Upgradation advice

[vpram86]

Hello All,

I bought a basic Core2Duo desktop nearly 3 years back (when it was just emerging) and later added a 8600GT graphics card and a Pinnacle PCTV Tuner card 2 years back. My current configuration is as below:

Intel Core2Duo 6300 1.86GHz
Intel D946GZIS Mainboard
Transcend 3GB DDR2 RAM
Seagate 160GB
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT GDDR3 256 MB
Pinncale PCTV Analog 110i
Samsung and Sony DVD Writers
Logitech KBD and Optical Mouse
Intex 2.1 speakers
Numeric UPS 600va
Samsung SyncMaster 17" CRT
Zebronics Cabinet (with only one cooling fan)
Intex 450W PSU.

I am planning to do an upgrade of my PC now and wanted to do the optimal upgrade with reusing most of exisiting components. I feel that my UPS, PSU and Cabinet are not powerful enough to withstand even the current configuration.

Please suggest what are all worth upgrading with minimal expense. I would use my PC for gaming (higher end in mid-range gaming), for watching TV often and also as a primary storage for all my data.

Thanks & Regards
Prasanna Ram

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would upgrade the mainboard, CPU, and video card, if you want to play games.

 

[vpram86]

Thanks a lot VirtualLarry. In case I upgrade those three, would the PSU, Cabinet and UPS are sufficient enough to handle the loads at higher performance? If not, could you suggest some good ones for those?

 

[Hyperlite]

Thanks a lot VirtualLarry. In case I upgrade those three, would the PSU, Cabinet and UPS are sufficient enough to handle the loads at higher performance? If not, could you suggest some good ones for those?

You're going to need a new PSU. UPS is probably fine. Look at Corsair PSU's in the 450w to 600w range. What is your budget?

 

[fffblackmage]

I have not heard of the Intex brand of PSUs, so if it's a no-name brand, it might be better to upgrade that to something known to be reliable.

The cabinet (case?) you probably don't need to replace (unless you want to), but adding a fan or two might help keep things cooler. If you do decide to replace the case, I would make sure the case uses 120mm fans. Smaller fans just don't move enough air while making as little noise as possible.

The UPS should be ok.You only need enough time to save whatever and shut the computer down in the event of a black out anyways.

 

[vpram86]

@Hyperlite: Its actually not a problem as of now. But i dont want to spend much when i can reuse exisiting components. I think we can assume that i can go till 700 US$ in total for components which needs upgrade.

@fffblackmage: I am from India and yes the PSU is local here. Like Hyperlite suggested i think i can go for a Corsair. The case i use now has provisions for two fans. One fan is already present in the rear side and I can add only one more fan in the left side, facing CPU directly. Is it enough for good cooling? Or should i get a case with 3 or 4 fans? I was hesitant about UPS because sometimes I did not get proper backup and when there is a black out, system just shuts off immediately!

 

[betasub]

LOL @upgradation. If it's not already a common word, no doubt it will be

 

[vpram86]

@betasub: I know Upgradation is not commonly used. But it is still more appropriate for my query .

 

[fffblackmage]

LOL @upgradation. If it's not already a common word, no doubt it will be

@betasub: I know Upgradation is not commonly used. But it is still more appropriate for my query .

Whoa, I thought you just made up that word. XD

@fffblackmage: I am from India and yes the PSU is local here. Like Hyperlite suggested i think i can go for a Corsair. The case i use now has provisions for two fans. One fan is already present in the rear side and I can add only one more fan in the left side, facing CPU directly. Is it enough for good cooling? Or should i get a case with 3 or 4 fans? I was hesitant about UPS because sometimes I did not get proper backup and when there is a black out, system just shuts off immediately!

Ah, I see. I had the same problem with my old UPS. I haven't bothered to replace it and now I don't use it at all. I hope I don't regret not getting a new one....

If you upgrade the video card, it would be great if you get one with a HS/F that blows hot air out of the case, so the case/cabinet doesn't have to deal with more heat to exhaust.

 

[betasub]

Thanks for the link, vpram86.

I was intrigued by your link stating an "Asian" origin, & wanted to find out if it was Chinglish or Manglish:

Upgradation definition at Wiktionary.org

 

[vpram86]

@betasub: Wow, Nice finding! I never would have got that and so by enthusiasm tracked it further! it was supposed (not confirmed though) to be first seen around 1979 in a BBC broadcast. Check this.

Paul McFedries Word Spy

 

[betasub]

Sorry for taking your thread off-topic. Loved the Word Spy site, thanks! I'm surprised by the BBC (1979) source, but in some ways the World Service has helped the language develop and adapt around the world.

Back to your original topic - I guess cooling is an important factor if you are living in India, and particularly so if you are willing to overclock (that would get higher performance from your E6300 e.g. at 2.4GHz). The E6300 is quite good still, but a good heatsink+fan would help you overclock it safely.

* 3GB should be fine if you are using a 32-bit OS, but 4-6GB is fairly standard for new builds with a 64-bit OS.

* 8600GT graphics card is weak for modern gaming: newer mid-range cards from both ATI (4670, 4770, 5750) and NVidia (9800series/GTS250) are much better for gaming without being too demanding on the power supply (check the label for current/Amps on the 12V line). If you can get a new mid-range graphics card, perhaps you can also consider a new monitor (17"CRT is probably fairly old, although good quality)?

* Getting another hard drive probaly isn't a priority for you, but the new large drives (500GB+) are significantly faster than the older generation (even if they are still 7200rpm).

 

[vpram86]

Thanks a lot betasub! . Do you think the E6300 would still be fine? I have not experienced any slow behavior. But just wondering whether i can upgrade it to i5 since its been 3 years!!
I want to get a 19" or 21" LCD, so probably will go for it. In case i keep my RAM, are there motherboards supporting both DDR2 and DDR3 RAMs and supports i5 and i7?
Probably i could get i5, a good motherboard, HD5770 GPU, Corsair PSU with CoolerMaster CM590 cabinet and a BenQ monitor. Does this look good?

 

[betasub]

Your i5 plan looks good, but it would require DDR3 (DDR2 isn't supported).

Based on your original post, my suggestions above are for a minor, low-budget upgrade based on your current platform. If you have the money for a major upgrade, replacing the motherboard/CPU/RAM for i5/DDR3 is recommended: this new platform would then justifiy the new case/cabinet, power supply, graphics card and monitor. And don't forget a new hard drive if you are recording TV/movies. Almost a complete new system!

 

[vpram86]

Thanks a lot Betasub!
I will locally enquire the price of i5 config above and then go for either one of your suggestions! low-budget upgrade or completely new system.