Hey everybody,
My system was middle of the road circa 2008, since then I've gotten a newish psu and some more ram but we're at that point once again. If you guys dont mind a bit of a grocery list, I'd like advice on some good stuff to buy following my current specs and needs:
Specs:
AMD athlon 64 X2 6000+ (3 gigs dual core, not overclocked)
500W antec Earthwatts PSU
XFX 7770
4GB 1600 mhz Crucial RAM
windows 7 32 bit
ASUS M2N68-LA motherboard
western digital 500gb hard drive
Thermaltake Armour MX case
I'm an avid gamer and am having a hard time running more and more games even on minimal graphics.
I would like:
-A new motherboard to house more RAM(can DDR2 and DDR3 slots be on the same board? I didnt want to upgrade to 64 bit right away for more RAM, as I currently have DDR2) $150 range
-A new hard drive for an eventual 64 bit installation. Can I have two hard drives, one with 64 bit, 1 with 32, and not have any issues? would that be simple dual booting? Also, this hard drive does not need to be massive but I'd prefer it to be long lasting and fast enough, though the former(stability and safety of data) is a much higher priority.
-the absolute best PSU in the $150 and 850 watt range. Anyone who's had something like this for a very long time, please recommend. I recently bought and returned one famous for killing mobos so I'm a bit paranoid.
-A new processor. I read about the AMD FX 6200, which if I am not mistaken is a hex core, 3.8 ghz/core, hex thread, more than suitable for my needs assuming the entire processor can be devoted to a game, not just 1 or 2 cores?
about $150 to devote to this too if necessary.
Also, a noob's guide of any kind for general knowledge of motherboard and processor installation would rock- they're the only 2 piece of hardware I've never installed, as this is a reformed HP pavillion as opposed to a custom build.
Any help appreciated, thanks guys!
My system was middle of the road circa 2008, since then I've gotten a newish psu and some more ram but we're at that point once again. If you guys dont mind a bit of a grocery list, I'd like advice on some good stuff to buy following my current specs and needs:
Specs:
AMD athlon 64 X2 6000+ (3 gigs dual core, not overclocked)
500W antec Earthwatts PSU
XFX 7770
4GB 1600 mhz Crucial RAM
windows 7 32 bit
ASUS M2N68-LA motherboard
western digital 500gb hard drive
Thermaltake Armour MX case
I'm an avid gamer and am having a hard time running more and more games even on minimal graphics.
I would like:
-A new motherboard to house more RAM(can DDR2 and DDR3 slots be on the same board? I didnt want to upgrade to 64 bit right away for more RAM, as I currently have DDR2) $150 range
-A new hard drive for an eventual 64 bit installation. Can I have two hard drives, one with 64 bit, 1 with 32, and not have any issues? would that be simple dual booting? Also, this hard drive does not need to be massive but I'd prefer it to be long lasting and fast enough, though the former(stability and safety of data) is a much higher priority.
-the absolute best PSU in the $150 and 850 watt range. Anyone who's had something like this for a very long time, please recommend. I recently bought and returned one famous for killing mobos so I'm a bit paranoid.
-A new processor. I read about the AMD FX 6200, which if I am not mistaken is a hex core, 3.8 ghz/core, hex thread, more than suitable for my needs assuming the entire processor can be devoted to a game, not just 1 or 2 cores?
about $150 to devote to this too if necessary.
Also, a noob's guide of any kind for general knowledge of motherboard and processor installation would rock- they're the only 2 piece of hardware I've never installed, as this is a reformed HP pavillion as opposed to a custom build.
Any help appreciated, thanks guys!