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Upgrade? [2.8GB RAM, 8800GTX, and 2.66 Core 2 Duo]?? - [H]ard|Forum
EVGA NFORCE 680I SLI MB 700 WATT OEM ATX PSU REV2 Intel Core 2 Duo 6700 @ 2.66GHZ FOUR Sticks of: PDP 1GB DDR2 LOW LATENCY PC-6400 AW96 Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTX Windows Vista 32-bit Native Resolution of 1680x1050
Obviously first things first.
I have 32-Bit Windows and all of my RAM isn't used.
My computer recognizes 2813mb of my total 4GB of ram.
Yea, yea I know, I need 64-Bit Vista in order to use it.
So, should I get the 64-Bit Vista so that I can access all 4GB of the RAM, or is the performance difference between 2.8GB and 4.0GB negligible?
Secondly.
Right now I am running an 8800GTX, just an OEM version of the card.
It seems to run most games well, except for obviously Crysis, which nothing can really run maxed out well.
Should I upgrade this?
Also, should I upgrade my processor?
What type of performance gains would I see from a CPU, Operating System, and GPU upgrade?
Thanks!
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I went from a 2.8ghz e6300,2gigs,and 32-bit xp to 3.0ghz q6000,4gigs,and 64-bit vista and it was a night and day difference in gaming and video encoding.
Do it!
ps...if you can find someone with a 64-bit disk, your 32-bit license key will work just fine...you dont need to buy another copy.
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In your case, a GPU upgrade is all you need.
2.8gigs of RAM in Vista 32bit is plenty already.
A GPU upgrade to an HD 4870 or GTX260 is all you need.
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First, which motherboard and power supply do you have?
Second, have you tried overclocking the E6700?
If you want to upgrade for Crysis, overclocking the E6700 to around 3GHz and getting a better video card, like the Radeon HD 4870, may be all that you need.
RAM won't be as heavy a factor in that game as would a fast processor and a powerful GPU.
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I'd overclock that E6700 and then get an HD4870 and get a 64 bit disk from MS for 10 bucks.
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Quote: : i went from a 2.8ghz e6300,2gigs,and 32-bit xp to 3.0ghz q6000,4gigs,and 64-bit vista and it was a night and day difference in gaming and video encoding.
Do it!
ps...if you can find someone with a 64-bit disk, your 32-bit license key will work just fine...you dont need to buy another copy.
I have Windows Vista 32bit Home.
My friend has Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit.
Would this still work?
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Quote: : First, which motherboard and power supply do you have?
Second, have you tried overclocking the E6700?
If you want to upgrade for Crysis, overclocking the E6700 to around 3GHz and getting a better video card, like the Radeon HD 4870, may be all that you need.
RAM won't be as heavy a factor in that game as would a fast processor and a powerful GPU.
I don't want to overclock anything, that may ruin the part and also I wouldn't be able to re-sell the part.
I edited my original post.
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Quote: : In your case, a GPU upgrade is all you need.
2.8gigs of RAM in Vista 32bit is plenty already.
A GPU upgrade to an HD 4870 or GTX260 is all you need.
Except that would mean he would lose another 384-512MB of memory depending on card vs.
His current setup.
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Quote: : I don't want to overclock anything, that may ruin the part and also I wouldn't be able to re-sell the part.
I edited my original post.
Overclocking, if done safely and properly, will do no damage to the part.
There are numerous guides, both here and elsewhere, that could show you how to safely overclock your processor.
But since you're unwilling to go that route, I won't push the matter any further.
The next question that I have for you is: How much money do you have for upgrading?
Quote: : I have Windows Vista 32bit Home.
My friend has Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit.
Would this still work?
I don't know. While every Vista DVD reportedly contains every version of Vista available, I haven't heard of anyone attempting to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit by using a different version of the OS (let alone succeeding).
There's also the possibility that, if you have an OEM license, you may not be able to upgrade to 64-bit (but I could be wrong).
I don't have an answer for you in regards to upgrading your OS.
You may want to try it (backup your system and/or create a System Restore point first) and then give us an update to your progress.
Upgrading the video card is still the best single option you could take for gaming.
You could also sell your old card and use the money to purchase a new processor for your system.
This is a bit off-topic, but could you find the model number of the power supply you're using?
I know that you mentioned they're generic, but I just want to confirm a suspicion I have.
Quote: : Except that would mean he would lose another 384-512MB of memory depending on card vs.
His current setup.
The HD4870 uses 512MB of DDR5 memory.
Compared to the 768MB 8800GTX, the OP would GAIN 256MB of "usable" RAM.
(I believe that the HD4870 is the better card at the same price range as the GTX 260.)
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How much are you willing to spend on this upgrade?
Quote: : I don't want to overclock anything, that may ruin the part and also I wouldn't be able to re-sell the part.
I edited my original post.
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Quote: : How much are you willing to spend on this upgrade?
Maybe $300/$400 ish?
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Quote: : This is a bit off-topic, but could you find the model number of the power supply you're using?
I know that you mentioned they're generic, but I just want to confirm a suspicion I have.
I could crack the case and look at it.
Where would the model # be?
What is the suspicion you have?
It's an Alienware (Dell), purchased back in June/July of '07.
Thanks for the help!
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With that budget, just get a video card upgrade.
But, as Tiraides mentioned earlier, we need to know how good is that PS.
It maybe 700 watts but, the +12V amperage may not be up to par compared to other lower wattage PSU.
Also, an HD4870 upgrade over an 8800GTX may not give you dramatic improvement in Crysis but, I wouldn't sweat it.
Don't base it off that 1 game alone.
One things for sure though, most of the other games you play will show a big boost over that 8800GTX.
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The model number is normally found at/near the top of the information label located on one of the sides of the PSU.
I just wanted to perform a Google search to confirm which specific PSU it is -- as HardwareGuru mentioned, I want to be sure that it's capable of handling the load.
(My suspicion was that, if it's truly a "generic" power supply, it may not be properly designed for a heavy load on its 12V rail.)
The HD4870 can be found for around $280-$310, and the GTX 260 is available for around $280-$350.
The HD4870 is the better of the two cards, but the GTX 260 allows you to keep SLI as an option.
(However, for a 1680x1050 resolution, you don't really need SLI...
Especially just for Crysis.)
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Okay I cracked her open, and I think this is the information we need:
HiPro
Hp-W700WC3 Revsion 02
Thanks for the help guys, I really honestly do appreciate all of the information, it's helpful!
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