PC Upgrade, is it worth it?

[lukukz]

Hi,

Well i'm still not sure if it's worth to do the upgrade for my PC.
Right now i've got:

E6750 2,66ghz - overclocked to 3ghz
ASUS P5QL Pro
ENERMAX PRO82+ 425watt
ATI HD4850 Sapphire 512mb 256bit
2GB RAM 667mhz Samsung
320GB HDD

I need more fps as i want to play with fps_max 200 or uncap the fps (fps_max 0) - for CSS. I play CSS/1.6 at 800x600 resolution with my 120hz IIYAMA VM1451 CRT. I was thinking on upgrading my CPU, CPU-Cooler, RAM and overclocking it. Was thinking to get these new specs:

E8500 3,16ghz 6MB cache 1333Mhz FSB - overclocking to ~3.8ghz+
New CPU-Cooler, still deciding which 1
2GB RAM - DDR2-RAM KIT 2 GB, 800 MHz, CL4, CORSAIR XMS2 DHX


I saw some guy saying it's not worth to give ~180euros for an "old dual core". Is it actually worth upgrading it? Or should i just buy better RAM and overclock the E6750 more?

Thanks.

 

[saaiello]

It is not a good upgrade the performance gain will be not enough to justify the upgrade. If you want to upgrade I suggest going with an I5 or a Phenom II preferbly a quad core. IMO if you are upgrading you might as well get a Quad core its not necessary but I highly recommend it.

I would say get a good cooler and overclock the crap out of that CPU. You will need to upgrade your RAM to some good 800mhz dimms.

Good Coolers
■Cooler Master Hyper 212 +
■Tuniq makes a nice heatsink too.

 

[megamanx00]

The E8500 does have a clock for clock advantage over your E6750. Even so, it would make more sense to get a quad core CPU and overclock that. Older games may prefer a higher overclocked dual core E8500 over an overclocked quad core, but most games that are coming out now show an advantage with a quad core CPU (or at least dual with hyper threading) over a dual core one. As for the RAM, the CORSAIR XMS2 would be limited by your current 667 RAM. Of course, if you just use the Corsair that will only leave you with 2GB rather than 4. True, 2GB is enough for most games if you have a lean install, but that is changing. I say just get 4GB (2x2GB) of 1066 that you can easily overclock instead.

 

[saaiello]

I say just get 4GB (2x2GB) of 1066 that you can easily overclock instead.

1066 RAM is just there 800mhz RAM that they added a little extra voltage and relaxed the timings IMO get the corsair 800mhz they will overclock to 1000mhz plus no point in spending the extra for what you can do yourself.

You have to look at it like this you got 2 choices

1 is the RAM and cooler and overclock it. Will cost about $100

2 you move onto a new motherboard and processor . Will cost you around $250 $300

 

[lukukz]

1066 RAM is just there 800mhz RAM that they added a little extra voltage and relaxed the timings IMO get the corsair 800mhz they will overclock to 1000mhz plus no point in spending the extra for what you can do yourself.

So should i just get this http://www.ditech.at/artikel/QDGC8E/DDR2-RAM_KIT_2_GB_800_MHz_CL4_CORSAIR_XMS2_DHX.html and just overclock my E6750 till 3.6 - 3.8ghz?

 

[saaiello]

So should i just get this http://www.ditech.at/artikel/QDGC8E/DDR2-RAM_KIT_2_GB_800_MHz_CL4_CORSAIR_XMS2_DHX.html and just overclock my E6750 till 3.6 - 3.8ghz?

Yes that is very good RAM and should breath some new life into your system.

 

[Raidur]

Remember E8400 @ 3.4ghz > Phenom II 965 (and both make it to 4.0ghz, with the E8400 OCing a little better/easier if your mobo can keep up) in dual core or less optimized games. But like they said quad is the way to go for todays and future games.

Intel's production is going towards i3/i5/i7 which is why the older C2Ds are more expensive than they should be. They still perform mighty well though, especially the 6MB L2 / 45nm ones (E8x00 series).

However, if I was you i'd stick with your plan of OCing your current CPU and saving for an entire rebuild.

 

[flyinfinni]

I'd just OC the crap out of the Current CPU. Not worth spending the cash on an outdated socket CPU. Better to save and get a full new build in a few months than to try and upgrade to squeeze more time out of an older system right now. More RAM would be a good call though.

