Can you help me with a few questions/some advice please? :)

[ryrai]

Hey guys

I'm planning to upgrade my motherboard and RAM but i'm unsure which motherboard to get as I have no idea what to look for in a motherboard, so can you recommend a good motherboard that is compatible with all my components, including the RAM below? or maybe better RAM that you can suggest.


The RAM I have been looking at is: http://www.cclonline.com/product/59186/CMZ6GX3M3A1600C9/Desktop-Memory/Corsair-Vengeance-6GB-3-x-2GB-Triple-Channel-Memory-Kit/RAM0291/ - Is this RAM good performance or can you recommend better? (I don't want more than 8GB as I won't be doing anything that requires such high performance)


My System Specs from Hewlett Packard's website: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c02557459&lang=en&cc=us&contentType=SupportFAQ&prodSeriesId=4162263&prodTypeId=12454

(NOTE: I replaced the graphics card with an XFX ATI 1GB 6870 and the PSU with a 600w OCZ Stealth X Stream 2 for better gaming, but the rest of the components on the site are still the same):


I have also listed my system specs for your convenience below, however, more detailed information is available at the link above.

Operating System: MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1035T

RAM: 6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)

Motherboard: FOXCONN 2AA9 (CPU 1)

Graphics: XFX AMD Radeon HD 6870 @ S221HQL (1920x1080@60Hz)

Hard Drive:977GB Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 SATA Disk Device (SATA)

Audio: Realtek High Definition Audio

Case: Basic HP Pavilion one (Pic in the link above)

Thank you,

Ryrai

 

[ryrai]

I can't edit my post for some reason but I was also meant to put that I plan to get a new case as well but I don't know which to choose, so could anyone recommend a good case with lots of airflow/cooling in addition to a new motherboard/RAM that is focused on gaming?

Thank you,

Ryrai

 

[o1die]

Your motherboard won't be able to take advantage of performance ram. I recommend you remove one stick and check the brand and try to match it. Any ram you install will only run at 1333; no point in paying extra for faster ram. Those hp systems aren't designed for upgrading. I recommend you sell it intact and build your own. If you change motherboards, you'll need a brand new windows coa from microsoft. Your original windows installation only works with hp motherboards (a small bios file id's the board for windows). I already tried what you want to do; it won't work without the new coa.

 

[ryrai]

Your motherboard won't be able to take advantage of performance ram. I recommend you remove one stick and check the brand and try to match it. Any ram you install will only run at 1333; no point in paying extra for faster ram.

Hello o1die, thanks for your reply. I plan to get a new motherboard (more info in my first post) but I have no idea which motherboard to get as I don't know anything about them, can you recommend a good motherboard that will be compatible with my system components?

 

[ryrai]

Your motherboard won't be able to take advantage of performance ram. I recommend you remove one stick and check the brand and try to match it. Any ram you install will only run at 1333; no point in paying extra for faster ram. Those hp systems aren't designed for upgrading. I recommend you sell it intact and build your own. If you change motherboards, you'll need a brand new windows coa from microsoft. Your original windows installation only works with hp motherboards (a small bios file id's the board for windows). I already tried what you want to do; it won't work without the new coa.

Sorry, I missed the edit and replied too soon. I see, that really sucks as I paid a lot of money for this computer (Never buying from PCWorld again) do you have any idea how much I would get for the computer? Thanks very much for your help by the way

 

[o1die]

I honestly don't know what you'll gain by selling it at a loss. I would keep it for now, at least as long as it's under warranty. 6 gb of ram is plenty for all tasks, and overclocking will only gain you a few frames per second.