I am requesting suggestions from knowledgeable members. Although I am pretty handy with hardware/software installation and use I am no hacker and lack some basic training in operational mechanics. My rig was custom built from selected components with the idea in mind for a fast internet and downloading, basically with at least minimum gaming system capability even tho I don't game. It's worked pretty well with no over clocking but now I'm wondering if I could obtain performance improvements what with newer streaming technologies out there, or merely upgrading what I have.
Here's what I now have.
XP pro, Maxtor 320GB SATAHD, DiamondRadeon HD 2400 Pro 256MB PCIe,
MSI P35 NE02-FR Intel P35 Socket 775 MOBO, Intel Core2 Duo E6850 3Ghz 4mb 1333FSB CPU, Viewsonic VX1940w 19in LCD, Patriot Extreme 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800Mhz (4X1024)
If I keep this mobo naturally I'd want to use the slots I have, if for example a memory upgrade is recommended, or a different graphics card, so any suggestions should be compatible. I don't want to build a new computer at this time. Appreciate any suggestions or observations anyone might have. Thanks
You want advise on an upgrade from these components?? Some nice stuff you got there. If I had the cash...I'd splurge on a Vid card with 512mb ram or perhaps a little more. A mild overclock and what a machine.
AD's review on your vid card...HERE
A review on your mobo...HERE (with regards to overclocking) Two thumbs up.
If you do end up building another pc...just because you get bored with this one....I'll take it! (gimme gimme) LOL.
Well you won't be able to play any modern games on that graphics card. If you are interested in gaming, that needs to be upgraded, but there's nothing explicitly wrong with it otherwise, it can play HD video and output a good picture quality.
The CPU and Motherboard are pretty good really, you should only consider an upgrade if you want a quad core (i.e. you have a program that actually makes good use of one, not many programs outside the gaming world do)
Filling all four memory slots will hurt your overclocking significantly if you are interested in doing so, but with an E6850 you've chosen stock performance over overclocking anyway.
Perhaps spend the money getting a nicer monitor for yourself? 19" widescreens are a bit low in the vertical pixel count...
The GFX card is the only thing holding you back. IMHO I think you should get an Asus EN9800GT HybridPower. I'm using one of these, and they're an epic GFX card.
