Help with components.

[beruli]

hello all, i was wondering if you could help me out trying to find some new components that will last me a couple of years. The computer i have know has lasted me 2 years, and i was hoping a new one will last me the same length of time.

AMD S939 3800+ 2.0 ghz
- I would like an E8400 or a Q6600.

ASUS A8N-sli mobo.
- I would like a P5Q P45 ...not sure on this one.

4x512mb OCZ PC3200
- Im going to assume DDR2 or DDR3, is there much difference?

Thermaltake TR2550 PS.

EVGA 8800gt 512mb - gift.

I really only want to change my CPU, Motherboard and Ram. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[teh_boxzor]

looks great

 

[Kraynor]

CPU: E8400 will probably serve you better in today's games with their lack of multi-core love, and by the time games can make use of multiple cores properly, Nehalem will be out with it's 8 Hyper-threaded cores. 16 threads at once... nice.

Motherboard: Looks pretty sweet all round.

RAM: For starters the P5Q only supports DDR2 RAM so looking at DDR3 is pointless. If you're settled on 2GB of RAM, get 2x 1gb sticks. It makes it easy to upgrade to 4 in the future - you only have to add in 2x 1gb sticks as opposed to dumping 4x 512mb and buying 4x 1gb.

 

[beruli]

Will this be able to last like 2 years, or will i have to upgrade again next year.
I was thinking that the Q6600 might be better if i have it for a longer period of time.
If i dont upgrade, will getting a mobo that doesnt support ddr3 memory be bad, or should i get one that supports it.

 

[bobwya]

hello all, i was wondering if you could help me out trying to find some new components that will last me a couple of years. The computer i have know has lasted me 2 years, and i was hoping a new one will last me the same length of time.

AMD S939 3800+ 2.0 ghz
- I would like an E8400 or a Q6600.

ASUS A8N-sli mobo.
- I would like a P5Q P45 ...not sure on this one.

4x512mb OCZ PC3200
- Im going to assume DDR2 or DDR3, is there much difference?

Thermaltake TR2550 PS.

EVGA 8800gt 512mb - gift.

I really only want to change my CPU, Motherboard and Ram. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What do you need the system for?? Is it a gaming rig mainly?? If so that GPU (8800GT) will quickly become a fps bottleneck if you upgrade your CPU to a C2D/Q. It is outclassed by the slightly more expensive 4850.

You might consider a second hand Opty for that rig perhaps (of Ebay or a seller local to you)?? A 165 for example can overclock to around 2.8Ghz on the (rather excellent) stock cooler and benefits from double the cache of the 3800+?? Otherwise you will need to be starting from scratch me thinks...

Bob

 

[beruli]

I do everything, its my basic run of the mill pc, but i do game occasionally (CoD4, is really all i play, which doesnt play that well, havent tried anything new because of the cpu)

Im curious, i just the bought the video card, how can in bottleneck already.

 

[bobwya]

Im curious, i just the bought the video card, how can in bottleneck already.

The GPU will bottleneck if you upgrade the CPU (to say a Q6600) as most games are GPU limited. The ATI 4850 blows it (8800GT) out of the water for example. All depends what resolution you are playing at of course. Just now you are probably CPU limited.

You said you have a 2Gb RAM (correct??) which should be ideal (unless perhaps with Vista??) for good gaming.

I mentioned the Opteron 165 (170,175,180, etc.) as a possible upgrade for the CPU you have as the 3800+ is a bit low on cache (2x512Kb vs. 2x1Mb of the Opteron). That is probably holding back your gameplay the most. Certainly overclocking or buying a higher clocking CPU would help as well. The old socket 939 Opterons can be a bit pricey even second hand (as they are no longer manufactured).

Bob