Best Bang For Buck Upgrade

[reggy29]

Hi, this is my first ever post and i need some expert opinion as to whether this upgrade is worthwhile. I don't want to spend a fortune but future proof my current system for another 2 years, specifically used for Gaming, FPS and Flight Sims. Current specs as follows - GAP35-S3 Rev 1 MB , E6750 CPU, 2GB DDR800 Ram, Ge Force 8800 GTS 640Mb, Thermaltake Toughpower 600W PSU, AOC 22" Monitor 1680 x 1050. Win XP home as OS.

Proposed upgrade - E8400 CPU which I believe my current MB will support but maybe Bios Upgrade required?
Galaxy Ge Force GTX 275 896Mb & extra 2GB RAM

All up this will cost me approx NZD$800 but if this future proofs me for another 2 years for gaming I will be happy. Oh and not interested in overclocking, everything will run at stock.

Regards

 

[jbakerlent]

I would stick with the same CPU for now or better yet upgrade to a quad core. Other than that the GPU and RAM sound good.

 

[Outlander_04]

Not worth upgrading the cpu . Apart from a die shrink + a bit more cache theyre identical . Just add a cooler and OC your one to 3+ GHz to match the e8400

The gfx card is the place to spend money , and in NZ for some reason the Radeon 4890 is very cheap at the moment . Much cheaper than a GTX 275 and just as good

 

[reggy29]

Thanks for the reply outlander but as I stated I did not want to overclock. I have never attempted to overclock a CPU as I don't feel I have the technical expertise, especially when fiddling around with voltage settings and memory timings. Will an E6750 overclock to 3Hz relatively easily and can you recommend a good place to get the step by step instructions for a first timer as the last thing i want to do is fry the CPU. Sure if I go down this path I save some bucks.
With regard the video cards I can't see the ATI as being cheaper than the GTX. This is the Galaxy card I looked at and this ATI card looks good as well, would you recommend the ATI? If I overclock I presume I will need better cooling than stock fan , maybe this Artic Freezer pro. http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=7098
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=8991
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=9789

Regards

 

[JDV28]

When learning to overclock, look around the internet and read multiple guides. And im a big fan of the 8800 series, but you should definitely upgrade your gfx card, go with the one with the best performance for the price.

 

[neon neophyte]

wow, you built my old computer, piece for piece.

i kept the cpu, overclocked it to 3.68 (you can expect 3.4ish) and upgraded my videocard.

 

[Outlander_04]

Thanks for the reply outlander but as I stated I did not want to overclock. I have never attempted to overclock a CPU as I don't feel I have the technical expertise, especially when fiddling around with voltage settings and memory timings. Will an E6750 overclock to 3Hz relatively easily and can you recommend a good place to get the step by step instructions for a first timer as the last thing i want to do is fry the CPU. Sure if I go down this path I save some bucks.
With regard the video cards I can't see the ATI as being cheaper than the GTX. This is the Galaxy card I looked at and this ATI card looks good as well, would you recommend the ATI? If I overclock I presume I will need better cooling than stock fan , maybe this Artic Freezer pro. http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=7098
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=8991
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=9789

Regards

there is a very good set of OCing instructions pinned to the top of the OC messageboard on this site
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide

Once you have read it its going to take you less than 5 minutes making a simple change in BIOS to equal the performance of the e8400


For coolers
http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm
But not all will be available in NZ .

I am using a Scythe Ninja on an e7300 , and its clocking along very nicely at 3.33 GHz and topping out at about 35C which is very cool by processor standards