Upgrading Desktop

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DarkSynopsis

14 posts

Geek

#115047 12-Mar-2013 10:10

Looking into upgrading my PC since its around 5 years old now but the main problem is during the summer we are having right now I'm lucky if it will stay on while trying to play any game so main thing I'm looking into is some cooling and thinking I could just use some new fans so I found.

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Corsair-Air-Series-SP120-Twin-Pack-Performance-Edition-Case-Fan/21000828/

Also thinking I will upgrade from 2GBs RAM to 4GBs I would try for 8 but I think my Motherboard won't take it, I can't post my specs this second.

Finally I want to upgrade GFX Card! Right now I have GeForce 9600 GSO and would like to try find a GFX Card in the range of $100-150 since right now I only have around $200 and I don't have much money coming in since studying right now so only get so much from my Student Allowance each week! $30 if I'm lucky after travel and such.

Most GFX Cards I come across don't seem to be any better according to http://www.hwcompare.com/

Thanks for any help :)

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340 posts

Ultimate Geek

#778398 12-Mar-2013 10:43

Those are really expensive fans, I wouldn't bother considering your budget, go to somewhere like Jaycar or your local computer shop (or trademe etc) and pick up a few cheap 120mm fans (assuming your case will fit 120mm fans, measure first!)

I would also look at cleaning out your existing fans and heatsinks, make sure they are not blocked up with dust.

When you can post up your specs please do so, so we can evaluate what you have.

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DarkSynopsis

14 posts

Geek

#778401 12-Mar-2013 10:45

Those are really expensive fans, I wouldn't bother considering your budget, go to somewhere like Jaycar or your local computer shop (or trademe etc) and pick up a few cheap 120mm fans (assuming your case will fit 120mm fans, measure first!)

I would also look at cleaning out your existing fans and heatsinks, make sure they are not blocked up with dust.

When you can post up your specs please do so, so we can evaluate what you have.

Only had a quick search online for fans so far and would be sure to measure :)

I've cleaned out the fans and heatsink and such multiple times now it does not seem to help.

Will be sure to post up my specs later on.

timmmay

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#778431 12-Mar-2013 11:06

If the computer's shutting down it's more likely to be a bad join between the processor and heatsink. Get some thermal paste (arctic silver has a good reputation) along with a cleaner to remove the old stuff and put the existing heatsink back on. If the old heatsink doesn't have a fan throw it out and get another cooler. You don't need the most expensive cooler, Hyper 212 is great and around $60.

Case fans will help if it's getting really hot in your case, but I'd be surprised if that was the cause.

noc

107 posts

Master Geek

#778438 12-Mar-2013 11:16

Have you re-applied the thermal paste between your CPU and cooler?

For you graphics card, I would look at something like this which is in your budget:
http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP7752&name=Sapphire-HD7750-2G-GDDR3-PCI-E-Video-card-128Bit--

Or if you can stretch to this:
http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP7771&name=Sapphire-HD7770-GHZ-EDITION-1G-GDDR5-PCI-E-Video-c

Hope that helps!

noc

107 posts

Master Geek

#778439 12-Mar-2013 11:17

timmmay: If the computer's shutting down it's more likely to be a bad join between the processor and heatsink.

Beat me to it :)

DarkSynopsis

14 posts

Geek

#778442 12-Mar-2013 11:22

timmmay: If the computer's shutting down it's more likely to be a bad join between the processor and heatsink. Get some thermal paste (arctic silver has a good reputation) along with a cleaner to remove the old stuff and put the existing heatsink back on. If the old heatsink doesn't have a fan throw it out and get another cooler. You don't need the most expensive cooler, Hyper 212 is great and around $60.

Case fans will help if it's getting really hot in your case, but I'd be surprised if that was the cause.

Hmm I will check that out, I have a fan on my heatsink have they got better in the last 5 years? I mean if I'm taking it off I might as well put in a new one if its worth it.

noc:
Have you re-applied the thermal paste between your CPU and cooler?

