Upgrading a two-year-old computer

[jmarsico]

I graduated from college in December and finally have a steady job, and I've decided that I'd like to set aside some of my newfound disposable income to beef up my computer. It'll be two years old this summer, and it still runs well enough, but a friend of mine just built his own machine and it's made me jealous. Hah.

I don't want to replace every single part, but I would like to know where my money is best spent. (I don't have a set budget, but I'm not made of money and so I want to spend it wisely and effectively.) I imagine that the CPU could use a replacement, but I have to know: would that mean the motherboard needs to be swapped out too? And how about the power supply? I could probably use more RAM, too.

Here's the parts I have now:

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 Conroe 2.13GHz 4M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115016

Motherboard
ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127030

RAM
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590

Video card
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

Power supply
SILVERSTONE ST50EF-Plus 500W ATX 12V 2.2 SLI Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256008

One other question. My monitor is much older than the machine itself, and so I've considered replacing it as well. It's only 17", and while it's serviceable, I think I'd like to move to a bigger size. Any advice on a good manufacturer or model?

 

[bomberboysk]

First off, a somewhat set budget would be helpful here, but here goes anyway:

First Id upgrade that psu, this one is currently on sale for a nice price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Next, id upgrade the cpu to something quadcore like a Q9400:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131

Next a question, what cpu you are you using? If its stock id upgrade to something such as the Xigmatek S1283(what case do you have? its kinda a tall cooler so need to make sure it will fit).:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

For a ram upgrade id recommend something like:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

Now if your gpu is running everything you use just fine i wouldnt upgrade it yet as prices will prolly be dropping in a few months, but if its struggling to run the newest games you play id take a look at the GTX 260 Core 216 or GTX275, great bang for the buck at the moment. For monitors, asus are really great for the price, what kinda size monitor you looking for, 19", 22"? If your looking at a 19" one of my friends just got this and loves it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236056

And this 22" has some really great reviews:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

 

[jmarsico]

If I had to give a rough budget, I would say ~$600 is a good target, but that's flexible. I could go higher if the extra gain were worth it, but I'd rather not.

Also, one remark that I should have made before. I'm running Vista, so if any of these parts have known issues with that OS then I'd like to avoid them. (The CPU, for example, has buyer comments that Vista may be a problem if you don't do a clean install, but I had planned to do that anyway, so it should be ok.)

The CPU cooler is stock. My case is this - would the cooler you suggest fit in it? Also, is a third-party cooler necessary if I don't overclock the CPU? (Or if I do have a third-party cooler, would I then be able to overclock the CPU more safely?)

The GPU's never given me a problem, and I've always had the feeling that any slowdown I've seen in games has been a result of a bottleneck with the CPU or the RAM rather than the graphics card. I'm not sure how true that is, though.

I've been using this monitor forever, and while it's always been great, it's definitely time for a change. I read a great write-up in the GPUs/monitors forum about running a dual-monitor system, and I figured I might like to try that by using this present monitor for secondary apps, while I would have a larger one for games or whatever else I am concentrating on. I'm drooling over the idea of a 22" monitor, but is the extra cost worth it?

Thanks for the help.

 

[ScOuT]

First Id upgrade that psu, this one is currently on sale for a nice price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Wonderful upgrade...I second that choice...you won't be disappointed.

Next, id upgrade the cpu to something quadcore like a Q9400:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131

That is a really good price for that processor A little over $200...that's about the best priceerformance processor you have for an option. The stock cooling that will come with the processor will be fine.

And this 22" has some really great reviews:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

Great monitor for the price. Plugging this thing in and firing it up will make your heart skip a beat from using that 17" monitor. The extra cost is absolutely worth it

and I've always had the feeling that any slowdown I've seen in games has been a result of a bottleneck with the CPU or the RAM rather than the graphics card. I'm not sure how true that is, though.

You are correct...the 8800GTS is a nice card and is a performer. But understand the fact that the 8800GTS will not perform as well on a larger monitor. The graphics card will have to work much harder to run the higher resolution.

