Time for an upgrade

[psp83]

Hi everybody!!!

Over the next couple months i want to upgrade my computer at home..

As some of you may know, I'm a web developer and i use quite alot of adobe apps and other ones.

My current PC is beginning to show its age, the spec for this one is:
Pentium D 2.8ghz
2gb DDR2 RAM (at maxium now)
250gb SATA HD (main drive, i have loads on internals and externals)
PCI-E 512mb GeForce 9950 GTO

So basically, I want to replace:-
motherboard,
processor,
ram,
power unit

I also want to replace my internal hard drives with bigger and better ones so i can use the externals as backup only.

The graphic card is fine as i dont play pc games no more.

Any ideas what i should go for?

On the OS part, I think i'm going to go for Vista.

[Cookiemonster]

Hiya.

Well seen as you are a Web developer and use adobe apps I would suggest a Quad core and since Intel have slashed there prices by up to 30% now is a good time to buy. I have a Q6600, widely regarded as the best value Quad core. You could pair that with 4GB ram an you would literally fly...

Q6600 Quad Core
OCZ 4GB PC2-6400 Dual channel Ram

Depending on what your budget is you could go for a 1TB hard drive for your internal...

Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB

[Rik]

Are you going for 32-bit or 64-bit OS, Paul?

I'd favour a Core Duo over a quad for most people, but if you're likely to be running more than two hungry apps at a time, a quad might be better. Asus or Intel mobo, Tagan PSU (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=756679). Corsair RAM, 3GB or more, depending on OS. I'd fit a Raptor for the OS (http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=410986) then put the swap file on another drive.

[Simon]

Let me know if you need any help breaking it, Paul!   

[Inactive]

Simon has a degree in SATA Plugs.. 

[psp83]

Let me know if you need any help breaking it, Paul!   

hehe, will do 

Are you going for 32-bit or 64-bit OS, Paul?

Most likely 64bit, But changing the OS from XP 32bit will be the last thing to do.

I tend to run, Dreamweaver CS3, Fireworks CS3, Flash CS3 and sometimes Photoshop CS3 all at the same time and thats with browsers, email and ftp open aswell. So most likely go for a quad core processor.

Whats the best motherboard out there? so many versions to choose from

Thanks for the links Rik & Jester

My budget is... well, i dont have one lol.

[Rik]

I think the best mobo is one you like from a reputable manufacturer, as you say, the choice is huge. With an Intel CPU, I'd go with Asus or Intel. I'd also put 4GB in, unless you're going to go to DDR3, in which case 3.

[Cookiemonster]

Well now that you said there is no budget lets get spending.... (joke)

Either the X38 or P35 chipset would suit yourself, there is a X48 chipset but that is more for the DDR3 users. These two boards are regarded as very good.

Asus
Gigabyte

As you can see though the X38 chipset is more expensive than the P35. I haven't included a X48 one as I didn't think you would be having DDR3. Just a correction on Rik's comments you can still go for 4GB on DDR3 if you wanted.

[Glenn]

Add a nice Quad core Q9450 to that.

[Ray]

Well now that you said there is no budget lets get spending.... (joke)

Either the X38 or P35 chipset would suit yourself, there is a X48 chipset but that is more for the DDR3 users. These two boards are regarded as very good.

Asus
Gigabyte

Definitely agree with that Asus board, Jester, fitted one of those in my main PC about a month ago. 

[Steve]

I purchased one of the bundles from Overclockers: Q6600, Abit IP35 pro, tuniq tower, 2x1 Gb (probably not enough for your purposes) very pleased with it.

[Rik]

Simon really likes Abit mobos. 

[Malc]

Just spotted the title of this thread, and I thought you were upgrading the forum, in In's absence

[Steve]

Fortunatley I didnt get Simon to help

[Rik]

 

[Rik]

Just spotted the title of this thread, and I thought you were upgrading the forum, in In's absence

Get thee behind me, Malc. 

[Simon]

I was going to get an Asus, but a slightly cheaper version than that in the link.  The one thing that I stupidly allowed to put me off, was the lack of a mouse PS/2 port, and the fact that I had used an Abit before.

[somanyholes]

I'd favour a Core Duo over a quad for most people

i'll second that, quad core is fine if your doing a lot of number crunching, but beyond that i'd go for a dual core with a higher proc any day......

[Gary]

i'll second that, quad core is fine if your doing a lot of number crunching, but beyond that i'd go for a dual core with a higher proc any day......

I went for a E8500 So, new 45nm dual core with a clock speed of 3.16ghz, cheap as chips at about £200 and over clocks to 4ghz air cooled as well

[somanyholes]

i am not jealous, i am not jealous, 

[Gary]

i am not jealous, i am not jealous,