Need some computer component advice.

[Devilguns]

Looking for some advice. I just picked up a MSI Hawk Talon Attack 460GTX and I think my socket 775 core 2 duo 2.66 oc'd to 3.6 is holding it back. I would like to upgrade to a quad core. My DFI Blood Iron mobo is great for overclocking 2 core procs, but blow up when you oc quads. I could just go upgrade to a socket 775 quad like the Q9650 3.0ghz for about $330.00 and not over clock it. But then I'm investing in old tech, stuck with DDR2 ect.

Or I was wondering if it would be better investing in some newer tech. I have about 400 bucks to spend on just the proc and mobo. I was thinking of scaling down a micro ATX mother board to put in a smaller case for easier transport than the setup I use now.

One way I was thinking of going was AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Deneb 3.5GHz.
I could do that proc and mobo for about $280.

Or go the Intel Route, Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz for about $185 with mobo which would bring me to about $320 or so.

I've been out of the loop for a while so just looking for comments and or personal experience with some of the more current processors, maybe mother board suggestions. I'm thinking I'd see some better performance with the latter two choices than just upgrading my socket 775 proc.

This computer would be used for nothing other than gaming. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Caddys83]

Hi, you still use that Zalman Reserator??

[Devilguns]

Hi, you still use that Zalman Reserator??

Yeah lol, I cant believe its still going.

[Donziboy2]

I to am stuck with the same problem, im running an e8500 3.16g stock at 4.0g, for graphics I have an Evga Gtx 285.
From what ive seen in reviews and benchmarks, ocing a 775 quad is a good option as long as the mobo will let it.

Now if you go with a socket upgrade your gona need DDR3.

My main problem is im out of work atm and I dont see that changing anytime soon
So a system upgrade is not possible.

[baconoclock]

I to am stuck with the same problem, im running an e8500 3.16g stock at 4.0g, for graphics I have an Evga Gtx 285.
From what ive seen in reviews and benchmarks, ocing a 775 quad is a good option as long as the mobo will let it.

Now if you go with a socket upgrade your gona need DDR3.

My main problem is im out of work atm and I dont see that changing anytime soon
So a system upgrade is not possible.

Same, but Im running an e6500(!). I actually priced out a bunch of components recently. It was cheaper to by a prebuilt desktop and a new vid card than it was to build the same thing.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Let me try and sway you here


As for your AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Deneb 3.5GHz, you can save yourself $140.00 by using my baby
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

This is the processor that I have in my rig, it fits a AM3 CPU socket type, and on the market right for around $140.00.

It is a Black Edition making it easier to overclock as well like the one above. Only difference is with this one there have been recorded reports on being able to overclock this bad boy to 3.6 - 3.8 Ghz (with adequate cooling) without any problems so this one should last you the longest. Make sure its compatible with your motherboard before purchasing. Also when I overclocked mine, when I overclocked it for "giggles" from 3.2 Ghz to 3.6 Ghz. After about an hour of hardcore play time...it was running cool, with my aftermarket fan, no liquid cooling. At about 52* Celsius so i know i wont need to upgrade my nice beast processor for awhile.

As for a Mobo im using GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard You can overclock processors, RAM, anything you want to really.....and it lets you without problems....you can even overclock your RAM speed to 1866 Hz which is just plain ridiculous..and i havent tried it because i dont feel that i need to do that......ever...... the mobo, comes with a handy program called Easy tune6, and can monitor your temperature, and show you all your voltage, you can overclock your stuff in this nifty program, but me id rather do it right in the BIOS.....It also has a dual bios as well preventing viruses and such from eating it. You can also back up your BIOS to a floppy, flash drive, or CD just in case as well.

It fits in my micro ATX tower really easy, just gotta watch out for the video card. Im using the 5850 Sapphire toxic edition and just have enough room to get it to fit and to get the wires connected.

And since you said you have 400.00 to spend, and the Mobo is DDR3 so you need to invest in some RAM to.....im using these and they haven't faltered either.
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Hz

All of this will cost you around $299.98 not including tax or shipping....so you have about 100.00 left over

[Devilguns]

Thanks for the input guys. I just happen to have some DDR3 ram already.

Sir Psycho Sexy what kind of 3D Mark 06 scores are you getting with that set up? I was looking at a Gigabyte board too.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

how do i do that?....i dont honestly know, but i can play any game out on the market right now.....

my processor benchmark i guess, http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?...enom+II+X4+955

my vid card is in the top 11 on the market 11/11 but still

[Caddys83]

Thanks for the input guys. I just happen to have some DDR3 ram already.

I useally dont offer to help since there are others here but I guess I'll try to help.
What brand is the DDR3 you have, you planing to overclock, do you need S/PDIF output, planing to reuse your old PSU and do you need PCI slot?


here is what I was able to figure out for Intel

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750 199.99

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR H55 HD LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard 74.99

total before s/h $274.98

Note that this board does not have S/PDIF output, USB is 2.0 and 8GB max.

[Devilguns]

I have two brands that are both 2gigs X 2, Crucial and Corsair. I was thinking of that Intel processor if I go the Intel route. I looked at the same mobo too just because I liked the color scheme. But was wondering how it would overclock. I was looking at this board too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130264 It seems like it would be a decent over clocker.

I'm going to reuse my old psu, s/pdif isn't necessary. An Pci slot probably wont either.

[Caddys83]

I have two brands that are both 2gigs X 2, Crucial and Corsair. I was thinking of that Intel processor if I go the Intel route. I looked at the same mobo too just because I liked the color scheme. But was wondering how it would overclock. I was looking at this board too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130264 It seems like it would be a decent over clocker.

I'm going to reuse my old psu, s/pdif isn't necessary. An Pci slot probably wont either.

Its really up to you, I'm not much of a OC person. I'm just not sure about the OC capabilities on both of them. I do know that OC a MSI for AMD doesn't always work so well for the Phenom II X6. link MSI Motherboard caught fire! What really happen? - [H]ard|Forum

One reason I picked Biostar is so you can have some cash left over to get one of those Small form factor case like these since you said you wanted it for a smaller case for easier transport. So in my head, I think of these cuties
Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Computer Cases,Computer Cases,MicroATX Desktop
Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE Sugo
Lan Gear Store

Also note; make sure the Crucial or Corsair memories sticks are compatible with your mobo. I'm sure you know but its not wise to mix memory with different brands. I'm not sure on Crucial but Corsair website have a some drop down menu to see if the ram is compatible with your mobo or you can check to see if your mobo is compatible with the memories model numbers. If not, it can lead to some memory blue screen of death. And if you can, use the low profile memory sticks. Some of Corsair ram models have high heatsink fins that can interfere with the CPU cooler