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Upgrade help?

Post Date: 2008-09-25
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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Upgrade help?
    Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 12:35pm

So I have had my DS computer for a little more than a year, and it's time for an update.  I have never built a computer before so I don't know how to upgrade on my own.  The only thing I know how to do is install vid cards, sound cards, and memory!

I wanted to upgrade my computer and my rig is currently below in my sig.  What should I upgrade?  I know I want to get new video cards, probably dual gtx280's.

Would I need to upgrade anything else on my system to get these to run at max potential?  Or would a simple gtx280 addition work fine? 

Also, how would I go about doing this through DS if in fact I should upgrade my mobo/processor... maybe someone can let me know the process.


Edited by nomec - 25 Sep 2008 at 12:36pm
QX6850 @ 3.33ghz
Nvidia 680i A1
4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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Kliebor2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 659 		  Quote Kliebor2 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 12:48pm
wow upgrading already, your rig looks pretty slick, are you sure you need to. I do not think you are going to get night and day changes at this time.

I mean you have a great processor, the ultras are still hot, I mean going up to a pair of 280s for almost 800 bucks might net you something... but eek... that is alot of green for bit of gain.

I would say at this point, ride out your rig, wait for next gen intel processors to hit mainstream mid to late next year and update to a new MB, Processor and whatever video card is hot then...

Then you will have a rig with some serious power updates...

Just my $ 0.10

Dave Star
Digital Storm 950Si - Q9450 Quad Core @ 3 Ghz
Dual PNY OC2 GTX 560Ti
8 Gigabytes DDR2/800
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Kelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 1:53pm
Well if you update your CPU, then you'll have to update the motherboard. If you update your motherboard you may as well go DDR3, and then you'll have to upgrade your Memory.
Honestly, you're looking at spending a good amount of money. Check out our special deals www.digitalstormonline.com/specialdeals.asp for good prices :)
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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 2:09pm
well I mean I already spent $5,000 on this computer from you guys, and don't think I want to fork over for another full machine.  I was just wondering if I am okay with my processor (I think it is fast enough) but want to improve at least my graphics cards (gtx 280s) and maybe the mobo. 
 
I assume DS can do this but I don't know how much it would be, and if it would be worth it. 
 
 
QX6850 @ 3.33ghz
Nvidia 680i A1
4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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Kelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 2:23pm
Well of course you can buy new cards from us, and you said yourself you know how to install them. And as far as the motherboard goes, we can definitely do that. If you go to the "upgrade center" you'll see the different prices.
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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 2:43pm
would upgrading my mobo even be necessary if I am just throwing in 1 or 2 gtx 280's? 
QX6850 @ 3.33ghz
Nvidia 680i A1
4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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Kelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 791 		  Quote Kelly Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 2:49pm
Well to take full advantage of PCIe 2.0 and what not, then yes. But as a whole, no.
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MarkNY View Drop Down
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Posts: 476 		  Quote MarkNY Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:25pm

Nomec,

We basically bought identical machines awhile back. I was in the same shoes as you.  I decided to upgrade my MoBo to take advantage of PCIe 2.0 (as Kelly mentioned above) and when I did that, I figured I might as well go DDR3.  However, upgrading to a 780i board and keeping your ram might be a better option (saves a lot of money).  I haven't noticed any major increase in performance (with the above upgrades).  I also just upgraded to 2 280 GTX.  Unfort- I haven't had any time to play with them yet.  I'll post on how they perform compared to 2 Ultras this weekend, hopfully.  I decided to keep the 6850, it costs a ton to upgrade to the next level and it performs nearly on par with a qx9650 (except hotter).
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:34pm
nomec, why spend money on upgrades now when a new chip and architecture is coming out?

you spend your money upgrading now for minimal differences at best.

save your money, you got a decent chip right now, buy a new PC next year or something, what ever upgrade you make now will be outdated next year cause a whole new architecture is coming out.

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MarkNY View Drop Down
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Posts: 476 		  Quote MarkNY Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:38pm
I would agree with DST3ME, generally.  Although, if you wanted to upgrade, just do 680i -> 780i and upgrade your graphics cards.  After you sell the 2 Ultras and your old mobo, it won't cost all that much...
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:47pm
I'm not sure how much a used 680i and 8800 would go for right now, but I don't think it would be that much, do you know what they go for?

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Kliebor2 View Drop Down
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Posts: 659 		  Quote Kliebor2 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:49pm
I get no respect... hours ago I said that very thing.... Cry

Upgrading now makes no sense way too much cool stuff on the horizon in the next 8-12 months and with the setup he has, absolutely no need to waste money on upgrades

DaveStar
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Dual PNY OC2 GTX 560Ti
8 Gigabytes DDR2/800
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MarkNY View Drop Down
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Posts: 476 		  Quote MarkNY Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:49pm
I think you could manage around $100 for a 680i and $125-$150 for each Ultra. 
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MarkNY View Drop Down
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Posts: 476 		  Quote MarkNY Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 3:52pm
Dave-
 
While I agree with you, it depends on how often a person buys a new computer.  If you buy a new computer every year, then sure, why not upgrade now and then wait a year for the Nehalem etc.  It also depends how much money you want to allocate towards computers...
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DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 4:04pm
looking around look like you can get the 680I brand new for $109, so I don't think its gonna pull that.


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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 4:16pm
I probably can only buy a new computer every 2 to 2.5 yrs.
QX6850 @ 3.33ghz
Nvidia 680i A1
4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 4:18pm
If I were you, I would just use what I have and go for a new pc next year

I mean you got a qx9650, most people don't even get that now, so you are still ahead

Edited by DST4ME - 25 Sep 2008 at 4:19pm

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nomec View Drop Down
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Posts: 530 		  Quote nomec Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 6:15pm
qx6850... but ya
QX6850 @ 3.33ghz
Nvidia 680i A1
4gb pc1066 RAM
2x GTX 275s
Vista Home Premium 64-bit
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DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 25 Sep 2008 at 8:08pm
sorry yes thank you 6850 lol can you tell where my mind is? (qx9770)

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