I want to upgrade my computer. What is the best way to go about doing this?

[12084182]

I would like to upgrade my computer. I built it around last year with the money I had saved up and I was quite happy with it.

At the time it was great, and it still is in a way, but I'll be doing 3D classes soon and from what I've been told from other students that have taken 3D is that I need waay more RAM. But here's the thing, my motherboard doesn't support more RAM. So I'll need an upgrade.

I figured I'd do it at some point but my dad just told me that he's going on a business trip to Asia and he'll be at Dubai stopping over and it's really cheap there and he asked me if I needed anything, so I'm hoping that someone can give me an idea of what is the best way to upgrade? Also not the expensive way.

These are my current specs:

Intel E8400 3+Ghz core2duo
ASUS G31 motherboard with HDMI control (P5KPL-AM EPU)
4GB 2X2GB
Club 3D ATI 4850 1GB VGA
64Bit Windows 7


Now I know that my motherboard doesn't support more than 4GB RAM and so I'd have to upgrade that and then I'd have to upgrade the processor too since I'll be doing 3D things. What's the best way to do this?

[David M]

How much RAM would you like to have?

Which version of Win7 64 do you have?

How many cores is your software written for?

I would consider one of the new Intel 2600 CPU's.

[12084182]

Originally Posted by David M How much RAM would you like to have? Which version of Win7 64 do you have? How many cores is your software written for? I would consider one of the new Intel 2600 CPU's.

I have an Alienware version, though my computer is not Alienware, got it off a friend.

I'm not sure about cores, I'm actually not at my computer, came to visit my parents for the weekend. Sorry.

Either way I'd need a new motherboard to get the more RAM. So what I have now, doesn't matter how many cores it can support.

I guess I'd like 8-16. Well ideally 16 (or more) but since I want a cheaper option too, then I guess 8 would do as well. Actually better go for 16 so when I want to upgrade, I don't have problems later, you never know what might happen. But I wish I could have 128!!! I bet that's super expensive hahaha

[Nuclear Krusader]

8-16 what? GB of RAM? Your mobo is already maxed out at 4 GB: it can't take anymore.

Computer memory upgrades for ASUS P5KPL-AM EPU Motherboard from Crucial.com

[12084182]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader 8-16 what? GB of RAM? Your mobo is already maxed out at 4 GB: it can't take anymore. Computer memory upgrades for ASUS P5KPL-AM EPU Motherboard from Crucial.com

I know that. I said I wanted a NEW mobo since I can't accept more than 4 which is why I came on here to ask which one I should consider.

If it was as simple as just buying more sticks of RAM I'd just go and do it. That's the easy part.

[Nuclear Krusader]

A new mobo means new processor and new memory. There are no new mobos for that CPU you have. Some of the ones still in the market, though, support a maximum of 8 GB.

It all depends on what software you're going to be using for your 3D modeling.

[12084182]

I know, I said I wanted to see my options for that too.
I'll be using 3Ds Max and Maya

[Nuclear Krusader]

Autodesk - Autodesk Maya Services & Support - Certified Hardware

[12084182]

Cool, thanks for the link.

[glc]

The best you are going to do in socket 775 is 16gb max, and those are hard to find. It's a bit easier finding them for 8gb max.

I looked at your IP address and see that you are not in the US, so you can't buy from Newegg. The only Asus board they list that will take 16gb is the P5QL-VM DO/CSM which is out of stock. You would also have to use 4gb DDR2 modules, which cost about 3x as much as 4gb DDR3 modules.

My best advice is to try to use what you have, and if it just doesn't work for you, do a complete motherboard/CPU/ram upgrade. I'd get one of the Asus P67 or H67 boards, a i3/i5/i7-2xxx CPU, and DDR3 ram.

[12084182]

It doesn't work, I tried rendering something once and my computer couldn't take it. And it was with 3Ds Max which my college is using. But I don't have 3D classes yet, in September. But my dad is going now and I have the option for him to buy me something new for cheap.

I guess I'd do a complete upgrade if I can.

[Hpro]

Hi
First of all I think, and I may be wrong as well, but still I think there is no need to have more RAM installed. 4Gig should be enough.

Second, I think what you need is a very good Graphic CARD, as it is this Component which actually is the working PART while dealing with 3D.

A good Graphic Card will be several hundred Dollars. Take one with at least 1GB DD3 Memory.

If you are going to Buy a new Mobo then may Asus P6T-Deluxe V2 is the one you are going for. But you will need then a New CPU as well, and the i7 - 980x is around 1000USD.!

The Motherboard will cost you about 250 USD. It can take 24 GB RAM
It takes 1366 i7 CPU's and the cheapest CPU of the i7 line is about 300USD.
Use Google to find out more about i7..

Those CPU's are QUAD CORES and the 980x is 6CORES.

If you go with this Motherboard CPU then you can be sure that you will need to take a course to press the mousebutton that you match the speed for this BOARD CPU RAM.

I have two of them.. so I know what I'm talkin about.

But still you will need a GOOOOOOD GRAPHIC CARD. with lots of RAM.

Hope this helps you to decide.

Hpro

[12084182]

Originally Posted by Hpro Hi First of all I think, and I may be wrong as well, but still I think there is no need to have more RAM installed. 4Gig should be enough. Second, I think what you need is a very good Graphic CARD, as it is this Component which actually is the working PART while dealing with 3D. A good Graphic Card will be several hundred Dollars. Take one with at least 1GB DD3 Memory.

1. Yes, the working part dealing with the 3D needs a good graphics card BUT rendering, does not. Rendering is putting all those files into a video or whatever you want and that involves RAM

2. Mine has 1GB but I'll look into other options as well.

[Hpro]

Yeah this makes Sense.!

Look at GLC's post as well. Just talked to him on the IRC Channel and he thinks a new Build would be best. Also his proposal of the P67 seems to be the better deal than the one I proposed you in my ealier post..

I can't talk about the P67 because I havent used it yet. But sure I will order one on Monday to test.

So, hopefully you will find what you need.

Hpro

[David M]

You only need more RAM if your system is using all of what it has.

[glc]

Do you have approximately $700 USD for a motherboard, CPU, and ram? Will your case take a full size ATX board?

[12084182]

Originally Posted by glc Do you have approximately $700 USD for a motherboard, CPU, and ram? Will your case take a full size ATX board?

This is what I have:
Coolermaster Centurion 534

I think 700$ is okay, I wouldn't go over say 1,000$

My computer when built, cost about 1,200$ and I even got some free stuff, like the case was free and some upgrades cause I know the guy at the store and I shop there often and bring him customers. And at the time I was like, wow, that's cheap. haha. If I knew that now I'd be able to buy such a cheap computer and so amazing! :O

[glc]

Okay!

What you want is these (Newegg links provided strictly for convenience):

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards - ASUS SABERTOOTH P67

Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600 Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I72600

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 (2 SETS)

[12084182]

Thank you