Upgrade Advice?

Raikiri · 10-23-2009, 05:40 AM

So I've been thinking about an upgrade of several parts of my computer, but I'm not sure if an upgrade is possible as I've never done this before.

Currently I have an ASUS PK5C Motherboard, with an Intel Core 2 Duo E6750, 3Gb of crappy 400Mhz RAM, a crappy 500W Hiperpower PSU and a 512Mb Nvidea Geforce card.

I'm thinking of two options, 1st is cheapest obviously -

Would the best option be to upgrade my RAM only, to 3Gb of 1800Mhz Corsair RAM i.e. would I see a big difference with that?

or

Either that or I'd upgrade my processor, RAM and PSU. I was just wondering if its possible to upgrade your processor? Would my PK5C be compatible with say an i7-920?

thanks

**Tyree** · 10-23-2009, 07:24 AM

Your first upgrade should be a good quality PSU.
You cannot use a i7 CPU with that Mobo.
You can upgrade the CPU with a 775pin.
What do you use the PC for?

Raikiri · 10-23-2009, 01:36 PM

Enlighten me about the 775pin part, what does that mean? Mobo, I'll be using that word from now on!

I use the pc for browsing the internet and creating word documents. Seriously, I use the pc for a bit of gaming, bit of video/image editing, I'd just like to have a powerful pc.

**Tyree** · 10-23-2009, 02:52 PM

775 is the number of pins your CPU has. i7 uses 1366 and i5 uses 1156. To use an i7/i5 would require a new Mobo and RAM.
You have 3GB of PC6400 RAM. DDR2 is double pumped so it's actually, or should be, running at 800MHz. Faster RAM might be better for OC'ing but for general use you won't see any performance gain with faster RAM.
For video/image editing you could go to a Quad Core and upgrade the PSU if that is within your budget.

Raikiri · 10-24-2009, 03:42 PM

Ok, well here are my main system specs, from the following what would be best two parts to upgrade if I want a performance boost?

Hiper Power 500W PSU
ASUS P5KC 'Mobo'
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66Ghz
A-data RAM 3Gb DDR2 @ 400Mhz-800Mhz

**Tyree** · 10-24-2009, 04:04 PM

You could go to an E8400CPU for gaming or a Quad Core for video/image editing and a quality PSU.

10-23-2009, 05:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Raikiri Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31 OS: XP/Ubuntu	Upgrade Advice? So I've been thinking about an upgrade of several parts of my computer, but I'm not sure if an upgrade is possible as I've never done this before. Currently I have an ASUS PK5C Motherboard, with an Intel Core 2 Duo E6750, 3Gb of crappy 400Mhz RAM, a crappy 500W Hiperpower PSU and a 512Mb Nvidea Geforce card. I'm thinking of two options, 1st is cheapest obviously - Would the best option be to upgrade my RAM only, to 3Gb of 1800Mhz Corsair RAM i.e. would I see a big difference with that? or Either that or I'd upgrade my processor, RAM and PSU. I was just wondering if its possible to upgrade your processor? Would my PK5C be compatible with say an i7-920? thanks

10-23-2009, 07:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Upgrade Advice? Your first upgrade should be a good quality PSU. You cannot use a i7 CPU with that Mobo. You can upgrade the CPU with a 775pin. What do you use the PC for? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-23-2009, 01:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Raikiri Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31 OS: XP/Ubuntu	Re: Upgrade Advice? Enlighten me about the 775pin part, what does that mean? Mobo, I'll be using that word from now on! I use the pc for browsing the internet and creating word documents. Seriously, I use the pc for a bit of gaming, bit of video/image editing, I'd just like to have a powerful pc.

10-23-2009, 02:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Upgrade Advice? 775 is the number of pins your CPU has. i7 uses 1366 and i5 uses 1156. To use an i7/i5 would require a new Mobo and RAM. You have 3GB of PC6400 RAM. DDR2 is double pumped so it's actually, or should be, running at 800MHz. Faster RAM might be better for OC'ing but for general use you won't see any performance gain with faster RAM. For video/image editing you could go to a Quad Core and upgrade the PSU if that is within your budget. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-24-2009, 03:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Raikiri Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 31 OS: XP/Ubuntu	Re: Upgrade Advice? Ok, well here are my main system specs, from the following what would be best two parts to upgrade if I want a performance boost? Hiper Power 500W PSU ASUS P5KC 'Mobo' Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66Ghz A-data RAM 3Gb DDR2 @ 400Mhz-800Mhz

10-24-2009, 04:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Upgrade Advice? You could go to an E8400CPU for gaming or a Quad Core for video/image editing and a quality PSU. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.