 

[Bodaggit23]

The worst thing about your setup is your RAM speed limit on your board,
but if you Max it out, it'll run fine.

Jump up to a Quad Core and get a better PSU and you're set.

 

[daisymtc]

CPU: E6420 is a good CPU, I suggest you get a heatsink and OC it.
Video card: If you will not upgrade CPU, Get a good Video card. May be the new ATI HD 4890/ GTX275
PSU: Your 500W PSU should be OK to run a single GPU. I don't see the point of getting another one.
RAM: Get another pair of 2 x 1GB?
Monitor: definately worth upgrade
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...09157,N82E16824236059,N82E16824005125&bop=And

To be honest, I think the first upgrade should be the monitor. You'd may found yourself too tried and have no time to play PC game once you start a full time job.

 

[jmarsico]

That is a really good price for that processor A little over $200...that's about the best priceerformance processor you have for an option. The stock cooling that will come with the processor will be fine.

Do you generally suggest overclocking, or does it run well enough at stock speed?

You are correct...the 8800GTS is a nice card and is a performer. But understand the fact that the 8800GTS will not perform as well on a larger monitor. The graphics card will have to work much harder to run the higher resolution.

That makes sense. I figure that the CPU, RAM, and monitor will be my first upgrades, and the graphics card will be on the list for next time.

The worst thing about your setup is your RAM speed limit on your board,
but if you Max it out, it'll run fine.

I think Vista 32-bit has a 4GB limit anyway - is the board's limit the same?

CPU: E6420 is a good CPU, I suggest you get a heatsink and OC it.

The stock heatsink and fan aren't enough if I overclock the CPU, I guess?

PSU: Your 500W PSU should be OK to run a single GPU. I don't see the point of getting another one.

Even with just the single GPU, will a beefier PSU be necessary when I have more RAM and a faster CPU? (How about if I eventually overclock the CPU?)

RAM: Get another pair of 2 x 1GB?

RAM seems cheap enough that I could get 2 x 2GB for pretty cheap - is that a better option than having 4 x 1GB?

To be honest, I think the first upgrade should be the monitor. You'd may found yourself too tried and have no time to play PC game once you start a full time job.

Yeah, I've already found that working full-time is more tiring than I expected...haha. But games are one of my bigger hobbies, so I can always make time for them.

Thanks a ton for the advice, everyone.

 

[Bodaggit23]

I think Vista 32-bit has a 4GB limit anyway - is the board's limit the same?

By speed, I meant Frequency. DDR2 800

 

[bomberboysk]

Do you generally suggest overclocking, or does it run well enough at stock speed?

I think Vista 32-bit has a 4GB limit anyway - is the board's limit the same?

The stock heatsink and fan aren't enough if I overclock the CPU, I guess?

Even with just the single GPU, will a beefier PSU be necessary when I have more RAM and a faster CPU? (How about if I eventually overclock the CPU?)

RAM seems cheap enough that I could get 2 x 2GB for pretty cheap - is that a better option than having 4 x 1GB?

-Overclocking i would suggest, especially on the intel quads, i have nearly a 50% overclock on mine The Q9400 is the same cpu i have with just half the cache, great clocker, i could hit 3.2Ghz on stock voltages with mine

-That is correct, i think your boards limit is 8gb but vista will only recognize just under 4gb

-If your overclocking i would recommend a decent cooler like the xigmatek S1283, a top 5 cooler at a low price point

-Id recommend upgrading that psu, your current psu is a little underpowered if you plan on upgrading to a quad and a newer gpu

-If you plan on overclocking, usually you can get to higher speeds running a 2x2 kit vs a 4x1gb setup.

Now that you have somewhat of a budget, id still recommend the following:

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236053

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131

Cpu Cooler (if your gonna overclock that is):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Memory(If your gonna overclock, if not id just get another 2x1gb kit of the same kind you have):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209