Upgrading?

[frostr2]

Hi everyone, im lucky enough to be receiving my friends Radeon 5870 soon, as he is upgrading, and so I figured I should beef up my pc a bit to make the most of it.

Currently ive got a q6600@3.0, 4gb DDR2 RAM@800, an ASUS P5K motherboard and for graphics an 8800 gt. Would getting a new MB and 4GB of DDR3@1333 make much of a difference? Ideally id get a new processor but cant really afford it atm

 

[brandondiep]

I think you would be fine with that setup until you have enough money for a new cpu. Overclock the cpu more if you have enough cooling.

 

[geekapproved]

The system is fine as is. There would be absoutely no point in getting a new motherboard considering you'll never be able to upgrade the cpu, so that would be a complete waste of money.

 

[frostr2]

Thanks for the replies guys, yeah I think I'll leave getting a new MB until I can afford a decent CPU. Probably should upgrade my processor cooling tho, has anyone got any recommendations for a good cooler thats not massively expensive? I was thinking Arctic Freezer 13...

 

[purple stain]

I would agree with everyone else.Your not in a dire need of a CPU upgrade with the 5870.Just O.C. your processor to about 3.4ghz or 3.6ghz and you should be fine,should be easy to get it's not a massive O.C.

Here's the best heatsinks by temp and noise.

http://www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm

I would reccomend going with the Spire Thermax II.I've heard so many good things about it.And it's probably do to the DirectContact pipes.

Here it is right here...

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11423/cpu-spi-28/Spire_TherMax_Eclipse_II_Five_DT_Heatpipe_Universal_CPU_Cooler_SP984B1-V2_-_Sockets_77511561366939AM2AM2AM3.html

 

[frostr2]

Awesome, thanks for the advice, I think i'll probably go with the CM hyper 212, looks like decent performance and really cheap as well.

 

[purple stain]

Anything else you want us to help you with?

 

[frostr2]

You've been a great help already. I was planning on a new case to accommodate the huge 5870, any recommendations? Thinking maybe a Fractal R3, really like the looks of it

 

[purple stain]

Those look more like multimedia and server case's.If thats what your going for thats fine but if not then I would suggest another case.Also the 5870 is 11 inches in length and the Fractal R3 supports up to 11.4inches.So it will fit it but it will be a tight fit.

I would look twards something like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=cooler+master+690&x=0&y=0

 

[frostr2]

Haha yeah the CM 690 II was second on my list. I guess either would be fine, the R3 has good sound damping and looks quite elegant, whereas the 690 II has better capacity for cooling and looks more like a traditional PC

 

[purple stain]

All that sound damping stuff also limits the cooling.IMO, it chokes the fans.

Either way i'm sure it will be fine it is your case and your decesion after all.

 

[frostr2]

Yeah, have to give it some though. Thanks again for the help