Upgrading my system. Help please!

[OmgComputer]

Hi. Nice site you guys have going on here. Anyways I decided it's time to upgrade my system. First off keep in mind i don't use this computer for gaming much. Mainly just video editing and a game of Counter Strike: Source every now and then. It would be nice to be capable of playing other games as well. Heres my current specs.

MOBO: ECS 945gct-m3
CPU: Intel Celeron 420 1.6
Ram: Gskill 2x1gb
GPU: HD Radeon 4670

I know my graphics card is probably bottlenecked from my cpu. If anyone has any suggestions they would be highly appreciated. I'd rather not buy a new mobo because i will lose everything on my HDD and i don't have a windows disk. If that's my only option then that's find i would just rather upgrade my CPU and PSU if possible. BTW my mobo's website says that it has a limit of 2gb of ram. Is it possible for me to go over that limit? Thanks in advance to anyone with a solution.

[dai]

you omitted the psu details

make
model
wattage

not if that is the m/b limit

a new build would be the better option

[Wrench97]

It may be time to consider a major upgrade, there are a limited number of CPU's still around that will run on your board the E4700 being about the best> Amazon.com: Intel Core 2 Duo E4700 Dual-Core Processor, 2.6 GHz, 2M L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB, LGA775: Electronics

CPU Support list > ECS Web Site

Ram is also a limiting factor, you are currently maxed out at 1 gig per slot, while 4-8 gig is fast becoming the norm.

[OmgComputer]

Ok well since i'm going to need a new mobo, can you suggest a good mobo/cpu combo that would be good for me and has the ability to be upgraded? Thanks. Price range for MOBO/cpu is about 150-200 preferably

[dai]

Newegg.com - ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80616I3540

Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT51264BA160A

[Wrench97]

A i3 540 1156 socket CPU won't fit in a P67 1155 socket motherboard.

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120

[OmgComputer]

Thanks guys for all the help. I'll be sure to order these. Now i just neeed a recommended PSU because i know mine won't hold up to this. BTW i have a HD Radeon 4670 if that's needed information.

[Tyree]

You need to be at 550W minimum with a good quality PSU.

Newegg.com - XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

[OmgComputer]

Ok well i just ordered my case.

Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I'm going to be ordering the PSU or MOBO in a couple days =] Thanks for all of the help and direction you have given me. If there's anything you guys would change let me know!

Sorry for the double post it wouldn't let me go back and edit it. Is the RAM listed above compatible with the board? It says it's ddr3 1600 when my board says ddr3 1333?

Heres the current build i'm buying.

Newegg.com - NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - ASUS P8H67-M PRO/CSM (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120
Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT51264BA160A

Just trying to make sure it's going to work together nicely?

[Wrench97]

Yes the ram is good to go with the board> http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...74882CA5CA7304

[OmgComputer]

What kind of results can I expect with this setup. Also can I run an OS on an external hard drive?

[Wrench97]

Windows will not run off an external hard drive, linux will.

The i3 runs well and is a lot more powerful then your current setup, but is towards the bottom of the current Intel line up.

• CPU Name Passmark CPU Mark (higher is better) Rank (lower is better) CPU Value (higher is better) Price (USD)
  Intel Celeron 220 @ 1.20GHz 335 1095 NA NA
  Intel Celeron 3.06GHz 368 1060 NA NA
  Intel Celeron 3.20GHz 402 1031 NA NA
  Intel Celeron 3.33GHz 418 1003 NA NA
  Intel Celeron 420 @ 1.60GHz 458 968 3.27 $139.99**
  *
  *
  Intel Core i3-2120 @ 3.30GHz 4156 149 34.64 $119.99*
  

[OmgComputer]

Ok thanks for the info. Could you suggest a good heatsink out will the one it comes with be good enough. I'm not going to overclock. If you could suggest one that's compatible it'd be much appreciated.

[Rich-M]

I am not sure about others but I would pass on any case that has a swing out door to get to dvd drive etc...they always break or fall off no matter how careful you are sooner or later. Here is my case suggestion and I know many of us use Cooler Master cases.
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 335 Upgraded RC-335U-KKN1 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

[OmgComputer]

Sorry but i already ordered my Case, PSU, and Ram. The case i have now has the swinging door and i've had it for four years. I think it'll be ok.

[Rich-M]

Well as long as you are very careful.

[OmgComputer]

I will be. Thanks for the tips. Any Suggestions on a heatsink for this setup? I didn't get a response?

[Wrench97]

If you are not overclocking the stock heatsink that comes with the cpu is fine.

[Rich-M]

I think the oem hsf are as good as any.