For you graphics card, I would look at something like this which is in your budget:
http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP7752&name=Sapphire-HD7750-2G-GDDR3-PCI-E-Video-card-128Bit--

Or if you can stretch to this:
http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP7771&name=Sapphire-HD7770-GHZ-EDITION-1G-GDDR5-PCI-E-Video-c

Hope that helps!

Thanks for those! Look promising :)

timmmay

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#778446 12-Mar-2013 11:24

If the existing heat sink has a fan that spins smoothly I see no reason to replace it, especially if money's tight.

Lias

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#778458 12-Mar-2013 11:34

http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

Download Speccy and tell us what your motherboard and CPU are.

Case model would also help for assessing cooling options.

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noc

107 posts

Master Geek

#778484 12-Mar-2013 12:27

Hmm I will check that out, I have a fan on my heatsink have they got better in the last 5 years? I mean if I'm taking it off I might as well put in a new one if its worth it.

I recon if you find that replacing the thermal paste and cleaning your system reduces the heat to an acceptable level, I wouldn't worry about buying a new heatsink and fan too much, unless you are planning on overclocking your CPU. Spend that money on RAM and a better graphics card. What CPU do you have at the moment by the way?

DarkSynopsis

14 posts

Geek

#778606 12-Mar-2013 15:36

Lias: http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

Download Speccy and tell us what your motherboard and CPU are.

Here is my CPU and Motherboard Specs

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+
   Cores   2
   Threads   2
   Name   AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+
   Code Name   Brisbane
   Package   Socket AM2 (940)
   Technology   65nm
   Specification   AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5200+
   Family   F
   Extended Family   F
   Model   B
   Extended Model   6B

Motherboard:
   Manufacturer   ECS
   Model   GeForce7050M-M (CPU 1)
   Version   1.0
   Chipset Vendor   NVIDIA
   Chipset Model   nForce 560
   Chipset Revision   A2
   Southbridge Vendor   NVIDIA
   Southbridge Model   nForce 630a
   Southbridge Revision   A2

Memory:
   Type   DDR2
   Size   2048 MBytes
   Channels #   Single
   DRAM Frequency   299.3 MHz
   CAS# Latency (CL)   5 clocks
   RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD)   5 clocks
   RAS# Precharge (tRP)   5 clocks
   Cycle Time (tRAS)   15 clocks
   Bank Cycle Time (tRC)   21 clocks
   Command Rate (CR)   1T

Anyway to tell if the heatsink is to blame without having to reapply it? Never had to do it in the past so if don't have to maybe mess something up not that I have Thermal Paste atm I figure I would buy some with any parts I may order.

I think I recall reading my motherboard could only take up to 4GBs? I would like to go for 8GBs if possible depending on price of course but I am finding my computer can get fairly sluggish with 2GBs.

Pretty much leaning towards the http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP7771&name=Sapphire-HD7770-GHZ-EDITION-1G-GDDR5-PCI-E-Video-c for the GFX card so I'll have to save up a tad more cash.

PBTech a good place to order from? if so would be best if I could get all the parts there I guess since would be a hassle signing up to multiple sites.

timmmay

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#778610 12-Mar-2013 15:44

Download CoreTemp, or similar. After it boots leave it for a while and see if the temps climb. Then run something like prime95, if the temps go up quickly then it's most likely bad cpu/cooler heat transmission.

PBTech's a good place. Ascent's good too, but can be a bit more expensive.

Going from 2GB to 4GB you'll probably notice a difference. The best way to tell is if your memory usage every goes above 1.75GB then yes going to 4GB will help. If you get a 1GB video card then only 3GB of main memory will be accessible if you use a 32 bit OS, if you use a 64 bit OS then you'll get to use all your RAM. It's because video cards are memory mapped. If you have Windows XP 32 no point adding RAM really.

