Upgrade current machine, need more HP

[jimbofoxman]

I'm wanting to get a little more kick outta my PC here, it's starting to drag a little for my photography processing and what not.

Current Setup:
Gigabyte 965P-DS3
Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz
2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800
XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

HD is partitioned into two drives, one for OS and one for Data.

I don't have the Power Supply info with me, I replaced that locally when I added the current video card.

So one thing I was thinking was upgrading to Windows 7 Pro 64Bit and adding more memory.

But what about processor? Would there be advantageous to go to a Quad Core? According to Gigabyte's website it the Mobo;

"Supports Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Quad Core / Core™ 2 Duo / Intel® Pentium® D processor"

Suggestions? Normally I would just build a new machine, but I got some other equipment I need to buy.

 

[xboxist]

[amateur opinion INC]

I'm not an expert but I do understand some things. I have the board you have and an E6600. Depending on your board revision (there are 3), you might be able to plop a Q6600 or a Q6700 into that socket. That's about the ceiling on "verified" compatible CPUs in that board. You can find this list somewhere in the documentation for that board on their website.

Also, depending on your BIOS revision, you will have to flash it up a few notches to gain the Q-core compatibility. And I found flashing on that board to be a pain in the ass. I think BIOS version F12 or F14 grants quad-core use.

I know that for gaming, going from a 2-core to a 4-core CPU can generate particularly great improvements (depending on the game). Seems like photo/video processing would make similar use of the 4-core benefits?

And yes, definitely want to get an O/S that will utilize 4GB of RAM and more. Depending on how extensive your photography work is, there's a good chance that your RAM is holding you back somewhat.

 

[Lemon law]

To jimbofoxman,

Its my guess that you could probably overclock what you have and get at least a 30%
boost in speed. For no money at all. Get past a 30% boost and it takes more expertise.
Overclocking is only something I have dabbled at, but there is a full anandtech forum subsection dedicated to overclocking and staffed by really expert people. Some of which have probably used your mobo and cpu so they would have some past guidance.

But if you want the latest and greatest in speed and want to run with the big boys, its probably going to take a new mobo with a different more modern socket and a more modern cpu. That and some ddr3 ram with a 64 bit OS to use 4 gigabytes or more ram.

 

[jimbofoxman]

Ok, let's take this one step further. What Mobo and CPU upgrade would you guys all recommend? What, i7 of some sort?

 

[Lemon law]

Ok, let's take this one step further. What Mobo and CPU upgrade would you guys all recommend? What, i7 of some sort?[/QUOTE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Probably yes, might as well get a whole brand new computer because upgrading piece by pieces would be more expensive in the end.

Or are you going to stick with your original criteria of getting more horse power without a complete computer upgrade? The point being, it would cost you nearly i7 cpu prices to upgrade to a quad core, and you will still be behind the eight ball wasted money when you finally upgrade to a truly faster state of the arts system down the road.

 

[Hey Zeus]

I'm wanting to get a little more kick outta my PC here, it's starting to drag a little for my photography processing and what not.

Current Setup:
Gigabyte 965P-DS3
Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz
2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800
XFX GX260NADBF GeForce GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb

HD is partitioned into two drives, one for OS and one for Data.

I don't have the Power Supply info with me, I replaced that locally when I added the current video card.

So one thing I was thinking was upgrading to Windows 7 Pro 64Bit and adding more memory.

But what about processor? Would there be advantageous to go to a Quad Core? According to Gigabyte's website it the Mobo;

"Supports Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme Quad Core / Core™ 2 Duo / Intel® Pentium® D processor"

Suggestions? Normally I would just build a new machine, but I got some other equipment I need to buy.

What revision is the board?

 

[jimbofoxman]

What revision is the board?

It is ver 2

 

[jimbofoxman]

Probably yes, might as well get a whole brand new computer because upgrading piece by pieces would be more expensive in the end.

Or are you going to stick with your original criteria of getting more horse power without a complete computer upgrade? The point being, it would cost you nearly i7 cpu prices to upgrade to a quad core, and you will still be behind the eight ball wasted money when you finally upgrade to a truly faster state of the arts system down the road.