 

[RickyT23]

Hi,

Well i'm still not sure if it's worth to do the upgrade for my PC.
Right now i've got:

E6750 2,66ghz - overclocked to 3ghz
ASUS P5QL Pro
ENERMAX PRO82+ 425watt
ATI HD4850 Sapphire 512mb 256bit
2GB RAM 667mhz Samsung
320GB HDD

I need more fps as i want to play with fps_max 200 or uncap the fps (fps_max 0) - for CSS. I play CSS/1.6 at 800x600 resolution with my 120hz IIYAMA VM1451 CRT. I was thinking on upgrading my CPU, CPU-Cooler, RAM and overclocking it. Was thinking to get these new specs:

E8500 3,16ghz 6MB cache 1333Mhz FSB - overclocking to ~3.8ghz+
New CPU-Cooler, still deciding which 1
2GB RAM - DDR2-RAM KIT 2 GB, 800 MHz, CL4, CORSAIR XMS2 DHX


I saw some guy saying it's not worth to give ~180euros for an "old dual core". Is it actually worth upgrading it? Or should i just buy better RAM and overclock the E6750 more?

Thanks.

I got my E6750 running at 3,56Ghz. It quite voltage hungry

You need 4Gb of RAM. 800 or 1066 will do. 1066 is probably better if you are going to overclock. Get a good cooler for your CPU and have a go

Also you could replace your 4850 with a 5850 or a 5870, that would give you a big boost in performance. And you could always replace your mobo, CPU and RAM in the future, then get another 5850/5870 and crossfire.

 

[lukukz]

I got my E6750 running at 3,56Ghz. It quite voltage hungry

You need 4Gb of RAM. 800 or 1066 will do. 1066 is probably better if you are going to overclock. Get a good cooler for your CPU and have a go

Also you could replace your 4850 with a 5850 or a 5870, that would give you a big boost in performance. And you could always replace your mobo, CPU and RAM in the future, then get another 5850/5870 and crossfire.

Couldn't i do it with 2GB?
I'm probably just going to Overlcock my E6750.
But still wondering which 1 to get:
http://www.ditech.at/artikel/QDGC1B/DDR2-RAM_KIT_2_GB_1066_MHz_CL5_CORSAIR_Dominator.html or
http://www.ditech.at/artikel/QDGC8E/DDR2-RAM_KIT_2_GB_800_MHz_CL4_CORSAIR_XMS2_DHX.html

SAAIELLO said this about 800Mhz/1066Mhz RAM: "1066 RAM is just there 800mhz RAM that they added a little extra voltage and relaxed the timings IMO get the corsair 800mhz they will overclock to 1000mhz plus no point in spending the extra for what you can do yourself."

And now some ppl say it's better to have the 1066Mhz RAM to Overclock, so which 1 should i take? The DDR2-RAM KIT 2 GB, 800 MHz, CL4, CORSAIR XMS2 DHX or DDR2-RAM KIT 2 GB, 1066 MHz, CL5, CORSAIR Dominator ( see links up there ). I would like to go for ~3,6ghz+ then and it's mainly for playing CSS, so which 1 should i take?

 

[saaiello]

Couldn't i do it with 2GB?
I'm probably just going to Overlcock my E6750.
But still wondering which 1 to get:
http://www.ditech.at/artikel/QDGC1B/DDR2-RAM_KIT_2_GB_1066_MHz_CL5_CORSAIR_Dominator.html or
http://www.ditech.at/artikel/QDGC8E/DDR2-RAM_KIT_2_GB_800_MHz_CL4_CORSAIR_XMS2_DHX.html

SAAIELLO said this about 800Mhz/1066Mhz RAM: "1066 RAM is just there 800mhz RAM that they added a little extra voltage and relaxed the timings IMO get the corsair 800mhz they will overclock to 1000mhz plus no point in spending the extra for what you can do yourself."

And now some ppl say it's better to have the 1066Mhz RAM to Overclock, so which 1 should i take? The DDR2-RAM KIT 2 GB, 800 MHz, CL4, CORSAIR XMS2 DHX or DDR2-RAM KIT 2 GB, 1066 MHz, CL5, CORSAIR Dominator ( see links up there ). I would like to go for ~3,6ghz+ then and it's mainly for playing CSS, so which 1 should i take?

RickyT has no clue what he is talking about I see the advice he gives around here it makes me :lol: the corsair 800mhz will be perfect I would suggest 4GB though if you can afford it but 2 GB will work. The E6750 has a base clock of 333mhz x8 as a multiplier so to over clock to 3.8ghz your ram will only be running at 950 mhz which those corsairs will have no trouble at all doing so no need for the 1066 Dominators all you might have to do is raise the voltage on the XMS2's to 2.2 and you will be fine. For your RAM to even run at 800 mhz in 1:1 ratio your CPU will be running at 3.2ghz so you have plenty of head room with those corsairs I promise you that. Ans he says get rid of the 4850 lol for what you play you will see not 1 bit of difference from a 5850 at the res you play at.

