Upgrade CPU or GPU

[Rule-R]

Its been a while since ive posted on TPU's forum. Back in the days i was fiddeling around with ATI Radeon 9550 and 9600 biosses.

I still value what TPU stands for, thus now when i have to decide what to upgrade on my build i come back here

Build dating from October 2007:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (Zalman CNPS9700 LED)
MB: Asus P5K
Mem: Kingston Dual Chanel 2x1GB, DDR2, PC8500
HDD1: Seagate Barracuda ES, 250GB, 7200rpm, 16MB buffer
HDD2: Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB, 5400rpm, 64MB buffer (Currently RMA, replaced by Western Digital 250GB)
GPU: Asus EN8800GT, 512MB GDDR3 PCI-E (Zalman VF1000 LED)
PSU: Be Quiet! Straight Power 600W
Sound: Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic


Back from the old days i still know how to make a good build, or a value for the buck build (my in-laws pc). I know my PC needs upgrades and i allready have ordered some, but start to wonder whether its the right choice atm.

Ordered for €450:

Intel Core i5 760
Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B
Arctic Silver 5
Asus P7H55
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB
Corsair XMS 3 2x2GB DDR3 PC16000


Should i drop this order and get me a nice vidcard, hdd and computer case?

RuleR

 

[erocker]

Get yourself a nice videocard. The rest of your system is just fine as long as you keep that quad overclocked above at least 3.2ghz. 3.8ghz+ would be ideal.

Get yourself 4gb's of RAM as well.

 

[Smety]

I'm gonna have to agree with erocker here. You should be able to overclock that i5 to 3.4GHz or higher with ease. Get a nice graphic card, overclock the CPU, and you're ready to roll

 

[lepra24]

Agree, get a GPU

 

[Black Panther]

+1 from personal gaming experience your cpu is fine more than fine. Get a gpu and budget permitting a faster drive.

 

[douglatins]

4gb and a gtx460 or a 6950

 

[Rule-R]

This is my main concern: my case keeps my current rig ok. In the summer it will go to the edge. Overclocking is no option atm. Cant be bothered either actually just want the damn thing to run. Id rather upgrade the CPU now with a better cooler, and just before the winter hook me up some nice GPU.

 

[Deleted member 74752]

Even a 5850 would be a substantial upgrade for you. I have a q6600 and a 5770 I can throw together to test if you like.

 

[Smety]

This is my main concern: my case keeps my current rig ok. In the summer it will go to the edge. Overclocking is no option atm. Cant be bothered either actually just want the damn thing to run. Id rather upgrade the CPU now with a better cooler, and just before the winter hook me up some nice GPU.

That's quite alright. Don't worry about overclocking for now then. Get a nicer GPU and when you have the money buy a better heatsink/fan (or water cool it) for your processor and then overclock

 

[canadien]

Hi, I have a Q6600. I was going to ask someplace (where should I ask) about cooling a Q6600.

I would suggest to the OP to buy a cheap case such as the Antec 300 or something similar. In my area, it's about $50 and so I hope to get better cooling after I move the rig over.

I agree with the others, upgrade the graphics card since you can move that to any new rig you build - the video cards always change, too, but it should last much longer.

I think I would also move to 4GB of RAM like another poster said. I wouldn't upgrade the HDD unless you move to a SSD. That's with extra money, though.

I am wondering what is the best cooler to use with a Q6600 and which fans? Would you have a dual fan setup with fans on both sides of the heatsink? I bought a Sycthe Flex-E or whatever it's called and was going to use that. I read that Noctua fans are the best for heatsinks, though, but they're expensive.

Anyway, just thought I'd offer my two cents. Hope it helps.

 

[brandonwh64]

I suggest a HAF 922 with a Corsair A70 or a H50, i would use 4x120mm fans at 100CFM on all open fan ports also MX-2 paste for the cooler

 

[Rule-R]

I have bought:

Intel Core i5 760
Scythe Mugen 2 Rev. B
Arctic Silver 5
Asus P7H55
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB
Corsair XMS 3 2x2GB DDR3 PC16000

because i have a financial bonus!!!
I am planning on upgrading the GPU somewhere next year. I want to wait for the 560 and look what it does compared to the 570 and 580.

I will also include a case, maybe an SSD and if needed some coolers.

 

[Rule-R]

Planning on buying an ASUS Ati 6950 and the Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced.

For optimal airflow, what fans do i need to order extra?

 

[Smety]

With that case I'd say you don't need any extra cooling. You already have a 140mm front and top fan, as well as a 120mm exhaust fan. So, I think you're good

 

[Rule-R]

I have 3 more 120's laying around so that beast is gonna blow! Is a 3rd party gpu cooler needed these days or are the stock coolers better than say 3 years ago?

 

[Smety]

I've never used anything but a stock cooler. I would just use that.

 

[jasper1605]

6950s stocks are more than plenty for cooling the card. If you want aftermarket, you'd really only see a big jump if you went to a WC loop

 

[Rule-R]

Ok i installed the goods yesterday, couldnt get to it in Christmas weekend. Found out that i really really need that case. Can't close my old AeroCool Jetmaster Jr. with the Scythe Mugen 2. Otherwise its running like a dream!

 

[Rule-R]

6950s stocks are more than plenty for cooling the card. If you want aftermarket, you'd really only see a big jump if you went to a WC loop

I won't say i never will, but not atm. Might slam a nice cooler on it when it proves to get hot in summer.

 

[Rule-R]

OK!

CoolerMaster CM690 II Advanced and XFX ATI Radeon HD6950 in the pocket.
I also think my RMA 1TB Western Digital has returned! Finally!

Will all put it together next week.

Have my fiancé at my place atm, so will be busy with her instead my rig hehe (A)
She was like wut?!?! Why is your pc thát quiet all of a sudden? Hehehe its silent as vacuum compared with the old zalman CPU cooler.

 

[WordToYoMamma]

Upgrade your GPU and if you have the spare cash definitely invest in new RAM

 

[GSquadron]

+1

 

[Rule-R]

Upgrade your GPU and if you have the spare cash definitely invest in new RAM

Got me the whole package.

New HDD, GPU, CPU, Case, Mobo, RAM and CPU cooler.

I will post pictures of the rig when i have it ready.
I worked on it yesterday and I want to do my cable management a bit better than i am used to so i havent finished. I also removed the removable part of the drive bay to optimize airflow and installed a few extra case fans. At this moment it has 2x140 and 3x120.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Grab a nice GPu like a 460.

 

[Rule-R]

Grab a nice GPu like a 460.

I received my very own XFX Ati Radeon HD6950 on oldyears-day!