Upgrade Time

[Ian]

After seeing all of V_R's gaming threads and Ady's overclocking exploits, I'm really tempted to get a new system. My current spec is getting a bit long in the tooth:

Intel P4 3.4Ghz
2 GB Ram
X850XT
19" LCD
Plus the usual gubbins...

It has served me well for a couple of years now, but recent games like Bioshock are too much for the PC to handle. I can get by running bioshock using a beta SM2 patch, but it isn't really ideal.

I was going to wait another year or so and upgrade then, as I thought I'd see a bit more of a jump in performance (as I didn't think the spec was that bad). However with games refusing to run it may now be time.

I have 2 options that I can see, the first being to just whack an 8600 (this one perhaps) in my current rig to enable me to play games for another year or two.

The more expensive route is to spend what amounts to around £700 inc a 22" monitor on a nice shiny new system. I did a quick add up on area, and came up with the following (which would be refined if I was going for a new system, I just did a quick build to get an idea of costs):

MSI GeForce 8600GT 256MB PCI-E overclocked
1x £70.49
ASUS P5B 775 Motherboard
1x £56.34
Patriot 2GB PC2-6400 C4 Extreme Performance (2x1GB)
1x £58.69
Thermaltake Soprano - Silver
1x £46.94
Hiper 435W TRUE POWER PSU
1x £35.07
Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 PRO
1x £15.22
NEC AD-7170A-0S 18x DVDRW DL Silver
1x £17.92
Logitech Desktop 1500 Laser
1x £29.32
22'' Xerox XM3-22W Widescreen 5ms
1x £199.69
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz * 95W G0 Stepping* (775)
1x £176.19

+existing drives

Given the choice, would you think I'd see enough benefit to warrant the £700 outlay? Or would you stick with a much cheaper graphics card upgrade of the current system?

I understand that only I can really answer that question myself, as it isn't a black and white answer - but I value the opinions on here and would be interested in hearing any thoughts

 

[Adywebb]

Ian I can't comment as usual on graphics - as I don't game - but just a couple of observations....


If your going for the G6600 G0, I would get the new P35 chipset mobo, such as the Asus P5K - its a little more at £76 but i think its worth it.

That Patriot memory is a bargain at the moment

 

[Ian]

I think I will go for the P5K if I do go for the new build option, as it seems like you've had some very good success with that! I probably only use my system for gaming 10% of the time, so normal multitasking will be the thing I'm most keen on - the quad should be quite responsive I hope

 

[Alf]

looks good, especially if your not going to use it just for gaming

 

[V_R]

Looks good Ian, although i'd be looking for a better PSU personally. 520w Corsair maybe?

The 8600's dont get the greatest of reviews, Maybe look at a 8800GTS 320mb?

OCUK do some Q6600 bundles too, maybe worth a look.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?&groupid=701&catid=339&sortby=priceDesc

 

[Adywebb]

The Abit mobo in those bundles is not a bad board

However, although you save around £30 by buying them as a bundle at OcUK, they can all be sourced individually to a cheaper total elsewhere.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Looking good but steer clear of the 8600 series, they're generally reckoned to be a bit pants.

As V_R said, go for the 8800GTS 320Mb or if budget is a big consideration, highest specced 7600 series.

Also, Hiper PSU's aren't very good. They looked good to start with but there has been a high failure rate.

Why you think they so cheap?

And if you're serious about gaming, consider a corded keyboard and the Logitech corded G5 laser mouse.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the advice guys It looks like I'll have to re-think the 8600 and PSU.

I'll have a hunt around tomorrow and see what I can spec up within budget

 

[Ian]

I did another hunt around, and came up with the following today. Does it all look ok?

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz * 95W G0 Stepping* (775)
1x £176.19
ASUS P5K Intel iP35 Socket 775 Motherboard
1x £76.32
Patriot 2GB PC2-6400 C4 Extreme Performance (2x1GB)
1x £58.69
XFX GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB PCI-E
1x £187.94
Hyundai Premium Blue-H 22" Widescreen
1x £156.22
Thermaltake Soprano - Silver
1x £46.94
OCZ 600W StealthXStream PSU
1x £49.29
NEC AD-7170A-0S 18x DVDRW DL Silver
1x £17.92
320GB Maxtor Diamondmax SATA2 8MB
1x £42.29
Zalman CNPS9500-AT Intel LGA775
1x £29.94
Coolermate Cooling Compound
1x £3.53
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total: (inc. VAT) £845.26

 

[V_R]

Cant see anything wrong with that Ian.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Looks good to me

Where are you shopping? They are real good prices on the monitor & PSU.

And spend another three quid and get Arctic Silver thermal paste...

 

[Ian]

I was going to go for the AS5, but it's out of stock at Aria - do you think there would be much difference?

All of the bits are from Aria, mainly as I can drive there and pick the bits up

 

[Ian]

I've just noticed that the LCD is actually not DVI, so I've swapped it for the LG L226WTQ Widescreen 2ms.

 

[floppybootstomp]

I was going to go for the AS5, but it's out of stock at Aria - do you think there would be much difference?

Not really that much of a biggie, no.

 

[V_R]

I've just noticed that the LCD is actually not DVI, so I've swapped it for the LG L226WTQ Widescreen 2ms.

Very nice, i've been eyeing up one of those for a while too.....I want it for Crysis!

 

[Ian]

I'm back from shopping

See you all in a couple of hours

 

[V_R]

Good luck Ian!

 

[floppybootstomp]

Groovy

 

[Ian]

WOW, Quad Core is fast!!!

I'll post more thoughts on it later once I've gotten everything patched and up to date I bought a Logitech G11 keyboard, and it's strange typing one something with a new layout so that will take some getting used to.

 

[Anon_F]

Hmmm Quad Core

More info, pictures as well please.
I'm drooling at the thought of a Quad Core CPU Crunching.

[OK you did not need to know that]