Maximum PC

Here's the deal, I have a fairly decent pc platform that I built in late 2008. I would rather try and upgrade a few components rather than scratch the pc and start over (be able to limp along on the pc for another 3 yrs). I would like to upgrade my ram to 8gb. I tried this recently by buying an extra set of the same corsair ram, but the mobo kept crashing even after lowering the ram speed. Any ram recommendations? Also I would like to get a good sound card and video card(replacement). Something with 2xdvi out and 2xhdmi out. Please let me know your thoughts and/or recommendations. Max budget is $500.

My '08 PC:


Case: Basic mid-size aluminum tower

Power Supply: COOLMAX CUG-950B 950W ATX12V v2.3 EPS12V v2.91 SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159072

Motherboard: ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131219

CPU: Intel - Q9550 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache 1333MHz Front side Bus speed Socket 775
Have overclocked to 3.2GHz
http://www.pricewatch.com/gallery/cpu/core_2_quad_q9550

CPU Fan: Sunbeam CR-CCTF 120 mm Core-Contact Freezer CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004

RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197

HardDrives (2): Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3750640AS 750GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148134

Thank ahead of time for any rec's!!

I just did the same with my x38 system, but I upgraded from a q6600 to the 9550 and went to 8gig also. you might try upping the memory voltage, and make sure the required voltage for the memory is the same. what OS are you using?

OS: Running Windows7 64x Ult.
Current VideoCard: PowerColor HD 4870 512mb (Also have been having some rare issues with this card, i think it may have been overheated at some point in its 4 yrs)

RAM: I found the same set of ram for cheap a year back, installed, set the speed to 1066, kept the voltage recommendations and got blue screen crashes after 2-3 minutes running windows. Decided to mess with different speeds/voltages to try and fix the crashing. If I remember right, the duration increased sometimes to 30 minutes before it crashed at lower speeds, not sure with the voltage. I decided the heck with this, i dont need more ram and sold them for what I bought them for. A year later Im having a change of heart and would like to get more ram. Maybe I should sell the corsair set i have now and buy 4x2gb sticks of a diff set? I need to check and see if anyone with my board has had 8gb probs.

V-Card: I was looking at switching from ati to nvidia, maybe a gtx570. Ive been playing BF3 and my current card is having a hard time.
S-Card: 5.1 something?

OS: windows 7 64x ult.
Current V-card: Powercolor 4870 HD 512mb

RAM: When i installed the 2nd set, i tweeked the voltage and speed, still got crashes... (I remember getting some setting advice from a forum but it didnt help), mobo issues? I was thinking I could sell the one set I have now and buy 2 sets of 2x2gb of another brand, suggestions?

Vcard: Im playing BF3 and the card is having some issues keeping up.

Wait for Ivy bridge to come out on the 23rd.

Not to bash or cry, but this forum has not yet been very helpful. I thought this is exactly what this forum was about.

not only is ivy bridge a cpu, which i am not replacing, its also out of the budget and not the right chipset...

come on guys..

Sorry I missed the line where you asked for a graphics card thought you were asking for a new CPU and mobo. But still I would wait on a graphics card we are in the middle of nVidia's gtx 600 launch so the new ones should be out soon and the old ones should drop in price. Also I don't have much time to post right now since it is almost finals week for me so I like to add what I can when I can. Other people should be on here that can help, this forum isn't as active as it used to be though.

4GB is fine for most people. You only need more if you have a bad habit of not closing programs and switching between them all the time. But in any case, you could've gotten a bad set of RAM.

A GTX 570 would eat up most of your budget, they're like $350. But I guess that's fine since this is an incremental upgrade.

Most motherboard on-board sound can do 5.1 without mucking around too much. If that's all you want, you don't need a sound card. And while you may get something out of using something that's compatible with EAX, it really doesn't add much to the experience. 5.1 adds a whole lot more than what EAX does. Otherwise, you'd have to drop about $100 for something decent.

cheers sharptooth, thx for the advice

Yeah it is most likely a bad set of ram try running memtest 86+ if you can. Also the names are in red, "sharptooth" is his title which is based on the number of posts made.