Thirith on 16/9/2008 at 06:55
I had a quick moment of panic this morning when switching on the computer and it wouldn't go beyond BIOS. It also thought I had two 250GB Samsung drives and no DVD drives (!).
However, I just had to reset a small number of things in BIOS (e.g. Plug&Play support) which I had memorised, so all's well that ends well. Also, BIOS now tells me that the board can take RAM up to 1066MHz. That's good, I guess. :)
Thirith on 22/9/2008 at 07:14
Quick question for Bikerdude (or anyone else knowledgeable about this sort of thing):
I'm now thinking of getting the following setup in a month or so: E8400, 4GB DDR2-1066, GTX 260, Thermaltake or Scythe CPU cooler. From what I've read, the 1066 memory should do the trick (especially since my current memory is 533MHz). I'd use those on my P5B Deluxe - not the best of boards these days, but there are a fair few people who have similar setups that seem to be running just fine.
From what I've read, there isn't that much of a difference between a GTX 260 and a GTX 280 at the resolution I'd be running (1400x1050), and for the sort of applications that I'd be using (mainly games) there's no point in going quadcore. Both the 8400 and the GTX 260 seem to overclock quite decently, especially if I get a non-stock cooler for the former.
What do you think? Anything that you'd change?
bikerdude on 22/9/2008 at 08:35
Quote Posted by Thirith
From what I've read, there isn't that much of a difference between a GTX 260 and a GTX 280 at the resolution I'd be running (1400x1050), and for the sort of applications that I'd be using (mainly games) there's no point in going quadcore. Both the 8400 and the GTX 260 seem to overclock quite decently, especially if I get a non-stock cooler for the former.
If your gonna get a GTX260 get one with the extra 18 cores (total 216), Im running a Leadtek GTX280 (240core) that I picked up for £250 from OcUK just over a month ago, but the prices have sky rocketed again (I cant find a GTX260 216core for less then £230-260) Or if your budget is tight get a 192core GTX260 for £180)
The 3.0ghz E8400 is a very good chip and its priced well at £120, and will overlcok with the right board and cooler to 4.1+ghz.
biker
Thirith on 22/9/2008 at 08:41
Thanks for that. I've heard about the new GTX 260 but haven't seen that many reviews. Any idea how much I should be able to get for my E6600, memory (4x1GB at 533MHz) and 8800GT if I sell them on eBay?
If I may ask: what kind of setup do you have (CPU, resolution, OS), and how do recent games run on it?
bikerdude on 22/9/2008 at 08:49
Quote Posted by Thirith
Thanks for that. I've heard about the new GTX 260 but haven't seen that many reviews. Any idea how much I should be able to get for my E6600, memory (4x1GB at 533MHz) and 8800GT if I sell them on eBay?
If I may ask: what kind of setup do you have (CPU, resolution, OS), and how do recent games run on it?
I have a E8400@3.6(400*9) - GTX280@642/1458/1252 - 4GB DDR2 960@4-4-4-12 and I run my games at 1680*1050 w/2aAA, 8xAniso or below.
biker
Thirith on 23/9/2008 at 08:16
Okay, last question for the moment: I've got one of those cases (Thermaltake Shark) that can be opened from both sides, giving access to the top as well as the bottom of the mainboard. How likely is it that I'll have to take out the mainboard to install the new CPU plus cooler?
bikerdude on 23/9/2008 at 09:45
Quote Posted by Thirith
How likely is it that I'll have to take out the mainboard to install the new CPU plus cooler?
possible - whats the models of cooler your looking at..?
biker
Thirith on 23/9/2008 at 11:13
At the moment I'm considering the Scythe Mugen or the Thermaltake BigTyp, based on reviews and prices in these parts.
Whichever cooler I get, chances are I'll cut myself on it and end up with yet another computer that has blood splatters all over its inside. ;)
bikerdude on 23/9/2008 at 11:51
Quote Posted by Thirith
At the moment I'm considering the Scythe Mugen or the Thermaltake BigTyp, based on reviews and prices in these parts.
The latest version of the Sythe and the Thermaltake come with the push clip type, so you want have to remove your mobo.
biker
Thirith on 23/9/2008 at 12:43
Cool, thanks for all the answers. Once I do the upgrade and bleed all over the insides of the computer, I'll dedicate the sacrifice to Bikerdude. :ebil:
