Build new or upgrade ?

[guzler]

Hi guys,

I want to move onto AN e8600 Duo from my current single core AMD 3400+. Question is, would it be easy to strip down and build an upgrade (buy new motherboard, processor, HD & ram & keep case, Graphics, sound, 500W power supply, case, DVD) or should I go for a new complete system ?

May be a dumb question, but I am trying to keep costs down.

Cheers

 

[Ickie]

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for real power
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/landingpages/intel/farcry2/

don't forget to mention Sim-Outhouse

 

[guzler]

I can buy or build a new one for around £600 (I'm in the UK) that includes an uprated cooler, 4Gb ram, E8600 duo, 2 x HD's, case, power, external sound & DVD. I already have a 512Mb 8800GT that does the job, but want more processor speed to improve blurries and FPS in detailed areas, especially with WOAI which I wouldn't change for anything.

What mother board would you guys reckon to use to accompany the E8600 ? Whats the difference between them ?

Oh, and what OS ? Really happy with XP, but is it going to be outdated in the next 18 months ? What benefit would there be of a 64 bit OS ?

 

[d0mokun]

It could be said XP is already outdated. I run Vista64 and have had zero issues. I also ran Vista32 on my other rig since launch and again, no issues- but to each his own!

Windows 7 will be out within 18 months iirc, which will definitely make XP obsolete providing it sticks to what current testers are reporting. Time moves on.

4GB RAM should work well but if you can, get 8GB in there. I went from 4 to 8 GB on my older rig and it definitely made a difference- and that's on something with an E6600 and 8800 GTS.

Just my two cents, I'm sure there are better informed people here though but it always helps to add to the pot!

BR
Dan.

 

[SkippyBing]

I think Windows 7 is actually planned to be out before the end of this year and if it's as good as the beta I'd suggest skipping Vista and going straight to 7.

 

[guzler]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Vista 64 sounds like the way to go then for now. As far as I am aware, you can only go above 4Mb ram with 64bit though.

 

[harleyman]

To give you a best answer we would need your system specs now....

It may be better acording to your specs now to just add the E8600 now ,and plan on a new X58 and i7 core build in a year or so..

It all depends on what you have now ,really.......


Myself,have just built this machine for 2 thousand American,with plans to upgrade to the X58 and i7 core with DDR3 when the new OS comes out...It was going to be for the new FS Eleven,but not anymore...

 

[guzler]

My system spec is:
AMD 64 3400+ (runs at 2.4Ghz I believe) with uprated cooler
939 socket motherboard, so would need new one of these to accomodate E8600
3Gb ram
8800GT 512 Mb Nvidia Graphics

 

[harleyman]

Well.... At this point I would say a lot depends on your current case as to weather or not to build new now or upgrade the processor..


If you want the E8600 then yes you need a new mobo..I suggest the X48 ..

But with all the new vid cards out you get more CPU power,you may want more Vid Card power as well, and these cards are BIG,and need a big case..

So,thats what you need to deside..

I say in light of that the best solution is a big case ( for future upgrades) an X48 mobo for the Intel 775 socket.. That way you are ready for some upgrades later,and use everything else from your old rig


BUT...If you are going to upgrade the mobo.why not go with the i7 now ? Its more bucks, but its also the future...

I was going i7 for the new ,now dead , next flight sim..But Now I'm thinking just staying with the socket 775 as its a great preformer...