Just Landed on Your Planet and Need Some Speed

[Ecoli]

My fellow computer gurus of the planet Earth please assist me with the following:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: By 08/31/2010

BUDGET RANGE: (e.g.: 600-800) US$300 - 400 (Before any rebates)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (Flight Simulator X, Lock-On: Flaming Cliffs, Silent Hunter 5, Armed Assault II), Video & Sound Editing (Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 Suite), HD TV, Music

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, PSU, case, fans, HOTAS, Track IR, HDD, Optical Player/Burner, Media Reader, HSF

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: NewEgg, Tigerdirect, ZipZoomFly

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States of America

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD or Intel (CPU), GIGABYTE, MSI, ASUS

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

I have the following system:

CPU - INTEL C2D E6600 2.4G 775 4M
PSU - SEASONIC SS-650HT 650W
HDD - 500GB SEAGATE 7K 16M SATA x 3
HSF - THERMALRIGHT SI-128
MOBO - MSI P6N SLI PLATINUM NF650ISLI
VGA - EVGA 8800GTS 640MB 640-P2-N821-AR
MEM - KINGSTON HYPER X KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN (1GB x 2)
MONITOR - HANNS-G 22" HW 223DPB LCD
OS - WIN 7 PRO 64BIT / UBUNTU 10.04 64BIT / WIN XP PRO 32BIT

I need to inject some life, speed, stamina into this current system. My budget is what I have listed and I welcome your suggestions on what to upgrade to get the best bang of what I have available in cash for the current system. Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Respectfully,

Ecoli

 

[Mr Pizza]

You don't have a lot to work with but it will work, I would get a GPU like the 5770,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873&cm_re=5770-_-14-102-873-_-Product

CPU wise, AMD x4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=AMD_x4_955-_-19-103-808-_-Product

Motherboard,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131646

its over budget, but you will be happy with it 😉


$429.97

 

[Upendra09]

Phenom II x4 955 BE deneb..........160

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Gigabyte, Am3/am2+, DDR2 1200 capable......80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394

Kingston Hyperx memory (you original memory) 2 gigs.....50

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134125

XFX GTS240....110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150479

total: 400 on the dot

 

[Ecoli]

MrPizza and Upendra09, I very much Thank You both for providing me with great options! I like the budget minded option of opting for AMD and enjoyed seeing how Upendra09 used my current RAM for the new updated system.

Now here is an update, I got my hands on an EVGA GTX285 2GB card so I am left with US$300 to upgrade the MOBO, CPU and RAM. I was thinking of getting a used Intel Q6600 and the two additional 2GB RAM that Upendra09 mentioned to complete the set. That should come out for a total of ~ US$150 (within budget) but very limited over clocking capabilities to push that 2.4Ghz Q6600 using the current MSI MOBO. I am open for recommendations and brainstorming!

Again, thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Respectfully,

Ecoli

 

[Upendra09]

the intel 9600 is dead though, and you won't have an upgrade path, if you get an AM3 mobo then you can get upto a phenom II x6

which will help future games

 

[Ecoli]

Hello Upendra09,

Thank you for the prompt reply. Yes, I do understand that and that is my dilemma. Either just stay with the "dead end" and enjoy the extra kick that the Q6600 / GTX285 and additional 2GB of RAM will provide OR move over to an upgradable path of AMD for a similar extra speed. Will both cost the same? As I mentioned for US$150 I can get a Q6600 and 2GB additional RAM; can I get an upgrade path using AMD with just US$150 for a MOBO + CPU + RAM (4GB total)? Your solution (nice one at that) gives me MOBO+CPU+RAM for US$290. US$140 over current budget but is it worth it?

Respectfully,

Ecoli

 

[Upendra09]

alright if it suits your needs go ahead

 

[Mr Pizza]

I would go with AMD and 4gb of ram 😉

 

[Upendra09]

same here

i was gonna say, you will have to get out of LGA775 sooner or later, so might as well go AMD and save money

 

[Ecoli]

OK, you gentlemen made a good point of going AMD.

So what MOBO + RAM combo would you recommend if I choose the AMD PII X4 955 or 965. Keep in mind that I will have a Nvidia GTX285 2GB card and would like to use remaining components if possible. I also strongly consider on over clocking this CPU so a good MOBO and HSF that can pull it off is welcomed.

Thank you for taking the time to reply and checking this post out.

Respectfully,

Ecoli

 

[Mr Pizza]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.480466

very nice combo

 

[Ecoli]

Hello Mr Pizza,

Thanks again for a prompt reply! Yes, that looks like a great combo. Will it work with my existing KINGSTON HYPER X KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN (1GB x 2) [DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)]? Also, is Asus the best MOBO for over clocking this chip? Your reply is welcomed.

Respectfully,

Ecoli

 

[Upendra09]

it won't support your RAM but it is good for OCing the 955 BE

 

[Ecoli]

Thank you.

Are there any advantages of using the suggested AMD chipset over the others (AMD 790X/FX/GX, 880G, 890FX/GX)?

Respectfully,

Ecoli

 

[Upendra09]

the 785g is knwon to help unlock cores but you already would get 4 cores with the phenom

the others are just better integrated video, slightly better pCIe(however, you get more options from the 785g)

as for the 8xx chipset, they are brand spanking new,and have a couple of advantages over the 7 but nothing you will see most likely

one thing you might benefit from is the choices on the PCIe lanes