Please advise on upgrading my old CPU

[Playerseven]

Hi guys, I have a 5 years old CPU and am intending to do some upgrade. My main purpose is only for listening to music and watching movies.

This is my current spec for my CPU:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Motherboard: Intel P35/G33/G31
RAM: 4GB DDR2
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series
HDD: 500GB
Psu: 300w
23" monitor


I'm thinking of upgrading my gpu and getting a sound card but I google and found out that I have limited choice of gpu to choose due to my low psu and mobo.

1. I have a 500w psu and should I change it and get a better gpu?
2. What is the best gpu I can get with my setup?
3. Is it worth getting a sound card?

 

[nippp0n]

Most importantly, what is your budget for upgrade?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

Hi guys, I have a 5 years old CPU and am intending to do some upgrade. My main purpose is only for listening to music and watching movies.

This is my current spec for my CPU:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Motherboard: Intel P35/G33/G31
RAM: 4GB DDR2
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series
HDD: 500GB
Psu: 300w
23" monitor


I'm thinking of upgrading my gpu and getting a sound card but I google and found out that I have limited choice of gpu to choose due to my low psu and mobo.

1. I have a 500w psu and should I change it and get a better gpu?
2. What is the best gpu I can get with my setup?
3. Is it worth getting a sound card?

1. No need, a better GPU does not require it to draw more power. A system for these purposes should draw as little amount of power as possible.

2. For best HTPC experience, a Nvidia Maxwell based card, for their enhanced NVENC. If not, Nvidia Kepler based card, i.e. GT 640.

3. That got to depend on the speakers you are using currently. And a speaker upgrade would deem better upgrade than having a new sound card.

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

Hi guys, I have a 5 years old CPU and am intending to do some upgrade. My main purpose is only for listening to music and watching movies.

This is my current spec for my CPU:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Motherboard: Intel P35/G33/G31
RAM: 4GB DDR2
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3600 Series
HDD: 500GB
Psu: 300w
23" monitor


I'm thinking of upgrading my gpu and getting a sound card but I google and found out that I have limited choice of gpu to choose due to my low psu and mobo.

1. I have a 500w psu and should I change it and get a better gpu?
2. What is the best gpu I can get with my setup?
3. Is it worth getting a sound card?

More importantly for the PSU, is the brand, model, and age. 500W doesn't say what it is actually good for.

 

[Playerseven]

I’m looking for at a budget upgrade say within $150 because my PC is old and just using it for movies and music.

The better GPU I can use is GT640? Do you know roughly how much does it cost? For speakers I’m using creative inspire 4.1 speaker, worth getting a sound card?

Maeda, I don’t know the brand of the PSU that is in the system now. But the spare PSU I have is ANDYSON power plus model no. AD-5520N2-18.

Thanks a lot for all the inputs

 

[Alternative X]

I’m looking for at a budget upgrade say within $150 because my PC is old and just using it for movies and music.

The better GPU I can use is GT640? Do you know roughly how much does it cost? For speakers I’m using creative inspire 4.1 speaker, worth getting a sound card?

Maeda, I don’t know the brand of the PSU that is in the system now. But the spare PSU I have is ANDYSON power plus model no. AD-5520N2-18.

Thanks a lot for all the inputs

1) GT 640s are being sold for $100-$110. However, they are a bit hard to find in SLS as they are being replaced by the GT 740. GT 740s are sold for $140-$160 approx. However, if buying a GT 740 or GT 640, please buy the GDDR5 version and not the DDR3 version of the GPU as GDDR5 VRAM is much faster than the DDR3 VRAM and a GT 740 with DDR3 VRAM will always lose out to a GT 740 with GDDR5 VRAM in graphics processing power no matter how much DDR3 VRAM the GT 740 have.

2) Since you have a 4.1 speaker, can consider getting a sound card. However, opinions on sound quality are highly subjective and thus I am unable to know if getting a sound card is likely to make you feel that the sound has improved. However, it may be advisable to get more expensive soundcards as cheap ones may make little difference to sound quality.

3) Try opening the casing of your rig and read off the PSU sticker. Its just a couple of screws, you can't do much harm to your rig simply by sliding off the side panel of your case.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

1) GT 640s are being sold for $100-$110. However, they are a bit hard to find in SLS as they are being replaced by the GT 740. GT 740s are sold for $140-$160 approx. However, if buying a GT 740 or GT 640, please buy the GDDR5 version and not the DDR3 version of the GPU as GDDR5 VRAM is much faster than the DDR3 VRAM and a GT 740 with DDR3 VRAM will always lose out to a GT 740 with GDDR5 VRAM in graphics processing power no matter how much DDR3 VRAM the GT 740 have.

2) Since you have a 4.1 speaker, can consider getting a sound card. However, opinions on sound quality are highly subjective and thus I am unable to know if getting a sound card is likely to make you feel that the sound has improved. However, it may be advisable to get more expensive soundcards as cheap ones may make little difference to sound quality.

3) Try opening the casing of your rig and read off the PSU sticker. Its just a couple of screws, you can't do much harm to your rig simply by sliding off the side panel of your case.

1. GDDR5 version will be superfluous since he is not into gaming. Moreover, they cost way more expensive and consume more power. That kind of pricing can already reap him a higher tier graphics card, i.e. GTX 750. My stance will be for him to get a 2nd hand GT 640 for around $60-80. Brand new cards in its price range and performance are mostly not value for money. The main reason to choose these lowest end Kepler/Maxwell cards are for their HTPC function and energy efficiency advantage, not gaming prowess.

2. I also rather he change the speaker to something like Swans M10 (2.1 though) than a new sound card.

 

[Playerseven]

Will my mobo be able to support ddr5 gpus?

I can't seem to find any second hand gt640 around, does gt630 has much diff as compare to gt640?

 

[FlyingNuggets]

Will my mobo be able to support ddr5 gpus?

I can't seem to find any second hand gt640 around, does gt630 has much diff as compare to gt640?

i got a spare GT 640 4gb ddr3 lying around at home you want i sell you?

 

[Playerseven]

How much are you selling?

 

[FlyingNuggets]

640

pm me

10 char