Upgrade advice

[Windspeed36]

Hi,

Feel free to move this thread if need be - couldn't really find anywhere decent to put it.

I've got a system that needs upgrading but I don't quite know what to sort out first.

The system
CPU:Intel Q6600 @2.4 w/stock cooler
Mobo: Asus P5KE
GPU: Gigabyte Nvidia 9400GT 512MB
RAM: 2 x 1GB DDR2
HD: 250GB Seagate Barracuda 7.2K
Other: basic CM case with 2 120mm CM fans, 650w CM PSU, Windows 7 32bit

The problem
It's rather unstable during gaming aswell as general use. For a bit of fun I tried running Prime95 the other day and promptly had the thing die on me. I've also run CoreTemp on it several times both during idle and peak and at idle I'm around 70 and the system crashes games at around 105-110.

It's also rather slow even though only being rebuilt about 4 months ago.

Budget
I can tell you're all going to yell at me for this but I don't really have a budget for it. I should have a spare 212+ soon (upgrading main gaming system to H100i). I'd just like to keep upgrades to the lowest cost I can but I am also considering just doing a new build.

Usage
It's primairly for emails, web stuff and word processing with light gaming (VSK, low usage mystery games) - new gaming rig due in next week

Possiblities?
Most likely going to go with 2GB more ram and I'm thinking about moving to Windows 8.

So, what would you be doing? More ram, SLI, SSD or a new rig entirely?

Thanks for any help you can give me

 

[SEBAR]

An ssd would probably be the best upgrade to that system along with a GPU upgrade .

 

[Windspeed36]

An ssd would probably be the best upgrade to that system along with a GPU upgrade .

What would you suggest in terms of graphics upgrade? Not very in the know as to low end cards and I did a quick search for 9400GT's SLI'd and apparently it's not worth it. (keeping in mind there's only PCI 2.0 and below)

 

[SEBAR]

You could look for a gtx 560ti of a R6850 as a nice upgrade. They are the prevoius generation of mid range cards that still perform very well. Dont worry to much about the PCI 2.0, all of the current cards will be supported. I was running a GTX670 on PCI2.0 with no problems.

 

[Windspeed36]

Well last night the drive that was in there (Seagate Barracuda 7200.10) decided to sorta drop dead on me or something but it could still be viewed in a USB dock so I've gone and gotten an Intel 830 SSD and there's been quite a noticeable performance increase. New video card to come soon too - thanks for your help

 

[MacLeod]

For what you'll be using it for you wont need much. I don't know about Australia but the AMD Phenom II X4's are selling for a song and a dance here amd in the UK and would be more than enough for your needs. Pick one of those up with a midrange Asus 970 or 880 motherboard and look for a GTX460 as those are going for stupid cheap prices right now too and will be fast enough to play anything at 1920x1080 at high settings. All that would run you about $300 in US dollars and be a very solid upgrade.

 

[Bang]

Howdy neighbor. Welcome to the forums.

Personally, I would box that old rig up and give it to a relative. It's time to move up to the big leagues and get a 3570k, MSI mobo, Samsung SSD, and move up to DDR3 @ at least 1866Mhz. Ask me how I know Yep, just did it last week.

It's highly possible that the reason your system is unstable is because your DDR2 is stuffed. It is NOT worth replacing. That is money better off spent on new, modern parts. DDR3 is cheaper, and twice as fast, so why bother with (ahem) 'new' DDR2. Buy the bits one at a time if you have to, but dont bother updating your current system. Keep your drives etc and put them into the new rig when youve got enough parts.

As for a new GPU, the Nvidia 650 is pretty cheap, but so are the Radeon 7750 and 7770. Dont bother with the cheesey $60 cards, they wont be much of an upgrade.

As for places to buy the parts the cheapest, Centrecom doesnt stock the parts they list about 90% of the time, MSY is actually cheaper and theres a shop near you. They also stock the items listed on their website.

 

[Windspeed36]

Howdy neighbor. Welcome to the forums.

Personally, I would box that old rig up and give it to a relative. It's time to move up to the big leagues and get a 3570k, MSI mobo, Samsung SSD, and move up to DDR3 @ at least 1866Mhz. Ask me how I know Yep, just did it last week.

It's highly possible that the reason your system is unstable is because your DDR2 is stuffed. It is NOT worth replacing. That is money better off spent on new, modern parts. DDR3 is cheaper, and twice as fast, so why bother with (ahem) 'new' DDR2. Buy the bits one at a time if you have to, but dont bother updating your current system. Keep your drives etc and put them into the new rig when youve got enough parts.

As for a new GPU, the Nvidia 650 is pretty cheap, but so are the Radeon 7750 and 7770. Dont bother with the cheesey $60 cards, they wont be much of an upgrade.

As for places to buy the parts the cheapest, Centrecom doesnt stock the parts they list about 90% of the time, MSY is actually cheaper and theres a shop near you. They also stock the items listed on their website.

That's what I've actually been thinking for the last couple of days - no point really going and putting parts in a system that when I go to upgrade, become redundant.

Thanks

 

[Bang]

I got to thinking last night after I posted and rereading your temps, when was the last time you cleaned your heastink/fan assembly? I bought an air compressor specifically for that purpose. With those temps it's easy to see why you get blue screens. Re-tim your CPU. It might help. Otherwise just deal with it till you can swing a new CPU mobo and ram.

