CPU and graphics card upgrade

[cooge]

I am wanting to upgrade my pc to a faster cpu and graphics card. I currently have a P5nsli motherboard with a e6600 core 2 duo and a 8800 gs graphics card.
Moneys not an object for the upgrades but not sure the limitations on the board.
What would be the max processor i can fit (i would presume any socket 775 will do) and what is the maximum graphics card i could fit.

Or would i be better off just buying a better rig?

Also could i load 64bit vista onto this as it is or would i need to make any adjustments to hardware.

[shadowmaster]

Your rig is fine, I would say that the only thing you need is a graphics card upgrade, and possibly a cpu upgrade.

I would say your cpu is still pretty good, but since money is no object , according to the asus website the only significant cpu you can upgrade to is the -

Core 2 Quad Q9450 (2.66GHz,1333FSB,L2:12MB,rev.C1,4 cores)

Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2.93GHz,1066FSB,L2:4MB,rev.B2)

You might also need to do a bios update.

In regard to upgrading your gfx card, I need to know a couple of details-

What psu do you have, and what resolution do you play at? And how much ram do you have?

[cooge]

PSu is 550w and the monitor is a 19" running at 1280 x 1024 (i think, not at my pc at the moment)
I have 4gb of ram 800MHz.

Any answers on the 64bit vista?

[cooge]

PSu is 550w and the monitor is a 19" running at 1280 x 1024 (i think, not at my pc at the moment)
I have 4gb of ram 800MHz.

Any answers on the 64bit vista?

[shadowmaster]

Originally Posted by cooge

PSu is 550w and the monitor is a 19" running at 1280 x 1024 (i think, not at my pc at the moment)
I have 4gb of ram 800MHz.

Any answers on the 64bit vista?

I don't think there would be any problems in installing vista 64 bit onto your current system.

Since your gaming at 1280*1024, then something like an ati 4850 or nvidia 9800gtx (£120) will be fine. If you intend to upgrade your monitor soon, then the ati 4870 or nvidia gtx 260 (£170) would probably be the better option.

[cooge]

Thx for your help shadow master

I am going to upgrade my monitor so I will opt for the nvidia gtx 260.

I know i said money wasnt an object for the upgrades but dont really want to pay £500/£600 + for a processor upgrade so probably go for the Core 2 Quad Q9450.

[shadowmaster]

Originally Posted by cooge

Thx for your help shadow master

I am going to upgrade my monitor so I will opt for the nvidia gtx 260.

I know i said money wasnt an object for the upgrades but dont really want to pay £500/£600 + for a processor upgrade so probably go for the Core 2 Quad Q9450.

I've just realised that the X6800 is going for £500!!! In actual fact its worth no more then £100. Anyhow it does not matter as the Q4950 is the much better choice, as per core its almost the same speed, and its quad core.

[DJT298]

Before you go spending your money, what are you going to be using the computer for, and if it's gaming what games?

Also you say about buying a new monitor, what size?

The reason I ask is that in general gaming at the resolution of your current monitor you will not see any significant improvement if you were to upgrade your existing processor and graphics card. Unless you are interested in benchmark results your current processor especially will be fine as very few games will currently take advantage of a quad core processor. Also your graphics card is capable of playing pretty much any current game at high settings at your monitors native resolution. Unless you are considering buying a montor with a screen size of 24" or bigger the differences will be hardly noticable (except Crysis but then very few cards if any can play that without struggling )

[Wagsie]

I would just like to add I'm sure you will have to flash your bios to the latest one from Asus before fitting a new CPU , and if you have the P5N32-E SLI board like mine ? then I know you will have to

[shadowmaster]

Originally Posted by DJT298

Before you go spending your money, what are you going to be using the computer for, and if it's gaming what games?

You sound like my bank manager