Upgrade Dilema

[helberger 72]

Hi all,I am having a h/w problem at the moment, and while I can still use the PC, I will most likely have to perform a complete reinstall again, did that just over a month agowhen I had the same problem, I think it's the h/d.I have a Duo E6600 stock clock (2.4), P5B board, 2gb corsair 800 mhz ram, Corsair 750 PSU, 8800gt video, Windows Xp Sp3. I use FSX Sp2 only, no other games. Used the E6600 since 2006 and it is getting long on the tooth.So at this point I thought an upgrade may be in order. However not sure which route to go? Either an 8600 Duo, and Asus P5Q mobo or with the new Intel I7 920 and the Asus P6T Mobo and 3 gb of 1330 ram and maybe a CPU cooler. I have never done any overclocking. But would not be afraid of doing it with the right help.The I7 and x58 is still fairly new stuff, so don't know what to expect.Has anyone been using the P6T had any problems? read on other forums that there may be a problem with the Bios.Any help or advice is appreciated and sorry for the long post.Helmut

[Alvega 2,119]

Hi all,I am having a h/w problem at the moment, and while I can still use the PC, I will most likely have to perform a complete reinstall again, did that just over a month agowhen I had the same problem, I think it's the h/d.I have a Duo E6600 stock clock (2.4), P5B board, 2gb corsair 800 mhz ram, Corsair 750 PSU, 8800gt video, Windows Xp Sp3. I use FSX Sp2 only, no other games. Used the E6600 since 2006 and it is getting long on the tooth.So at this point I thought an upgrade may be in order. However not sure which route to go? Either an 8600 Duo, and Asus P5Q mobo or with the new Intel I7 920 and the Asus P6T Mobo and 3 gb of 1330 ram and maybe a CPU cooler. I have never done any overclocking. But would not be afraid of doing it with the right help.The I7 and x58 is still fairly new stuff, so don't know what to expect.Has anyone been using the P6T had any problems? read on other forums that there may be a problem with the Bios.Any help or advice is appreciated and sorry for the long post.Helmut

My second rig is the same as yours (E6600, P5B Deluxe, 8800GT, 2GB RAM, Windows XP Pro SP3), i had it for 2 years also but didn't have a problem with it, but i recently upgraded to a Core I7 920, GTX260, 6GB RAM, P6T Deluxe and Vista 64 Bits and all i can say is the difference is amazing. I didn't have until now a single problem with drivers or anything else in Vista 64bit and in FSX i can now fly even in the most complex airports with MTX AI 50%, Active Sky Advanced weather and so on. This system literally flies, in FSX on anything else.I would say, go with the I7, P6T and one of the new GTX (260 or 280 are ok). You won't regret it.

[helberger 72]

My second rig is the same as yours (E6600, P5B Deluxe, 8800GT, 2GB RAM, Windows XP Pro SP3), i had it for 2 years also but didn't have a problem with it, but i recently upgraded to a Core I7 920, GTX260, 6GB RAM, P6T Deluxe and Vista 64 Bits and all i can say is the difference is amazing. I didn't have until now a single problem with drivers or anything else in Vista 64bit and in FSX i can now fly even in the most complex airports with MTX AI 50%, Active Sky Advanced weather and so on. This system literally flies, in FSX on anything else.I would say, go with the I7, P6T and one of the new GTX (260 or 280 are ok). You won't regret it.

Thanks for the reply,Is your I7 920 stock (2.67mhz) or is overclocked?? I am still using Windows XP sp3, don't consider upgrading to Vista, will wait for Windows 7.I am leaning towards the 920. I believe it's the better choice. An upgrade of the GPU will come latter after the prices come downHelmut

[jwenham 1]

Go i7! You will love it and wonder how you even played FSX on your old box. You can see my specs in my sig but if you can in any way get the 940 I would. The reason being is that it has a little more tweeking room the 920 does not such as more memory options, a little higher mult. (22X). If you go the 940 route go for the 1600 speed ram so you can OC it to 4ghz easily (provided your cooling is up to it) On my system I can fly any default aircraft out of KSEA with very dense autogen (not tweeked in the cofig at all), maxed out scenery detail, all sliders on the left max except water 2x low, 12% cars, low airport vehicles, 20% boats/ships, 59% AI and hold a steady smooth 30FPS locked! The first time I did that I almost feel out of my chair! From what I have read the 920 is showing great results as well except it is harder to hit 4ghz on it and be 24/7 stable. Which ever route you go I feel you will love it. Make sure to follow the setup and tune proceedures and you will be good to go for a long time.

[Alvega 2,119]

Thanks for the reply,Is your I7 920 stock (2.67mhz) or is overclocked?? I am still using Windows XP sp3, don't consider upgrading to Vista, will wait for Windows 7.I am leaning towards the 920. I believe it's the better choice. An upgrade of the GPU will come latter after the prices come downHelmut

My I7 920 is overclocked to 3.5GHZ.

[helberger 72]

Thanks all for the help and advice,Will go ahead with the I920 and a P6T mobo, not sure of the ram at this point, 3 gb of 1600 most likely, Windows xp can only use that muchI understand, correct me If I am wrong. Probably will not overclock right away until I know what I am doing.Helmut

[jwenham 1]

Thanks all for the help and advice,Will go ahead with the I920 and a P6T mobo, not sure of the ram at this point, 3 gb of 1600 most likely, Windows xp can only use that muchI understand, correct me If I am wrong. Probably will not overclock right away until I know what I am doing.Helmut

XP 64 - as much as you wantXP 32 - the system will use a total of 4gb. 1 for the OS and 3 for apps

[helberger 72]

I still run Windows xp sp3, the 32bit version, my computer store has packs of 3x1gb, or 3x2, that'sthe 1600, so will see what I end up with.Helmut