DarkSynopsis

14 posts

Geek

#778618 12-Mar-2013 15:49

timmmay: Download CoreTemp, or similar. After it boots leave it for a while and see if the temps climb. Then run something like prime95, if the temps go up quickly then it's most likely bad cpu/cooler heat transmission.

PBTech's a good place. Ascent's good too, but can be a bit more expensive.

Going from 2GB to 4GB you'll probably notice a difference. The best way to tell is if your memory usage every goes above 1.75GB then yes going to 4GB will help. If you get a 1GB video card then only 3GB of main memory will be accessible if you use a 32 bit OS, if you use a 64 bit OS then you'll get to use all your RAM. It's because video cards are memory mapped. If you have Windows XP 32 no point adding RAM really.

Just installed CoreTemp and I seem to be sitting around 38-45°C on both cores, computer has been on all day, I will run Prime95 later I guess.

I have seen my RAM at least hit 1.5GBs! I'm on Windows 8 64-Bit so OS won't be the problem when it comes to adding more.

noc

107 posts

Master Geek

#778620 12-Mar-2013 15:53

Anyway to tell if the heatsink is to blame without having to reapply it? Never had to do it in the past so if don't have to maybe mess something up not that I have Thermal Paste atm I figure I would buy some with any parts I may order.

I think I recall reading my motherboard could only take up to 4GBs? I would like to go for 8GBs if possible depending on price of course but I am finding my computer can get fairly sluggish with 2GBs.

Pretty much leaning towards the http://pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=VGASAP7771&name=Sapphire-HD7770-GHZ-EDITION-1G-GDDR5-PCI-E-Video-c for the GFX card so I'll have to save up a tad more cash.

PBTech a good place to order from? if so would be best if I could get all the parts there I guess since would be a hassle signing up to multiple sites.

Those Athlon X2 CPUs run quite hot standard, so I wouldn't be surprised if the thermal paste is fried.

The 7770 is a nice entry level gaming card, you'll definitely notice a difference over what you have at the moment.

So, if you want to just do a light upgrade, you could get 2Gig more DDR2 RAM (Which is more expensive that DDR3) and replace the thermal paste, and get the Graphics Card. But I would suggest a CPU, RAM, Motherboard upgrade in the near future.

I have found PBTech to be very good in the past. They also have really good prices, so yea, I would recommend them.

DarkSynopsis

14 posts

Geek

#778626 12-Mar-2013 16:03

Those Athlon X2 CPUs run quite hot standard, so I wouldn't be surprised if the thermal paste is fried.

The 7770 is a nice entry level gaming card, you'll definitely notice a difference over what you have at the moment.

So, if you want to just do a light upgrade, you could get 2Gig more DDR2 RAM (Which is more expensive that DDR3) and replace the thermal paste, and get the Graphics Card. But I would suggest a CPU, RAM, Motherboard upgrade in the near future.

I have found PBTech to be very good in the past. They also have really good prices, so yea, I would recommend them.

Well for RAM I have 2 1GB sticks I believe and only 2 slots so I'm going to have to go buy 2 2GB ones can I go DDR3 in that case?

In the future I would like a full upgrade from this machine but thinking I will need to try make this one last at least another year if possible.

As for Prime95 I'm unsure what test would even be best to run and would the program keep track of my CPU Temp or would I have to keep an eye on it with CoreTemp?

noc

107 posts

Master Geek

#778663 12-Mar-2013 16:32

Well for RAM I have 2 1GB sticks I believe and only 2 slots so I'm going to have to go buy 2 2GB ones can I go DDR3 in that case?

In the future I would like a full upgrade from this machine but thinking I will need to try make this one last at least another year if possible.

As for Prime95 I'm unsure what test would even be best to run and would the program keep track of my CPU Temp or would I have to keep an eye on it with CoreTemp?

No, DDR3 wont work with your DDR2 motherboard, you'll have to buy 2 x 2Gig DDR2 sticks. (PBTech can get those)

As far as I know, Prime95 shows temperatures.

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