First, I wanted to say what an excellent resource these forums have been for me. The guides are great. I only wish I had found something similar before attempting my first build a couple of years ago!
Basically what I am looking to do is update my system in the least costly manner (which doesn't mean I am not looking to spend $$$ on what I do upgrade). What I am really wondering is how many of my components I can reuse while still getting a system that I can game with for the next two years?
In the "Parts Not Required" section I will give a run down of my current system components.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next two months. BUDGET RANGE: $800-$1200
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies, Internet
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers
CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
MOBO- ASUS P5K-V LGA 775 Intel G33 ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU- EVGA 512-P2-N773-AR GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Power Supply- XION Supernova XON-800R14N 800W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply
HDD- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Media Drive- ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Case- Antec Nine Hundred
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Asus, Intel, G.Skill
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION:1440 x 900 and 1920 x 1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Video card must have an HDMI output as the 1920x1080 monitor mentioned above is actually my plasma TV. I would also prefer a video card with DirectX 11 capabilities.
I am thinking that the easy way to upgrade the system would be to get a better video card and maybe try my hand at overclocking my CPU. I wasn't sure how compatible some of the newer cards would be with my system/motherboard, but any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Jeremy
Basically what I am looking to do is update my system in the least costly manner (which doesn't mean I am not looking to spend $$$ on what I do upgrade). What I am really wondering is how many of my components I can reuse while still getting a system that I can game with for the next two years?
In the "Parts Not Required" section I will give a run down of my current system components.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Next two months. BUDGET RANGE: $800-$1200
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Movies, Internet
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers
CPU- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
MOBO- ASUS P5K-V LGA 775 Intel G33 ATX Intel Motherboard
GPU- EVGA 512-P2-N773-AR GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Power Supply- XION Supernova XON-800R14N 800W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply
HDD- Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
Media Drive- ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe LightScribe Support
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Case- Antec Nine Hundred
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Asus, Intel, G.Skill
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe
MONITOR RESOLUTION:1440 x 900 and 1920 x 1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Video card must have an HDMI output as the 1920x1080 monitor mentioned above is actually my plasma TV. I would also prefer a video card with DirectX 11 capabilities.
I am thinking that the easy way to upgrade the system would be to get a better video card and maybe try my hand at overclocking my CPU. I wasn't sure how compatible some of the newer cards would be with my system/motherboard, but any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Jeremy