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Looking to improve overall performance

MattTehLeet

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Here is my current configuration:

Computer model: HP Blackbird 002
CPU: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 @ 3ghz (overclocked to 3.33)
Motherboard: ASUSTeK StrikerExtreme
Memory: 2 x Corsair DDR2 1gb PC2-6400 (400 Mhz), 1 x Corsair DDR2 2gb PC2-6400 (400 Mhz)
Graphics: SLI'd GeForce GTX 460's

I recently added the two GTX's in an effort to improve the gaming performance of the machine, but it still gets a bit of stutter when I max out the settings. Is there anything here that I should look into upgrading? Should I look into upgrading the memory, and can it support DDR3?

Sorry for all those questions, but I'm kind of new to the whole upgrading part by part thing. I appreciate any help.
 

PVTCaboose1337

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You might be stuttering in games because of SLI. Try running 1 card, it should still easily max out the game. Which game are we talking about here anyways?
 

MattTehLeet

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You might be stuttering in games because of SLI. Try running 1 card, it should still easily max out the game. Which game are we talking about here anyways?

I've been testing it out using Crysis (running at 1080p)

I did not realize running SLI could cause stutter.
 
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4gb of ram is perfect,,so is 3.33ghz quad,,,, running sli or crossfire posses all kinds of performance obstacles like the game's ability to take advantage of more than one card effectively, i agree with PVTCaboose1337, try a single card and c how the game runs,,,i would prefer a single powerful card vs two less powerful cards.
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sneekypeet

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PVTCaboose1337

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That would be why...lol
Do other games give you this same issue?

Yeah, I'm going to agree. Crysis has the single most demanding engine of any game. I'm not even sure Watson could run Crysis at max settings, it is optimized, so, so poorly.
 

MattTehLeet

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After switching to one card running graphics and the other for PhysX, the game seems to run smoother. I really didn't realize that SLI would hinder my performance. Also, does anyone know of a cheap upgrade I could get for my memory?
 

sneekypeet

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Cheap for faster DDR2 no, but if you feel the need there is still 1200mhz DDR2 floating around you can buy, BUT you need a 500 FSB to even make it run at 1200mhz.
 
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MattTehLeet

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Cheap for faster DDR2 no, but if you feel the need there is still 1200mhz DDR2 floating around you can buy, BUT you need a 500 FSB to even make it run at 1200mhz.

How can I check and see if my motherboard supports DDR3 memory?
 
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Thanks for the link. Would those be a noticeable improvement over the ram I have already?

The extra 2 gb's will make a difference. Speed, not so much, but it will help a bit. Overall, it will definitely be noticeable.
 

MattTehLeet

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The extra 2 gb's will make a difference. Speed, not so much, but it will help a bit. Overall, it will definitely be noticeable.

Will it matter that I would have two different kinds of ram on the motherboard? Should I replace what is on there with the Kingston, or will it run fine with the other brand?
 

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replace, no need to run more that the 4GB in that Kingston kit.
 
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You could try to OC the CPU to as close to 4ghz as you can get it. Personally, I see performance increases with my OC until I hit 3.8ghz, at which point the increases start to decline as I past 3.8ghz.
 
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Could also look into adding a SSD
 
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