Hi guys
I'm looking to update my system and I have around £700 (approx $1250) I'm hoping u guys could help me decide finally on what do. I have a few questioons that together I cannot find answers that help me settle on a few things. I've been doing all my upgrading for years, but don't follow the industry as much as I used to when I worked in the computer business. The PC is used purely for gaming apart from general use so this is the main consideration. Also I guess I won't be upgrading for another 18 months or so after this. please also bear in mind that I've never overclocked and at least for a while won't be and thus am interested moreso in stock performance.
I am currently running an intel E6300 @1.86ghz, 4gb 667mhz kingston value ram (On WinXP32 bit so only 3.37gb is recognised) and a BFG Geforce 8800GTS 640mb factory OC. I want to upgrade my cpu/MB, gcard and monitor, as I'm still on a max 1280x1024 dell TFT. I am stuck as to whether to get a top end dual core like an E8400/E8500 or entry level quad Q6600. I am also looking at a EVGA Geforce 9800GTX+, and a 24" 1920x1200 monitor. I have trawled through the forums and read the ups and downs of these components but what I would like to know which would be the best combination. I've also decided on an Asus P5Q-E Motherboard, and a Thermaltake Toughpower 750Watt PSU as my current 500W wouldn't cut it.
The E8400 is only £9 ($16) less than the Q6600, but having read about current Q supported games, clock speed etc, which would still be the better one to go for ? Also, is it worth me going up to 4 gb 1066 mhz Corsair ram (2x2gb) from the 667 (4x1gb)? or would spending the money on a better cpu be more worthwhile ? I mean how much difference would the ram make between those two types ? If I stuck with the older ram and got the e8400 which would save me around £90 ($160) but I would need another £200 ($360) to go up a gcard level to say a 9800GX2 which I don't have.
So I'm in a quandry guys, should I go: E8400 on P5Q-E, 4gb 1066 corsair, 9800GTX+, 24"; OR Q6600 on P5Q-E, 4gb 1066 corsair, 9800GTX+, 24"; OR E8400/Q6600 on P5Q-E, 9800GTX+, 24", and leave the 667 ram in. - Which would give me the best gaming performance at resolutions say between 1280x1024 to 1600x1200, as I feel that on a rig of the described spec would not perform well above 1600x1200. I'm not out for the best as I can't afford it but want as much bang for my buck, but also good and ready for any games that come out in the next 18 months.
Another question...which is better 2gb running at dual channel or 3.37gb at single channel ? I know I'll eventually have to upgrade to Vista, but how much of a performance gain would I actually see in games on this OS over xp32 ? I mean for example will games use more available ram under Vista or does the OS not matter when games detect ram ?
Any advice u can provide on these questions would be greatly appreciated (For UK responses - Prices are from dabs.com)
I'm looking to update my system and I have around £700 (approx $1250) I'm hoping u guys could help me decide finally on what do. I have a few questioons that together I cannot find answers that help me settle on a few things. I've been doing all my upgrading for years, but don't follow the industry as much as I used to when I worked in the computer business. The PC is used purely for gaming apart from general use so this is the main consideration. Also I guess I won't be upgrading for another 18 months or so after this. please also bear in mind that I've never overclocked and at least for a while won't be and thus am interested moreso in stock performance.
I am currently running an intel E6300 @1.86ghz, 4gb 667mhz kingston value ram (On WinXP32 bit so only 3.37gb is recognised) and a BFG Geforce 8800GTS 640mb factory OC. I want to upgrade my cpu/MB, gcard and monitor, as I'm still on a max 1280x1024 dell TFT. I am stuck as to whether to get a top end dual core like an E8400/E8500 or entry level quad Q6600. I am also looking at a EVGA Geforce 9800GTX+, and a 24" 1920x1200 monitor. I have trawled through the forums and read the ups and downs of these components but what I would like to know which would be the best combination. I've also decided on an Asus P5Q-E Motherboard, and a Thermaltake Toughpower 750Watt PSU as my current 500W wouldn't cut it.
The E8400 is only £9 ($16) less than the Q6600, but having read about current Q supported games, clock speed etc, which would still be the better one to go for ? Also, is it worth me going up to 4 gb 1066 mhz Corsair ram (2x2gb) from the 667 (4x1gb)? or would spending the money on a better cpu be more worthwhile ? I mean how much difference would the ram make between those two types ? If I stuck with the older ram and got the e8400 which would save me around £90 ($160) but I would need another £200 ($360) to go up a gcard level to say a 9800GX2 which I don't have.
So I'm in a quandry guys, should I go: E8400 on P5Q-E, 4gb 1066 corsair, 9800GTX+, 24"; OR Q6600 on P5Q-E, 4gb 1066 corsair, 9800GTX+, 24"; OR E8400/Q6600 on P5Q-E, 9800GTX+, 24", and leave the 667 ram in. - Which would give me the best gaming performance at resolutions say between 1280x1024 to 1600x1200, as I feel that on a rig of the described spec would not perform well above 1600x1200. I'm not out for the best as I can't afford it but want as much bang for my buck, but also good and ready for any games that come out in the next 18 months.
Another question...which is better 2gb running at dual channel or 3.37gb at single channel ? I know I'll eventually have to upgrade to Vista, but how much of a performance gain would I actually see in games on this OS over xp32 ? I mean for example will games use more available ram under Vista or does the OS not matter when games detect ram ?
Any advice u can provide on these questions would be greatly appreciated (For UK responses - Prices are from dabs.com)