So basically, my specs are:
E6600 @ 3.2ghz 1.35v | Asus P5W DH | Super Talent PC8000 2gb DDR2
8800 GTS2 @ 775/1825/2120 | 2x320GB WD | Silverstone ST75ZF 750w PSU
I'm running Windows XP (32bit). And basically fancied a bit of an upgrade. Mainly to help with my design work. I know you'd think 2GB of ram was plenty, but I swear, since purchasing my new Canon 450D DSLR, using RAW or generally much bigger JPEG files, and lots of them in Photoshop can really take it's toll on the system.
I browsed over the different component selling sites, and was shocked at all the new tech since I last upgraded. DDR3 ram? Lots of new CPU's, mobo's etc. I'm kind of lost.
First thing I was going to buy was more ram. Probably sell my 2GB sticks and buy some 4GB ram (2x2GB), either Corsair Dominator or OCZ Reaper HPC. However, now that DDR3 is on the market, I have to ask. How much of a difference does it actually make? Should I go for 4GB DDR2 (quite cheap these days) or settle for a complete upgrade, new mobo and go for DDR3?
Which brings me to my next point. For design work (and gaming), would a quad CPU be more fitting? Especially using apps such as Phostohop, Flash, Illustrator etc. Or is my OC'd C2Duo sufficient? From what I can gather, my mobo supports quad core CPU's, so upgrading shouldn't be a problem. Should it?
Thirdly, the new motherboards on the market. Do they provide any significant benefits or performance boosts? If yes, I may even consider a new mobo, more memory and a new CPU. Which would essentially be a proper upgrade. I've already decided I want to get the ATI HD 4870, so it would be a full upgrade.
And Lastly, is Windows XP (32bit) getting a bit dated now? Should I upgrade to Vista? Or perhaps Windows XP 64bit?
What do you guys think?
Just buy new/more ram?
Buy more ram and a new CPU? (quad core?)
Do the full shebang and get more ram (DDR2 or DDR3?), a new CPU and a new mobo.
Stick with XP 32bit, or upgrade the OS?
All help is very much appreciated.
E6600 @ 3.2ghz 1.35v | Asus P5W DH | Super Talent PC8000 2gb DDR2
8800 GTS2 @ 775/1825/2120 | 2x320GB WD | Silverstone ST75ZF 750w PSU
I'm running Windows XP (32bit). And basically fancied a bit of an upgrade. Mainly to help with my design work. I know you'd think 2GB of ram was plenty, but I swear, since purchasing my new Canon 450D DSLR, using RAW or generally much bigger JPEG files, and lots of them in Photoshop can really take it's toll on the system.
I browsed over the different component selling sites, and was shocked at all the new tech since I last upgraded. DDR3 ram? Lots of new CPU's, mobo's etc. I'm kind of lost.
First thing I was going to buy was more ram. Probably sell my 2GB sticks and buy some 4GB ram (2x2GB), either Corsair Dominator or OCZ Reaper HPC. However, now that DDR3 is on the market, I have to ask. How much of a difference does it actually make? Should I go for 4GB DDR2 (quite cheap these days) or settle for a complete upgrade, new mobo and go for DDR3?
Which brings me to my next point. For design work (and gaming), would a quad CPU be more fitting? Especially using apps such as Phostohop, Flash, Illustrator etc. Or is my OC'd C2Duo sufficient? From what I can gather, my mobo supports quad core CPU's, so upgrading shouldn't be a problem. Should it?
Thirdly, the new motherboards on the market. Do they provide any significant benefits or performance boosts? If yes, I may even consider a new mobo, more memory and a new CPU. Which would essentially be a proper upgrade. I've already decided I want to get the ATI HD 4870, so it would be a full upgrade.
And Lastly, is Windows XP (32bit) getting a bit dated now? Should I upgrade to Vista? Or perhaps Windows XP 64bit?
What do you guys think?
Just buy new/more ram?
Buy more ram and a new CPU? (quad core?)
Do the full shebang and get more ram (DDR2 or DDR3?), a new CPU and a new mobo.
Stick with XP 32bit, or upgrade the OS?
All help is very much appreciated.
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