Can You Suggest a Motherboard Upgrade?

[picatavi]

I recently did a clean install of 64-bit Windows 8 Pro (from 32-bit Vista) on my 4-year-old home built PC. Main objective: upgrade memory to 12GB.

Much to my surprise, I’ve found DDR2 RAM far more expensive than DDR3 to the point where for what I would spend on DDR2, I could get 16 GB DDR3 and upgrade my motherboard. Given that an upgrade would also give me USB 3.0, it seems like that’s the way to go.

My questions:
1. Do you agree that it makes sense to upgrade the motherboard (as opposed to buying DDR2)?

2. If so, given a budget of around $250 for the motherboard and 16 GB RAM, any recommendations?
■Note: I’ve had good results with my ASUS P5Q Deluxe, but am open to other reliable brands
■Usage is surfing, Photoshop Elements, and gaming when my sons visit. No overclocking.
■Also, any advantage going with 2 X 8GB as opposed to 4 X 4GB?

3. Any recommended links on the motherboard upgrading process?

Processor Intel Core2 Quad Q9400

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45

Memory: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) CL5

Case: Antec Sonata III 500 Black

HDD: Western Digital 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0

DVD: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA
DVD: HP 20X DVD±R DVD Burner SATA

Video: MSI R7770-2PMD1GD5/OC Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express

PSU: Antec Earthwatts Model EA 500D, 500 Watts

OS: Windows 8 Pro

I greatly appreciate any and all advice. -Rich

 

[alexoiu]

1. Yes, it does make sense, but not with a LGA 775.
2. If upgrading the motherboard, you should also upgrade the CPU. Now, Intel or AMD?
3. http://www.newegg.com/Store/ComboDeals.aspx?ComboStoreID=1&name=CPUs-Motherboards

 

[picatavi]

1. Yes, it does make sense, but not with a LGA 775.
2. If upgrading the motherboard, you should also upgrade the CPU. Now, Intel or AMD?
3. http://www.newegg.com/Store/ComboDeals.aspx?ComboStoreID=1&name=CPUs-Motherboards

I thought about that, but was thinking, rather than a modest CPU upgrade (to stay w/in budget), I'd do the motherboard and memory now, then maybe upgrade the CPU to i7 a year from now. Would that work?

 

[RockJake28]

I'd have to agree with alexoiu
If you're wanting to upgrade the motherboard, you'll want a new CPU (I'd recommend AMD but thats just personal preference)
And naturally you'll want DDR3 RAM
Scan are my personal favorites for buying hardware but I'm not sure how their delivery prices will affect you with being in the US
http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware

 

[alexoiu]

I thought about that, but was thinking, rather than a modest CPU upgrade (to stay w/in budget), I'd do the motherboard and memory now, then maybe upgrade the CPU to i7 a year from now. Would that work?

No, because your CPU (LGA 775) doesn't match the newer boards (LGA 1155, 2011). You can't install it.

 

[picatavi]

No, because your CPU (LGA 775) doesn't match the newer boards (LGA 1155, 2011). You can't install it.

Ahhhhh... I see. Well, I'll have to look for a Black Friday deal. I looked over the Newegg CPU/motherboard specials, but it looks like I'd need to spend at least $400 for a decent package (motherboard, CPU, RAM).

 

[alexoiu]

Unfortunately, yes. Pretty big prices for newer hardware. AMD is a bit lower.

 

[picatavi]

So, maybe something like this, and add the other 8GB RAM later?

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?submit=ChangeItem

 

[alexoiu]

The link is not good.

 

[picatavi]

The link is not good.

Sorry, newbie... now?

http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?submit=ChangeItem

 

[alexoiu]

Yes, it seems a good deal to me.

 

[picatavi]

That doesn't look right either. Here are the items:

ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i5-3550 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel
HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53550

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Total $449 after $50 rebates and no charge for RAM (reg $39)

 

[picatavi]

.

Oh...

Not sure if I need to use the link icon, so I'll post both ways:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1033215

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1033215

When you add it to your cart it automatically adds the RAM I showed above

 

[alexoiu]

The board has good reviews, the CPU is a decent one.

 

[picatavi]

The board has good reviews, the CPU is a decent one.

Thanks so much for your help and patience.

 

[picatavi]

Best answer selected by Picatavi.