Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > Upgrading a Gaming PC, Help Required
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Vorpal   09-28-2008 at 11:00:05 PM

I'm considering upgrading my gaming PC, and I'd like a few suggestions as to what I should add.

At the moments my specs are-
Video Card: EVGA 8800 GTS 640 MB
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Processor BX80557E4600 - 2.40GHz, 2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB
Ram: 2 GB Corsair Dual Channel TWINX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory
Motherboard: Asus P5B-E
Hard Drive: 320 GB 7200 RPM (forgot brand)
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium

I'm not looking to upgrade my GPU or motherboard. However I'm thinking about adding 3 GB of DDR3 RAM, I'm not sure what performance gains I should expect out of this if any. Right now I'm looking at Corsair XMS3 memory stick (speed is DDR3-1333 9-9-9-27 if that's important). I'm torn between the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Quad-Core Socket LGA775 and the Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 Socket LGA775. From where I'm getting them they are about the same price. I've heard that a fair amount of applications can't utilize all 4 cores in the Quad core though, so I'm a little apprehensive about getting it. Lastly I'm looking at getting Western Digital Caviar 640 GB hard drive, because as it stands now my 320 GB Hardrive is almost full. What do you guys think, so you have any other suggestions?

P.S- I apologize if this has been posted in the wrong area, I'm a little confused as to where it should be.


Message edited by Vorpal on 09-28-2008 at 11:00:42 PM
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huron   09-28-2008 at 11:31:59 PM
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Ummm...your board won't take DDR3 will it? DDR3 and DDR2 are not compatible.

No, DDR3 doesn't show significant gains over DDR2 for the HUGE cost of it.

The E8600 is definitely not worth much over the E8400/E8500 - it's over $100 for an extra 1 multiplier (E8400 - 9x333; E8500 - 9.5x333; E8600 10x333). If you are going to get a dual core, get an E8400/E8500.

Most apps don't use quads yet, but a few do. I know that more will in the future. It really depends on what you will be using the computer for.

I'd suggest an E8400 - great value and great overclocker. I would suggest a Western Digital 640 GB HDD (only $80 for a great performer and great price/gb).

Honesly, if you game, the GPU or CPU would be a big upgrade. You might even want to look into more RAM (not DDR3), but DDR2 800 is dirt cheap right now.

Let us know what $$$ you are trying to spend, and we can make better suggestions.

------------------------------ Antec 900, MSI P7N Diamond, E8400,
4 GB (2 x 2GB) Crucial Ballistix 4-4-4-12, 8800 GTS 512 SLI
 Reply to huron
auscanzukus   09-29-2008 at 04:54:01 PM
- 0 +

^^ Ain't that the truth?

P5B Deluxe is a good overclocker. Not sure about -E. Either way, look into E7200 which is the budget 45nm cpu, if money is tight.

And HD4850 or 9800GTX+.

What's the psu make & model?

Reply to auscanzukus
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