Upgrading my board...any suggestions

[glasshalffull]

I'm going to upgrade my motherboard and add RAM to my system as the work I do on my computer has outgrown the cheap board.

I run alot of programs at once and do quite a bit of video editing (sony vegas, Adobe after effects), never play games but do watch hulu and movies from time to time from this desktop computer.

Any suggestions on a motherboard upgrade and how much RAM i should add would be great.

Here is my system:

hp model p6270z
win 7 64 bit premium
8gb 1333 ram expandable to 16
motherboard chipset AMD RS780/RS880
Southbridge AMD SB700/SB710/SB750
manufacturer: FOXCONN
product: ALOE
AMD athlon II x4 620 2.60ghz
500 gb hard drive

video card: ati radeon hd 4300/4500 series

thanks for your help

 

[jaquith]

The HP 9+/10 is a mATX {same as uATX} and has no room for an ATX. For those Apps to see any appreciable speed increase I would strongly recommend both a new CPU and MOBO.

IF you have 8GB now that should be enough for most projects, if you need more then get more of the same RAM; I assume you upgraded and have 2x4GB.

$83 GIGABYTE GA-880GMA-USB3 (AM3+) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128490
$110 AMD Phenom II X4 945 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809
<or>
$170 AMD Phenom II X6 1090T - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849

Q - What EXACT RAM do you have now?

 

[glasshalffull]

Q - What EXACT RAM do you have now?

Hi,

thanks for the help, it's much appreciated.

I have (4) 2 gb 2048 MB DDR3-sdram (1333 mhz) pc3-8500

 

[glasshalffull]

I have a microcenter near by and will be purchasing there.

They have a $40 bundle savings but don't have exactly what you're mentioning.

What do you think of this?

AMD GA-880GA-UD3H $99
Phenom II X4 970-unlocked black edition $140

 

[jaquith]

I'd measure that the MOBO fits - ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm

ref - http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3425#sp

 

[HugoStiglitz]

id make sure u get an AM3+ compatible board as bulldozer is due for release any day now.

id even hold off a week or so to see where the dust settles on all the pricing for new and current AMD & Intel stock.

 

[glasshalffull]

I'd measure that the MOBO fits - ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm

ref - http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3425#sp

Thanks for the tip...i didn't know the sizes differed.

Will keep that in mind.

 

[glasshalffull]

id make sure u get an AM3+ compatible board as bulldozer is due for release any day now.

id even hold off a week or so to see where the dust settles on all the pricing for new and current AMD & Intel stock.

Thanks for the advice, didn't know bulldozer was coming.

My suggestion is AM3+ compatible.

Might wait the week like you mention.

Microcenter's new monthly catalog comes out on the 16th so it'll hopefully have some better deals.

I just have to have the patience to hold on one more week with this painfully slow and sluggish computer setup.

 

[glasshalffull]

What if i just upgraded the cpu for now, without upgrading the mobo?

might i see a significant increase in performance if i went to the phenom x4 970 black edition?

 

[jaquith]

IF the CPU isn't supported then you're worst off. Strong chances are the OEM BIOS won't support the AMD Phenom II X4 970 BE. Further, most OEM BIOS lock-out the ability to OC.

Contact HP for a list of supported CPU's with your "HP Pavilion p6270z".
ref - http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=c01931067&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

The only CPU's listed are:
Athlonll X4 620 (P) (2.6GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 cache (95W)
Athlonll X4 630 (P) (2.8GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 cache (95W)
Phenom II X4-820 (D) (2.8GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 + 4 MB shared L3 cache (95W)
Phenom II X4-925 (D) (2.8GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 + 6 MB shared L3 cache (95W)
Phenom II X4-945 (D) (3.0GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 + 6 MB shared L3 cache (95W)
Phenom II X4-955 (D) (3.2GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 + 6 MB shared L3 cache (125W)
Phenom II X4-965 (D) (3.4GHz / 4000 MHz HT3) AM3; 2 MB L2 + 6 MB shared L3 cache (125W)

I do 'hope' the Bulldozer will be released, maybe 3rd/4th/5th...time's a charm. I lost count how many release dates have come and gone. The Bulldozer will be in leagues with the Sandy Bridge, but pricing? I'm gun shy of being the 'first' so I'd give it a few weeks after it's release -- bug free.

 

[glasshalffull]

thanks jaquith

I'll see if the 965 will work.