ibex333 Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Hello guys. This is my 1st post on this forum, so please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong place. Here is my current rig: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester DFI Lanparty Ultra-D 1gig Corsair Value Select PC3200 DDR400 CL2.5 120gig HD GeForce 6600GT 128mb Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Antec Super Lanboy Case Thermaltake Purepower 420W I cant decide between building an e6400 c2d system using my old case, SD Card, and HD or upgrading to an Opty 165. At this point I'm leaning toward the Opty because this solution would be a lot cheaper for me. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to be the most "bang for the buck" in my current situation. I'm just an average user playing games and using Photoshop from time to time. I'm thinking if this Opty will keep my system competitive for another 1-2 years, that would be perfect for me. (If not, be honest and say that I'm wrong.) Anyway, what I'd like to know is: 1)What are my choices for RAM that would both be as cheap as possible, yet would let me OC my Opty to the max? (I want to get 2x 1gb sticks) 2)What would be a nice relatively cheap Aftermarket HSF for me? 3)Do I have to upgrade my PSU if I dont plan to upgrade my video card yet? 4)Would upgrading to an Opty be as simple as swapping CPUs, or is there more involved like reinstalling windows, formatting HD, resetting BIOS? I know these questions are quite newbish, and were probably answered before many times in one way or another, but I cant find the answers I'm looking for. Please advise me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrAsHnBuRnXp Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Hello guys. This is my 1st post on this forum, so please forgive me if I posted this in the wrong place. Here is my current rig: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Winchester DFI Lanparty Ultra-D 1gig Corsair Value Select PC3200 DDR400 CL2.5 120gig HD GeForce 6600GT 128mb Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Antec Super Lanboy Case Thermaltake Purepower 420W I cant decide between building an e6400 c2d system using my old case, SD Card, and HD or upgrading to an Opty 165. At this point I'm leaning toward the Opty because this solution would be a lot cheaper for me. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to be the most "bang for the buck" in my current situation. I'm just an average user playing games and using Photoshop from time to time. I'm thinking if this Opty will keep my system competitive for another 1-2 years, that would be perfect for me. (If not, be honest and say that I'm wrong.) Anyway, what I'd like to know is: 1)What are my choices for RAM that would both be as cheap as possible, yet would let me OC my Opty to the max? (I want to get 2x 1gb sticks) 2)What would be a nice relatively cheap Aftermarket HSF for me? 3)Do I have to upgrade my PSU if I dont plan to upgrade my video card yet? 4)Would upgrading to an Opty be as simple as swapping CPUs, or is there more involved like reinstalling windows, formatting HD, resetting BIOS? I know these questions are quite newbish, and were probably answered before many times in one way or another, but I cant find the answers I'm looking for. Please advise me. I bought an Opty 165 and if you get the CCBBE 06xx (xx being differnet numbers) then you can oc it to 3GHz if you have the right ram. I got mine at 2.75 with only a minor increase in volts and its rock stable. (dual prime for over 11hrs) So for the price of this dual core, it is the best bang for your buck. As for the PSU, it should be fine. If you get a better video card in the future, definatly upgrade it. If you are going to be overclocking, then you will want some DDR500. I have my eye on this and waiting for it to come back in stock. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820231021 I have DDR400 so Im stuck at 2.75GHz until I upgrade to better RAM. If you want an aftermarket HSF for your opty (if you get it), go with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16835118223 I am running stock HSF and am running around 30C @ 2.75GHz. And yes, if you got an Opty, you would have to back up all your important data and reinstall windows and reset your BIOS. Then again, you would have to reinstall windows if you got a C2D. So either way, your going to be reinstalling windows. If you get the Opty, right before you put it in, go into bios and load the factory defaults, save and exit. After you do this, then swap out the CPU. Make sure you ahve the latest BIOS as well. Hope this helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loggan26 Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 1)What are my choices for RAM that would both be as cheap as possible, yet would let me OC my Opty to the max? (I want to get 2x 1gb sticks) Cheap wont cut it if you want to OC, these boards were built with Overclocking in mind with quality components, 2GB kits of Ocz GOld Extreme or G.Skills HZ if you can find them. 2)What would be a nice relatively cheap Aftermarket HSF for me? A64 Freezer 3)Do I have to upgrade my PSU if I dont plan to upgrade my video card yet? Your PSU is underpowered end of story for your system, Pick one from the DFI User Recommended PSU List. 4)Would upgrading to an Opty be as simple as swapping CPUs, or is there more involved like reinstalling windows, formatting HD, resetting BIOS? Yes swap it out and do the AMD driver and optimizer install, make sure your bios is 06.23 or newer to support dual core. If it dont work you can always install winblows again Logan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibex333 Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Thanx guys. I cant find neither of the RAMs you recommended Logan. Mabe you can link me to something when you have a free min? If not, I'll probably wait, and buy the same RAM Crash is waiting for. I suppose I can hold out till Jan 8th. Your replies about the PSU contradict each other... Who shall I listen to? lol (no offence) Also I wonder why DDR 500 is so damn expencive... There are so many faster types of memory avalable... Take DDR 800 for example. Shouldnt the ddr500 be A LOT cheaper? Isnt it like comparing a 2002 Honda to a 2006 one? Either way, thanx again, and I guess I'll be ordering an opty 165 after I get your reply concerning the PSU and RAM. PS: Can anyone link me to a "recommended" list of DDR 500 RAM for my mobo? (if there is such a list) Also, do online stores allow to exchange CPUs if you happen to get a "crappy" stepping? (probably not, but I thought I'd ask) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coors Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Get a better psu. 480 watts is the recommended minimum Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrAsHnBuRnXp Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Also, do online stores allow to exchange CPUs if you happen to get a "crappy" stepping? (probably not, but I thought I'd ask) With Newegg, you can return the CPU for an exchance within the time alotted. I know someone who did. If they ask, just say that that CPU that you have in your possession is not performing as you would have liked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrAsHnBuRnXp Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Sorry, my vision is a bit messed up today. Thought that 2 was an 8. You should upgrade your PSU to at least a 480 like loggan specified. But dont cheap out on it otherwise you'll regret it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefabe Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 You'll defiently neeed at least the OCZ 600w or the corsair modular 620 for that opty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrAsHnBuRnXp Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 You'll defiently neeed at least the OCZ 600w or the corsair modular 620 for that opty. Why at least a 600? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coors Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 Honestly a 550 watt would be good enough for your current setup. But its better to get the best you can afford for future upgrades. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrAsHnBuRnXp Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 4)Would upgrading to an Opty be as simple as swapping CPUs, or is there more involved like reinstalling windows, formatting HD, resetting BIOS? Yes swap it out and do the AMD driver and optimizer install, make sure your bios is 06.23 or newer to support dual core. If it dont work you can always install winblows again Logan I really wouldn't recommend just taking the old CPU out and installing the new just because of the fact that there might be conflicts with the OS. I had this problem and I had to reload anyway. When ever I install any new hardware (other than hard drives), I reinstall Windows just to prevent having conflicts between Windows and the new hardware. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loggan26 Posted December 30, 2006 Posted December 30, 2006 He asked if he could just do that, he can, its not recommended but he can do it if he chooses......like i said if it dont work he can reinstall.....updating the Hal form device mangager works i have done it myself. Logan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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