Seeking Advice on New System Build

[reflectinggod8]

Hi all,

I am thinking of building a new system. This will be my second time building and I had quite a bit of help picking out components the first time so I apologize for any ignorance of mine ahead of time.

The only thing I ever really do that actually taxes my computer's resources is play World of Warcraft. Other than that, I collect music, etc. but nothing too major.

I am thinking of spending around $800 or so on an upgrade; that is, if $800 will get me enough of a noticeable upgrade to be worthwhile. I would be ordering the parts here in the US.

I don't have any major brand preferences. Right now, I run Intel and nVidia, but there is nothing that has me particularly stuck to them.

I am probably looking to replace my motherboard, ram, processor, and video card. Would also consider replacing the hard drive but that's not my major concern.

My current system consists of an Intel Core2 6600, runs at 2.4GHz. I have 2 gigs of RAM, I don't remember the speed. Video card is a GeForce 7950GT 256mb. Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM.

My case, power supply, peripherals, monitor, etc. are all fine and do not need upgrading. I run 2 monitors, and am happy with the rest.

I would just like to know if an $800 upgrade to such a system would result in worthwhile amount of improvement and if so what your opinions are on the best way to upgrade. Thanks.

 

[DSF]

What size are your monitors?

If you're willing to overclock that E6600 (and if you have a motherboard capable of doing so) all you really need is a video card upgrade and you're set for the time being.

 

[videogames101]

Grab another 2GB of RAM, get an HD4870 1GB or GTX260, both are great cards, and upgrade the proc if you want, but OCing works as well. And that will all cost way under $800, and should be quite noticeable in WoW, because your biggest bottleneck is your current GPU, which is rather weak card by today's standards.

2GB RAM <$50
HD4870 or GTX260 ~$250 (My inner ATI-Fanboy says HD4870 1GB!)
e8400 ~$190
OC'ing FREE

Total possible cost - $490
Without CPU Upgrade, and with OC'ing - $300

(you could add a new CPU cooler for OC'ing to, though, and that would be cheaper than a new CPU)


Make sure your PSU is up to it, I mean, if your already close to it's wattage limit now, the new GPU might push your PSU too far. (But probably not, if you have a decent 500w+ PSU)

 

[reflectinggod8]

Monitors are 17" and 19" widescreen.

Would consider a possible monitor upgrade at some point so don't want to block myself too badly as far as that's concerned.

With regard to overclocking, I'm not too familiar with the process or the benefit/risk.


The motherboard I have currently is Gigabyte 965P-DS3 or S3, can't remember. Too lazy to pull my case apart to look at it and the manual is for both. I can find out if it actually makes a difference though. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Denithor]

With some tweaking you should be able to hit 3GHz pretty easily with that motherboard/cpu pair. Follow the steps in our C2D overclocking guide and you should be fine.

If not into overclocking you will have to make sure your motherboard supports the 45nm chips. Get us the exact model & revision (the 965P-DS3 had three or four different revisions, each with different compatibility lists) and we can point out a good CPU upgrade.

There's a great deal at newegg on a 512MB 4870 for about $165 after rebate & coupon code, check the Hot Deals forum for details.

Are you running XP32? If so, pick up another 2x1GB DDR2 at newegg for $25. If you're running a 64-bit OS get a 2x2GB kit instead and add it to what you've got already. WoW likes lots of RAM.

 

[reflectinggod8]

The MB is the DS3 rev 3.3 I believe it does support the 45nm chips according to their website, the E8400 should work I think.

In terms of RAM, my current RAM is Corsair 800mhz with 5-5-5-12 timing. I can't find the same on newegg anywhere. I foud 800mhz 5-5-5-18. Would it cause an issue to mix the two? Would I be better off replacing my current RAM sticks 2x1gb altogether?

Also, the video cards that you guys mentioned (the 4870 and the GTX260), both have several different versions by different companies on newegg with different prices and I'm not really sure of the difference. Any insight?

Thanks a lot for the help.

This is running on XP32 by the way, to answer the above question

 

[zerocool84]

To play WOW, a 4870 and GTX 260 would be overkill if you ask me. No need to spend that much just for wow. Especially with your small monitors. Go with a 4850 or hell even a 4830 and just overclock your cpu.

Powercolor 4850 $124.99AR

I would just jump to 4GB. Yes XP32 won't read all of it but it will still read most of it. Depending on your system could be from ~3.25GB - 3.5GB. The price difference in getting 2 more sticks of RAM isn't that much from 2x2GB so I would just get that.

G.Skill 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 $39.99
Corsair 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 $24.99AR

With those you should easily be able to get your E6600 to 3.0GHz and maybe upto 3.6GHz depending on your system.

 

[Jeff7181]

Apparently WoW benefits from multi-core CPUs quite a bit with the WotLK expansion. You might consider picking up a quad core 45nm chip right now along with more RAM (I'd just go with a 2x2GB kit since they can be had for under $40 after rebate quite easily). Then wait a bit longer for the new nVidia cards to come to market and push the GTX260's down below $200 and pick up one of those, which is what I plan to do as far as upgrading my 8800GT.

 

[Denithor]

I say add the memory & video card and overclock before upgrading the CPU. You may find the overclocked CPU is plenty of horsepower. I play WoW just fine with e8400 @ stock 3GHz and 3.25GB RAM (what XP32 sees of my installed 4GB) and a G92 8800GTS. And that's at 1920x1200 - much much tougher than your 1440x900.