Processor Upgrade--To Efficiently Run a 9800 GTX+

[v0lume4]

Hello, comrades,

It's me, v0lume4 again. Thank you guys so much for all your help in the past, I really DO appreciate it. I *am* taking you guys' advice from about a month or more ago. Yes, I am currently running a 9800 GTX+ on a Pentium D dual-core 3.00Ghz processor. However, I hear from you guys (and others, too) that I'm not getting my card's FULL potential. I hear that I need to upgrade to a Core 2 Duo, which I will do this Christmas. However, there are many different types of this processor within it's respective family. I ask you guys--

Which processor model is the ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST way to go that is still as good (if not, better) than my current processor? Which one is at least as fast as this one, and which one will give me the FULL potential out of my card? No less. I would prefer to stick with the dual-core over a quad-core because of it's cheap-ness. And will it work with one of the standard Dell motherboards that come with a XPS 600?

Motherboard Name Dell Dell DXG051

Thank you VERY much in advance fellas,
v0lume4

[RicheemxX]

Unfortunately the XPS 600 doesn't show support for a C2D

Documentation

Dell XPS 600 Product Details

[v0lume4]

It doesn't COME with it, but are you SURE that it doesn't support it? You can't *buy* a 9800 GTX+ with it, either. I'm not saying you're wrong. I think it's all in the Mobo, correct? I.e.-Is the mobo compatible with it?"

[v0lume4]

I gotta head off to bed bro, so if I don't reply that's why. I'll reply tomorrow. Thanks man

[asusfreak44]

If it were me, Id grab an Asus AMD board with a dual core. You end up with superior board and more GHz..

[v0lume4]

Originally Posted by asusfreak44

If it were me, Id grab an Asus AMD board with a dual core. You end up with superior board and more GHz..

Really now? I've never been one to even think about using anything other than Intel. But you seriously think so? And you're saying that the mobo's come with a processor TOO? I'll have to look into that. Thanks bro

[Bizkitkid2001]

Of course someone with the name of Asusfreak is going to reccomend an Asus motherboard.



If you want to game, skip AMD for now. The C2Ds give the best bang for the buck. Go only with AMD if you want to go extremely cheap. However, since you want a processor that can use the full potental of a 9800 GTX going extremely cheap won't be the solution.



However, your motherboard does not support Core 2 duo processors as Core 2 duo processors were not out yet when the XPS 600 was released back in early 2005.



The cheapest solution would be to try and overclock your processor. I've seen people get the Pentium D to 3.6ghz on air cooling.



Your best option would be to upgrade the motherboard and processor.

[v0lume4]

Originally Posted by Bizkitkid2001

Of course someone with the name of Asusfreak is going to reccomend an Asus motherboard.



If you want to game, skip AMD for now. The C2Ds give the best bang for the buck. Go only with AMD if you want to go extremely cheap. However, since you want a processor that can use the full potental of a 9800 GTX going extremely cheap won't be the solution.



However, your motherboard does not support Core 2 duo processors as Core 2 duo processors were not out yet when the XPS 600 was released back in early 2005.



The cheapest solution would be to try and overclock your processor. I've seen people get the Pentium D to 3.6ghz on air cooling.



Your best option would be to upgrade the motherboard and processor.

Sorry for taking so long to respond, I've been busy lately

Thanks very much for your response, it's really encouraged me, actually! I had no clue in the world that my processor could go to 3.6 Ghz! And also, yes, I will eventually upgrade my mobo and processor. Does Intel sell packages with both in there? And perhaps you could help me with it later?

Sorry for getting off-topic. To get to the point--thanks. And how could I go along overclocking my processor? I looked @ the boot options menu and it says all of the values are locked. However, I might not have been at the right screen. For me, I just hit F2 at the boot-up screen.

And yes, I didn't realize till very recently how much I got ripped off with my computer when I bought it! The C2D came out one month after I bought my XPS 600. I remember it well. Disappointing. And one more thing before I end this post (and sorry for all the questions)--How much do you think it'll take to upgrade my mobo and processor up to a pretty decent C2D? And do I have to upgrade my RAM to DDR3? Thanks bunches.

~v0lume4

[KarmaKiller]

Hey man.
You can probably do yourself something better, and start all over. Really your at the point where your system is worth ~$350.(without the 9800). You could sell that, then use that money to upgrade all across the board.
For a C2D combo with DDR2 ram, you can do it for about $150-$200. But you can also spend as much as you want really. lol
For a budget system, I'd recommend something along the lines of this:
Newegg.com - Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
$83
Newegg.com - MSI P43 Neo3-F LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards
$85
Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
$45
you could also go for 2 gigs
Newegg.com - OCZ Vista Upgrade 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
$23

that's about the best bang for buck you can get.

[v0lume4]

Yes indeed.

Thanks Karma

What I don't understand is why people say "sell your current rig." If I change my mobo and processor, that's almost a whole new computer itself. Why sell my computer and have to rebuy my HD, sound card (Sound Blaster X-Fi), CD/DVD drives, etc. when I already have them? I have a 9800, yes, I have a nice Sound Blaster sound card, yes. I have 2 gigs of RAM (i think one gig of that is DDR2, the other DDR1, whatever the stock RAM was), all I need is a new Processor. However, that indeed leads to a new motherboard. I thought about getting a job soon and just rebuilding a new PC from the ground up, but migrating my 9800 and sound card to the new one. But that's not the point.

Why sell? Why not just upgrade the mobo, CPU, and RAM? And thanks for the links