Actually that is what I meant for one step further........let's go down the new system path. I do a lot of photography editing. Working on 500 image right now from this last weekends dance recital.

 

[SOSTrooper]

How much are you willing to spend to upgrade your computer? Your video card, dvd burner, and possibly the hard drive are components you don't need to upgrade. Also it'll be nice to see what kind of power supply you got, because if you already have a good one then that's ~$80 you don't have to spend.

An i7-920 with mobo + 6GB DDR3 combo will likely cost you around $600-$650. i7-860 combo with 4GB DDR3 will cost you around $500-$550. i5-750 combo will be around $400-$450.

 

[vailr]

What's your budget? Were you wanting to piecemeal upgrade? Spend money all at once for a set of new components, or try and spread it out over several months, one component at a time? If there's a Fry's nearby, I'd suggest checking their motherboard/CPU combo deals. Last week they offered a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P motherboard + Q8200 CPU for $149, after $20 MIR. Your photography work would greatly benefit from maxing out the memory and running a 64 bit OS.

 

[Hey Zeus]

What is Your budget? You can put together a nice I3 530 system for around 300 dollars that will easily overclock past 4Ghz and run any game

 

[jimbofoxman]

Dangit, forgot to check the Power Supply when I was home. So I will find out.

But budget wise..........$1000 wouldn't hurt me if I went there. But maybe $650-$700 give or take. I don't need a new monitor, I just upgraded that to a new 24".

I would get another CD/DVD unit as this one has issues. If I use burning software it works fine, but burning via Windows doesn't even work.

The case is a LIAN LI PC-7A plus II Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case. Wouldn't do a silver case again, but that in neither here nor there.

I'll look up the PSU tonight. Thanks guys.

 

[Hey Zeus]

Dangit, forgot to check the Power Supply when I was home. So I will find out.

But budget wise..........$1000 wouldn't hurt me if I went there. But maybe $650-$700 give or take. I don't need a new monitor, I just upgraded that to a new 24".

I would get another CD/DVD unit as this one has issues. If I use burning software it works fine, but burning via Windows doesn't even work.

The case is a LIAN LI PC-7A plus II Silver Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case. Wouldn't do a silver case again, but that in neither here nor there.

I'll look up the PSU tonight. Thanks guys.

Thousand Dollars? Can easily build you something nice for way under that.

Core I5 750 OR X3440. This one is up to you. The X3440 is essentially a lower clocked Core I7 860 but 40 dollars cheaper. The 750 does not offer Hyperthreading and if you do encoding and ripping HT is essential.

Core I5 750 - 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

OR

X3440 - 239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819117225

ASRock P55 Extreme - 139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157172

4GB DDR3 1600 - 84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277

PNY GTX 260 C 216 - 189.99 - SLI Baby
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133270

Silverstone Modular 750W PSU - 129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256059

Everyone has there own preference with PSU's so it's up to you. That one has a nice 3 year warranty but pick another if you want.

Asus 24X DVD Burner - 23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

Grand Total - 808.94

2 260's in SLI will be great for that 24" monitor

 

[mfenn]

Thousand Dollars? Can easily build you something nice for way under that.

Core I5 750 OR X3440. This one is up to you. The X3440 is essentially a lower clocked Core I7 860 but 40 dollars cheaper. The 750 does not offer Hyperthreading and if you do encoding and ripping HT is essential.

Core I5 750 - 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

OR

X3440 - 239.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819117225

ASRock P55 Extreme - 139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157172

4GB DDR3 1600 - 84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277

PNY GTX 260 C 216 - 189.99 - SLI Baby
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133270

Silverstone Modular 750W PSU - 129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256059

Everyone has there own preference with PSU's so it's up to you. That one has a nice 3 year warranty but pick another if you want.

Asus 24X DVD Burner - 23.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

Grand Total - 808.94

2 260's in SLI will be great for that 24" monitor

Nothing against that build Zeus, but I just want to point out to the OP that the additional GTX 260 is completely optional., bringing the total to 618.95.

OP,
Depending on your exact image editing workflow, you may be better serve by dropping the GTX 260 and bumping the RAM to 8GB.

