Got my hands on an Aspire T180 Desktop for free from my Aunt - but I want to use it as a gaming computer and i'm pretty sure my Aunt has no knowledge whatsoever about MOBOs and Video Cards. Heck, she probably couldn't even pronounce nVidia properly :lol:What I need to know, is if I replace the CPU with an i7 which I can get quite cheap off the internet, do I need to replace the motherboard (I'm pretty sure I do since it has AMD processor)? If so, what's the best option motherboard to go with?I'm pretty new in the Hardware areas so keep your extensive terminology on the down-low? :P I'd just like to know the best ways to upgrade this computer to an okay gaming computer for FSX.Absolutely any help would be wonderful! And if you could advise me on any other areas such as better graphics cards and all that jazz then that's excellent :smile:Thanks in advance,

Got my hands on an Aspire T180 Desktop for free from my Aunt - but I want to use it as a gaming computer and i'm pretty sure my Aunt has no knowledge whatsoever about MOBOs and Video Cards. Heck, she probably couldn't even pronounce nVidia properly :lol:What I need to know, is if I replace the CPU with an i7 which I can get quite cheap off the internet, do I need to replace the motherboard (I'm pretty sure I do since it has AMD processor)? If so, what's the best option motherboard to go with?I'm pretty new in the Hardware areas so keep your extensive terminology on the down-low? :P I'd just like to know the best ways to upgrade this computer to an okay gaming computer for FSX.Absolutely any help would be wonderful! And if you could advise me on any other areas such as better graphics cards and all that jazz then that's excellent :smile:Thanks in advance,

You can not upgrade it to an i7 or for that matter to any intel processor as the T180 is an AMD based system.http://support.acer....reT180sp2.shtmlI think fsx users use 67 or 68 motherboard model for i5 2500k or an i7 2600, GPU a 560ti or something higher, but my advise it get a GPU which matches the CPU in bandwidth.

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by ironmaiden

You can not upgrade it to an i7 or for that matter to any intel processor as the T180 is an AMD based system.http://support.acer....reT180sp2.shtml

Indeed, I already understood that - but what if I changed the Motherboard? Is there anything other than that stopping me from an Intel processor?

Indeed, I already understood that - but what if I changed the Motherboard? Is there anything other than that stopping me from an Intel processor?

Z67 or P68 I think are the boards which you can use for the Sandy bridge.

Sorry to ruin your hopes but you'll need new CPU, Motherboard, new DDR3 RAM, a better PSU, better GPU and probably another case as well. So you are left with keeping the screen, HDDs, dvd drive, keyboard and mouse. Everything else needs to be changed. Sorry

Z67 or P68 I think are the boards which you can use for the Sandy bridge.

Thanks! That's the answer i've been looking for!So, intel i-Series (Not sure which yet) with a

P8Z68 DELUXE

MOBO, perhaps an nVidia GTX 480 and 4-6 GB RAM?

Sorry to ruin your hopes but you'll need new CPU, Motherboard, new DDR3 RAM, a better PSU, better GPU and probably another case as well. So you are left with keeping the screen, HDDs, dvd drive, keyboard and mouse. Everything else needs to be changed. Sorry

Have a spare PSU which is up to the job - and RAM is only minor money so i'm not too fussed. All other stuff you've listed is being upgraded Thanks for the input!Edited for full MOBO Name

Edited March 3, 201214 yr by Sam Nicholson

Sorry to ruin your hopes but you'll need new CPU, Motherboard, new DDR3 RAM, a better PSU, better GPU and probably another case as well. So you are left with keeping the screen, HDDs, dvd drive, keyboard and mouse. Everything else needs to be changed. Sorry

On dot.

Thanks! That's the answer i've been looking for!So, intel i-Series (Not sure which yet) with a P68 MOBO, perhaps an nVidia GTX 480 and 4-6 GB RAM?Have a spare PSU which is up to the job - and RAM is only minor money so i'm not too fussed. All other stuff you've listed is being upgraded Thanks for the input!

