Upgrade computer

Trikado · 05-20-2007, 08:59 AM

Hi, I just joined Tech Support and would like to say hello to all members before I pose my query for support advice.

My current Dell computer is almost 5 yrs old and I am planning for an upgrade. I use the computer to run MS Office, web surfing, mid level gaming and some light video encoding. I have a tight budget and a friend suggested the following upgrade components:

Gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 M/B; Core2 Duo E6320 chip; 1 GB Ram; 256MB GF 8600GT. OS will be Vista Home Premium.

After checking out component prices, I found that my budget allows me to improve further on the above components by doing 1 of the following:

a) Change the M/B to Gigabyte 965P-S3 or
b) Top up the Ram to 2 GB or
c) Change the chip to E6420

But if I downgrade the graphic card to GF8500GT then my budget allows me to improve further on the above components by changing 2 of the 3 items mentioned above.

Pl advise the best option. Also advise whether the 1 GB ram would become unusable if in future I upgrade to 2 GB. (I am assuming the 1GB ram comes in 2x512MB. Is my assumption correct?).

Many thanks in advance

**linderman** · 05-20-2007, 09:14 AM

Personally I would

stick with the E6320

GA-965P-DS3 (make sure you get a revision 3 motherboard)

go to two gigs of DDR2 800 ram

video = 7950GT or X1950 ATI

I think the 8600 is overpriced and disappointing for the gap it left behind the 8800

the 8600 is only slightly faster if at all over the two cards above

BTW: there is another intel price cut slated for July 22nd

**linderman** · 05-20-2007, 09:21 AM

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

05-20-2007, 08:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Trikado Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1 OS: xp	Upgrade computer Hi, I just joined Tech Support and would like to say hello to all members before I pose my query for support advice. My current Dell computer is almost 5 yrs old and I am planning for an upgrade. I use the computer to run MS Office, web surfing, mid level gaming and some light video encoding. I have a tight budget and a friend suggested the following upgrade components: Gigabyte 945GCMX-S2 M/B; Core2 Duo E6320 chip; 1 GB Ram; 256MB GF 8600GT. OS will be Vista Home Premium. After checking out component prices, I found that my budget allows me to improve further on the above components by doing 1 of the following: a) Change the M/B to Gigabyte 965P-S3 or b) Top up the Ram to 2 GB or c) Change the chip to E6420 But if I downgrade the graphic card to GF8500GT then my budget allows me to improve further on the above components by changing 2 of the 3 items mentioned above. Pl advise the best option. Also advise whether the 1 GB ram would become unusable if in future I upgrade to 2 GB. (I am assuming the 1GB ram comes in 2x512MB. Is my assumption correct?). Many thanks in advance Last edited by Trikado; 05-20-2007 at 09:06 AM. Reason: Query not clearly stated

05-20-2007, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,402 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrade computer Personally I would stick with the E6320 GA-965P-DS3 (make sure you get a revision 3 motherboard) go to two gigs of DDR2 800 ram video = 7950GT or X1950 ATI I think the 8600 is overpriced and disappointing for the gap it left behind the 8800 the 8600 is only slightly faster if at all over the two cards above BTW: there is another intel price cut slated for July 22nd __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

05-20-2007, 09:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,402 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Upgrade computer http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial