Most cost effective upgrade?

jamesman32 · 08-13-08, 08:13 PM

Hey there guys. Here's the deal. I have some money to upgrade my pc, but not build a new one quite yet as i only built it last october. I've currently got a 680i SLI A1, an XFX 8800GTS 640mb XXX, 2 gigs of Corsair XMS PC6400 ram, a C2D E6850, 2 HDDs (250 gig samsung with Ubuntu, and 320 gig WD with Vista premium 64 bit), a 700 watt Ultra XVS modular PSU, all inside a raidmax sagitta case that i hate. Now what would you guys suggest I upgrade to get a most cost effective performance boost? I'm getting 2 more gigs of ram anyway, so other than that what do you guys think? Also, if you think I should just stay as I am and wait a year or 2 for new hardware, please say so. Personally I was thinking of maybe doing a setup with 2 8800GT's in SLI, but its a bit expensive ($240 at least). I cant really upgrade the processor to the quad core I want (my mobo doesn't support the new intel Q9xxx series).

ScottinIndy · 08-13-08, 08:18 PM

Looks to me like you already have a pretty darn nice rig, Unless you are finding a specific area you feel it is lacking in I would just roll with it, If you don't like your case you could always spend a little now and get a case you will actually be happy with.

jamesman32 · 08-13-08, 08:21 PM

Alright cool. Btw, what do you suggest for a CPU cooler? I'm running the stock one and its terribly hot and loud and I meant to get a new one a while ago

ScottinIndy · 08-13-08, 08:28 PM

The Freezer Pro 7 is a nice, Quiet cooler, It will handle moderate Overclocks just fine on a dual core as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

Another option that is popular around here are the Xigmatek's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233003

jamesman32 · 08-13-08, 08:37 PM

Sweet. Thanks for the help

Abu Som3a · 08-13-08, 08:51 PM

I suggest upgrading your video card to a 9800GX2:
http://www.buy.com/prod/pny-geforce-...207534756.html

The rest of the system is fine. Well, maybe the PSU...

Mr. Roboto · 08-13-08, 09:20 PM

Don't forget the TRUE!

http://www.directron.com/u120e.html

Only thing I would consider upgrading is the video card. But, if you hate your case, then get a new one! Take a look at the stackers, I love my 830.

atomic ferret · 08-13-08, 09:32 PM

Even though cases don't usually boost performance by much, I think it's a very important part of your rig. Invest some money on a quality enclosure and you can reuse it for years and be happy.

08-13-08, 08:13 PM	Thread Starter #1
jamesman32 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Suffield, Connecticut	Most cost effective upgrade? Hey there guys. Here's the deal. I have some money to upgrade my pc, but not build a new one quite yet as i only built it last october. I've currently got a 680i SLI A1, an XFX 8800GTS 640mb XXX, 2 gigs of Corsair XMS PC6400 ram, a C2D E6850, 2 HDDs (250 gig samsung with Ubuntu, and 320 gig WD with Vista premium 64 bit), a 700 watt Ultra XVS modular PSU, all inside a raidmax sagitta case that i hate. Now what would you guys suggest I upgrade to get a most cost effective performance boost? I'm getting 2 more gigs of ram anyway, so other than that what do you guys think? Also, if you think I should just stay as I am and wait a year or 2 for new hardware, please say so. Personally I was thinking of maybe doing a setup with 2 8800GT's in SLI, but its a bit expensive ($240 at least). I cant really upgrade the processor to the quad core I want (my mobo doesn't support the new intel Q9xxx series).
	QUOTE Thanks

08-13-08, 08:18 PM	#2
ScottinIndy Premium Member #28 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indy	Looks to me like you already have a pretty darn nice rig, Unless you are finding a specific area you feel it is lacking in I would just roll with it, If you don't like your case you could always spend a little now and get a case you will actually be happy with. __________________ ************************************** Phenom II 1045T, Gigabyte MA790XT,CM 212 EVO, Corsair Vengence 1600 2x4 gigs,EVGA SC GTX 660,Patriot Torqx 64 gig SSD,Seagate 320 Hd, Corsair 520HX,S.B Extreme Music, Antec 300 Illusion case. Windows 7 64bit HP **************************************
	QUOTE Thanks

08-13-08, 08:21 PM	Thread Starter #3
jamesman32 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Suffield, Connecticut	Alright cool. Btw, what do you suggest for a CPU cooler? I'm running the stock one and its terribly hot and loud and I meant to get a new one a while ago
	QUOTE Thanks

08-13-08, 08:28 PM	#4
ScottinIndy Premium Member #28 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indy	The Freezer Pro 7 is a nice, Quiet cooler, It will handle moderate Overclocks just fine on a dual core as well. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134 Another option that is popular around here are the Xigmatek's http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233003 __________________ ************************************** Phenom II 1045T, Gigabyte MA790XT,CM 212 EVO, Corsair Vengence 1600 2x4 gigs,EVGA SC GTX 660,Patriot Torqx 64 gig SSD,Seagate 320 Hd, Corsair 520HX,S.B Extreme Music, Antec 300 Illusion case. Windows 7 64bit HP **************************************
	QUOTE Thanks

08-13-08, 08:37 PM	Thread Starter #5
jamesman32 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Suffield, Connecticut	Sweet. Thanks for the help
	QUOTE Thanks

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08-13-08, 08:51 PM	#6
Abu Som3a Registered Join Date: Jul 2008	I suggest upgrading your video card to a 9800GX2: http://www.buy.com/prod/pny-geforce-...207534756.html The rest of the system is fine. Well, maybe the PSU...
	QUOTE Thanks

08-13-08, 09:20 PM	#7
Mr. Roboto Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boston, MA	Don't forget the TRUE! http://www.directron.com/u120e.html Only thing I would consider upgrading is the video card. But, if you hate your case, then get a new one! Take a look at the stackers, I love my 830. __________________ Main Rig: e8400 l ASUS P5K Deluxe l G.Skill 4GB HZ's l GTX 280 l 2x320gb 7200.10 Raid 0 l X-FI Platinum l CM Stacker 830 l OCZ 700W GameXtreme l Logitech z-5500's l G5 l Saitek Eclipse II l 2 x 2407 WFP HTPC:P4 2.8 l 1.5GB ram l 7600GS l HVR-1600 l 400gb raid 0 l Audigy 1 l Coolermaster 280 l 37" Olevia Heat
	QUOTE Thanks

08-13-08, 09:32 PM	#8
atomic ferret Member Join Date: Nov 2005	Even though cases don't usually boost performance by much, I think it's a very important part of your rig. Invest some money on a quality enclosure and you can reuse it for years and be happy. __________________ heat TJ07-Ultra X4 1200W-E8400-Rampage Formula-4870-4gb G.skill-74gb Raptor-500gb Seagate-Windows 7 Apogee GTZ-XSPC Razor-DDC3.2 w/ XSPC top-PA120.3-MCR220-EK 250 res
	QUOTE Thanks

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