memory and graphics card update for build, circa 2008.

[eric lastname]

I need advice with updating my old computer, built in 2008. I have no intention on fully upgrading the computer at the moment, but I would like to play newer games. The goal here is to play Project CARS, and other games such as the new Battlefront.

My main concern is regarding the RAM, because I would like to add more and possibly maxing it out at eight. However, it doesn't seem like anyone makes or sells the RAM I have. I was wondering if my system will be stable if I use lower speed RAM, with the RAM I have, by adjusting the timings. Additionally I would like to replace my video card, because it's displaying fractals. What current graphics card is like a 4870 of today, basically best performance and price.

Thanks for taking time to help.

System specs (the important stuff):
CPU (Intel): Q9550
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Deluxe (https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5Q_Deluxe/)
Memory: Corsair Dominator 4GB (2 x 2GB) 1066 DDR2 (PC2 8500)
Video: ATI Radeon HD4870 512MB
Power Supply: Corsair TX650

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

For me I would say it is time to retire your system. If you don't want that. You still can souped up your system by buying a heatsink like the NH-D15 and overclock your cpu high! The Q9550 was a very high end cpu of its day. Get an SSD for your system and it would begin to be like new modern pc! I have the P5BE-Plus previously, your ASUS P5Q deluxe is a huge step up from mine. You can overclock way higher with it. I overclock my core 2 duo up to a FSB of 450. I imagined the speed increase would be crazy if you pulled it of with your board and cpu.

DDR2 is a rare extinct ram now. You can try to get another 2 piece of 2GB with the same specification as your ram. Try the techpowerup marketplace here for a start.

The equivalent of the ati 4870 is the Amd r9 390 in current day now. An R9 390 is is huge overkill on your system though but it have a good price. A better choice for your system would be an R9 380.

 

[PHaS3]

I agree with @MIRTAZAPINE - time to retire, but if you want to go the other way:

If you get some DDR2 800 sticks for example and add them to your ram, your board will underclock your current ram to 800 to keep everything happy. Not a bad thing that.

OC that CPU, and get a new card - GTX 970 or R9 390 that you can use if you decide to upgrade board and CPU later.

Hope that helps

 

[Frick]

I would love to see an overclocked Q9550 vs say an i5 2400 in some benchmarks. It's probably pretty capable still. In any case at least here q9550's and the like actually cost more than Sandy Bridge i5's. Ditto for good motherboards. Seems crazy to me.

Anyway, what I'd do is looking for used stuff. Memory is obvious since DDR2 is hard to find and expensive if you find it. Look for a 7970 or something.

 

[...PACMAN...]

This guy has benched tons and tons of games with a Q9550, a highly clocked 2500K and an i7 860. These have all been paired with a 5850, a 970 and a 7950.

https://www.youtube.com/user/toutagamon/search?query=q9550

He uses the same benchmark spots for each and an external recording device so performance is not affected.

EDIT - He also summarized his results here -> http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2428699

 

[Constantine Yevseyev]

It's not the raw performance that's going to be an issue if you decide to keep this machine going, it's the lack of support for crucial modern technologies.

Most compilers take advantage of vector extensions these days (so games like Battlefied 4 and F1 2013 show insane increase (up to 63%) in framerates when running on equally clocked i3 vs Pentium, check this for reference - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1256?vs=1367). Your Q9550 is only capable of generic SSE4 ops, and nothing on top of that.

Finding OC-capable DDR2 is going to be pretty hard, and not all that rewarding. I don't think it's going to be a bottleneck of any kind though, just a slightly questionable investment.

Honestly, your current build looks perfectly fine... For its time. Like, I don't see how you can take away one part without ruining the balance. If you're absolutely sure you want to keep it, then you should probably get additional 4 GB of RAM and a nice middle-end GPU, like Radeon R9 380X or GeForce GTX 960. Not too expensive, definitely an upgrade on power consumption side, and overall a nice transition towards a more modern system.

 

[Frick]

EDIT - He also summarized his results here -> http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2428699

Noooooooo 4.8 vs 4 Ghz.

 

[Mussels]

I actually have a Q9550 here as a complete system, so i can provide some feedback as someone with newer hardware as well.

1. The CPU is better than some i3 and i5's. Its still quite powerful, and power efficient.
2. the platform is a letdown. Memory amount and speeds of the chipset/board are the real limits.
3. Your PSU will handle a modern CPU and GPU just fine, so you can reuse it.

So basically, It boils down to two upgrade scenarios.

1. You can buy a better GPU now, and re-use it for a later system. It will not reach 100% of its potential with this system, but it will be an improvement.
2. If you can get it cheap, upgrade to 8GB of ram. Try and use more 2GB sticks, as that generation is fussy with high density modules (mine only supports single sided RAM, so even with 4 slots i cannot run 4x2GB, G41 chipset)

 

[...PACMAN...]

Noooooooo 4.8 vs 4 Ghz.

Yeh, it is what it is, but even at 4Ghz with a highly clocked 970 it does show that there is still some viable gaming to be had in most titles, apart from the ones that also need that strong CPU performance (Ass Creed)

Frametime variance would probably be a fair bit higher as well though.

 

[Jetster]

At least a new GPU you can pass on to a new system. But any $ you spend on ram would be a loss.

 

[Mussels]

At least a new GPU you can pass on to a new system. But any $ you spend on ram would be a loss.

well i got 7x2GB sticks of DDR2 800 for $10 at the local recovery yard, its old enough you can get lucky second hand (of course, the goddamn mobos i had don't support 8GB so i passed it onto family/friends still running DDR2)

 

[Frick]

well i got 7x2GB sticks of DDR2 800 for $10 at the local recovery yard, its old enough you can get lucky second hand (of course, the goddamn mobos i had don't support 8GB so i passed it onto family/friends still running DDR2)

That's a killer price actually. Here you usually have to shell out at least €10 for a single 2GB stick, regardless of speed, sometimes more.

 

[Dead_Again]

PC recycling centres are a good way to get hold of old ram... Especially those companies that breakup servers. Last deal I made I got 25 sticks of ECC DDR2 800 ram for (converts in head) $22.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I had the P5Q Deluxe for several years. My advice on the memory is double it to 8GB total. But my experience with that board is if you fill all 4 slots it makes it very difficult to get all the timings between NB, CPU, and RAM such that you can do over DDR-800 speeds. The good news is you will likely be able to lower CAS latency, which offsets the downside a bit.

As @Mussels said, the weak point on that system is the RAM, both capacity and speed, and was the chief reason I eventually upgraded to the Intel Core line.

 

[eric lastname]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I appreciate the advice. It'll be nice to build another computer again, but bicycle components and beer brewing takes priority over computer hardware upgrades.

I'll look into a couple of computer recycling places near my place for memory, and also research the suggested video cards for a replacement. Hopefully the upgrades should last me for more years to come.

 

[Liquid Cool]

I'd put as little money into the system as possible. Instead of upping that memory, which is too expensive for what it is...I'd put the "same amount" it would cost you for a pair of Corsair Dominators into a video card. $50-$75 ought to net you a decent GTX 560ti. I wouldn't do anything else, but save for a new computer. In the meantime...that pc still has some viability. Heck, I'd like to own it, but I already have a few.

Best,

Liquid Cool