIO Vendor ID 0x1934
LPCIO Chip ID 0x581

Hardware Monitors
Hardware monitor Fintek F8000
Voltage 0 1.67 Volts [0xD1] (VIN0)
Voltage 1 1.69 Volts [0xD3] (VIN1)
Voltage 2 1.62 Volts [0xCB] (VIN2)
Temperature 0 40 degC (104 degF) [0x28] (TMPIN0)
Temperature 1 34 degC (93 degF) [0x22] (TMPIN1)
Temperature 2 57 degC (134 degF) [0x39] (TMPIN2)
Fan 0 1529 RPM [0x3D5] (FANIN0)
Fan 1 1350 RPM [0x457] (FANIN1)

Hardware monitor ATI I/O
Temperature 0 43 degC (109 degF) [0x2B] (GPU)

Hardware monitor AMD ADL
Voltage 0 1.10 Volts [0x44C] (GPU)
Temperature 0 43 degC (109 degF) [0x2B] (GPU)
Clock Speed 0 110.00 MHz [0x6E] (Graphics)
Clock Speed 1 252.00 MHz [0x6E] (Memory)


PCI Devices
Description Host Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x2E20
Revision ID 0x03

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x2E21
Revision ID 0x03

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 26 (0x1A), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A37
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 26 (0x1A), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A38
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 26 (0x1A), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A39
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 26 (0x1A), function 7 (0x07)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A3C
Revision ID 0x00

Description Multimedia device
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 27 (0x1B), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A3E
Revision ID 0x00

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A40
Revision ID 0x00

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A44
Revision ID 0x00

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 5 (0x05)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A4A
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A34
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A35
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A36
Revision ID 0x00

Description USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 7 (0x07)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A3A
Revision ID 0x00

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 30 (0x1E), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x244E
Revision ID 0x90

Description PCI to ISA Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A16
Revision ID 0x00

Description IDE Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A20
Revision ID 0x00

Description SMBus Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 3 (0x03)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A30
Revision ID 0x00

Description IDE Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 5 (0x05)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x3A26
Revision ID 0x00

Description VGA Controller
Location bus 1 (0x01), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1002
Model ID 0x95C5
Revision ID 0x00

Description Multimedia device
Location bus 1 (0x01), device 0 (0x00), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1002
Model ID 0xAA28
Revision ID 0x00

Description OHCI FireWire Controller
Location bus 3 (0x03), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x197B
Model ID 0x2380
Revision ID 0x00

Description Ethernet Controller
Location bus 4 (0x04), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10EC
Model ID 0x8168
Revision ID 0x02


DMI
DMI BIOS
vendor Dell Inc.
version 1.0.6
date 11/03/2008
ROM size 1024 KB

DMI System Information
manufacturer Dell Inc.
product Studio 540
version unknown
serial JJS9WH1
UUID {4C4C4544-004A-5310-8039-CAC04F574831}
SKU unknown
family unknown

DMI Baseboard
vendor Dell Inc.
model 0M017G
revision A00
serial ..CN7443189L04E2.

DMI System Enclosure
manufacturer Dell Inc.
chassis type Desktop
chassis serial JJS9WH1

DMI Processor
manufacturer Intel
model Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
clock speed 2400.0 MHz
FSB speed 267.0 MHz
multiplier 9.0x

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI-E x16
type A5
width 64 bits
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI-E x1
type A5
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI-E x1
type A5
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI1
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI OEM Strings
string[0] www.dell.com

DMI Physical Memory Array
location Motherboard
usage System Memory
correction None
max capacity 16384 MBytes
max# of devices 4

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM1
format DIMM
type unknown
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 1024 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM3
format DIMM
type unknown
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM2
format DIMM
type unknown
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 1024 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM4
format DIMM
type unknown
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes


Graphics
Number of adapters 1

Graphic APIs
API ATI I/O
API ADL SDK

Display Adapters
Display adapter 0
ID 0x2060120
Name ATI Radeon HD 3450
Board Manufacturer 0x1028 (0x9018)
Codename RV620
Technology 55 nm
Memory size 256 MB
Memory bus width 64 bits
PCI device bus 1 (0x1), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x1002 (0x1028)
Model ID 0x95C5 (0x9018)
Performance Level 0
Core clock 110.0 MHz
Memory clock 252.0 MHz
Performance Level 1
Core clock 300.0 MHz
Memory clock 405.0 MHz
Performance Level 2
Core clock 600.0 MHz
Memory clock 500.0 MHz

Win32_VideoController AdapterRAM = 0x10000000 (268435456)
Win32_VideoController DriverVersion = 8.970.100.9001
Win32_VideoController DriverDate = 01/13/2015

Monitor 0
Model DELL SP2009W (Dell Computer)
ID DELD019
Serial R297D8AR14HL
Manufacturing Date Week 44, Year 2008
Size 20.0 inches
Max Resolution 1680 x 1050 @ 59 Hz
Horizontal Freq. Range 30-83 kHz
Vertical Freq. Range 56-75 Hz
Max Pixel Clock 150 MHz
Gamma Factor 2.2


Software
Windows Version Microsoft Windows 10 (10.0) Home 64-bit (Build 16299)
DirectX Version 12.0
 

jgustin7b

Commendable
Nov 17, 2017
1,216
0
1,660
First off...damn...that’s a lot of info...and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most of it isn’t necessary for this case. You just need the names of the products (in your case, Intel Core 2 and the ATI Radeon gpu, or maybe just name the desktop name if you bought it...like “hp pavilion” with some model number after pavilion ). What would be your budget? You’re probably going to need new mobo and ram by the way...
 
