Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, Win7 64 Bit, and memory

[BnZs]

If I understand what I read correctly, with this processor I can install Windows 7 64-bit as the OS and break through the 4 GB total memory limit, correct?

[Chalenge]

Yes

[BnZs]

Found the specs for the motherboard I'm using. The graphics slot is PCI Express 2.0x16, I'm a tad worried that is going to limit me on how much of a graphics card upgrade I can get.

Model

Brand
    ASUS

Model
    P5QL PRO

Supported CPU

CPU Socket Type
    LGA 775

CPU Type
    Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo

FSB
    1600(O.C.)/1333MHz

Chipsets

North Bridge
    Intel P43

South Bridge
    Intel ICH10

Memory

Number of Memory Slots
    4×240pin

Memory Standard
    DDR2 1066

Maximum Memory Supported
    16GB

Channel Supported
    Dual Channel

Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0 x16
    1

PCI Express x1
    2

PCI Slots
    3

Storage Devices

PATA
    1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max

SATA 3Gb/s
    6

Onboard Video

Onboard Video Chipset
    None

Onboard Audio

Audio Chipset
    Realtek ALC1200

Audio Channels
    8 Channels

Onboard LAN

Max LAN Speed
    10/100/1000Mbps

Rear Panel Ports

PS/2
    2

USB 1.1/2.0
    6 x USB 2.0

S/PDIF Out
    1 x Coaxial

Audio Ports
    6 Ports

Internal I/O Connectors

Onboard USB
    3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB ports

Physical Spec

Form Factor
    ATX

Dimensions
    12.0" x 7.6"

Power Pin
    24 Pin

[BaldEagl]

No, it won't.  The PCIe slots are forward and backward compatible and none that I know of actually take full advantage of 3.0 technology.

[BnZs]

Good deal.

[BnZs]

This going to present any limitations on the graphics card front?
"Memory Standard
    DDR2 1066"

[BnZs]

This is the current graphics card in this machine. Any recommendations for upgrade?
    GIGABYTE

Model
    GV-N95TD3-512H

Interface

Interface
    PCI Express 2.0 x16

Chipset

Chipset Manufacturer
    NVIDIA

GPU
    GeForce 9500 GT

Core Clock
    700MHz(Std: 550)

CUDA Cores
    32

Memory

Effective Memory Clock
    1600MHz

Memory Size
    512MB

Memory Interface
    128-bit

Memory Type
    GDDR3

3D API

DirectX
    DirectX 10

OpenGL
    OpenGL 2.1

Ports

HDMI
    1 x HDMI (via Adapter)

DVI
    2 x DVI

TV-Out
    HDTV / S-Video Out

General

RAMDAC
    400 MHz

Max Resolution
    2560 x 1600

SLI Support
    SLI Ready

Cooler
    With Fan

Dual-Link DVI Supported
    Yes

HDCP Ready
    Yes

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125228

[BaldEagl]

The memory standard for RAM is totally independent of the graphics card so that won't be an issue.  

Considering the (low power) card you're running now though make sure your PSU is going to be able to run whatever new card you buy.  You're choices are only limited by your budget but the further up the ladder you go the more likely you'll have to buy a new GPU and a new PSU.

[Masherbrum]

Money wise?    EVGA GTX 660 ~ $220ish  

Just make sure your PSU is around 550-750w.

[BnZs]

Thanks again gentleman. Fortunately the PSU I bought for the original build is 600 watt.

[Masherbrum]

Thanks again gentleman. Fortunately the PSU I bought for the original build is 600 watt.

Depending on the 12+v rail, it might work.

[BaldEagl]

Thanks again gentleman. Fortunately the PSU I bought for the original build is 600 watt.

600W isn't really that high for a power hungry graphics card.  As Masher stated, you need to be careful that it supplies enough amps to the card with overhead to run the rest of your system.

[Debrody]

600W isn't really that high for a power hungry graphics card.  As Masher stated, you need to be careful that it supplies enough amps to the card with overhead to run the rest of your system.

A 600W PSU, if its a quality one, must be enough for everything but a high end SLI/CF setup. Definiately enough for every single card his CPU can handle (to the gtx660/hd7850 level).

[BaldEagl]

A 600W PSU, if its a quality one, must be enough for everything but a high end SLI/CF setup. Definiately enough for every single card his CPU can handle (to the gtx660/hd7850 level).

[MrRiplEy[H]]

For a non overclocked E8400 even a GTX660 is already a bit too fast, the system will be cpu bottlenecked. So if you're considering something don't expect to get any better performance from anything higher than 660 unless you plan to upgrade your cpu too (and your motherboard+ram since you can't find much better cpus for that socket).