Spec me an upgrade, minions!

Post by **Grimmie** » October 19th, 2009, 17:18

I'll be getting Windows 7 pretty soon, and I fancy an upgrade while I'm at it.

Current build
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 2.40GHz
Memory: 4096MB DDR2 RAM
Video Card: BFG OC NVIDIA 8800 GTS 512
Motherboard: <a href="http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148802">Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 (Socket 775)</a>
PSU: <a href="http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114945">Corsair 520W HX Series Modular PSU</a>
Computer Case: Antec Sonata

Router: <a href="http://www.ebuyer.com/product/48546">Netgear WGR614</a>
Wireless card: <a href="http://www.ebuyer.com/product/50127">Netgear WG311v3</a>

Ideally, I think I'd like..

- A new graphics card just so that the latest things run super smooth.
- A new case, as fitting the 8800 in was a struggle, new ones will probably be bigger?
- A new router, as apparently the WGR614 is notorious for spontaneous resets and bad port forwarding
- Possibly a new wireless card, don't know if that's necessary?
- Possibly new headphones, as the ones I have are nice, but could do with being comfier.

Any other suggestions welcome, I assume my quad core Q6600 is still fast enough for most things?
Ta, bumhuggers!

Post by **Grimmie** » October 19th, 2009, 17:20

Ps. Be gentle. I am not good at computer.

Post by **FatherJack** » October 19th, 2009, 17:22

How much do you have to spend?

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » October 19th, 2009, 17:26

You shouldn't need a new case, as the 8800s are still as long as they get.

Graphics wise, we need to know budget.

For a router, I assume you're on cable? I've found zyxel good in the past, but I've been on freebie routers for a couple of years now.

I'd swap the wireless card if you still have trouble with a new router. (or are still getting those weird bsods)

I'm still doing fine on a Q6600 with 4gb of ram, reckon another 6-8 months should be easy.

Post by **deject** » October 19th, 2009, 17:34

I think the 5870s are actually a bit longer than the 8800's.

Post by **Grimmie** » October 19th, 2009, 17:36

I'm guessing the card is gonna be the most expensive bit. Let's put an upper limit of ~£200 there (just for the GPU).
It all depends on how good it is, if it's really really good then I'll spend some more.
Will I be okay with that PSU if I get a bigger, badder card?

Post by **HereComesPete** » October 19th, 2009, 18:23

The sonata is a bit of a cramped case.

The 5870 is cheaper than a 295 on oc uk which is a bit silly.

For your gpu money Grimmie I'd buy a 5850. Summat like this.

They've not been benched yet as far as I can tell but given the trouncing the 5870 delivered to Nvidia I expect the same leaps over the 275 and even the 285 from the 5850.

Post by **deject** » October 19th, 2009, 19:09

HereComesPete wrote:The sonata is a bit of a cramped case.

The 5870 is cheaper than a 295 on oc uk which is a bit silly.

For your gpu money Grimmie I'd buy a 5850. Summat like this.

They've not been benched yet as far as I can tell but given the trouncing the 5870 delivered to Nvidia I expect the same leaps over the 275 and even the 285 from the 5850.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650&p=4

Post by **HereComesPete** » October 19th, 2009, 19:23

deject wrote: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650&p=4

Post by **Dog Pants** » October 19th, 2009, 19:31

Post by **FatherJack** » October 19th, 2009, 19:47

deject wrote:I think the 5870s are actually a bit longer than the 8800's.

I think they also have air intakes on the end too, which could be a problem with limited space. Shots I've seen of the Sonata case seem to show a plate between the drives and the area where the card will be sitting, so getting enough cool air in there could be troublesome, but probably not catastrophic as they suck a lot of air in sideways as per most designs.

Post by **Grimmie** » October 19th, 2009, 20:02

Well the power cable for my 8800 is at a 90 degree angle just so it fits in.
That's how cramped it currently is.

Post by **FatherJack** » October 19th, 2009, 20:35

I had to bend my 8800 in the original installation, but have since added an extra set of drive bays and moved the disk that was obstructing it. It's perhaps why it ultimately failed.

Post by **Grimmie** » October 20th, 2009, 12:29

Everyone agree with the 5850 then?
Haven't had an ATI card in ages, they scare me.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » October 20th, 2009, 12:46

Grimmie wrote:Everyone agree with the 5850 then?
Haven't had an ATI card in ages, they scare me.

Yes, 5850, it's faster than a GTX 285 and cheaper. nVidia don't have a clue what they're doing lately, ATI cards are pretty much unanimously reccomended by everyone these days.

Post by **deject** » October 20th, 2009, 12:58

Grimmie wrote:Everyone agree with the 5850 then?
Haven't had an ATI card in ages, they scare me.

No reason to be scared, they're great cards by all accounts.

Post by **Grimmie** » October 20th, 2009, 14:12

Never had an ATI card that worked quite right, but then again most things in my PC don't work quite right.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » October 20th, 2009, 14:17

I've not had any trouble with ATI really ever, their drivers are still not as comfortable as nvidias, but basically fine.

5850 is what I'd buy, too.

buzzmong · Post by **buzzmong** » October 20th, 2009, 14:36

I've had no problems with ATi cards for years. The new 4850 in my uni machine is running really well, the newer ranges are good as well.

Post by **Joose** » October 20th, 2009, 15:46

As far as new headphones are concerned, I have Beyerdynamic DT234 Pro's, they have lasted me for....ooh, years. They make lovely noises, are comfy for long periods of use and are not horribly expensive either.