What processor/ram to get with my mobo ?

[DrAkAx]

Hi,

I wanted to upgrade my processor and RAM, and I need
to make sure they will be compatible with the motherboard I have. I also was thinking of maybe upgrading my video card. I currently have a nvidia 7900GS and was wondering what would be a good video card for me, considering my motherboard's video interface is PCI and not AGP. I have the Intel DG965WH motherboard and here are the specs for it:

Compatible Processors Intel Pentium 4, Intel Celeron D, Intel Pentium D, Intel Core2 Duo Front Side Bus Speed 1066 MHz Technical Features Integrated Input/Output Ports FireWire (IEEE1394a) x 2 • USB 2.0 x 10 • Serial Port x 1 • PS/2 Mouse x 1 • PS/2 Keyboard x 1 • Parallel Port (ECP/EPP/SPP) x 1 • Floppy Port x 1 Expansion Slots
PCI Express x16 x 1 • PCI x 3 • PCI Express x1 x 3 RAID Support SATA RAID 0 • SATA RAID 1 • SATA RAID 0+1 • SATA RAID 10 • SATA RAID 5 Storage Controller Type(s) DMA/ATA-133 (Ultra) x 1, Serial ATA x 6 Processor Socket Type
Socket LGA775 Max supported CPUs qty 1 Memory Memory Type
DDR2 SDRAM Number of Memory Slots 4 x 240 Pin DIMMs Supported RAM speeds 800 Mhz • 533 MHz • 667 MHz Max Supported RAM
8 GB Audio / Video Audio Output
Sound Card • SPDIF Out • 7.1 Channels • Line Out Audio Input Microphone Jack • 1 x Line In Video Out Ports 15 Pin D-Sub VGA port x 1 Video Interface
PCI Express x16

[ShyguyXPC]

you must mean PCI Express instead of AGP, not PCI, the two are completely different interfaces, not even close.

7900GS was never released in a PCI flavor, it was a PCI Express card.

the card upgrade depends on how much room your motherboard and case have to install a new card, as many are dual slot cards, and only the higher end ones are long, and may or may not fit.

add in many upper mid range to high end cards will need to most likely have a higher output power supply to run the new card.

I don't remember if the Intel 965 chipsets support the newer 45nm Core 2 Duo's or not (maybe someone else remembers), if it doesn't, your limited to one of two things. One, find an older 65nm Core 2 Duo online somewhere used, unless a retailer has some overstock of the old models, or... Two, buy a new motherboard for your system upgrades, in which case, if your already buying a new CPU and RAM, as well as GPU, you might as well spend on a newer more updated board too.

if your board is able to support newer 45nm chips, then your in luck, and it'll be easier to find a good chip (several for under $100, that easily out perform older $200+ low end model Core 2 Duo's).


whats the current specs of the system?

is this a custom build or factory pre-built?

whats the Power Supply specs? (Brand, Model, wattage, specifically the +12V Amp rating too)

and most importantly whats your budget for your upgrades?

[DrAkAx]

Current specs are (it was custom built by a friend):
- P4 3.4GHZ
- 2GB DDR2 RAM
- geforce 7900GS PCI Express ( What are the differences between PCI/AGP/PCI Express ? Excuse my ignorance =)
- 450W Power Supply (I'll open my pc tomorrow and check for the brand/model and 12v amp rating)
- Intel DG965WH motherboard

My budget is around $ 300, I was hoping to be able to upgrade to a Core 2 Duo processor and RAM if needed. It's better to upgrade ram when upgrading processor right ? That's what I read on couple forums but dunno how correct that is.
Moreover, where can I find out if my 965 chipset supports the 45nm chips ?


Thanks a lot for your quick answer and help, much appreciated.

[ShyguyXPC]

Intel® Processors and Boards Compatibility Tool - Search Results Page

those would be the ones compatible with your board, none of the newer 45nm ones are listed.

what speed DDR2 are your running currently?

[ShyguyXPC]

this CPU is still available one some sites though, that would work in your board.

Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

even though its only 2.2GHz, it'll still blow away the old P4 chip.



but for a little over your budget, something like this could be had...

CPU Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops

RAM Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

Mobo Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

GPU Newegg.com - BFG Tech BFGE96512GTOCE GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

PSU Newegg.com - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ400SXS 400W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies


depending on the specs of the current PSU, you could even achieve your budget, actually under it, if the above PSU wasn't included in the list.

[DrAkAx]

What is the best I can get for a budget of 600-700 $ ?