Feb 22, 2018
4
0
10
Thanks :) i realized that after I posted. For argument sake lets assume the budget is $250-300. Is that even good enough to get the pc a decent upgrade ? im open for suggestions. Here is a snapshot of the current config:

CPU : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz Socket 775 LGA (0x4)
Memory : DDr2
Dispay : ATI Radeon HD 3450
Motherboard : its a Dell motherboard 0M017G (0x0000015C - 0x004E06E0)
 

zoltan.boese

Estimable
Jan 30, 2018
1,550
0
2,960
I have bad news about the up gradability of that dell motherboard: https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General/Upgrade-CPU-for-my-Dell-Studio-540/m-p/3927144
Changing the platform (RAM, CPU Motherboard). That means OP can keep the hard drive and the case and get a future proof Ryzen 5 2400G build with integrated graphics.

Prices from Amazon.com
CPU AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor $169.00
CPU Cooler Scythe - Mugen 5 Rev. B 51.2 CFM CPU Cooler $47.99
Motherboard Asus - PRIME A320M-K Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard $64.31
Memory Corsair - Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-3000 Memory $99.99
Total (4 / 4 Items): $381.29
 

jgustin7b

Commendable
Nov 17, 2017
1,216
0
1,660
I find intel setups to be somewhat better for gaming setups due to the higher base clock, but then again, all ryzens can be overclocked. If you want to stay under your budget and still have a decent budget gaming setup, this should work, as I have a Pentium - gtx 1050 setup that does ok in most games, but I still stay away from all of the big triple a games. When the crypto mining rush ends, maybe throw in an extra $100-$150 on a gtx 1050 or 1050ti

[PCPartPicker part list](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bVjwM8) / [Price breakdown by merchant](https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bVjwM8/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel - Core i3-7100 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/J9X2FT/intel-core-i3-7100-39ghz-dual-core-processor-bx80677i37100) | $119.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [MSI - B250 PC MATE ATX LGA1151 Motherboard](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/NdtWGX/msi-b250-pc-mate-atx-lga1151-motherboard-b250-pc-mate) | $96.98 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial - Ballistix Sport LT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/d8dxFT/crucial-ballistix-sport-lt-8gb-1-x-8gb-ddr4-2666-memory-bls8g4d26bfse) | $85.34 @ Newegg
| *Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts* |
| **Total** | **$302.31**
| Generated by [PCPartPicker](http://pcpartpicker.com) 2018-02-23 07:58 EST-0500 |
 
Feb 22, 2018
4
0
10
Thanks to both of you for the suggestions, both are excellent!. Have a different thought now.. My kids were wanting to build a gaming PC for a while. Gonna probably invest in that :) makes them happy as well. But for the existing PC, I am thinking of a $100-$120 make over :

1. Upgrade an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 ( from the current 6600 ) - Have seen prices as ranging from $35-65
2. Upgrade the graphics card with a Gigabyte - GeForce GT 1030 2GB Silent Low Profile Video Card ( from the current ATI Radeon HD 3450) - prices in the range of $75 or so

Thoughts ? suggestions ?
 
Not to be rude, but at that this point that Core 2 Quad isn't even worth upgrading.

I agree, save up for a Ryzen system. If you get a2200g or 2400g, you could go with that, board, ram, case, psu etc and use integrated graphics until you decide to upgrade to a dedicated card later.

As far as performance for gaming vs intel, it used to be they weren't quite as good, but they have really come a long long way with Ryzen. And I think they will keep improving. I would say now they are within a few percentage points.
 

DSzymborski

Curmudgeon Pursuivant
Moderator
Gotta agree with the others here. It's just not a good investment to sink anything into this PC at this point. We're talking about 11-year-old parts in a pre-built and if you were going to overhaul this PC and continually upgrade it, 2011-2012 or so is arguably the latest timeframe you wanted to start doing that. As it stands, you could throw $100 into this rig, make a few basic games more playable for another year, but be back in the exact same position next year.

Building a basic Intel/Ryzen rig and using integrated graphics will still absolutely destroy your current PC in performance, even in gaming (integrated graphics are a *lot* faster than the HD 3450 you have in there). And then you'll have something to build on without being locked into a platform that may be as old as your kids, perhaps even older.