I'd like to upgrade my processor and possibly motherboard?

[fckid212]

I am an avid computer gamer and my 4 year old computer is starting to barely meet the minimum requirements of games coming out nowadays. (Only so much of counter-strike I can take , I'd like some eye candy haha!) I would like to determine if upgrading my processor and possibly mother board will get me to a point where I don't need to buy a whole new computer.

Current Specs:

Processor-
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 2.13 Ghz (Codename Conroe)
Socket 775 LGA
FSB 1066
Bus Speed 266.4 MHz
(Got this info from CPU-Z, if more info about processor is needed, I can give it)

Motherboard-
Intel DP965LT
Chipset is P965/G965
BIOS date is 07/16/06

I went to the intel website and tried to find a compatible processor for this motherboard that would put me at least over 3 Ghz, but it seems the best I could find is the "Intel® Core™2 Extreme Processor X6800" which is 2.93 Ghz. I'm not sure that increasing to under 3 Ghz is even worth the effort.

So, I was hoping I could get some help with regards to finding out what is the best processor this motherboard can handle. If the best is a mere 2.93 Ghz, some advice as to which new motherboard and processor combo to buy would be greatly appreciated.

If I left out any information that is needed, please let me know, I will get it to you ASAP.

Thanks in advance for the time and help!

 

[red1776]

Hi fcKid,
what GPU are you using?

 

[fckid212]

I've got the Nvidea 9500 GT with 1024 mb of memory

 

[red1776]

if you are working with a limited budget. upgrading your GPU/Ram will be the best bang for your buck. your CPU is letting the 9500 give all it has. the vast majority of games are much more dependent on the GPU subsystem than the CPU. If you want to post your budget for this undertaking I would be happy to recommend the best bang for the buck to get you gaming on something other than CS

 

[fckid212]

thanks for such quick responses! my budget is somewhat limited. I can probably afford about $300-400 now to spend. In october I could probably afford to spend about $500-$700 if I wait that long. My main goal is to have my computer ready for these high graphic demanding games like Sniper: Ghost Warrior, Crysis 2 and All points Bulletin (oh and Diablo 3 if it evAr comes out haha). I use http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/CYRI/intro.aspx to tell me what games I can run and im just so tired of barely passing the minimum requirments and having to run my games on low and medium graphics to have decent fps. Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[fckid212]

oh btw, i forgot to mention I already have 3g of DDR2 ram installed

 

[red1776]

okay, 1)where are you located?
2) are you okay with DIY?
3) what peripherals do you have?, and what will you resuse? ie, HDD's monitor,keyboard,mouse etc?
4) can you order from online?


**** what brand/model is your DDR2 ram?

 

[fckid212]

Im in California.
I have replaced my videocard before and added ram myself. I've never replaced anything as big as a processor or a mobo, but I'm sure I can get some friends to help out haha - so okay with DIY.
I have a 19inch SyncMaster 906BW monitor (i play my games at 1440 x 900 res). I dont think my monitor supports 1080 or if that even matters, but id be willing to get a new one. My keyboard came with the computer (Velocity Micro). I use a wired logitech mouse, and a headphone/mic system I bought offline. I am definitely okay with online purchasing. No printer hooked up. And some crappy speakers, but I usually use my headphones.

the ram is corsair with module size of 1024 mb, max bandwidth: PC2-5300 (333 Mhz), part #: VS1GB667D2

 

[fckid212]

i just realized that only 1 of my sticks of ram is corsair, the other 2 are hyundai electronics with same module size & max bandwidth as stick 1.

 

[red1776]

If that's the case, (budget wise) I would without a doubt, put together a new system rather than spend the $$ on propping up an outdated one. This will play anything on highest settings at 1440 x 900 to 1680 x 1050, and most games at 1920x01020 ( games like metro 2033 and Crysis being the exceptions) It is $511.00 gives you $200-300 to play with for monitor upgrade,case, or if you need an OS etc if you don't want to reuse the ones you have now.before someone come in and comments on the Seagate HDD, this is the 7000.12 series. (the 70100.11) had some issues.
everything here is of very high quality.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128443 100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103872 88.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-150-462-_-Product 159.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277 109.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395 55.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 65.00

Total $511.00
and if you need help putting together, me and others will help you out.

 

[fckid212]

i've never put together an entire compute before, but that definitely seems like the way to go as far as putting my money to good use. if I do go this route, i will need to buy all sorts of connection cables correct? i wouldn't do it alone, so id have help. but this is awesome! thanks so much for doing all that research!

 

[red1776]

glad to help. the cables you need will be provided as part of the component peripherals. the mother board will come with most of them by itself. and the PSU will have all of the power connections.

*** oh yes, and the motherboard has a second PCIE slot if you want to upgrade with a second 5770 down the road, you know....for CS VI

 

[fckid212]

hahaha! exactly! CS VI.....thanks for everything bud, all the best.

 

[Ritwik7]

@ red1776 - Do you think that going with the Phenom II X2 550 Callisto is a better option with it costing just $11 more.

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz

 

[red1776]

@ red1776 - Do you think that going with the Phenom II X2 550 Callisto is a better option with it costing just $11 more.

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz

Hey Rit,
Games are being produced that use 3 cores now, I would take the third core of the 435 Rana over the L3 of the Castillo. The x3 4xx doeasvery well in gaming

 

[magaman598]

Actually, I'm pretty inbetween you two, if you go with the x3, you're guaranteed a Tri-core but, There's also the possibility of that Phenom x2 turning into an x3/x4 and then there would be a huge bang for your buck.

 

[CMH]

You can always buy a new, good, graphics card first, and then see if thats good enough for you.

Newer systems should still accept today's PCIE cards, there's no new interface announced for the near future.

If I'm right, the CPU may bottleneck some games, but by far, your graphics card is the one you should upgrade for games right now.

Also, the E6400 should be a good CPU to overclock, so maybe you should try that too. You should easily get it to AT LEAST 3Ghz, without changing anything else.

Although, I'd suspect your motherboard isn't built with OC in mind, since its an Intel board.... You might not be able to do it. Feel free to see if BIOS would allow it.