PLEASE HELP - should change my entire system or just upgrade

[nanotech]

I saw 16 GB ( 2 X 8 ) for CDN $100 at newegg.ca

HyperX FURY 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX316C10FK2/16 - Newegg.com

Buy HyperX FURY 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model HX316C10FK2/16 with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.ca

sorry about the delayed info about the USB and rear Audio port

 

[lexluthermiester]

I saw 16 GB ( 2 X 8 ) for CDN $100 at newegg.ca

You want to go for 4x4GB. The reason is memory bandwidth. You have a quad-channel memory system. If you only use 2x8GB the system will only run in dual channel mode cutting you RAM bandwidth in half. Not what you want to do. Look for a kit of 4 to get the most from your system.

sorry about the delayed info about the USB and rear Audio port

No worries. Are you thinking of a sound card to replace the onboard sound?

 

[nanotech]

Thanks for the bandwidth tip
I think the smaller modules are also a bit cheaper
I did not think of a sound card - maybe I should - right now I use the front port - very messy with wires : (

 

[Shrek]

sorry about the delayed info about the USB and rear Audio port

Have you tried silicone oil on the connectors? has solved a lot of issues for me.

And I agree, a CPU upgrade will get you more than a RAM upgrade, given you already have 8GB

 

[nanotech]

No I did not
I did not know that silicone oil can help
What exactly does the oil do ? I am interested to know

 

[Shrek]

It protects against corrosion and is like the silicone grease used on car connectors; but use sparingly.

I would be reluctant to sink money into a damaged mother-board, but have been known to replace the USB connector on a mother-board; not easy as all the ground planes make soldering hard (they conduct away the heat).

 

[lexluthermiester]

Thanks for the bandwidth tip
I think the smaller modules are also a bit cheaper
I did not think of a sound card - maybe I should - right now I use the front port - very messy with wires : (

Try looking up a Sound Blaster Audigy FX 5.1 PCIe.

Amazon.com: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp: Computers & Accessories

Buy Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX PCIe 5.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp: Internal Sound Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Canada Amazon should have that card for a similar price. You can then disable the onboard.

Andy and I agree that the CPU upgrade is the more important point. Sound card should be next.

 

[nanotech]

Sounds like a good plan : )

 

[n-ster]

You could buy this 4x2gb kit to up your ram https://www.kijiji.ca/v-computer-co...rsair-dominator-dd3-4x2gb-for-sale/1567186377 , combined with that SSD, and honestly I think you should keep it at that. Save up money for a newer build later on. I know you have that upgrade itch, but considering you're on a tight budget, probably best to avoid spending anything and just make things work better with the current PC with as little money as possible. You'll end up with fast storage and 16GB of RAM, which should give you a big jump in performance from what you have currently

 

[nanotech]

I am just talking with someone who has 4 sticks of 1600 Kingston RAM so that I can use more channels to get more bandwidth
but i will consider this Cosair - hopefully it is not too tall for my cooler

 

[Shrek]

Use Speccy or Task manager to see your RAM usage (with all those Tabs open); if you don't hit near 8GB, more RAM is probably not going to be of much benefit.

There is also very little benefit to dual and quad channel (i.e. you won't even notice it)
Single Channel vs. Dual Channel vs. Quad Channel Memory (techguided.com)

If I were you I'd install the SSD you have.

Does anyone know how much change the Windows 10 license will allow? I went from a dual to a quad without issue.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Does anyone know how much change the Windows 10 license will allow?

3 main components in a given 12 month period, or a motherboard at any time unless replaced by an identical model.

 

[docnorth]

It’s a rare occasion to have such consensus, a 2,5” SSD could change your PC, especially the load speed and responsiveness of your applications. Personally I would opt for 1TB (or minimum 500GB).

 

[lexluthermiester]

I went from a dual to a quad without issue.

You'll be fine.

 

[Shrek]

He already has a boxed 640GB SSD but for some reason is not trying it out.

It might be all he needs.

