View Full Version : Getting really confused about what to do about upgrade...
JH_man
06-23-2009, 06:58 AM
Current system is in my sig. I have for some time now been considering doing an upgrade. There are 2 reasons for this;
1) I need to make a HTPC so I was thinking of putting my current parts into a HTPC box and build a new more future safe rig for gameing
2) Would like to get more power out of my comp for games like Age of Conan
I have had a i7 920 rig planned for some time now, and more or less had it set in stone. Then yesterday I started looking at Phenom x4 tests and I discovered something that got me confused about what to do.
The reason for this confusion is when I started looking at benchmarks of 775 vs phenom vs i7 920 vs 775 quad platforms. And it got me wondering if there really is much performance gain to be won from going from my OCed Q6600 to a OCed 920 or for that matter a OCed Phenom x4 955.
So can anyone answer this to a certain degree? Is there really alot of performance to be had going from a Q6600 OCed to 3.2ghz to a i7 920 OCed or a Phenom x4 955 OCed?..
No matter what I do I strongly consider swaping my 4870 out with 2 4890 in crossfire.
Any feedback will be good!
JH_man
SNiiPE_DoGG
06-23-2009, 07:17 AM
gaming wise, no there isnt really any performance to be had by switching cpu's. IMO your better off doing this:
-get 2 4890s and put the 4870 in the HTPC
-build a cheap phII system for the HTPC:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136068
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227447
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=720be
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001&Tpk=520%20hx
and the 4870
JH_man
07-08-2009, 03:46 AM
Have still not landed the issue...
Done some more testing with my current machine, it is now stable (need some more testing) at 3.52ghz.
What I am wondering is this; the Q9550, the Ph2 x4 955 and the i7 920, what are a reasonable overclock on these CPUs while at same time being fully 24/7 game stable? In other words not asking what is it possible to be bottable in, I am thinking a safe stable overclock for each of them.
antiacid
07-08-2009, 10:43 AM
the intels can do 4ghz each on air, depending on cooling it can go higher. The phenom is a bit lower for the same cooling, i believe.
For your initial question: Don't upgrade now, you should wait until the next wave of technology or until ridiculously good deals because your current machine is fine.
Darxide
07-08-2009, 12:44 PM
Your parts would be serious overkill for an HTPC. Unless you plan to game on it.
It always amazes me when people build a high powered HTPC, just to watch DVD/Blu Ray, DivX or whatever. Waste of money, and electricity.
I use a Sempron LE for crying out load, and it plays HD DVD and Blu Ray just fine.
perkam
07-08-2009, 01:56 PM
What is your budget for everything?
Perkam
JH_man
07-09-2009, 02:34 AM
Dont have a budget. Right now I am trying to get my current rig 100% stable, but the problem is the NB it looks like. I have to run 1.51volt in bios/1.54volt in everest, and the NB gets very hot, and it looks like that is the reason for hangups.
I could have OCed the CPU more, but I dont think the NB will handle it :(
JH_man
JH_man
07-09-2009, 03:37 AM
the intels can do 4ghz each on air, depending on cooling it can go higher. The phenom is a bit lower for the same cooling, i believe.
For your initial question: Don't upgrade now, you should wait until the next wave of technology or until ridiculously good deals because your current machine is fine.
What / when is really next tech? Intel i5 is 'low' performance, AMD got something awsome comming soon?..
JH_man
perkam
07-09-2009, 06:52 AM
Dont have a budget.Even if you hadn't thought of one, I'd think one up.
Otherwise you'll be at the end of the fifth page in this thread still thinking about what to buy.
Perkam
mcmeat51
07-09-2009, 12:36 PM
Ive been going through a similar thing myself but I have a 9950.
If I were you, Id get a cooler for the NB or jerry-rig a fan on it... it works wonders... even just taking off the stock HS, lapping it a bit (if it needs it... mine did!), replace the TIM with decent stuff and bodge a fan onto it.... cheap and is generally good for 8-20 degrees!
unfortuately my setup wont go stable above 2.9... thus why I was pondering over a 940/955/965 and shooting for 4Ghz.