 

[lukukz]

Ricky has no clue what he is talking about I see the advice he gives around here it makes me :lol: the corsair 800mhz will be perfect I would suggest 4GB though if you can afford it but 2 GB will work. The E6750 has a base clock of 333mhz x8 as a multiplier so to over clock to 3.8ghz your ram will only be running at 950 mhz which those corsairs will have no trouble at all doing so no need for the 1066 Dominators all you might have to do is raise the voltage on the XMS2's to 2.2 and you will be fine. For your RAM to even run at 800 mhz in 1:1 ratio your CPU will be running at 3.2ghz so you have plenty of head room with those corsairs I promise you that. Ans he says get rid of the 4850 lol for what you play you will see not 1 bit of difference from a 5850.

Okey, cheers alot. I don't have alot clue about it and tommorow i'm going get the RAM and go for the OC so i want to be sure. But still if i would get the 1066 Dominators i wouldn't need to change the voltage like with the XMS2's coz they are already running at 2.2V? It's 3 Euros difference and it doesn't really matter for me. Should i just get the Dominators? And ye again it's mainly used for CSS (Counter Strike Source).

Btw about Overclocking what CPU Voltage i would need to be running @ 3,6ghz and maybe 3,8ghz?

FSB 450 - 3,6ghz, FSB 475 - 3,8ghz
PCI Frequency to 100Mhz so nothing happens with GFX Card coz on "Auto" it could take more?
CPU Voltage - how much should i use for 3,6ghz / 3,8ghz?
And would i need to change any other things? Coz i read somewhere that when and Overclock it more i would need change some other things aswell?

I'm currently running it at 3,00ghz CPU-Voltage: 1,28125V

 

[saaiello]

I mean yea go for the 1066 if its just 3 more euros you can always lower the voltage to 2.1 because you wont even be running them at 1066mhz unless you go over 4ghz with your overclock. If you do get the dominator you will be able to tighten the timings up to 4 anyway so its up to you really.

 

[popatim]

I agree, CS:S is mostly processor bound so overclocking should yeild the greatest benefit.

 

[lukukz]

I mean yea go for the 1066 if its just 3 more euros you can always lower the voltage to 2.1 because you wont even be running them at 1066mhz unless you go over 4ghz with your overclock. If you do get the dominator you will be able to tighten the timings up to 4 anyway so its up to you really.

Ye well if i get the Dominators i can lower the voltage and have the timings to 4. It's not a big lose since i can get the same as the XMS2's and it's only 3 Euros difference. Btw you got any idea about the CPU-Voltage?

 

[lukukz]

I agree, CS:S is mostly processor bound so overclocking should yeild the greatest benefit.

Ye all the people i saw who play with uncapped fps or more than fps_max 101+. They just have DualCores Overclocked to around 3,8ghz~+ and they have the good fps.

 

[saaiello]

Btw about Overclocking what CPU Voltage i would need to be running @ 3,6ghz and maybe 3,8ghz?

FSB 450 - 3,6ghz, FSB 475 - 3,8ghz
PCI Frequency to 100Mhz so nothing happens with GFX Card coz on "Auto" it could take more?
CPU Voltage - how much should i use for 3,6ghz / 3,8ghz?
And would i need to change any other things? Coz i read somewhere that when and Overclock it more i would need change some other things aswell?

I'm currently running it at 3,00ghz CPU-Voltage: 1,28125V

■Keep PCIE at 100mhz
■Your voltages will vary cpu to cpu I never had a E6750 so I can't tell you for certain but if I had to guess 3.6ghz will probably be around 1.38 to 1.40 could be more though I wouldnt push your volts far over 1.50. You are just gonna have to go up little bits at a time and find out the better RAM will help you go higher on less volts though.
■You might have to raise your NB volts but I would leave all the other voltages alone.

And I hope you have a good cooler because you are gonna need it once you get above 3.4ghz with that chip.


I am gonna post back with more settings in a minute I want to look at your bios you have real quick.

 

[lukukz]

■Keep PCIE at 100mhz
■Your voltages will vary cpu to cpu I never had a E6750 so I can't tell you for certain but if I had to guess 3.6ghz will probably be around 1.38 to 1.40 could be more though I wouldnt push your volts far over 1.50. You are just gonna have to go up little bits at a time and find out the better RAM will help you go higher on less volts though.
■You might have to raise your NB volts but I would leave all the other voltages alone.

