Specific Machine Upgrade Discussion - offtopic

[Fletch]

check your motherboard specs, and buy a fast CPU for it, if you can.
installing a CPU, while sounding , is easier they you may think... or perhaps you have a friend that can help.
corei7 has 8 threads is under $300 I believe. the xeons are also affordable, and great... read through this thread, decide what you like, and look up your motherboard and see if it supports the CPU you like, compare prices, and buy... pretty much that simple.

if you are in the States, NewEgg will give great price, fast delivery, they have sales all the time.
but you can just as easily get it at your local big box store.

It's important to have good and fast RAM... so look into that as well.
Read carefully the "want a fast machine" thread.

[jsmda800]

thanks, Fletch...Twilight is too awesome not to give that a try...was a bit nervous getting thru the graphics card swap and never tried a CPU before... friend may be the way to go, thanks!

[Fletch]

it's important, if you plan on running unbiased renderings a lot, to get a quiet setup (at least I found it was in my case)

spend the extra few bucks and get quiet reliable cooling fans... worth every penny. Make sure your case has plenty of good ventilation, and good dust filters. dust=bad.

along with that, typical store-bought mass setup machines have el-cheapo power supply.
if you are running a new fast CPU, you may think about switching out the power supply for something quiet, dependable, and powerful... this is because it will run quieter if it's a little 'oversized'... because it's not working very hard to run your machine... and therefore also it will run cooler.

Also, if you plan on running it a lot, and for long periods, cooling your CPU will be very important. While I know people that say great things about liquid cooling, it is not a requirement, the Noctua D14 is a reasonably priced and incredible performing cooler for your machine, if you have room in your case, and it fits your Mother Board.

... that is, if you get 'serious' with your machine.

of course, a new 'serious' machine with 8 threads comes less than $1000 these days, so start doing research, and like I say, look at the setups around here.

[jsmda800]

thanks again, Fletch...spent the day researching, seeing if anything was available in town...I think it comes down to either a Q9650 or a new computer - swapping out the motherboard/CPU/memory would put it pretty close at that point...

I put in a better power supply when upgrading the graphics card, just need to work on the fan...small case tho...

[Fletch]

...comes down to either a Q9650 or a new computer - ...

this Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650? $320
or... the Xeon Quad-Core Q9650? $949

I presume it's the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
So you're saying your mobo doesn't support the i-series products?
That's too bad, because the Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz = $195 and is quite nice, not great as 8 threads, but quite inexpensive. Actually, a new Mobo that handles the i products + a new core i - processor might not be too expensive.

this motherboard - ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 handles the i7 and is under $200.

delivery in less than 4 days... so... why be stuck to what's "in town"?

[Gareth]

*looks for an to be my best friend and drinking buddy*

[jsmda800]

...comes down to either a Q9650 or a new computer - ...

this Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650? $320
or... the Xeon Quad-Core Q9650? $949

I presume it's the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
So you're saying your mobo doesn't support the i-series products?
That's too bad, because the Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz = $195 and is quite nice, not great as 8 threads, but quite inexpensive. Actually, a new Mobo that handles the i products + a new core i - processor might not be too expensive.

this motherboard - ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 handles the i7 and is under $200.

delivery in less than 4 days... so... why be stuck to what's "in town"?

I was hit with a bout of seeking instant gratification while researching yesterday

sorry, yes, the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650...and unfortunately yes, it doesn't seem that the motherboard supports the i-series

I also could not yet find a i-series micro-ATX motherboard that supported DDR2 RAM, where I could re-use my existing RAM - this is probably what would kick it up near the "get a new computer" range...I think what I saw online was DDR3 16GB a tad shy of $400US

[jsmda800]

*looks for an to be my best friend and drinking buddy*

that is definitely worth "researching (at the bar)" more!

[Fletch]

indeed, DDR3 is expensive. and if you intend to overclock, the cheap ddr3 is not suggested. it will limit overclocking to about 3.6 when you can easily get 4 with right RAM and cooling.

yes, maybe a render or 2 will buy you a new rig.

[jsmda800]

indeed, DDR3 is expensive. and if you intend to overclock, the cheap ddr3 is not suggested. it will limit overclocking to about 3.6 when you can easily get 4 with right RAM and cooling.

yes, maybe a render or 2 will buy you a new rig.

perfect timing - 2, 3, 4 years from now when I get up to...literally...speed