IF my chip was sitting at ~3.3 I wouldnt't bother. IMO stay with the chip you have and see what you can get out of it... 3.5 is more than fine tho! Then either get another 4870 or get two 4890's... the Q6600 is a great chip.
JH_man
07-11-2009, 03:27 AM
As I said I dont have a budget, many reasons for this, one being I live in Norway and prices are different from country to country. But IF I am going to change the old machine into a HTPC and get a new PC it will be high performance. But it dont mean I will be throwing money out the window and get a i7 extreme CPU. If I had gone for the i7 it would have been a 920 and if I had gone for a AMD it would most likely been a X4 955.
One of the best ram choices, but dont pay a huge premium just to get half a sec less in PI. Gone for one of the best mobos, and the 300 GB Raptor disk. I got most of the things planned and on the list already.
As it is right now, I ordered a new very low budget second comp yesterday (yes I use 2 for several reasons), and new ram for the main comp (Dominator). The main comp I will decide what to do with in august/september when new CPUs are here and most likely new GFX card from ATI. HTPC will also be decided upon then.
But as it LOOKS now, I am leaning towards getting a new main comp. I have a very hard time getting a good OC and at the same time be able see temps on the NB that I like. As it is right now I am down to 3.4 ghz OC and still the NB is a bit too hot. Will check with the new ram if it gets better. If not I am very tempted to switch to a better platform since both the i7 920 and the top of the line AMD CPUs can hit close to 4ghz pretty safely, as far as I have seen at least...
mcmeat51
07-11-2009, 05:17 AM
get an ssd for your OS drive?
JH_man
07-12-2009, 04:00 AM
SSD is not worth it if you ask me. Too high price for too little performance gain vs VelociRaptor...
is there a game you play your current rig won't handle, in my opinion, you might want too wait until fall and get something direct x 11.0 or 11.1, that's a pretty good rig you have should get u through to direct x 11 compliant stuff I mean if you really want to be future proof
JH_man
07-13-2009, 02:31 PM
is there a game you play your current rig won't handle, in my opinion, you might want too wait until fall and get something direct x 11.0 or 11.1, that's a pretty good rig you have should get u through to direct x 11 compliant stuff I mean if you really want to be future proof
Yeah, as it is now with vacation comming up and new CPUs and gfx cards comming in august/september, I will wait until then to decide.
But as it stands now, I cannot push my current rig faster then 3.2 ghz. The CPU is NOT a problem, it can easily go higher, the problem is the NB and even SB heat. Yes I can remove them and try to refit them better or even replace them with 3rd part coolers, but afraid that will be too much hassle, and I am afraid I will break the board.
The case is very good and ventilation is top notch, but running all fans at max and running with open front door just to be able to cool the NB 1-2 degrees more is not an option. I want a reasonable silent rig, and this case is super, but running the fans at max all the time isnt 'silent'. Medium is the sweet spot for the fans.
ILikeCosmosS
07-13-2009, 02:40 PM
are you sure about gfx cards in august or september, i wouldnt wait at all if your going for i7, think of it this way buy a 4890 now and then wait till gt300 and then prices for rv870 will be a lower price and you could probably get the X2.
make a budget, go small for now and then go big when new gen gpu's are out.
mcmeat51
07-14-2009, 03:06 AM
But as it stands now, I cannot push my current rig faster then 3.2 ghz. The CPU is NOT a problem, it can easily go higher, the problem is the NB and even SB heat. Yes I can remove them and try to refit them better or even replace them with 3rd part coolers, but afraid that will be too much hassle, and I am afraid I will break the board.
The case is very good and ventilation is top notch, but running all fans at max and running with open front door just to be able to cool the NB 1-2 degrees more is not an option. I want a reasonable silent rig, and this case is super, but running the fans at max all the time isnt 'silent'. Medium is the sweet spot for the fans.
seriously, last night I used cable ties and those plastics wire twiddly thingys to tie two low power 80mm fans together and hang position them over the NB and PWM heatsinks. Took all of 4 mins and temps went down about 20 degrees C on the PWM and 10-12 on the NB. CPU has also interestingly gone down a few degrees as well!
It costs almost nothing and is easy as pie... at least try it, and then if you can get ur chip higher... jobs a good 'un!