 

[lexluthermiester]

It’s a rare occasion to have such consensus

Yeah, it's really rather cool when everyone comes together to help someone do an upgrade and/or solve a problem.

 

[nanotech]

Just a matter of time
I will give it a shot this long weekend
I have to make sure I can have the files from the HDD copied for safety and then replace the drive and then install the OS and then the software

I can only do this with confidence when I have the office work halted which is over he weekend

We cannot afford to not have our system up and running during regular business days



And I really wish I had you alls confidence and knowledge

You guys are awesome

 

[Shrek]

If your business depends on this PC, you really, really need a backup machine; so I don't see you have much choice but to get a new PC and relegate what you have now to a backup role.

 

[Why_Me]

If your business depends on this PC, you really, really need a backup machine; so I don't see you have much choice but to get a new PC and relegate what you have now to a backup role.

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=26_1842_1960&item_id=169093
ASUS PRIME H410M-E $94.99

https://www.pc-canada.com/item/BX8070110100F.html

Intel Core i3-10100F (4 Cores/8 Threads) $103.99

https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=24_311_1326&item_id=138225
G.SKILL Aegis Series 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 2666MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit $99.99

Total: $299 CAD

PRIME H410M-E｜Motherboards｜ASUS USA

www.asus.com

 

[Shrek]

I'd say he also needs a case if the old machine is to stay intact; that or just get an off-the-shelf PC

 

[n-ster]

Whoa if that kind of reliability is required for your business, I'd suggest not cheaping out. There is something to be said for going with a big name's (ie Dell, Lenovo...) office/business prebuilt and purchase the on-site warranty for example. Considering you are intimidated by this kind of stuff, don't try to assemble or upgrade this PC, instead keep it as a working backup, that way if you have issues setting up your new PC or forgot a file etc, you can go get it easily.

What kind of business?

 

[thesmokingman]

I still have two X79 rigs, one in daily use for A/V production work. A used Xeon 8 core E5 1680 V2 (overclockable) or 12 core E5 2697 V2 (locked multiplier) will give a huge boost in performance in addition to a SSD and more RAM. The prices on those two Xeons have been in the area of $90-130 on Ebay recently. My two E5 1680 V2's @4.5GHz are very close to my 5960X in a X99 mobo at the same speed. That being said I recently replaced the 5960X with a 16 core E5 2683 V4 Xeon and while having lower clock speeds the extra cores more than make up for it plus it runs a lot cooler.

We all have our own opinions. The biggest performance gain for the least amount of $$$ spent would be a Xeon CPU, SSD and more RAM. Your X79 is quad channel memory. Both of my X79's have 64GB each in them. With some bargain hunting everything is easily doable in the $200-300 range. X79 still has life in it with the correct components.

I have a friend that was using that era xeons doing production work in LA. He finally broke down and came to me to help him cut his render times which typically ran 5 hours to days. He makes his living on that machine. After much discussion, he was leaving a lot of bread on the table because he couldn't bill more work because he's waiting hours to days for the rendering to finish... only to find mistakes, errors or other issues which meant that he'd have to go through that all over again. Threadripper 3's just released and so it was decided to throw money at the problem. Also, his rig could not handle his dual sandwiched and aircooled 2080ti, obviously not many can on air. Fast forward and 10K later, he's running a 3970x and his 2080ti are under water. Jobs that took 5 hours now take an hour. Needless to say his ability to make more profit in the same time frame has increased exponetially to the point that he's considering a second TR station.

 

[nanotech]

Hello

Will this work on my system

G.SKILL DDR3-1866 PC3-14900 16G RAM

I am being offered 4 X 4 sticks for CDN $65 = USD $ 55

I like to try this and the SSD over the weekend

Thanks

​

 

[X71200]

Yeah, those sticks should work.

On the sound card, I wouldn't bother with that Ghetto Blaster. It's an antic sound card and a waste of money.

Look for cheap DACs from FiiO and such, even the meh ones are a lot better than that ancient card.

 

[Shrek]

Do the SSD and RAM upgrades separately as I suspect you won't notice any benefit from the RAM upgrade.