I built a system in 2007 using the Intel core duo 1.6 with a Gigabyte 965p-ds3 motherboard. I have the Nvidia GeForce 7300GT. I installed windows 7 64 bit on it last year on a new Seagate 1 terabyte hd and added ram for a total of 6 gigs. I am planning on giving this computer to my grandson for Christmas. I would like to build a system similar to this one with of course the faster CPU and Ram. I have been looking for a few weeks and cannot make up my mind on which one to go with ?AMD or Intel. I need to keep the cost as low as I can. I do not plan on gaming but I would like a fast system. I would appreciate any suggestions here. threeputt
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
upgrade my system
Collapse
X
-
Intel make the faster CPUs at the moment. (They also use less power and run cooler).
But AMD are sometimes better value, especially if integrated video/3D performance is important (which is isn't in your case).
If your budget is really tight here are some low cost, good value CPUs,
Intel Celeron G530
AMD A6-3670
Intel Pentium G860
AMD A4-3300
Intel Core i3-3220
But to be honest they aren't huge step up from what you have.
If you can spend a bit more consider,
AMD FX-8320
AMD FX-8350
Intel Core i5-3470
Also, get a SSD, even if that means getting a slightly slower CPU.
-
You are saying these SSD drives will make a big difference. I am also shocked that my system is almost as fast as the i3 and the G860. I know this system is still quite fast. I bought a Dell with the Intel Pentium G630 Sandy Bridge earlier this year for a friend and it seems much faster than mine. I guess I could just update this CPU and keep this old thing and find another one for my grandson. I have flashed the BIOS to the latest and I should be able to get a CPU that is faster. I know computers have only moved faster for gamers. For what I do with a computer this one might just do me a while. Thanks. Tom
Comment
-
You are saying these SSD drives will make a big difference.
I know computers have only moved faster for gamers.
Comment
-
What would you recommend if I wanted to say upgrade to a much faster computer? I wanted to keep the cost under $500 and can use some parts I already have. I also would like to buy the never SSD drives and use the one I have now for backup ( 1 terabyte seagate). I could go with a smaller drive just to load the operating system. I will be using Windows 7 pro 64 bit. I would like a motherboard that could handle at least 16 gigs of ram to be on the safe side for future use. I have been building and working on computers for 15 years so I have experience but have not keep up much with the newer faster systems. I was thinkng that the i7 intel would come down in price being its been out for some time now. Thanks again for your tips. TomLast edited by threeputt; Dec-07-2012, 05:20 PM.
Comment
-
If you change the motherboard, then you'll probably find you also need new RAM, and a new CPU. Maybe even a new power supply. You might be able to keep the existing case, but it won't have front USB3 ports. So you might want a new case as well. So to upgrade to a much faster computer, you'll end up with a whole new machine, more or less.
If you wanted a cheap upgrade, get a SSD and the best (reasonably priced) CPU that will fit in your current motherboard. It probably has a PBGA479 or LGA775 socket. So maybe a Core2 Quad Q9500 if it is LGA775.
I don't think you'll get an good i7 machine with 16GB of RAM and a SSD for $500.
Comment
-
My current board is the LGA775 socket. I agree with you, I probably should just buy case, P/S and everything. I was just thinking that these i7 CPU's had been out long enough they should be coming down in price. I think I looked a while back and my motherboard does not support the Core2 Quad Q9500. Mine has the Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 now. I am not sure how fast a speed I could gain by upgrading this board to a faster CPU anyway but I do understand what you mean about the SSD hard drives. I upgraded the HD two years ago with one with 32 MB Cache and I noticed a big difference. I do also love windows 7. It handles memory much better and the computer is pretty fast to be a 6 year old board. I guess I am trying to justify me upgrading to the newer boards. Thanks again. I will order me a case and P/S soon and then as I save money I will buy more parts. Tom
Comment
Comment