Upgrading sorta out of date PC

[kILLDR3n]

I plan to upgrade my PC once I get all of the money for what new stuff I want.

I'm not completely savvy about this stuff so I'll need some help on it.

My current set up:
Mobo - Asus P5N-E SLI
RAM - 2x DDR2 1GB 5400 XMS CORSAIR
Processor - 2.66 GHz Intel Core2 Duo E6700
PSU - Black Steel 480W
GFX - NVIDIA 8600GTS
Case - NZXT Apollo



I plan to get a quad core processor. A lower i7 or a higher Core 2 Quad model. If someone could give me a comparison or figure which would be better. Also what's this overclocking bit? How do I do it?

So I would also need a new mobo for the i7...I want it not to be super expensive but also be very good and very high rated.

New memory. Difference between DDR2 and DDR3? I want either 6GB or 8GB.
Links for those too.

Graphics card. I will want to go SLI eventually. So should I start with a high end card or 2x lower models? I don't want the sum to be $400+.

PSU - What would a sufficient wattage be for all of this?

Cooling - I'm going to be playing high end games and tons of HD editing so liquid cooling? How does this work and what should I get.


I need everything to fit for the motherboard.

Finally, what order should I get these in? I'm going to be getting them spread out as I get the money. So what order should I get them so when I have something it works with my old stuff. Planning on upgrading from my current Vista 32 bit and already have it dual booted with Windows 7 RC.

Other tips let me know.

[123456]

You'd need a new mobo for i7. You're better off sticking with that and going for a high end quad core... RAM wise, why not get 4x DDR2 800 to max out at 8GB?If you want a new video card, go for 2x GTX260s. At least 700W PSU will do. Liquid cooling won't be necessary, really. If you got room and fans, that will do. And a quality heatsink with good thermal paste.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227290

Video: 2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130372

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131

Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Thermal Paste: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007

[kILLDR3n]

The GTX 260 uses DDR3 memory while my mobo is only DDR2 I believe, will that work? Also what's the difference between DDR2 and DDR3, am I at a disadvantage with DDR2 or does it only depend on how much you have?

Should the power supply be the first thing I get?

[mjc]

Motherboard RAM and video card RAM are two different beasts...they don't have to 'match'.

[kILLDR3n]

Will my old mobo limit any of the performance on my processor or the gfx cards? I hear the cards are pretty big and when SLI that a fan sort of gets blocked on one. Any extra cooling options for the cards?

[minus-sign]

Will my old mobo limit any of the performance on my processor or the gfx cards? I hear the cards are pretty big and when SLI that a fan sort of gets blocked on one. Any extra cooling options for the cards? Limits options on what you can put on it. No i7s on 775 socket boards. Memory standard is DDR2 800.

Lookie:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131142

8 gigs of DDR2 800 will do you good in that board and it can run it. Nothing more than that though.

[kILLDR3n]

ehhh I'm just not liking my mobo anymore, its compatibility with certain things is just old for what I want right now.

what I need to know...
- best mobo between $200-$270ish for i7
- best i7 for overclocking (920?)
- will 6GBs of DDR3 hold up for this?
- best cards to SLI each being between $150-$220ish
- PSU
- fans?


or is it safer to stay with what I have?
- best Core 2 Quad up to $260ish
- 8GB of DDR2?
- ATI or NVIDIA?
- ????
I need help.

[123456]

Stay with what you have. Not worth the price to replace something that's not really outdated.

[minus-sign]

If you must upgrade, then upgrade to i7. DDR3 w/ tripple channel RAM will give you considerable performance increases. i7s are a PITA to OC due to Overspeed Protection. What I know of them suggests that anything over 3.8 requires a BIOS switch. This is included on the Extremes, as I understand it (which is, imo, kinda dumb. Yeah; I said Intel did something dumb. I mean, who is going to buy an extreme processor if they don't intend to OC the bloody thing, neh?). For gaming, its not the processor that will slow you down, its your RAM and VCard. A 920 will be more than enough for a long while.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131371
Supposedly easy to OC with. $250

6 gigs RAM is fine; it can be upgraded later (sample board can handle up to 24gs:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227417
things to look for in buying RAM = DDR3, Speed (in MHz--higher is better) and Cas or CL (Lower is beter). $95 after rebate.

EVGA makes good cards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130469 $150

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
850 will do you for everything you need and Corsair makes good product. $115 after rebate.

If you got fans in your case, use those. DON'T USE STOCK CPU cooler for OCing: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608007 $80

Seriously though? 123456 already gave you good advice. Suggest you upgrade what you have.

[kILLDR3n]

nah I shouldn't have asked if I should upgrade, I rather want to but what I should get. As long as the mobo is good with oc I found people getting their 920 up to 3.6ghz or more.

[123456]

kILLDR3n... look at my post with the newegg links... you should look at those.

[kILLDR3n]

kILLDR3n... look at my post with the newegg links... you should look at those.

yea those are good recommendations. could you check out a mobo for me too?

[rond36]

If you do decide to upgrade don't buy that Core 2
quad Q9400 CPU in 123456's link, it is not on the CPU support list for your Asus P5N-E SLI
http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=P5N-E%20SLI&product=1&os=24

[kILLDR3n]

I'm pretty much getting a whole new build now anyway.

[123456]

Kinda pointless if you ask me...

[kILLDR3n]

Well I want to run a lot of stuff at almost max, so I think its better with the higher upgrade.