Motherboards CPU, Motherboard or Ram?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Big_Adam, 1 Jun 2010.

  1. Big_Adam

    Big_Adam What's a Dremel?

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    Hey folks.

    Just a quick one as I'm about to go out. My Pc is starting to get the point where it won't always have the power I want so I'm thinking of upgrading.

    I currently have the following key parts;

    Intel E6850 (3.15ghz)
    Asus P5N-D
    850watt Corsair PSU
    Corsair 6400c4DHX (4gb)
    Ati 4850
    Window 7 Home

    So, I tried overclocking the CPU a few times and the guy I got it from said it will happily overclock a fair bit. He's a good guy so I'm inclined to believe him and from what I've read my motherboard is a bit crap for overclocking. So, I'm not sure if to upgrade the board and keep the CPU, ram etc or upgrade else where. As my RAM keeps getting gobbled up by various processes (1gb + used on startup easy).

    BUT! Scan has a Today Only deal on a Asus P5Q Pro Turbo, Intel P45 for about £100 or I get the old CPC classic and get a Asus P5Q Deluxe, iP45.

    Or get ram. Which again is around the £100 mark. I tend to game and edit videos so I'm not sure where to go with my upgrade.

    CPU, Motherboard or Ram?

    New board would mean I could overclock and get what I need out of the CPU, but then I'd still have a ram problem of sorts.

    So, suggestions?

    Thanks, now I'm off to the flicks.
     
  2. isaac12345

    isaac12345 What's a Dremel?

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    You'll get the most benefit by upgrading your gfx card. and if the gfx card is CPU limited to the point that it becomes a major bottlneck, then upgrading your motherboard to overclock your current CPU or getting a new CPU with your current motherboard or upgrading both would help. Dont buy RAM at the moment. Its too darn expensive right now and the performance increase wont justify the price.
     
  3. sb1991

    sb1991 What's a Dremel?

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    I'd upgrade the graphics card: there doesn't seem to be much point in getting a new socket 775 motherboard or DDR2 RAM now since both are being phased out so you wouldn't be able to use either for a new build. 4GB of RAM should be plenty; 1GB used at startup is pretty normal.
     
  4. Big_Adam

    Big_Adam What's a Dremel?

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    Well, the games I play (most source ones, so very CPU intensive) have been maxing my CPU at times. Just Cause 2 gets pretty close to pushing the limits of my CPU.

    Least that's what Task Manager tells me.
     
  5. Guest-44432

    Guest-44432 Guest

    I have a QX9650 which overclocks to 4ghz, Gigabyte X48-DS4 motherboard, 8GB corsair XMS2 DHX pc2-6400 4 4 4 12
    for sale.

    Open to offers.

    Simon
     
  6. Slizza

    Slizza beautiful to demons

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    I have a P5Q pro motherboard for selling too. :)
     
  7. Big_Adam

    Big_Adam What's a Dremel?

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    Unless you're willing to take £100-150 which is all I got for this upgrade, I think its not going to happen.

    :p

    Slizza, how much and what does it have (as in is it still complete with all cables, backplate etc)?
     
  8. dec

    dec [blank space]

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    Try to overclock, its free and IF you are lucky you wont have to spend anything.

    Im not sure if Source games prefer more cores or higher clock speeds, but im guessing for higher clock speeds. Look at this.

    http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2009/09/08/intel-core-i5-and-i7-lynnfield-cpu-review/8

    But since you do alot of work with videos id try and overclock the current board to see how good it is and if its good then id drop in a core 2 quad if its not get the board and a cpu.

    Also try getting your RAM to 1066. You already have 4gb of it so I dont see a reason to get more.
     
  9. Teelzebub

    Teelzebub Up yours GOD,Whats best served cold

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    Why do you want a new mobo that one will run most quads with a bios update.

    And I've got a Q9505 that will be up for sale soon and this one has a unlocked multi should be a dream for overclocking.
     
  10. Big_Adam

    Big_Adam What's a Dremel?

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    I tried, by board will not do much more than 0.5 ghz then it just gets all crashy and useless. From posts on the net, I found my board is a bit crap for it.

    I'd still need a new motherboard. As mine just won't do it.
     
  11. Teelzebub

    Teelzebub Up yours GOD,Whats best served cold

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    I cant promise anything but if they dont buy it I will have a brand new Asus P5QL/EPU mobo for sale in box with all bits and your £150 could get both the cpu and the mobo.
     
  12. Slizza

    Slizza beautiful to demons

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    Should be complete, i have the box etc still in excellent condition.
    The board was used for less than a year before i upgraded to the i7 system.
    Was thinking £55 delivered.
     
  13. roosauce

    roosauce Looking for xmas projects??

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    £100-150 wont be enough to buy a graphics card that will significantly outperform the 4850. If you can save up for a 5850 then you will get a good performance increase and can keep that when you are able to go up to the i3/i5/i7.

    Failing that, you have to try one of these other paths - cpu/mb - however I cant see it making a huge difference in most games. A quad core would help with video editing however. I definitely would not bother with RAM - 4gb is enough.
     
  14. roosauce

    roosauce Looking for xmas projects??

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    What about having a go on the ebay auctions for a 4870x2? Might get lucky and snap one for a good price since they are now 'old' tech.
     

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