Upgrading from LGA775

[Transmaniacon]

Hi everyone,

I built my first computer winter 09 and at the time, Core 2 Duos were the hot item. I built a decent midrange computer, and it has been wonderful. I feel though now my C2D is starting to get left behind, what with the new Intel chips, and DDR3 standard.

I am looking to upgrade this summer the guts of the PC, and am looking for some suggestions.

Here is the current setup I have:

Antec 300
Corsair 650TX
Gigabyte UD3R
Intel E7300
G.Skill PI Black 4GB
WD 640GB HDD
HIS HD4870 [1440x900 resolution]

Id say the most demanding thing I do on my computer is gaming, so that would be my primary concern.

I have been out of the loop for the past couple months, so I am asking you guys here at Tom's what would be a good upgrade path, in regards to the CPU/MOBO/RAM.

Ideally I would like to spend around $400, so I think that rules out the i7-920. I guess my options are the i5, comparable AMD offering, or I could even just get a C2Q chip for half my budget and replace only my CPU. Looking for the best bang for the buck. My only real brand loyalty is Gigabyte motherboards.

Thanks for listening!

-Nick

 

[shortstuff_mt]

What is the system not doing well that prompted you to upgrade? The reason I ask is that the CPU doesn't really have a large effect on gaming performance. That's mostly determined by the GPU, which in your case is plenty for your low resolution. I can certainly understand the upgrade bug, I'm just trying to understand a little more. An AMD upgrade fits your budget best. Here's both AMD and Intel upgrade suggestions:

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.391129 $284.98 (CPU + motherboard combo)

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321&cm_re=g.skill_ddr3_1600_4gb_cas_7-_-20-231-321-_-Product $119.99

Total - $404.97

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product $199.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412&cm_re=gigabyte_p55a-_-13-128-412-_-Product $129.99 - $10.00 MIR

G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321&cm_re=g.skill_ddr3_1600_4gb_cas_7-_-20-231-321-_-Product $119.99

Total - $449.97 - $10 MIR

 

[Transmaniacon]

Yes I will admit the upgrade bug is itching hard...heh, but I guess I was waiting for the right time to make the jump to quad-core computing, and this might be what I need to find out.

Theres also the option to overclock the CPU I have, but I have never really looked into that. I guess I am looking mainly for a gameplan for the next 6 months.

Thank you though for the suggestions, I had a feeling those would be the two main contenders. If I did go the AMD path, I would probably get the 965, as its not a whole lot more. I haven't looked into them, but do the new AMD X6 utilize the same AM3 socket?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I would go with the AMD upgrade. The Phenom II X4 955 is a nice CPU and the motherboard uses the latest 890 chipset and supports Crossfire.

 

[Transmaniacon]

When would say a quad core will be necessary to keep up with the gaming industry?

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

Who knows?

Some games utilize quad cores already, those're just a handful though. Mainly they're dual core, which is why triple cores help. That's 2 for the game only and another to run the system.

The 965 is only another multiplier faster. There's not much of an actual point in getting it because you can do that yourself.

Yes the six cores use the AM3 socket. The 890 chipset that he pointed out would be most likely to get BIOS updated for other CPU's. But I wouldn't get one for gaming.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Thanks, it sounds like it might be worthwhile to go ahead and get a quad core CPU, I do play some CPU-intensive games like GTAIV, and am a mutli-tasker.

Thanks for the tip about the 965, I can save myself $40 bucks there. Is it worthwhile to try and get an 890 chipset, I will never use integrated graphics...

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

Then just find one of the 8xx chipset line without it. If I were to buy a motherboard now it would be one of those. That chipset will be the first in line to get BIOS updates for any new CPU's that they come out with.

 

[Transmaniacon]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128441

Would it be worthwhile to go with this motherboard instead? Its only about $20-30 more than the other Gigabyte one, but seems to be pretty popular and a good quality board, offering me a little more upgrade-ability with full crossfire support, and what looks to be better heatsinks and capacitors. If its worth it to get the better quality board, I don't mind spending the money.

Furthermore, the new G.Skill ECO series are lower voltage than the Ripjaws, is this necessary to have for greater system stability/overclocking potential, or is the only advantage lower heat generation?

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

I'm sure having lower voltage would be better. Especially if you try to overclock the RAM.

That does look like a good mobo. Just keep in mind that it doesn't have integrated graphics. (not that that would likely matter much...)

 

[Transmaniacon]

Best answer selected by Transmaniacon.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Thanks for all the help =)