getmoreatp

Hello everyone!

I built my own desktop about 3 years or so ago for just over $9000 at the time. I'm pretty satisfied with it, but am wondering, if I wanted to upgrade, what I should do first. Usually I use my computer for extreme multitasking, but do some gaming on it once in a while too. Or maybe I should just get a new one when the time comes? My storage capacity is currently fine. I'll put my full specs at the very bottom of this post. I don't really have a budget in mind at the moment; just whatever's most cost-efficient I guess.

I was thinking maybe I should get a better GPU than the Intel GMA X3000 I use now, or perhaps upgrade (or software overclock) my CPU. What would be you experts' recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help! Let me know if you need any additional info.

Edit: Any components that would be of use in systems I build in the future would be a great bonus

Edit 2: I'm using Intel's stock CPU cooler.

Here are some things that Sandra won't tell you:

PSU: Ultra V-Series 500W, 120mm fan.

Case: Steel, ATX (the regular size, mid-tower?), 120mm fan on front and back, 250mm fan (not working at the moment for some reason, gotta check up on it) on the side. It was called the "Power Up 2559." 5 x 5.25" external bays, 2 x 3.5" external bays, 4 or 5 x 3.5" internal bays.

And here is what Sandra tells me:

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : Desk
User : User
Workgroup : HOME

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz
Speed : 1.87GHz
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Dual-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 2x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing

System
Mainboard : Intel Corporation DG965WH
Bus(es) : PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
BIOS : Intel Corp. MQ96510J.86A.1754.2008.1117.0002
Total Memory : 3GB

Chipset
Model : Intel P965/G965 Memory Controller Hub
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 266MHz (1GHz)
Shared Memory : 8MB

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Aeneon AET760UD00-370B97X 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-4300U DDR2-534 (4-4-4-12 2-16-4-2)
Memory Module : Kingston 512MB DIMM DDR2 PC2-4300U DDR2-534 (4-4-4-12 2-16-4-2)
Memory Module : Aeneon AET760UD00-370B97X 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-4300U DDR2-534 (4-4-4-12 2-16-4-2)
Memory Module : Kingston 512MB DIMM DDR2 PC2-4300U DDR2-534 (4-4-4-12 2-16-4-2)

Video System
Adapter : Intel(R) G965 Express Chipset Family (8 SP, PCI)

Storage Devices
ST3250824AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache) : 233GB (C:) (D:)
HP (USB) : N/A (Y:) <I actually have two of these; I need to install the other one.>
SONY DVD RW DW-Q30A (ATA66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (F:)
TDK CDRW401240B (ATA33, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (G:)
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S183L (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (E:)
Disk : N/A (I:)
Disk : N/A (H:)

Logical Storage Devices
Programs (C:) : 98GB (NTFS) @ ST3250824AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache)
Documents (D:) : 112GB (NTFS) @ ST3250824AS (250GB, SATA150, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache)
Optical Drive (F:) : N/A @ SONY DVD RW DW-Q30A (ATA66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Optical Drive (G:) : N/A @ TDK CDRW401240B (ATA33, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Optical Drive (E:) : N/A @ TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S183L (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Optical Drive (I:) : N/A @ Disk
Optical Drive (H:) : N/A @ Disk
3.5" 1.44MB (A:) : N/A
Removable Drive (Y:) : N/A @ HP (USB)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Intel 82801HH (ICH8DH) LPC Interface Controller
Audio Device : Intel 82801H (ICH8) HD Audio Controller
Serial Port(s) : 2
Parallel Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : Intel 82801H (ICH8) 4 port SATA Controller
Disk Controller : Intel 82801H (ICH8) 2 port SATA Controller
Disk Controller : Marvell 6101 SATA2 Controller
USB Controller 1 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB UHCI #4
USB Controller 2 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB UHCI #5
USB Controller 3 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB2 EHCI #2
USB Controller 4 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB UHCI #1
USB Controller 5 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB UHCI #2
USB Controller 6 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB UHCI #3
USB Controller 7 : Intel 82801H (ICH8) USB2 EHCI #1
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : Intel TSB43AB22 1394a-2000 OHCI PHY/Link-Layer Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : SMBus Dev Drv 1

Printers and Faxes
Printer : hp psc 1300 series (Colour)
Printer : Send To Microsoft OneNote Driver (300x300, Colour)
Printer : Amyuni Document Converter 300 (2400x2400, Parallel, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Driver (200x200)
Printer : hp psc 1300 series (USB, Colour)
Printer : GP Printer PDF (600x600, Colour)
Printer : GP Printer MailPDF (600x600, Colour)
Printer : GP Printer Driver (600x600, Colour)
Printer : CAPTURE FAX (200x200)
Printer : Dell Photo AIO Printer 964 (4800x4800, USB, Colour)
Printer : CutePDF Writer (4000x4000, Colour)

Scanners and Cameras
Scanner : hp psc 1300 series (USB)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Intel(R) 82566DC Gigabit Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport (Ethernet, 100Mbps)

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 3)
Platform Compliance : x86

wrench97

$9000?

Video card and Power Supply would be my first picks, then maybe a faster CPU and Ram.
Did you have a budget in mind?

getmoreatp

Whoopsies, meant $900

Maybe $400? I don't know. But whenever I have the budget, what would you recommend?

Tyree

If you paid $9000 for that build then you got royally hosed!
My first replacement would be the Ultra Power Supply.

getmoreatp

Extra zero :P

What should I replace the PSU it with? (And, kind of a newbie question, why? This calculates a recommended PSU wattage of 392 watts, with 35% capicator aging, whatever that is. I tried reading the "Understanding and Choosing a Power Supply" guide and got lost somewhere in the middle.)

chowder_pants

That power supply basically says that not all PSU's are created equal. Multiple 12v rails are not the best option. Some manufacturers also test their units in very cold conditions, as heat degrades the performance. Stick with either a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling and you cant go wrong.
As for the voltage, I find a good rule of thumb to be almost double the recommended number. You wouldnt expect your car engine to last very long if you keepthe throttle at 90% would you? Same goes with PSU's. The harder they work, the more heat they produce, the less efficient they become.

getmoreatp

Maybe something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006) for the PSU?

And in the way of GPU's, what should I be looking for?

wrench97

That's a good choice for light gaming a 9600GT and a 650TX would work fine,
These are all good pick the price point you like> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130370

All will run on the 750tx or the 650tx currently after rebate they are the same price so go with the 750TX.


Any of these CPU's will work the E8500 is a great gaming CPU the Quads if your using movie editing software like Adobe Audition or Sony Vegas will make a great pick.

This for Ram> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2KIT25664AA800

getmoreatp

So Duos for gaming, and Quads for movie editing? If so, I think I'll have to get a new motherboard? (The E8500 isn't on my mobo's "compatible processors" list that Intel publishes, but I thought all C2D's ran on the same socket.)

wrench97

Hmmm seems I was looking at the wrong Intel 965 board> http://processormatch.intel.com/Comp...rdname=dg965wh

The Q6600 would be the best choice from that list. There are still some around but they are getting scarce.> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...nnorswebguidec

getmoreatp

Would it be more cost-efficient to just get a new board with the CPU? Since the Q6600 looks so rare, and therefore, expensive. (Something like this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.197499)

Assuming I get that 750W PSU, one of the GPU cards listed above, the E8500 or Q6600, and better RAM, how long will it be before I need to upgrade something again? (A little higher in the short run but better payoff in the long run is worth it, I think.)

wrench97

Yes both are good choices.
You should get another 3 years maybe 4 years, the E8400/E8500 Overclock very well as does the P45 motherboard so that will help in the long run.