 

[Windspeed36]

I got to thinking last night after I posted and rereading your temps, when was the last time you cleaned your heastink/fan assembly? I bought an air compressor specifically for that purpose. With those temps it's easy to see why you get blue screens. Re-tim your CPU. It might help. Otherwise just deal with it till you can swing a new CPU mobo and ram.

It's funny you should mention that because the other night when the HD crapped itself, I had to take most of the computer appart to get to the drive (non modular PSU + crap case + graphics card + idiot builder put the HD opposite the graphics) and found most of the fans chocked with dust to the point I was suprised it hadn't caught fire.

The guy who build it despite being an IT technician failed miserably at building it and undoing the CPU cooler revealed the bulk of the overheating issues with a clear near lack of thermal paste. Reapplying that incombination with stripping and reasembing the PSU and CPU cooler have dropped idle temps by about 30 and load temps by about the same.

 

[Bang]

OMG That'll do it alright.

I clean my case at least every two months, usually every month. Now you know why a lot of people say "dust is a computers worst enemy." after water of course
Go to your local pawn shop and buy a cheap air compressor. Never let your case get like that again

If you have difficulties in the future let me know.

 

[Deejeta]

Mate you may still have some legs in that old system yet. Something like a 7770 ($100) and an ssd ($100) would be ideal.
That board may get that q6600 to at least 3ghz on stock cooling. Just get some decent airflow happening.
Grab a cheap (not ocz) ssd. & Start again with a fresh install.
PC case gear is nearby to you:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php

 

[Bang]

Mate you may still have some legs in that old system yet. Something like a 7770 ($100) and an ssd ($100) would be ideal.
That board may get that q6600 to at least 3ghz on stock cooling. Just get some decent airflow happening.
Grab a cheap (not ocz) ssd. & Start again with a fresh install.
PC case gear is nearby to you:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php

Very true and those parts will be reusable when you do your new build. First things first though, give that case a proper clean

Update: PCCaseGear has the H100i in stock. H100 on sale.

 

[Windspeed36]

Instead of making a new thread might as well just ask here; cases.

I'm about to do my personal build (3770K, H100i, SLI 670's ect) but i'm trying to work out a case. The case will be on a carpteted floor so I'm a little worried about bottom ventilation and the dust. I've been looking at the NZXT Phantom 820 but I'm wondering if there'll be something more suited. I also want to put a H100i in pull. For a budget I was looking as high as the Cosmos II so whatever that is in your local coin....

My other alternative was a bit of 5-ply cut, sanded and painted for a baseplate.

Thanks

 

[airdeano]

couldn't find any less expensive cases?
building small into large spaces seem to loose some grasp of integral relationships.
all good choices, but seemingly with just the H100i a bit of a waste of cash.

as for the support floor, a painted plywood, aluminum or dress-up to ward away carpet
fibers, dust bunnies and alike. and just not immediately under the case. at least a 100mm
perimeter. those bunnies can jump pretty far....

airdeano

 

[Windspeed36]

couldn't find any less expensive cases?
building small into large spaces seem to loose some grasp of integral relationships.
all good choices, but seemingly with just the H100i a bit of a waste of cash.

as for the support floor, a painted plywood, aluminum or dress-up to ward away carpet
fibers, dust bunnies and alike. and just not immediately under the case. at least a 100mm
perimeter. those bunnies can jump pretty far....

airdeano

I really wanted to go for the CM Storm Scout 2 but I have doubts over the H100 + push fitting in the top.

 

[Bang]

Mate for $107 cheaper you can get the Corsair C70 with side window and garaunteed to fit the H100i. This case and the H100i itself are the next two items on my list after the holidays pass. (if it werent for stupid Christmas presents I have to buy I would be picking them up tomorrow.)

That $107 saved could pay for a nice Samsung 840, 128GB SSD, or, 2/3rds of your H100i. The NZXT is a nice case but, for lack of a better term, is kind of overkill. Thats a hundred bucks better spent on something else, IMO.

 

[Spiderz]

Instead of making a new thread might as well just ask here; cases.

I'm about to do my personal build (3770K, H100i, SLI 670's ect) but i'm trying to work out a case. The case will be on a carpteted floor so I'm a little worried about bottom ventilation and the dust. I've been looking at the NZXT Phantom 820 but I'm wondering if there'll be something more suited. I also want to put a H100i in pull. For a budget I was looking as high as the Cosmos II so whatever that is in your local coin....

My other alternative was a bit of 5-ply cut, sanded and painted for a baseplate.

Thanks

If you like the NZXT ones and are wanting a full tower, why not the switch 810 instead of the phantom? CM HAF X and CM Storm Trooper/Stryker are also shouts if a full tower is what you want.

 

[Windspeed36]

Bang; you planning on replacing the C70's side pannel? I think it's the same size as their 600T cases and I'm curious as to wether the mesh pannel would fit it.

Edit: Just had a look at Corsairs website and I could probably get the solid side panel and drill out the holes myself for the fans..

 

[Bang]

No mate. I think I want to see how it goes with cooling and whatnot first. Maybe a side panel change later. I would like to see how it looks and whether or not the ventilation is adequate before I change to a solid plex side panel. I know its pretty easy to do but want to see how well I like it before I spend any extra modding it.