Near Future Upgrade - Mobo suggestions please

[Speed55]

Ok so here is what I have.

Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA Motherboard

NorthBridge - Via PT880 Ultra
SouthBridge - Via V8237A

Intel Core2Duo E6400 @ 2.13Ghz 1066 Mhz fsb

2 Gigs DDRII 667

Ati 3870 PCI Express 2.0 - (Motherboard only runs PCIE @ 4x speed)

(2) 80 gig ata 133 hard drives - One with O.S. and one for storage.

Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 zs

DVD read/write Drive


I'm looking at upgrading:

The motherboard: With Better N/S bridge chips, a full PCIE x16 2.0 slot, and a higher FSB for a future CPU upgrade if needed.

Main hard drive: to a higher speed SATA.

Memory: Best bang for the buck 

 I am wondering if there would be any notable increase in performance if i kept the same CPU, Sound Card, and Video Card?

Thanks. 

[Getback]

So you are staying with the original chip?

[Fulmar]

Future upgrades?  The i5/i7's are the future (for Intel) in CPU's.  It uses a completely different socket.  The last of the C2D's and C2Q's have been designed.  There is no motherboard out there that supports the LGA775 and the new LGA1366.  Along with using DDR3 instead of DDR2.

I use an Asus P5N-E SLI motherboard, the C2D E6400, 4gb of DDR2 800mhz with an 8800GTS 640mb (PCI-E 1.0), X-FI Fatality.  I can still game pretty much any game at med-high settings at 1680x1050 resolution.  I don't plan on upgrading this build for about 2 years or so.  I generally go about 4 years between builds, this one being built in Jan '07.

To help with my gaming though, I have OC'd it quite a bit.  I used to run 667mhz DDR2 and OC'd to 2.66ghz, 1:1 FSB Ratio.  A few months back I bought some DDR2 800 and I now run at 3.2Ghz, a 46% overclock.  I'm not sure how well your board OC's.  Going from 2.13 ghz to 2.66mhz with your DDR2 667 memory should be pretty easy.  I had some hiccups going up to 3.2Ghz, but 2.66 originally was cake, especially on the stock coolor.  I bought an aftermarket for 3.2ghz.

[Fulmar]

I guess if you want to try a new motherboard for Full PCI 2.0, faster RAM and more OC options, you may be able to find a decent Micro-ATX board for $60-$70, a full size ATX may run you about $20 more or so to get a good brand.

[Speed55]

So you are staying with the original chip?

Yes, like Fulmar says,  for at least 2 more years.

The Mobo i have was a transitional one that supports AGP and PCIE, with the ability to use a C2D, but also with limitations.

I guess if you want to try a new motherboard for Full PCI 2.0, faster RAM and more OC options, you may be able to find a decent Micro-ATX board for $60-$70, a full size ATX may run you about $20 more or so to get a good brand.

Any suggestions for the mobo and memory?  I'm trying to set a budget of about $150 for the Mobo, Memory, and a 60 or 80 gig sata drive.

[smokey23]

I use this board in my other build has alot of OC potential you can throw in a duo or quad whatever ya choose to use it can accomidate up to a 1333 FSB

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4410102&CatId=1533


with this memory makes for a fast setup

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3969413&CatId=2368

its alittle more than youre budget requirements but its well worth the extra few bucks

[Fulmar]

Well you already have DDR2 667, which is just fine and dandy if you want to stay at your stock speeds.  Faster RAM like 800 or 1066 would allow you to overclock, but at stock the performance gains aren't that noticeable or would warrant me using your budget on it.

Just some quick browsing....

 GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM -$59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

500gb should last you a long time, but if you're on a strict budget and do not use a lt of storage space....
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3160813AS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM - $39.99

To me...3x the storage is worth the extra $20.  A 80gb HD is only going to save you $5.  A 250gb HD runs about $50, a 640gb runs about $65-$70, etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148397

[Speed55]

I use this board in my other build has alot of OC potential you can throw in a duo or quad whatever ya choose to use it can accomidate up to a 1333 FSB

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4410102&CatId=1533

I think i'm going to order that mobo, but from newegg with the rebate.
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&Tpk=EP45-UD3P%20Motherboard
 
This hard drive, since i already have the same one in ata, with 43 gigs free.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136195

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227335 <-- Is this memory ok, I'm using XP, so 2 gigs should be enough?

After tax it might be a few dollars over, but maybe i can sell my asrock board, memory and x850 pro and make like $50-$75 dollars back.

[Fulmar]

Are you going to overclock?  Otherwise, keep the DDR2 667mhz.

[Speed55]

Just curious as to why a higher clock memory wouldn't automatically be better?

--Nevermind--- I just briefly read that it has something to do the fsb and voltages.

I'm not planning on overclocking, so thanks, it saves me a few bucks.