Not sure about the IB series but I can vouch for the SB's for performance in FSX as I am using an i5 2430m and fsx works very well after a few tweaks. Are you looking to build the machine only for FSX ?

Not sure about the IB series but I can vouch for the SB's for performance in FSX as I am using an i5 2430m and fsx works very well after a few tweaks. Are you looking to build the machine only for FSX ?

i5? I'm sure you can also vouch for the rumors i've heard that overclocking the i5 gives you basically the same standards as i7? and i'm not sure what you mean by IB :P I know SB is Sandy Bridge but not sure what IB is.The machine will be used for FSX only - i'll be keeping my current laptop for work and Sixth Form. What's my best options you think then?

i5? I'm sure you can also vouch for the rumors i've heard that overclocking the i5 gives you basically the same standards as i7? and i'm not sure what you mean by IB :P I know SB is Sandy Bridge but not sure what IB is.The machine will be used for FSX only - i'll be keeping my current laptop for work and Sixth Form. What's my best options you think then?

This is my i5 http://gulf.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/en/product/Satellite-L755-M1DU/1118047/IB = ivy Bridge I think it's still not launched.Both i5 2500k and i7 2600k are terrific performers for FSX. Well maybe the Oc'ed i5 2500k could be as good as the stock i7 2600k but I have zero knowledge about that.

Ahhhh yes! I've seen people write about the Ivy Bridge, just didn't click then haha! I believe the i5 will be working best with them anyway so that seems the way to go :smile:So that's the rough outline done - Ivy Bridge board (if it's released by the time I get the computer) with an i5, nVidia Graphics and some lovely RAM. Okay, make that very rough - LOL!Still only iffy on IB against SB - the SB would be cheaper and at the moment i'm not overflowing with dosh.

Ahhhh yes! I've seen people write about the Ivy Bridge, just didn't click then haha! I believe the i5 will be working best with them anyway so that seems the way to go :smile:So that's the rough outline done - Ivy Bridge board (if it's released by the time I get the computer) with an i5, nVidia Graphics and some lovely RAM. Okay, make that very rough - LOL!Still only iffy on IB against SB - the SB would be cheaper and at the moment i'm not overflowing with dosh.

I think the IB release is delayed ,but again there are members who have more knowledge about the SB & IB , there maybe boards which may support the IB this is where I can not comment much.Always make a system where everything is balanced. 4 GB is good 8GB is beneficial. an i5 2500k with a 560ti 4 GB (g.skill ) would be real good probably on a 67 or 68 board and good PSU like a corsair. Your PSU requirement may vary depending on the hardware you plan on purchasing.

I think the IB release is delayed ,but again there are members who have more knowledge about the SB & IB , there maybe boards which may support the IB this is where I can not comment much.Always make a system where everything is balanced. 4 GB is good 8GB is beneficial. an i5 2500k with a 560ti 4 GB (g.skill ) would be real good probably on a 67 or 68 board and good PSU like a corsair. Your PSU requirement may vary depending on the hardware you plan on purchasing.

IB I THINK is delayed until 8th April - but as usual that won't be a definite. I'd probably head for 6GB RAM just to be sure and the Video Card would be decided on once i've gathered the rest together and can find a cheap-ish one somewhere. Looking more at the 68 board. Will definitely be looking into a Corsair too

IB I THINK is delayed until 8th April - but as usual that won't be a definite. I'd probably head for 6GB RAM just to be sure and the Video Card would be decided on once i've gathered the rest together and can find a cheap-ish one somewhere. Looking more at the 68 board. Will definitely be looking into a Corsair too

Hmmm 6 Gb may cause problems in fsx go for 4 or 8 GB

8GB it is then :lol:

8GB it is then :lol:

RAm is very cheap so try with 4 and then you can go for 8. All the best.