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Dealmaster13 · January 1st, 2009, 02:59 PM

After receiving some money from my parents as a Christmas present, I've decided to invest most of it into upgrading my current system, as it is lacking a powerful graphics card and RAM, with the Windows Experience Index rating my Memory (RAM) at 4.1 (surprisingly this has changed from the original 3.1 it rated my memory at, before I clicked 'update my score'), my Graphics at 4.9 and my Gaming graphics at 5.3 (My CPU and 2 identical hard drives are decent enough receiving 5.9 and 5.8 points respectively).

I bought the Packard Bell barebone PC from PC World last summer with the following specifications:

Packard Bell IXTREME 2712
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor (regretably not the SLACR ver)
RAM: 3GB (1X2GB PC2 5300 and 1X1GB PC2 5300 - strangely only clocked at 266MHz according to CPU-Z) only 2 RAM slots available
Hard Drives: 2X Seagate 360GB (720GB total)
Graphics Card: 8600GS (unfortunate I hadn't seen the benchmarks for this particular card before hand; I have the very odd GS, NOT GT, GTS or 8400GS)
Operating System: Vista Home Premium 32-bit
Monitor: 6 year old Compaq 1280x1024 15"/17" (nb. I bought a barebone)
Chassis Dimensions: 195x420x415(mm)

Motherboard:
The exact model of my motherboard has been really difficult to find, however I believe, after opening the case, has the specs listed below.
Foxconn PT8907MB-2.0-8ERS2H

I think it only has a single PCI-E x16 slot (unsure of which version) which is occupied by the nVidia 8600GS, and a couple of unnecessary PCI x1 slots or something of that sort, one of which has a free TV tuner connected to it (it came with the Packard Bell barebone package already installed - no idea how it works unfortunately). It also supplies 2 RAM slots both limited by the PC2 5300 specification (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I am looking to upgrade my PC for gaming, light photoshopping, programming and general mulitasking (most of which are achievable thanks to the existing Q6600).
Thus, I want to upgrade my graphics card and RAM. Before I do this, I should really be thinking about replacing my mobo as well; as it severly limits the components I can buy.

What I'm looking to buy:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3/R/P or ASUS P5Q-E/PRO (budget <£150)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4670 or 4850 or 4870 (budget <£200)
RAM: 3GB/4GB of PC2 6400 or PC2 8500 (nb. I have Vista 32-bit) (budget <£50)

With a new high-end graphics card, I will probably need a new PSU, especially considering that my current FSP250-60HEN only supplies 250W. Unfortunately I have absolutely no knowledge of which PSU to buy other than to look for one with particularly high stability, enough energy output and low price (budget <£50)

What I need:
Information on exactly what my motherboard provides in terms of PCI slots and RAM speed compatability

I need advice on which products I should buy, if not the ones I listed above

If buying new PC2 5300 RAM will improve loading speeds of general everyday programs

Please note that I am quite new to PC building, decide to use the upgraded build for light overclocking, hence the motherboard choice (however if there is a significant difference in price between the UD3/P5Q boards and another recomendation; I am willing to go with your suggestion), and will not be thinking about getting a Crossfire/SLI setup in the near future.

Thanks a lot, and looking forward to your replies.
Oliver

PS. Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2009, 02:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dealmaster13 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4	Packard Bell IXTREME 2712 mobo/gfx/RAM Upgrade After receiving some money from my parents as a Christmas present, I've decided to invest most of it into upgrading my current system, as it is lacking a powerful graphics card and RAM, with the Windows Experience Index rating my Memory (RAM) at 4.1 (surprisingly this has changed from the original 3.1 it rated my memory at, before I clicked 'update my score'), my Graphics at 4.9 and my Gaming graphics at 5.3 (My CPU and 2 identical hard drives are decent enough receiving 5.9 and 5.8 points respectively). I bought the Packard Bell barebone PC from PC World last summer with the following specifications: Packard Bell IXTREME 2712 CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor (regretably not the SLACR ver) RAM: 3GB (1X2GB PC2 5300 and 1X1GB PC2 5300 - strangely only clocked at 266MHz according to CPU-Z) only 2 RAM slots available Hard Drives: 2X Seagate 360GB (720GB total) Graphics Card: 8600GS (unfortunate I hadn't seen the benchmarks for this particular card before hand; I have the very odd GS, NOT GT, GTS or 8400GS) Operating System: Vista Home Premium 32-bit Monitor: 6 year old Compaq 1280x1024 15"/17" (nb. I bought a barebone) Chassis Dimensions: 195x420x415(mm) Motherboard: The exact model of my motherboard has been really difficult to find, however I believe, after opening the case, has the specs listed below. Foxconn PT8907MB-2.0-8ERS2H I think it only has a single PCI-E x16 slot (unsure of which version) which is occupied by the nVidia 8600GS, and a couple of unnecessary PCI x1 slots or something of that sort, one of which has a free TV tuner connected to it (it came with the Packard Bell barebone package already installed - no idea how it works unfortunately). It also supplies 2 RAM slots both limited by the PC2 5300 specification (please correct me if I'm wrong). I am looking to upgrade my PC for gaming, light photoshopping, programming and general mulitasking (most of which are achievable thanks to the existing Q6600). Thus, I want to upgrade my graphics card and RAM. Before I do this, I should really be thinking about replacing my mobo as well; as it severly limits the components I can buy. What I'm looking to buy: Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3/R/P or ASUS P5Q-E/PRO (budget <£150) Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4670 or 4850 or 4870 (budget <£200) RAM: 3GB/4GB of PC2 6400 or PC2 8500 (nb. I have Vista 32-bit) (budget <£50) With a new high-end graphics card, I will probably need a new PSU, especially considering that my current FSP250-60HEN only supplies 250W. Unfortunately I have absolutely no knowledge of which PSU to buy other than to look for one with particularly high stability, enough energy output and low price (budget <£50) *What I need:* Information on exactly what my motherboard provides in terms of PCI slots and RAM speed compatability I need advice on which products I should buy, if not the ones I listed above If buying new PC2 5300 RAM will improve loading speeds of general everyday programs Please note that I am quite new to PC building, decide to use the upgraded build for light overclocking, hence the motherboard choice (however if there is a significant difference in price between the UD3/P5Q boards and another recomendation; I am willing to go with your suggestion), and will not be thinking about getting a Crossfire/SLI setup in the near future. Thanks a lot, and looking forward to your replies. Oliver PS. Happy New Year!