Help with upgrade my PC...

Hi everyone

I own a Packard Bell iXtreme X2712. I know it has a Q6600 and 8600GS. I'm not sure of the RAM speed but it has 3GB (Even though most websites say it can only support 2GB). I want to upgrade the hardware in order to run Flight Simulator X smoothly with high graphics settings. What is the best thing to upgrade?

I was thinking faster RAM because the Vista performance tool marks this has the lowest hardware, score of 4.9. Everything else is in the high 5's. Can anyone help me find out what RAM my mobo supports?

Is it better to upgrade the GPU to a 9800GT or get another 8600GS and hook them up SLI? Does my mobo support SLI?

Thanks for your help all, I'm having real difficulty finding out about this PC!

 

Sorry, RAM test is 4.1 with the Vista performance tool.

 

In that case, you may not be able to upgrade the RAM any further. Check with Packard Bell what the system max is, and what other upgrades are possible. What CPU do you have in there?

 

you will probably see the most performance boost out of the 9800 by itself rather than the 8600 sli....you may also want to make sure your ram is being correctly identified in your bios for it's optimal speed.

 

Weirdly, your motherboard max for RAM is 2GB DDR2 @ 800 mHz. Your OS is also limited to just over 3GB so a RAM upgrade is definitely not worth the time or the money.

The easiest and best way to get better graphics performance is to use the 9800GT (if it fits), if you were to run another 8600GS in SLI, you would probably need to upgrade you power supply as well. Packard Bell will probably install a PSU that's just enough to run the system and nothing else (money saving manufacturers!)

 

Thanks for your replies...

I've got a Q6600 - Quad @ 2.4Ghz

Michenko - I'm only assuming the 9800GT will fit because it's already got an 8600. Are they the same connection? Also is there a better card for around £140?

If I get the 9800GT can anyone recomemend a manufacturer? play.com are selling one by Zotac for £109, anyone recomened this?

Thanks again.

 

Just for general information:

Anyone, who wants to know about how much ram and what type and at what cost their computer will take, should go to:
www.crucial.com

And download their free "scanner". The result of the scan will tell you exactly what you already have and what you can get to max out your PC.

I buy lots of ram in a years time, in my own computer business. It's hard to find really good quality ram at anything close to or less than what Crucial sells their ram for. You can also buy your ram from them and they will ship it right to your house. It don't get much easier than that.

There's a lot of JUNK ram out there from other vendors.
Knowing that, I'll only do business with a company I trust, and I do trust Crucial.

Good Luck and Happy Holidays!
The Shadow :cool

 

Thanks for your input 'The Shadow'! Sadly, the scanner on Crucial's website doesn't reconise my RAM nor is my PC model listed in their drop down boxes. I think I will go with Crucial though when I finally do decide what I'm getting. Thanks again.

 

I know that "Crucial" has a very extensive database of PC's and motherboards, but every once in a while I hit some old mobo that they can't identify.

Did you download their scanner and run it from your own computer?

If you know the make and model of your motherboard, you can sometimes type it into their web page and get a reading that way.

I know they cover all the name brand PC's and mother boards here in the US.
Outside of the US, all bets are off.

But if you know what you need, they are still about the only company I'll trust to sell me top quality ram.

Actually, I get "Super Talent" ram from my wholesaler in Orlando at fabulous prices, but they only sell to licensed computer dealers.

Good Luck to ya!
The Shadow :cool

 

Can anyone confirm that a 9800GT will slot straight in to an 8600GS slot?

Also is there a better card than the 9800GT for £140? And will I need to upgrade my 250W PSU?

 

i use tom's hardware graphics card comparison page to decide which card i like:

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/graphics-cards,1.html

and yeah, you will need a better power supply, prolly at least 500 w or higher...not sure if packard bell uses proprietary power supplies or not...is your current 8600gs pciexpress x16?

 

Thanks 'theSmokingGun'