Best upgrade for my woeful system?

[animalman5000]

This was my first build and it's served me well for all practical purposes, but I 'm feeling like it needs a kick in the CPU or something... I was dissappointed when I had to turn the settings to low when playing Crysis because the game gets real choppy and slows down; perhaps my system just needs some tweeking to fix that? Not to mention that I'm leery about OC'ing my rig and burning something up.

I've been tossing around the idea of purchasing a new CPU in order to breath some new life my system and I'm just not sure where to go on this one. I was looking at the E8500, E8600 and the Q6600 on newegg, but I was also wondering, "maybe if I wait another month the price will go down considering that intel is starting to push out their new i7 line?".

The most punishing task that I use my rig for is to play a lot of first person shooter games, ie. Crysis, et cetera.

Here's my specs:
Motherboard:
EVGA NForce 680i SLI
Model #: 122-CK-NF68-AR

CPU:
E6400 Intel Core 2 Duo

SLI video cards:
GeForce 7950GT
Model #: PV-T71J-YHD9
512 MB / DDR3
610MHz

GeForce 7950GT
Model #: PV-T71J-YHE9
512MB / DDR3
570MHz

RAM:
Patriot
Model #: PPDC24G6400LLK
2 x 2 GB
DDR 2 / 800 MHz / 2.2v
CAS Latency: (4-4-4-12)

PSU:
Ultra X
Model #: ULT-31852
550 Watt ATX

Hard drive:
Seagate Barracuda
Model #: 7200.10
320 GB

Seagate Barracuda
Model #: 7200.11
1 TB

Sound card:
HT Omega Claro
7.1 channel

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Otherwise I'll probably do something stupid like buying a 95 watt quad core that isn't even compatible with my mobo. (I just learned tonight that it looks like I'm stuck with 65 watt CPU's for this mobo, bummer).

 

[animalman5000]

I forgot to mention that for cooling the CPU I'm using a Zalman 9700(?) fan. And if it makes any difference I have a Thermaltake Armor case that makes my system weigh a TON!

 

[skora]

I forgot to mention that for cooling the CPU I'm using a Zalman 9700(?) fan. And if it makes any difference I have a Thermaltake Armor case that makes my system weigh a TON!

Since you already have a quality aftermarket HSF, start with overclocking to see if that improves performance enough without spending any money. If you're not going to overclock, then you threw money away on such an expensive HSF.

General Overclocking guide:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

Article on overclocking E6400
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cheap-thrills,1335.html


What resolution are you playing at? I would think 2x 7950s would do a little better than low. But your build is still pretty good. If you're going to throw money at anything, I'd suggest the GPU.

Also, can someone answer if both cards are going to run at the slower 570mhz? I think that's the case when running 2 cards is they match the slowest speed. So maybe look at overclocking that slower card too.

 

[Mondoman]

CPU: I've got an e6420 running at 2.66GHz just by running the FSB at 1333MHz instead of the stock 1066MHz on my 650i-based MB. You shouldn't have to boost anything but the CPU voltage, and even that just a tiny bit.

However, my bet is that your real problem is the (now) not-so-fast graphics cards -- 79xx cards are generations old now. Check out the latest Tom's list and pick something modern based on your price range: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-radeon,2218.html

 

[Mondoman]

sk - yes, in SLI the cards run at the speed of the slower one.

 

[themanstan]

Hi,

As people have stated you don't really have anything wrong, just the graphics cards you are using are 4 generations old (7-, 8-, 9- and 200- series).
You haven't mentioned what resolution you run your system at and that can have a big impact on performance, especially with demanding games like Crysis.

Checkout the following and pick something within your budget:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-radeon,2218.html

You'll only need one card really to replace youur 7950s, price drops for both 4870 1GB and GTX 265 216SPs make them quirte attractive and plenty of performance and futureproofing for the money.

Cheers,

Stan

 

[mi1ez]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-radeon,2218-6.html

+1 for gpu.

you're running about 7 tiers below the previously recommended GTX260, (if we put your cards on a par with the 7950GX2)

 

[jitpublisher]

Definetly time to retire the old 7950GT's. They have served you well for some time now, but they are left in the dust when compared to the newest tier of GPU's.
From the VGA charts for instance, here is a rough comparison:

Crysis v1.21
Fraps/Contact (1280x1024, 4xAA, 8xAF, High Quality)

7950GT's in SLI about 9 Fps
Single GTX 260 about 30 Fps -can be bought for $200, or less if you watch.

 

[mildiner86]

Yeah id replace the graphics card with summit more powerful and then deffiently OC i have the same baord and a q6600 and can get it to 3.4 Ghz but keep it at 3.0Ghz im sure u could get ur dual to 3.0 Ghz that would reallys help

plus that CPU doesnt cost the world so u can afford to treat it a lil mean in its old age lol worst case is u decrease its life to 4 more years if u really go to town on it

 

[mildiner86]

oo and as for the CPU thing if u want to upgrade the Q6600 does work though its not a major upgrade id personally wait till u make a core i5/i7 rig

 

[The Third Level]

For simple gaming there isn't much of a point in switching to Q6600. Grab yourself a 4850/70 or GTX260+ and OC that E6400 and you'll see a huge improvement.

 

[mildiner86]

i did say its not a major upgrade going to the q6600 and that id wait too third level

 

[tobensg]

I'd go for a better GPU, maybe somthing like an ATI 4850 and a CPU upgrade like a E8400. I've got a E8400 clocked to 3.8 on air, just by upping the FSB in the Bios. This would cost you about £260 in total.