PC Upgrade questions

Croaking_Toad SG

I have a E6400 Core2Duo on a Asus P5W Deluxe running on 2Gb DDR2 6400/800 powered by 650W PSU, with Windows XP OS.

My questions are:-

1. What's the highest end CPU I can get to upgrade on this MoB? Core 2 Quad possible? Is it able to take any of the 65nm - Q6600 or Q6700? How about the Q8400? Will I see much difference in speed with this upgrade, if it's possible at all?

2. Any differences in Windows 7 software, that is from Home Premium, Professional or Ultimate? Can my existing setup take on Windows 7? Is it advisable to buy the Windows 7 OS off websites like eBay, where it is much cheaper? Will it work for my location in Singapore? 32-bit or 64-bit is better?

3. The MoB is able to take on maximum 8Gb of RAM. Since I got 2 slots left, that would mean I can only have 2 of 2Gb RAM. So together with a total of 6Gb RAM, is the upgrade worth the money for home use, mostly work, and some graphic intensive games?

Thanks in advance.

Call4ljw SG

Though it would be cheaper in cost to upgrade with your mobo, but i think if you can afford it, you should go for Sandy Bridge upgrade.

If you want to upgrade only CPU, i say go for the 45nm since power consumption will be lower. Though Core 2 Quad is possible, but i would recommend core 2 duo for LGA 775.
Core 2 Quad is non-native quad core, which means under home conditions, you wont see much difference in speed. For Core 2 duo, E8600 is the highest you can go.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare

eBay; you are buying from another end user, so the software would be second hand, though not really important, but i'll recommend you not buy a second hand one.
64-bit is better.

3. Yes,6GB RAM. For home use, actually 2-4GB ram is sufficient.
Under a 32-bit OS, only 4GB of ram will be utilised.

C2Q alone cost $235(tradepac). With $235, you can already get a Sandy Bridge build(CPU + MOBO). But of cuz, you'll have to change the ram to DDR3 if you switch to Sandy Bridge.

Get a 64bit as 32bit is only able to read up to 4gb of memory. You can get the OEM disc from cashtronics(SLS. That's where i got mine from).

The upgrade is not worth the money as DDR2 RAM is quite EXP. 2Gb cost around $36.