Intel Q6600 | MSI G31M | Thermake BachVx | 430w 80plus gold | Radeon HD 2400 Pro/XT | 2 x 2GB PC2 6400 800MHz

DaleNobody

Honorable
Jan 30, 2013
59
0
10,640
Unused Parts
650w 80plus bronze PSU

SPECS

CPU - Intel Q6600 with stock cooler
Mobo - MSI MS7379 v2.0
PSU - Corsair CX430
GPU - Radeon HD 2400 Pro/XT
RAM - 2 sticks of 2GB PC6400 800MHz (Geil GX24GB6400DC)
HD - WD Blue 1TB
2 Optical drives =1 DVD ROM + 1 DVD Multi-Recorder

Unidentifiable Hardware

PCI slot has some kind of network card with 3 outputs that I am not sure what kind of cable plugs into the ports on this card


DETAILS

My brother had some guy build a system for video editing back in '08 or '09. When the HDD failed he bought something else and gave me this hunk of steel. In addition to new HDD, I also put in a new PSU because the old one was the original 430w foxcomm garbage. Geil replaced the original sticks with GX24GB 6400DC RAM sticks no questions asked (it was awesome to have that kind of warranty). Now it posts BIOS and runs linux on optical until I buy a new OS b/c my bro had windows vista 32 bit.

When I finally got all the specs for this machine, I was shocked. I knew it had always run a 32 bit version of windows. However Intel's page on the Q6600 says the CPU is capable of using 64bit technology.

On the other hand, I think the mobo only supports 32 bit?(MSI's webpage for the G31M) I also ran across an old system builder marathon which listed the Q6600 CPU as an Overclockable beast. Then I saw a build for a Q6600 on tweaktown and I got a bit overwhelmed with information. I need you to help me sort this out.


Question #1a - Do I need to upgrade the current MSI G31M to a different motherboard to use the 64 bit architecture?

Question #1b - ...If replacing mobo to use 64bit arch..., Will I need more GB's of RAM to run 64 bit operating system?

Question 2 - What are my options to get this old build maxed out for gaming?

Question 3 - Can I just install a modern GPU with some power (like a gtx 760 or a HD 7950 boost)?



 

DaleNobody

Honorable
Jan 30, 2013
59
0
10,640
Love ur Avatar! Freakin Right!

Yeah I kinda thought it might turn out to be a money pit. Was kinda hoping I could get away with a GPU upgrade and a new copy of windows to play some newer games like Titanfall, Witcher 3, BF4, Crysis 2, COD:GHOSTS, Dark Souls 2, SC2, WOW, etc
 
Jul 26, 2013
311
0
10,810


Yeah, Piccard is a badass

As always you COULD get a better GPU but the rest of the rig would hold you back soooo much :(
 
Just get a new computer. That is cold.

sig.jpg

sig.jpg


The new GPU would just be bottlenecked hard
 

DaleNobody

Honorable
Jan 30, 2013
59
0
10,640


I take no offense. I actually thought it was funny bc I troll 2...sometimes...

...ce la vie... You confirmed my fears that this is the best it's gonna get :p