Hello, My graphic card is not working any more (artefacts on boot screen, now disabled) and is pretty much not fit for purpose now anyway so I'm looking to replace it. I have a few concerns though as a new card would be going into an ageing system. I'm only running a core 2 duo. I was considering sticking a q6600 in. Question number one would be what is the best CPU upgrade for my board? The second question would be what would be a sensible upgrade for the GPU? I want to avoid bottlenecking where possible. Given the time of year a full upgrade is out of the question. I'm looking to squeeze what I can from my current rig. My full current spec is in my sig. FS
What's your total budget? You should be able to get a Q6600 for around £20 these days and I think someone was price checking a Q9550 recently, which would be about as good as it gets on s775. In terms of GPUs, it really depends on what your remaining budget is.
I'm prepared to spend what it takes to keep this rig running for the foreseeable, whilst being realistic. I'll have a look at the Q9550.
Hmm. I've never attempted to overclock a CPU. Would be up for trying it. I'm running a stock intel cooler though. http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/822/Intel_Core_2_Quad_Q6600_vs_Intel_Core_2_Quad_Q9550.html
I know you're not looking for a full upgrade, but you may be able to pick up some older x58 1366 stuff for REAL cheap at times second hand. Definitely more worthwhile investment than spending more on old 775. Then pick up used 570, 660 or somesuch and be good to go.
While this makes sense, I genuinely don't have the time. Plus I'd hate to consign all my old stuff to the loft.
Try overclocking the q6600 for practice and if it's still holding you back keep an eye out for a q9550. I've guessing that you could find an i5-750 for a good price as well as since many buying second hand would want a i5-2500k or newer.
Personally I'd go for a graphics card now, even if it's bottlenecked it'll still be plenty fast. then save up for a mobo/cpu/ram upgrade.
I can go for the GPC just now. What do you think of this? £159.31 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-...-6008mhz-gddr5-gpu-1085mhz-boost-1150mhz-core Or maybe the 750ti would be more sensible at £117.30 http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-...z-gddr5-gpu-1085mhz-boost-1163mhz-cores-640-d
r9 280 ? http://www.amazon.co.uk/SAPPHIRE-AM...id=1418255336&sr=8-1&keywords=r9+280+sapphire Used this exact card in 3 builds this past two weeks.
Look at the R9 270, overclockers has one for £115, think scan at £120. Pretty sure it's supposed to be faster than the 750ti. edit :^or that if you're going that high Edit 2: Yea it is better http://anandtech.com/bench/product/1080?vs=1130
If you don't mind 2nd hand parts I have a HD7870 for pretty cheap. http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=280240 Its the same card as a AMD R270X before they rebranded them.
I'd have bit your hand off mrbungle. Sorry things got hectic and I stopped checking the thread. Thanks for the info loftie. I'll be considering both nVidia and AMD cards from now on. I can't make my mind up. I think I might go as cheap as possible to tide me over. 2nd hand an option.
If they're compatible with your board it's worth checking out the Wolfdale chips. Something like an E8400 or E8500 are very capable dual core chips. The older quads tend to sell for more than they're actually worth in terms of performance.
