Advice pls.. need to upgrade. Merging the old and new!

[MadTommy]

I've always built my own PCs, but i'm so out of date i haven't got a clue what's going on these days.

I'm wanting to upgrade my CPU, but its a damn socket 939 and the only upgrades available are 2nd hand and very expensive. I'm running a AMD 3500+, it runs at 2.21GHz (single core, i never over clock). I can upgrade to a AMDx2 4400, i.e dual core, but still only 2.4GHz and will set me back at least £100, 2nd hand

I've also got a x1950pro (512MB, agp) gfx card which i don't want to upgrade, seems good enough for the time being, nice card.

The route i'm planning to take is a dual pci-express and agp mobo so i can use my gfx card and upgrade in the future when needed. I can also use my 4GB of DDR400 RAM too..(so a mobo that supports DDR2 & DDR400)

example NEW FAST INTEL SOCKET 775 MOTHERBOARD AGP PCIE DDR DDR2 on eBay, also For Intel, Motherboards, Desktop PC Components, Computing (end time 16-Oct-08 12:00:00 BST)

Where i get confused is the CPU... what should i get etc. Is socket 775 any good, should i be looking at a different socket type/ mobo? I want a fast dual core.

I was hoping to not spend more than £150 on cpu and mobo. Please help! Thank you!

[MadTommy]

mabye with this?

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Socket 775 3.0GHz 1333FSB 139971 on eBay, also Intel CPUs, CPUs, Desktop PC Components, Computing (end time 22-Oct-08 20:03:32 BST)

[spacemanc]

You might as well get the E8200 - its easily overclockable to 4Ghz, or get a quad core 6600, but tbh a quad core doesn't offer that many benefits. Also for some reason ebay is never the cheapest for PC components.
The best thing is to upgrade everything together so you dont get bottlenecks : This is an example I showed Pride, and you can get this lot of about £350 and it will be seriously fast :

**Maybe not these exact components - I didnt research them**

[MadTommy]

Thanks.. yeah i've found them cheaper on overclockers.

I'm likely gonna get Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Processor (775) £135 & Asrock 4CoreDual-SATA2 Rev2 (Socket 775) PCI-Express/AGP DDR2 Motherboard) £47

Total £184 including VAT.

I don't mind going over my budget a bit.. but doubling it and a bit extra is not in the game plan , i wish it was

And i see no reason to throw away 4GB ram and a 1950pro gfx. As it will rinse any game out.

[spacemanc]

You can get the E8200 for £110 and VERY easily ( and very safely ) overclock it - it would take like 5 mins to do it

[MadTommy]

Sorry i dont get it.. i can get an E8500. Which is better. And if i want to i can overclock that.

Am i missing something? At overclockers the E8200 is £118 and out of stock, why would i want it?

[spacemanc]

The E8500 and E8200 are the same except for the E8500 having a slightly bigger multiplier and being "overclocked" slightly by Intel.
Unless youre going to get an aftermarket fan, and do some serious overclocking, then you may as well save the cash and get the E8200. Your DDR400 RAM will be holding you back anyway.

Scan Computers UK: Intel Core 2 Duo, E8200, Wolfdale Core, S775, 2.66 GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB Cache, 8x Multiplier, Retail

[MadTommy]

Alright.. i see what you are saying, cheers mate.

[SocketMan]

I am not an Intel man,but the e7200 would be cheaper and probably
more overclockable on this board.

e7200 fsb=1066

e8xxx fsb=1333




edit*

Supports FSB1066/800/533MHz processors and H-T Technology

No 1333 ?

[MadTommy]

Originally Posted by SocketMan

edit*

Supports FSB1066/800/533MHz processors and H-T Technology

No 1333 ?

Oh well spotted, thank very very very much