Another ask for component upgrade advice...thanks

[SHRED]

Last edited Sun Nov 3, 2013, 12:24 PM - Edit history (1)

I am getting Win 7 64bit soon and a new DVD burner.
All else runs fine.
I realize this system is a bit old (2008) but I want to get more out of it. I will be recording music with it for the most part.

I have been out of the desktop computer loop for about 3 or four years.
Should I replace my video card? It works fine but can I improve on the graphics? I have a Samsung SyncMaster 216bw monitor. Perhaps a monitor upgrade?

ON EDIT: Probably should redo my RAM. Two sets of these perhaps?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield @ 2.4Ghz
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
Zalman 9700 CPU cooler
4 GB G.SKILL PC2 6400
Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATA
2 x Seagate Barracuda 80GB SATA
XFX HD-4870A-ZHDC XXX 1G
16x Plextor DVD Burner
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 case
Antec True Power Trio TP3-550w PSU
XP Pro

Externals - 2TB WD "My Passport" USB HD and a Propellerhead "Balance" USB audio interface (for recording).

[PoliticAverse]

1. I would expand to 8GB memory, and replace the 3 hard drives with a single drive (to save on noise

and power consumption).

Is there some program or game you'd like to have better graphics for?

[SHRED]

2. good point about the noise and power

I don't really need anything more for graphics.

[SHRED]

10. Here's what I did (doing)

I took your advice. I backed up the data on the 2 Seagate 80GB drives to the WD external 2TB USB and took them out of the computer.
I removed my faulty DVD burner while I was in there.

I forgot to mention I had another 160GB HD SATA in there. It is from an old laptop but it works fine. I left it and the Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATA hooked up.

Wow...so much quieter!
I will use the 160GB as an additional "back up" drive. It is small and quiet.

I have ordered the following:

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Two of these:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Thanks for the help!

[TroglodyteScholar]

11. You ordered an OEM Windows disc?

Maybe a silly question, but doesn't that mean that if it's for an OEM disc from HP, for example, you can't install on a non-HP system...? Hope either a) I'm wrong or b) you checked it out......

[SHRED]

12. It's all good. Up and running

[PrestonLocke]

3. This reminds me a lot of one of my old builds!

Good setup! Do you overclock? If not, you might want to look into it. You can get 40-50% increase in clock speed with those Q6600s, they are great for overclocking. That's a huge performance increase for free! You have a good CPU cooler and motherboard, so you're ready to overclock.

You could update your gpu for a reasonable rate. The 4870 is a great card but it's also a power hog. You can get something from ATi that will have more performance and use less power (i.e. less heat and noise) for about $100 - $150. Unless you're a serious gamer or you decided to upgrade to a larger resolution monitor, this card is fine.

24"+ and 1920x1080+ for a monitor will provide you with the best experience. If you can, use more than 1 monitor.

I would only upgrade the ram if you find yourself going over 50% usage while not gaming or 80% when gaming. You will probably want 8gb for Win7 x64.

Your PC is only as fast as its slowest component; your hard drive. The first upgrade I recommend to almost everyone is to grab an SSD. You can get a 120GB OCZ Agility 3 (and many other quality SSDs) for under $100. The performance is insane. It will blow your mind. If you only have $100 to spend on your PC, this is the upgrade you need.

Make sure you grab an SSD with a Sandforce 3 controller or better.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Yes the Q6600 is legendary for its overclocking abilities.

If the OPer has the funds and isn't using a lot of disk space I'd replace all 3 of the hard drives with a SSD.

[SHRED]

5. So I am learning the SSD is more important than a RAM upgrade?

I am considering this to load the OS on:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147192

And keeping only my Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATA internal for large file storing and manipulating like videos (GoPro) and music I record.
Plus of course the WD 2TB external.

Just forget upgrading the RAM? I could swing both I guess with 2 sets of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

[PoliticAverse]

7. Black Friday is coming up, there willl probably be good deals on both SSDs and Ram.

I think the 8GB with Windows 7 is more important than the SSD, but do both if possible.

[PrestonLocke]

9. It all depends on what you're doing

When you run out of ram, the OS uses the HD for swap space. If you have a lightning fast SSD, you will notice a lot less when the system goes to HD cache.

I do agree with you though, if the system is struggling to run what you're trying to run, RAM is what you need.

[SHRED]

6. I OC'd a long time ago

It messed up some games.
Now that I don't really game it might be something to revisit.

As I recall it was a bit of a pain.

What's Sandforce 3?

[PrestonLocke]

8. Sandforce 3 is the type of controller found on the SSD drives

Older controllers lacked some now standard features. Any SSD that uses SATA 3.0 is running a new enough controller.

If overclocking is done properly, it will not mess anything up. There are ways to stress test the system and make sure everything is good. You're actually in luck, overclocking the Q6600 is about as easy as it gets, especially if you're running 400mhz or better ddr2 ram.

A controller is a generic term for the chips found on the SSD that let it interface with the PC.