Upgrade Ideas

[NickR]

I'm thinking about upgrading my CPU and motherboard. And maybe memory.. That is why I need some help. It's the 2nd or 3rd time I've posted it in two days, but anyway, this is what I currently have

Case: NZXT Alpha. Black
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 @ 3.6Ghz (400Mhz FSB, 9x Multi, 1.365vcore)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-DS3L (400FSB, 400 Strap, tRD7)
RAM: 4GB (2x2) Patriot Extreme Performance DDR2-800 (4-3-4-9 @ 2.2v)
GPU: XFX Radeon 5770/1GB (910/1320)
HDD: 1x 40GB Intel SSD
1x WDC 640GB Blue
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 400C

Cooling:
Intake: Silverstone FN121- 120mm fan
Side Panel Intake: Silverstone FN121 w/Blue LED- 120mm fan
Exhaust: Scythe Slipstream 120mm, (1200RPM model)
CPU: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Revision 1 (Ceramic Bearing fan)
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit


OK! Phew. Now, I definitely plant on keeping most of it. I was thinking two different things. I definitely want to go with an AMD Phenom II system, and I've settled on this processor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103648

As far as motherboard.... I have two different options. I could opt to save about $100, and go with this motherboard, and keep my DDR2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131618


or, I could get this motherboard, and this memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128444

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148323

I don't anticipate getting much performance increase from the DDR3 vs DDR2, but this motherboard also supports SATA 6, USB 3.0..... I just don't know at this point, I'm honestly torn.


For cooling, I will be using my employee discount to get this, mounted on the exhaust fan spot in a push/pull configuration using the fan below.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Corsair+...&skuId=9503771

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999346 (I really like the Silverstone FN121 fans lol)
So.. Opinions?

 

[NickR]

Also:

What i use the computer for: Everything. Mostly internet, email, listening to music (through Harman/Kardon Soundsticks III speakers), watching movies. Some photo and video editing. Alot of converting video files to burn to DVD. And alot of gaming. Crysis, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Call of pripyat, Mass Effect 1/2, Starcraft 2 are my big ones right now.

 

[fffblackmage]

That Crucial Ballistix ram is way too expensive at $100. You can get DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 for as cheap as $60 and $65, respectively. The tighter timings is not worth $40 more and definitely not at the additional cost of the higher voltage.

A C2D at 3.6GHz isn't too bad for gaming. You'll probably get the most improvement through a better graphics card than cpu upgrade.

 

[mfenn]

That Crucial Ballistix ram is way too expensive at $100. You can get DDR3-1333 and DDR3-1600 for as cheap as $60 and $65, respectively. The tighter timings is not worth $40 more and definitely not at the additional cost of the higher voltage.

A C2D at 3.6GHz isn't too bad for gaming. You'll probably get the most improvement through a better graphics card than cpu upgrade.

This.

If you really feel the need to upgrade the CPU, get the Phenom II X4 955 and the M4A77D. I wouldn't bother with the H50 unless your can get it for very cheap indeed.

 

[jaydee]

What seems limiting to you now, that makes you want to upgrade? Gaming? Video editing? Be specific.