Upgrading Desktop

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timmmay

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#778665 12-Mar-2013 16:33

You have to use memory that your motherboard lists as compatible. I think it's unlikely you can use DDR3. Try trademe, but only from a very reputable seller who allows returns.

You should look at the performance of the i7 built in video. If that's similar to the video card you're considering buying I'd suggest holding off, putting up with it for a while longer, then doing a full upgrade when you can.

noc

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#778684 12-Mar-2013 16:50

timmmay: You have to use memory that your motherboard lists as compatible. I think it's unlikely you can use DDR3. Try trademe, but only from a very reputable seller who allows returns.

You should look at the performance of the i7 built in video. If that's similar to the video card you're considering buying I'd suggest holding off, putting up with it for a while longer, then doing a full upgrade when you can.

There's no way the onboard GPU on the i7 could ever keep up with the graphics card that he's looking at. And it sounds to me like an i7 would be an overkill for what he's wanting out of an upgrade. It would be better to get a cheaper CPU and spend the money on a better Graphics card when he upgrades, or more RAM.

Lias

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#778799 12-Mar-2013 21:07

His board can handle a max of 2x2GB, and both the board and the CPU are DDR2 only (preventing upgrading to an AM3 board with existing cpu)

IN regards to the crashing, worth looking at http://www.badcaps.net/pages.php?vid=5 to see if you can ID some bad caps on your board, because it's old and ECS is a pretty terribad brand of cheap nasty junk.

PSU should rate fairly highly on your list of things to troubleshoot too, given the rest of the PC I'm expecting its noname junk and well past its life expectancy.

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DarkSynopsis

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#778917 13-Mar-2013 08:36

Thanks for the help, its sounding more and more like I would be better off trying to hold off and buy a new computer... That could take awhile though and each day my computer slowly infuriates me more.

Last Night I managed to play a Unreal Engine 3 game for just over an hour without any problems, my CPU hit 105°C and my GPU hit around 67°C

In the past I have noticed my GPU would idle higher then that sometimes though and I think when that hits around 80°C is when my computer will shut itself off.

timmmay

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#778918 13-Mar-2013 08:38

CPU at 105 is probably beyond the point that it's being damaged. Get that thermal paste and cleaner and get the heatsink mounted properly now. I'm not surprised it's shutting down.

noc

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#779909 13-Mar-2013 08:56

DarkSynopsis: Thanks for the help, its sounding more and more like I would be better off trying to hold off and buy a new computer... That could take awhile though and each day my computer slowly infuriates me more.

Last Night I managed to play a Unreal Engine 3 game for just over an hour without any problems, my CPU hit 105°C and my GPU hit around 67°C

In the past I have noticed my GPU would idle higher then that sometimes though and I think when that hits around 80°C is when my computer will shut itself off.

Holding off wouldn't be a bad idea at all. CPU, Mobo, and RAM combos are priced very good these day, and you can build a nice little rig on a budget. Do it once and do it properly, is what I recon.

Check out the Combo Builder at Computerlounge. This will give you an idea of what you can get for your money. They also have a System Builder on there as well if you want to do the whole lot at once.
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/combobuilder.asp

Lias

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#780955 13-Mar-2013 10:24

timmmay: CPU at 105 is probably beyond the point that it's being damaged. Get that thermal paste and cleaner and get the heatsink mounted properly now. I'm not surprised it's shutting down.

AMD says max operating temp for your CPU is only in the 70's, so very good chance it's permanently damaged now.

I'd get some thermal paste and reseat the HSF asap as a stop gap, but you should probably seriously look at replacing it as soon as you can afford it.

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DarkSynopsis

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#781459 14-Mar-2013 10:37

Lias: AMD says max operating temp for your CPU is only in the 70's, so very good chance it's permanently damaged now.

I'd get some thermal paste and reseat the HSF asap as a stop gap, but you should probably seriously look at replacing it as soon as you can afford it.

Hmm been having problems with the computer on and off for around a year so now I'm surprised its working at all.

Will look into some thermal paste for now but no point in upgrading... Just needs to hold out till I can afford something better.

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