[Tigger29]

I'm actually going a slightly different route.

I have the same Motherboard, same memory, except with the E6300 (1.86GHz) processor.. slightly overclocked to 2.03GHz.  Motherboard won't let me go any higher reliably.

Anyway, I just bought a 9800GTX+ video card to replace my 7900GS which just bit the dust... and an E7400 (2.8Ghz) C2D processor.  If the M/B won't accept it, I'll buy a new M/B as well.

I want to do a new build so bad, but I just can't justify it, especially considering that what I have now is more than enough for 99% of the computing I do...

[Speed55]

The CPU will work, but i don't see your video card on the list.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/vga.asp?c=&Model=4CoreDual-VSTA

Even if you do get it to work though, you'll be in the same boat as me, where it will only run at x4 speed on pcie 1.0, or what i'm guessing is only 1/4 of it's full potential.

[Plazus]

Ok so here is what I have.

Asrock 4CoreDual-VSTA Motherboard

NorthBridge - Via PT880 Ultra
SouthBridge - Via V8237A

Intel Core2Duo E6400 @ 2.13Ghz 1066 Mhz fsb

2 Gigs DDRII 667

Ati 3870 PCI Express 2.0 - (Motherboard only runs PCIE @ 4x speed)

(2) 80 gig ata 133 hard drives - One with O.S. and one for storage.

Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 zs

DVD read/write Drive


I'm looking at upgrading:

The motherboard: With Better N/S bridge chips, a full PCIE x16 2.0 slot, and a higher FSB for a future CPU upgrade if needed.

Main hard drive: to a higher speed SATA.

Memory: Best bang for the buck 

 I am wondering if there would be any notable increase in performance if i kept the same CPU, Sound Card, and Video Card?

Thanks. 

I doubt that you will get a huge increase in performance if you keep the CPU, sound card, and video card. However, if you get a new motherboard, consider a board with at least 4 DIMM slots for your RAM. Since you want to keep the Core 2 Duo CPU, then DO NOT get the DDR3 RAM. It is a waste of money and does not work any better. The only time you want DDR3, is if youre using the new Intel i7 CPUs. Therefore, stick with DDR2. 4 GB of RAM is very optimal for a Core 2 CPU. Note that you can slow down your computer if you have too much RAM.

A faster hard drive wont necesarily increase overall computer performance when youre playing AH2. You will notice faster reboots, and programs can run faster on the initial. But in the long run, a faster hard drive wont make a significant difference.

It is worth noting that your computer's performance is directly affected by the CPU, video card, RAM, and other additional expansions. Increasing the North Bridge/South Bridge will give you minimal increase if youre keeping the same hardware.

Reccomendations:
-New mother board with 4 DIMMS (slightly faster FSB speeds)
-Stay with DDR2 RAM with 4 GB memory
-150 to 350 GB SATA hard drive (this depends on how much space you need)
-Also, since your CPU speed is 2.13 GHz, I would recommend overclocking your CPU to something around 2.4 to 2.6 GHz.

**Your mother board is using a Socket 775. You can always upgrade your CPU to a Core 2 Quad if you want**

[Speed55]

Thanks.

I haven't ordered the new board yet, and I'll probably be ordering it in about 2 weeks.

Wouldn't just the fact that my current mobo only has a pcie 1.0 x4 slot, and the next mobo i get will have a pcie 2.0 x16 slot make a bit of difference in my video cards performance?

I can also order the 2 extra gigs of ram to match what i've got which will total 4, and i have a 512mb video card.

Thing is i'll be reformatting with XP, which only sees 3 gigs, (i think?), so would it still be beneficial?

As far as the CPU goes, i'm going to wait until the prices drop some more on the E8400. I'm not a latest and greatest guy, and I think the Intel is putting out so many new chips that it should be down to $100 soon.

From what i understand, I wont be able to gain any benefits in AH2 by going to a quad core.  The only other game i play is Medieval Total War 2, and i record music. 

[Masherbrum]

Thanks.

I haven't ordered the new board yet, and I'll probably be ordering it in about 2 weeks.

Wouldn't just the fact that my current mobo only has a pcie 1.0 x4 slot, and the next mobo i get will have a pcie 2.0 x16 slot make a bit of difference in my video cards performance?

I can also order the 2 extra gigs of ram to match what i've got which will total 4, and i have a 512mb video card.

Thing is i'll be reformatting with XP, which only sees 3 gigs, (i think?), so would it still be beneficial?

As far as the CPU goes, i'm going to wait until the prices drop some more on the E8400. I'm not a latest and greatest guy, and I think the Intel is putting out so many new chips that it should be down to $100 soon.

From what i understand, I wont be able to gain any benefits in AH2 by going to a quad core.  The only other game i play is Medieval Total War 2, and i record music. 

Go with 2x2GB DIMM's of RAM, if you're sticking with XP.