Upgrades on a p35-DS3L

[gotaell]

Hi Everyone,

I'm currently using a system I built years ago, mostly for gaming and some basic scientific programs and was hoping for some upgrade advice.

Current
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
CPU: Pentium E2180 (running at 3ghz)
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Memory: 2x1GB DDR2 800

The PSU is an Antec 400w (which I understand I'll probably have to upgrade as well), but HDD, DVD, mouse, keyboard, etc are all fine.

I'm hoping for some advice on upgrade routes. I see that there are a number of CPU upgrades available for the mobo, and i can obviously upgrade the GPU, but is it worth it? Will i see a great difference, or is it better to just save for a new system?

Thanks!

 

[dndhatcher]

This is gigabytes page for your motherboard:
http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Products/Motherboard/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2629
It looks like it will handle any core2 CPU, but they are fairly overpriced compared to AMD and even the new intel core i CPUs.

You could spend under $700 and get an AMD system that is better, or under $1000 an get a strong i5 750 system. You would spend up to $500 on a CPU/GPU upgrade right now.

 

[Shadow703793]

^+1 on not upgrading CPU. If you can find RAM cheap ($40-60), I recommend running 2*2GB for a total of 6GB(with the 2x1GB) assuming an x64 OS. You could also get a new GPU (a 5770,etc). Imo, don't bother upgrading CPU as LGA775 is dead and pointless to upgrade unless you can find a Quad for ~$80-120.

 

[gotaell]

Thanks a lot guys! I'll probably just stick with it for a bit then and upgrade to a whole new system in the future.

 

[cory1234]

Thanks a lot guys! I'll probably just stick with it for a bit then and upgrade to a whole new system in the future.

You can find a used Q6600 G0 stepping for around ~$100-110 on forums such as overclock.net. They go for quite a bit more on ebay. I used to have that exact motherboard. I was able to achieve 3.6ghz undervolting with a Q9550 that I bought at Microcenter for $180. Sold it 2 months later on ebay for $220
The major drawbacks to this board is the big v-droop and the fsb is severely limited.

To fix the v-droop google the pencil mod. It reduced my v-droop in half.

I would upgrade your ram to 4gb first. You can pick up another 2x1gb on ebay for ~$25. 6gb is overkill imo unless your going i7.

 

[Shadow703793]

^ 6GB isn't an overkill. You can never have enough RAM :lol:

 

[cory1234]

^ 6GB isn't an overkill. You can never have enough RAM :lol:

Maybe if you a huge multitasker/professional. Just saying investing more money in DDR2 isn't that great of an idea to begin with.

 

[jsc]

I don't know. One of the new $70 E6300 would work nicely and the low 200 MHz FSB would give OP plenty of overclocking head room. I wouldn't spend much more to upgrade it though.

 

[Shadow703793]

Maybe if you a huge multitasker/professional. Just saying investing more money in DDR2 isn't that great of an idea to begin with.

True that.