Socket 775 - Upgrade or Not?

Hello there

As my system is nearing 4 years old I thought it was time to upgrade, but to what is the question. I looked on bench mark sites and see that my CPU is still out performing a number of the newer chips.

So, hopefully, if I post the info of what I am running now you might be able to offer up some suggestions for a good upgrade.

I don't use the PC for games, but do need the power to handle large files, photo, video etc, and do run two monitors as well

Specs are

CPU Type QuadCore Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 2333 MHz (7 x 333)

Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L (2 PCI, 4 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN)

Motherboard Chipset Intel Eaglelake P45

System Memory 3328 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)

DIMM2: Corsair XMS2 CM2X2048-8500C5 2 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)

DIMM4: Corsair XMS2 CM2X2048-8500C5 2 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)

BIOS Type Award Modular (09/22/08)

Video Adapter ATI Radeon HD 4670 (1024 MB)

Video Adapter ATI Radeon HD 4670 (1024 MB)

3D Accelerator ATI Radeon HD 4670 (RV730)

Posted temperatures to make sure they ok?

Temperatures:
Motherboard 35 °C (95 °F)
CPU 27 °C (81 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 49 °C (120 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 45 °C (113 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 42 °C (108 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 44 °C (111 °F)
GPU Diode (DispIO) 36 °C (97 °F)
GPU Diode (MemIO) 38 °C (100 °F)
MAXTOR STM3500320AS 29 °C (84 °F)
Seagate ST380815AS 32 °C (90 °F)

Also, looking at this do I need to reset the multiplier to the full 7 as it is showing 6

CPU Speed:
CPU Clock 1999.8 MHz (original: 2333 MHz)
CPU Multiplier 6x
CPU FSB 333.3 MHz (original: 333 MHz)
Memory Bus 533.3 MHz
DRAM:FSB Ratio 16:10

Many thanks for any help over this one

Originally Posted by PLUG

As my system is nearing 4 years old I thought it was time to upgrade

If you have cash to spare then that's fine. Don't fall into the "Keep up with the Jone's" syndrome though! (Upgrading for the sake of upgrading).


1. Does your system do everything you need it to do right now?

2. Is it fast enough to not cause you pain when performing your normal tasks?

If the answer to both above questions is yes? you don't really need to upgrade

Originally Posted by Gman496

If you have cash to spare then that's fine. Don't fall into the "Keep up with the Jone's" syndrome though! (Upgrading for the sake of upgrading).


1. Does your system do everything you need it to do right now?

2. Is it fast enough to not cause you pain when performing your normal tasks?

If the answer to both above questions is yes? you don't really need to upgrade

A part from wanting to convert video slightly quicker it does everything I need, so, might just leave it, or try a slight over clock

Just been looking at the numerous CPU Cooling Fans available for the 775 - can anyone recommend a good one please, there are loads of them

I have had this one:

Code:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

And a CoolerMaster similar to this one:

Code:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

Both have worked very well. Just be aware of any clearance issues you may have. I had issue with the Artic Cooling model not fitting due to the heatsink fins on my RAM sticks.

Originally Posted by ferguj1

I have had this one:

Code:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

And a CoolerMaster similar to this one:

Code:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064

Both have worked very well. Just be aware of any clearance issues you may have. I had issue with the Artic Cooling model not fitting due to the heatsink fins on my RAM sticks.

Many thanks for the reply, I'll go take a look