And I hope you have a good cooler because you are gonna need it once you get above 3.4ghz with that chip.


I am gonna post back with more settings in a minute I want to look at your bios you have real quick.

I guess i'm getting the Dominators then.

I send you pm and the cooler which i have right now, but i guess i will get a new cooler : http://www.ditech.at/artikel/CLEKL10/Prozessorkuehler_EKL_Alpenfoehn_ZollBrockenZoll_aktiv.html.

And thanks alot for your help!

 

[saaiello]

AI TWEAKER MENU SETTINGS

FSB STRAP: 333mhz will give better performance but while overclocking stay at 400mhz then once stable go to 333mhz

DRAM FREQUENCY: Set this to be 1:1 with your base clock.

DRAM STATIC READ CONTROL: Disabled
DRAM READ TRAINING: DISABLED
MEM. OC CHARGER: ENABLED
AI CLOCK TWISTER: LIGT (while overclocking leave at light once you find a stable overclock you can raise this up to increase performance)
AI TRANSACTION BOOSTER: AUTO

lOAD LINE CALIBRATION: ENABLED
CPU SPREAD SPECTRUM: DISABLED
PCIE SPREAD SPECTRUM: DISABLED

CPU CONFIGURATION
You may have to disable speed step if you think its affecting stability.

 

[RickyT23]

AI TWEAKER MENU SETTINGS

FSB STRAP: 333mhz will give better performance but while overclocking stay at 400mhz then once stable go to 333mhz

DRAM FREQUENCY: Set this to be 1:1 with your base clock.

DRAM STATIC READ CONTROL: Disabled
DRAM READ TRAINING: DISABLED
MEM. OC CHARGER: ENABLED
AI CLOCK TWISTER: LIGT (while overclocking leave at light once you find a stable overclock you can raise this up to increase performance)
AI TRANSACTION BOOSTER: AUTO

lOAD LINE CALIBRATION: ENABLED
CPU SPREAD SPECTRUM: DISABLED
PCIE SPREAD SPECTRUM: DISABLED

CPU CONFIGURATION
You may have to disable speed step if you think its affecting stability.

Lol - very scathing towards me, Mr SAAIELLO.

Basically you are right though, I'll give you that. Not sure about the whole "a Radeon 5850 wont make any difference" part though. I mean it will likely double his FPS count in one move. Not sure what CSS bottlenecks at, mind. I would have assumed that such old tech would be running at a lot more than 120Hz with a 6750 and a Radeon 5850.

Its ironic that you recommend against getting 1066 after telling him how much af a douche I am, basically. Ironic because I am using XMS2 PC6400. I cant get my PC to POST at at more than 3.56 Ghz (well maybe POST but hella unstable @ 3.6). I was trying to keep the voltage to the RAM at <2.1 volts though, for fear of burning them out. Maybe I should try shoving 2.2 volts though them and see if I can lower my CPU vcore to less than the 1.55 volts that it is now (!)? I read that the XMS2 is meant to run at 1.8/1.9 volts. Atleast with the 1066 he doesnt have to worry about burning them out! RAM isnt cheap though at the moment, so he would save a couple of bucks I'd imagine.

I was half expecting to be able to get my CPU up to around the 3.8 mark, others have on air. I just figured I had a slightly duff CPU.

 

[saaiello]

He is running his game at 800x600 on an hd 4850 which is a great little card the reason it wont be any faster is because at that res you are more CPU dependent.

And as for your RAM it is probably not the thing holding you back its probably your CPU I had the same XMS2 RAM and I was able to get them to run at 1000 mhz and they coulda went higher. A .1 increase on yoour RAM is not gonna burn them out you would have to raise it .2 .3 before damage will start to happen to them. Now since he said the 1066 was only 3 euros more I told him to get it but in reality its just 800mhz ram with more voltage and higher timings.

 

[flyinfinni]

Quite right- a 5850 won't really help as CSS is really not that graphically demanding and a 4850 is MORE than plenty even to run it on much higher resolutions than the OPs current 8x6- its all about CPU there, and a good overclock will help MUCH more than a better GPU.
As for the RAM, at only 3 euro difference, might as well get the 1066. Might not be much difference, but generally they're able to go a little higher than the 800's, even if not much. Its kindof like getting a factory OCed GPU, if its the same price, go for it, but if its much more expensive its not worth it. (2.2 V is NOT gonna hurt your RAM. RAM is actually pretty resilient stuff.)
RickyT- have you tried raising your NB voltage? Your CPU voltage does seem pretty high, and maybe the NB is holding you back.