how much performance increase would i see from a new system?

[MightyMar22]

hey,
I am kinda of bored of my current system and i was entertaining the idea of building a new system. with that said, i don't really want to just go and spend $1K because my current system is a bit old.
all I really do is browse the web, burn dvds, cds, use winrar alot, quickpar and some times photoshop.

Please take a look at my current system config (below) and what i would like to get if i find that it would be worth it. by the way, i don't game on my pc anymore.

Let me know if a new system will really give me any performance improvement (given the tasks i usually do) or if i should just spend $110 for an ASUS P4C800-DELUXE and overclock that.

CURRENT SYSTEM:
cpu -> P4 3ghz prescott
mobo -> biostar P4M80-M4 (had to buy this after my asus P4P800 died)
mem -> 2x1g g.skill
video -> leadtek 6800LE (fully unlocked)
hard disk -> 1x400g and 1x300g
PS -> Seasonic 400W or 500W, i forgot


What i would like to get:
cpu -> Intel core 2 duo E8400 $199
mobo ->Asus p5k-e/wifi $150
mem - >OCZ Flex XLC (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1150 (PC2 9200) $106
video -> ASUS EN8500GT
new case -> Thermaltake LCS Kandalf $300
i will use the same hardrives and power supply.



Thanks for your help

[MUff1N]

From first hand knowledge of doing this 10 months ago I can tell you it's a night and day difference!!! I couldn't believe how much faster the new system was...My first reaction was Whoa!!!

Example: Creating a new backup img for my OS partition.

Old system with the P4 2.66Ghz / 590 FSB, 35 mins

New system with Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 3.3Ghz /1300+ FSB, 3 mins

Gaming...it's just Crazy good now!!!

Sandra Benches put it at 86% faster than my old system...

[MightyMar22]

very nice.
well, if i don't have to spend alot of money fixing the AC on my car (there is a leak some where) i think i will go for it and build a new one. with that case, i will have my first water cooled system. :-)

thanks.

[Samuknow]

That is a sweet case you picked.

You will be blown away as MUff1N stated.

[MUff1N]

Originally Posted by MightyMar22

very nice.
well, if i don't have to spend alot of money fixing the AC on my car (there is a leak some where) i think i will go for it and build a new one. with that case, i will have my first water cooled system. :-)

thanks.

If you water cool the E8400, expect to be able to overclock it easy to 4.5Ghz...
At this speed on this 45nm processor, it will blow away my new system!!! Yea...ridiculously fast....

[MightyMar22]

I already ordered the case but can you guys let me know if the parts listed below are ok or if i can get a better deal with something else (around the same price range).


ASUS EN8500GT TOP/HTP/256M GeForce 8500GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready ($50 after mail-in rebate)

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Power Supply ($45 after mail-in rebate)

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 ($33 kit after mail-in rebate. im getting 2 of these so ill have 4Gs)


Thanks

[MUff1N]

Can't really comment on the other HW parts, but I can on the 2x1GB Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400C4 (4-4-4-12) that I use!
For the price it's a win, win! They OC pretty good too and will go as high as 960Mhz with 2.24v & at 33 bucks a pair you can't beat it...
Solid DDR2 Memory with good latency.

I'm not sure how much the memory will limit your OC of the E8400 though as I don't know what kind of memory dividers are on that board or if it can have it locked to where it's not an issue.

[MightyMar22]

Ok, all the parts are ordered and i should have them by friday. I want to measure the performance gain on this new build. what benchmark utililties should i use for testing?

[MUff1N]

Sisoftware Sandra, 3DMark, PCMark.

Check out this comparison from old to new. Keep in mind this is only OCed to 3Ghz too!
My old system is the Pentium 4-B 2.4Ghz processor.
Old to new = 81% performance increase.