Upgrading my Intel q6600 and Nvidia 8800 GT

[joeman99]

Hello,

I am thinking of upgrading my 3 years old machine (actually switching some components with newer ones). The machine is working flawlessly, and will keep it for a while still.
I am not sure if it is worth the money but since components for these older models tend to be cheaper (second hand even more so), why not give it a try if i can get a much bigger bang for my buck.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Graphics: Nvidia 8800 GT
RAM: 8GB DDR2
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35C-DS3R

Thanks everyone

 

[Boopoo]

That CPU is still real decent when overclocked so pick yourself up a good and cheap CM Hyper 212+ CPU cooler and overclock that B*** your ram and mobo are just fine more than enough for gaming so just plop in a newer decent GPU and I will suggest to you a Radeon HD 6850 and have fun gaming on maxed out setting on the cheap.

 

[amuffin]

Overclock Q6600, and get yourself a radeon 6950.

 

[babakamboora]

I couldnt agree more with boopoo. The Q6600 is a monster!!. It can run a 580 GTX at full potential. Just get a good cooler and a decent graphic card.

 

[ashdeman]

I was running my Q6600 with a Gainward GTX 580 Phantom (3GB), ran BF3 on high no problems, it did stutter a little on ultra. Anyway, I managed to kill my Q6600 by going to 1.48vcore (R.I.P), guessing I had a bad chip! If you want to splash out a little then go for an i7 2600k, that's what I upgraded to when my Q6600 died and I have been VERY impressed with it.

 

[Boopoo]

I was running my Q6600 with a Gainward GTX 580 Phantom (3GB), ran BF3 on high no problems, it did stutter a little on ultra. Anyway, I managed to kill my Q6600 by going to 1.48vcore (R.I.P), guessing I had a bad chip! If you want to splash out a little then go for an i7 2600k, that's what I upgraded to when my Q6600 died and I have been VERY impressed with it.

Don't tell OP to waste money on a 2600K when what he has is real decent

 

[13thmonkey]

Don't tell OP to waste money on a 2600K when what he has is real decent

Read the words, he said IF, also he said that he did after he killed his Q6600

 

[ashdeman]

Don't tell OP to waste money on a 2600K when what he has is real decent

I didn't tell the OP to do anything. I said if he wants to spend the cash. I wouldn't call it wasted either, the i7 2600k IS a much better CPU than the Q6600. Its just down to personal preference if you think the upgrade is worth the money, personally I do think it is. Obviously he should get that graphics card upgraded firstly.

 

[Boopoo]

Read the words, he said IF, also he said that he did after he killed his Q6600

OP has a Q6600 end of story LOL

 

[ashdeman]

OP has a Q6600 end of story LOL

I don't understand your point. The OPs title clearly says "Upgrading my Intel q6600 and Nvidia 8800 GT"...

 

[13thmonkey]

he's overclocked once and is obviously quite proud of himself

But a good alternative for the OP is a bit of an OC, and get a much better GPU than he would get with a full platform upgrade.

 

[ashdeman]

Slightly off topic, but OP may be interested. My old Arctic Pro 7 cooler (rev 1) is just collecting dust now. If someone wants it they can have it free of charge if they don't mind paying for postage (I live in the UK). PM me.

 

[joeman99]

Thanks everyone for suggestions

Forgot to mention i like my machine very very quiet and stable. So far i achieved that quite well with:
Thermaltake V1 CPU cooler (http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/ttv1/)
Corsair 650 TX PSU (or 550 TX, not sure) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005)
Antec p182 Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129025)

Not a single component died on me so far, and all i need to do for maintaining machine is blow out dust every half a year or so.

Havent overclocked this machine yet. Will see how much i can do that, but if i OC i, it will heat up too much i guess, then coolers will start blowing at full speed, and machine will be quite loud again...

So bottom line per your suggestions:
- OC CPU: what are safe and somewhat conservative settings to oc it to? I havent overclocked my machine for ages
- Get new graphic card: around 230€ from what i can see. How loud are these?

 

[joeman99]

Edit on the GPU
Radeon 6950 for around 230€ (somewhat expensive, don't you think?) and Radeon 6850 for 130€. How loud are these? 6950 has have 2 or even 3 fans! O_O

 

[HEXiT]

the frozer editions tend to bee cooler and quieter. the 6950 is a performer while the 6850 isnt so much... if you can afford a little more then the 6970 is a great card and will max out everything currently available. or if you like nvidia then the 560ti 448 and 570 are worth a long look. none of the above should have any issue as long as you have 550w minimum.