 

[Hey Zeus]

Nothing against that build Zeus, but I just want to point out to the OP that the additional GTX 260 is completely optional., bringing the total to 618.95.

OP,
Depending on your exact image editing workflow, you may be better serve by dropping the GTX 260 and bumping the RAM to 8GB.

Agreed. You don't need a second 260 but it would kick ass in SLI

 

[SOSTrooper]

Right, dont get another 260 yet; get it when you need it because a game you play is not performing up to your liking. That i5-750 build looks good for the money, will definitely be a good boost over your E6400.

 

[jimbofoxman]

Current Power supply is Antec 80 Plus 500w 12v v2.2

 

[jimbofoxman]

Thanks guys, truly appreciated. Just wanna check my understanding.........that PNY GTX 260 Zues recommended was to go with my existing 260 for SLI right? Would the SLI help even more than the one GTX 260 with my image editing or is it strictly gaming related?

I occasionally dump video out thru the second video port on the card to my TV, that would still be functional I would assume.

Thanks again guys.......wish I could keep up with this stuff.

Also, do I need to do something with cooling for the CPU? With my current rig I have a ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink.

 

[Gunbuster]

Why are you not overclocking for a start? That CPU should hit 3ghz+ pretty easy

 

[Hey Zeus]

Thanks guys, truly appreciated. Just wanna check my understanding.........that PNY GTX 260 Zues recommended was to go with my existing 260 for SLI right? Would the SLI help even more than the one GTX 260 with my image editing or is it strictly gaming related?

I occasionally dump video out thru the second video port on the card to my TV, that would still be functional I would assume.

Thanks again guys.......wish I could keep up with this stuff.

Also, do I need to do something with cooling for the CPU? With my current rig I have a ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink.

Yes i suggested another for SLI. I'm not sure how much it would help in video editing but it would kickass in games.

As for a CPU cooler. Take your pick.. I like this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065

 

[Raduque]

Well, it looks like you're set on building a whole new machine, nothing wrong with that.

I have a similar system (C2D e6300 @ 2.8, 4gb, hd3870). If I had your system, I would just throw in a quad, 2gb more ram and a 64bit OS.

 

[jimbofoxman]

Well, it looks like you're set on building a whole new machine, nothing wrong with that.

I have a similar system (C2D e6300 @ 2.8, 4gb, hd3870). If I had your system, I would just throw in a quad, 2gb more ram and a 64bit OS.

Did some lookin around after GunBuster's post and have mine running a 3.0GHz right now. It seems faster for sure. But more RAM and a 64Bit OS would for sure upgrade it.

 

[Gunbuster]

If you reinstall make sure the storage controller is in AHCI mode.

 

[Davidh373]

Ok so. I haven't read the entire thread, but I got the jist.

This should be your upgrade priorities

Go with 4-6 GB ram first + an x64 win 7 PRO (NOT HOME, OR HOME PREMIUM), compatibility mode is needed for a surprising amount of games.

Then Upgrade The Processor to a Core 2 Quad or higher if it is the 1366 slot, some of the higher end Core i5s and Core i7s use this slot, but the mobo bios/ drivers may not. A Core 2 Quad is more than enough to plow through anything though. This is not an important update, this can wait a year.

At this point you are probably going to be maxing out your PSU (if it's under 550W), so get a 600W-700W PSU from Corsair, Antec, or Thermaltake.

Get an ATI Radeon later. The new 5900 and 6000 series' look quite promising, and deliver a TON more power than Nvidia cards at the same price. As far as a brand look at XFX, they have lifetime, and sometimes 2x lifetime warrantees on their cards.

 

[bob4432]

if you are just going to 4GB then stick w/ the 32bit os - 64bit is not necessary until you go 6GB+ as you will still get ~3.25GB w/ 32bit - also, you need to see if you are even ram starved.

also, verify your software is multi-threaded to take advantage of the multiple cores.

if the software does take advantage of multi-cores, i would put whatever quad you can in there and bump it up to 4GB and leave 32bit os on there, then do a rebuild when you outgrow that setup and save the cash for the time being.

your ea 500 psu will be fine for this upgrade - save your money