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Hi guys, I need a bit of help with upgrading my PC. This is my current spec:

O/S: Windows 7 Home Premium
Motherboard: Asus P5KC
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
ROM: Hitachi HDD (300GB) Internal + Seagate HDD (500GB) External
RAM: 4GB DDR2 @ 1066MHz
Graphics: nVidia 8800 GT
Sound: Realtek High Definition Audio
Cooling: 2 x Tower Fans + 1 x CPU fan


Here are some internal pics:









I have no idea what the fans are... some cheap crap that lights up blue. I've got a switch on the front that turns the fans up (as you turn it, they get faster and faster) but the whole thing is rubbish as it's getting pretty hot in there, even when the PC isn't even doing much...





I did try overclocking the CPU using a tutorial, but yeah... system restore anyone?

Can anyone suggest some compatible components to increase performance and/or improve cooling? Please bear in mind that I'm a complete n00b when it comes to hardware, although I am starting to learn

Cheers - Fel

You shouldn't of had to system restore if you overclocked your CPU
Just had to reset your BIOS back to default would've fixed whatever problems you did.

Anyyyyyyyyyway what are you looking to upgrade? Just cooling or you want better graphics/processor? Also budget?

Right.

As it stands your system components are fine, you have a good CPU, good amount of mem, and a not entirely bad GPU (though if you like gaming it might be worth upgrading).

You're problem is in your cooling.

What you want to buy is 2 good 120mm fans (one for the lower front of your case, and one to replace that small blue one on the rear), and a good CPU cooler.

I suggest the following:

http://www.awd-it.co.uk/scripts/prodVie ... oduct=6506

& 2 of these:

http://www.awd-it.co.uk/scripts/prodVie ... oduct=1010

That blue fans tiddy!

Basically I'm looking to "future proof" so that any new games / applications will run super smooth. I want to play HL2 Episode 3 on max graphics (when it eventually comes out )

I'm definitely getting rid of the fans, so thank you to Hex for the suggestions. My heatsink is looking pretty ill as well

Budget wise - not really sure. A few £ to spare, but don't want to pay silly money. Just suggest a card...

Hell, why not even suggest a new case? Mines an Aspire... something or other. If not, I'll have to change those front lights somehow, because the fans Hex suggested are amber!

We can't really suggest upgrades to run HL2 Episode 3 on max as required specs have not been released have they? Something could come out graphics wise before then and you may need some super uber pc to play it on max or something.
The best upgrade you could get to future proof yourself alot would be to purchase a ATI 5850 card, yes its very costly but thats the best way to accomadate the future.

If you don't have that kind of money then the 5770.
Stay on here and see what other things people suggest

Another thing to note, if you upgrade to a more powerful card i would advise you buy a decent PSU too.

or the 5770

Yeah was gunna say this, but i don't think hes got much money to spend at the moment so graphics card would show more improvment than PSU

Any Source game will run off a turd with a fan in it.


5850 tbh

Right, I've got myself some fans, so going to wire them in and see how it goes. Also getting some new LEDs to put in the front.

I've only ever had nVidia cards... I take it ATi are better?

That's if his current PSU can give out the amps needed to power a 5770, let alone a 5850. Its stability, not performance were talking here.

Your worried about amperage for a HD5770.......

More worried about shoddy PSUs really.

Right, my new fans have arrived and I decided to add them to the existing ones, rather than replace. I've double them up and it's like Antarctica in there now!






However, I've had the remove the CPU fan and put the old one back in... the new one keeps stating "CPU Fan Error!" on boot up. Anyone got any ideas? I tried turning it 90° as well, but it wouldn't even start

Oooookay, well I would unstack the two ambers, and instead move one to the lower front of your case as an intake, then you will have a good fresh cool supply of air being pulled into your case.

Having them stacked is rather a waste tbh.

As for the CPU fan, it is probably your BIOS thinking the fan is running too slow (which it wont be), you just need to go into bios and turn off the CPU Fan Error option (it will usually be in the same page that shows your system temps).

When you say you put the old one back in you don't mean you put the whole old CPU cooler back in do you? because the Xigmatec one is LOADS better.

(PS the way you have it mounted in the pics is exactly as it should be)

I've stacked them because there is literally nowhere else to put them... it's a bit of a weird case tbh

Yeah I did put the old CPU cooler back in, but only because the new one was coming up with the error. Now that i know what to do, I will put the Scorpion back in

Thanks for the help - I'll give it a go!

You need to put a fan here:



It's an odd angle on the pic, so not sure if its a 120mm fan space or not, but if not one of the blue fans should fit there.

Fan needs to be blowing into the case.

New Case TBH