Upgrade mobo, CPU, ram for app performance

**ShuckyD** · October 14th, 2009, 10:02 AM

I wanted to run this by some people on here first since I dont do as much with my desktop PC anymore. I built it in 2005 and have left it pretty much the same since then, with the exception of adding/changing HDD's for more storage/RAID arrays.

Current desktop specs (sorry my sig went mobile when I did )

ASUS A8N SLI Deluxe Motherboard w/ AMD 4200+ X2 processor (@ stock 2.2Ghz speed)
2GB of DDR-400 (4x512MB sticks) and a Geforce 8600GT PCI-Ex graphics card (no need to upgrade grfx since I dont use it for any gaming)
Where I have added to the system would be the amount of HDD's I have, mainly because I use this computer for Photoshop (currently CS3, contemplating CS4.. maybe XP x64) and Lightroom (currently 2.1, contemplating free update to 2.5 and see if possibly XP x64 would show an improvement). All HDD's mentioned are 7200RPM SATA II drives and they are as follows: 2x 320GB in RAID 1 for the OS, 3x500GB in RAID 5 (data/photos and backed up by a 1TB firewire), and a lone 320GB as the scratch disk for photoshop/large file xfers.

What would be a decent improvement if I wanted to just upgrade the core of my system, like the motherboard, new processor (is QC within my budget), and 2x2GB sticks of RAM. My budget would be around $300 or less if possible. I've seen emails from TigerDirect and NewEgg in the past for barebones kits anywhere from $200 - $500, but I'm not sure if they have any currently that would prove to be a peformance booster. I saw one awhile back for a Pentium D... I'm not really looking for that kind of a processer

EDIT: OK, so maybe I'll get this started a little bit. What do you think of the links below? I'm assuming Intel is probably the way to go, right? (I need to find a board that has RAID and can support 6 SATA HDDS)
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! (a bit on the high side, but what RAM??)
or a bit cheaper
MSI X48C Platinum Motherboard & Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor w/ Fan Bundle at TigerDirect.com
or it looks similar but a different MB
XFX nForce 750i SLI Motherboard & Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor w/ Fan Bundle at TigerDirect.com
or
Intel DG41TY Socket 775 Motherboard & Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 Processor w/ Fan Bundle at TigerDirect.com
and cheaper still
Intel DG41RQ Socket 775 Motherboard & Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 Processor w/ Fan Bundle at TigerDirect.com

and for RAM I was thinking of this
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - Desktop Memory

**KarmaKiller** · October 14th, 2009, 01:47 PM

Hmm.. well with your budget, and wanting CPU/Mobo/RAM, I honestly think it would be wiser to look into a AMD system.

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 - Desktop Memory

That should be right up your alley, while coming in just under budget. If you wanna spend a little more, then maybe check into The PII 945.
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

(I also believe your PSU would power the above system with no issues)

**ShuckyD** · October 14th, 2009, 01:51 PM

I like it, that Gigabyte board however doesnt look to support a RAID 5 array. Also I just thought about it, I'd have to do alot of data transfers if I swap this out because the arrays would be wiped

I would go the little extra and get that Phenom II X4 chip too. So it looks like AMD is currenly more bang for your buck

**KarmaKiller** · October 14th, 2009, 01:55 PM

Yeah, I didn't think about that either. I'm not sure if the same RAID controller that's on your board is even made anymore TBH. That would save you a head ache, but it sounds to easy so it must not be the case. (at least that's the way it is with my day to day)
Maybe if you got a dedicated RAID card, and just rebuilt your arrays this one time, you could then transfer that from system to system later on. Short of that, I'm not sure of any way to get around you having to rebuild.

Anywho, RAID 5 you say?
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
That supports it.

**ShuckyD** · October 14th, 2009, 01:59 PM

Except that board only does up to DDR2 speeds

I like that RAM and the CPU and their in my cart already, the board I'm still searchin...

**KarmaKiller** · October 14th, 2009, 02:04 PM

DOH... I should pay more attention..

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-MA790GPT-UD3H AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

**ShuckyD** · October 14th, 2009, 02:09 PM

Cool: $373 was my total shipped

should be here for a weekend build.

I'm selling my old mobo, CPU and RAM for $125 if you know anyone interested. ( I dont want another project to put $$ into

)