New Beast Ordered and Due to Arrive Friday!

It’s that time where my machine needs a hefty upgrade, the now lowly AMD64 3200+ has lasted me since its initial release, which has to be going on for three years now. However, when one replaces an older CPU with newer tech, it’s no longer just a one component upgrade.

So, focusing on getting around three more years out of the next rig, I’ve set about OverClockers.co.uk with a fine tooth-comb to grab some reasonable hardware.

First off, that processor has to go, in with a new Intel Core 2 Duo (E6400) Allendale, each core operating at 2.13ghz, with a 1066mhz FSB, and 2mb of Layer 2 cache per core. I picked this one for it’s relative cheapness, its FSB speed being more than adequate for over-clocking, and reports from the wild that these chips have been overclocked to a stable 3.2ghz.

Next up, behind every good processor (and overclocking prospective) is the motherboard. Now this one is a slight odd choice, as it doesn’t support SLI… But SLI is a good cheap upgrade (if you can still get exactly the same GFX card in the future), but then you miss on on any GPU improvements that have occured between the SLI upgrade, besides, Dual Core GPUs are still pricey, but they will become the norm. Also, I wouldn’t want to waste a PCI-E slot that could well be filled with a Physics Accelerator in the future. The mobo I picked is the Abit AW9D-MAX Intel 975x. It’s jam-packed with functions, and overclocking niceness, and will also support Quad Core processors, and 1066mhz FSB. So plenty of room for future upgrades.

Alas, my current Graphics Card is AGP, and it was hard to get an AGP mobo back when I last bought one. Now, it’s impossible, and just plain silly… So the GFX card needs replacing for a PCI-E version. Roll on the well valued OcUK GeForce 7950 GT Silent 512mb DDR3. Boast significant speed and processing increases over my old GeForce 6800, this new card is very well priced for the power it gives out, and should run with less noise output.

Of course, the memory also has to change, roll on 2gbs of cheap OcUK branded 800mhz memory… I know it’s not 1066mhz, but then, I don’t need memory that fast yet… And I don’t have a spare £500 just to spend on fast memory, so I opted for something fast enough, and cheap.

Wrap this all up in a light-weight, low-noise, aluminium case with dust-filters, and temperature probes, namely the NZXT Lexa Classic, and it’s a proper hardcore workstation that’s ready for some computational action.

Can you tell that I’m quite excited?