Gladiator Trident CPC6600 PC System - HELP!!

[Cabey]

Hi all,

I bought this PC quite some time back .....

http://www.aria.co.uk/VendorStores/Gladiator+Trident+CPC6600+PC+System+Rev+2+%28Custo m+PC+Approved%29+?productId=26879

I'm having a few problems Im hoping I could get some help on, first though a little history, I bought this a good while back and all of a sudden I had memory issues so I replaced that and normal service was resumed. However trying to fix the issue originally meant I lost the Over clock settings applied to the system by Gladiators.
Then after a while I had a strange 'Beep' noise which never ended and the PC would not boot up. I thought Id get around to it and after much messing about I realised that the Graphics card comes out of position slightly. So that is now ok I think.

My main problem now is intermittent booting and reliability issues. I think the BIOS settings are incorrect so what i want to know is what were the original settings that came with the PC set by Gladiators?

In Summary....



The PC was pre-clocked by Gladiator and I have no idea what the settings should be. The bios at the minute is screwed up from playing around with it after doing some repairs over the years.
ALSO, I am wanting to upgrade this system in November to be able to get the most from Battlefield 3 when it comes out, should I just get a new PC or can I upgrade this system? Seems a waste of money to buy new when I have a good case and maybe a decent PSU. Would a barebones deal be better?

I realise thats a lot to get your head around and firstly thanks for taking the time to read it and secondly thank you to those that may help.

[Cabey]

Worth pointing out to Gladiator Techies that my version was version 1 spec, with the Nvidia 8800GTX installed.

Hope this helps. Getting a bad feeling no one can help with the OC aspect at least.

[El Wayneo]

Clear CMOS and then manually set the RAM timings as per the sticker that is on them.

Get it stable first then we'll see about Overclocking later.

[Cabey]

Thanks for the reply El Wayneo (http://forums.aria.co.uk/member.php?u=3926),

I've not been around PC's for a while now since my issues begun, anyway I took the componants out (memory and Gfx Card), dry air dusted the componats and Mobo, reinstalled them and reset the BIOS to Default/ Auto settings and everything appears good. I left it on overnight updating software and GFX card drivers and all appears stable again.

Ive also tested 'my rig' against the latest games requirements (BL OPS, Crysis 2) and Im barely just meeting them. Seems the latest trend to get the best out of games is a Quad core processor, 4 gig of Ram and newer Gfx card.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the slight OC that the PC came with originally wont add up to much when the latest games are asking for so much better components then the ones I have.
Am I correct in thinking that I need a complete overhaul of my PC to get the most out of games in particular FPS's?

Im not looking to do this untill nearer the time (Autumn), hopefully prices will drop on bundles by that time.

[Cabey]

Right ok then... I now have a stable PC, found out I have a HDD thats on its way out, dont think the other is tip top either but not too worried as I think the whole PC needs upgrading/ replacing anyway.

So I have learnt how to OC it myself and now have a Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 clocked from 2.4Ghz to 3.2Ghz (came with a stable OC @ 2.94Ghz).
My 4Gig ram is now at the proper voltages and speed too.
All other drivers are up to date.

I tested the rig using 3dMarks (Vantage for direct x 10) and here are the results..

http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3134085

Score: P6190 (I have no reference to how good this was but Im guessing not very)

Do I have any hope in getting this PC battlefield 3 ready? and If so what do I need?

Thanks for any help give in advance.

[Cabey]

Update:

Just ran Prime95 and worker one fails almost immediately. Thats certainly giving me something to think about. Im reading online that maybe Im not supplying eough voltage but Im a little worried as to melting my chip at this stage.

Any ideas to this as well as other thoughts in this thread?

[marsey99]

if you google your mother board you should be able to find a bios template which will make it easier for you to tell us what you have it set at now and us to advise on what to try to get it stable.

for bf3 you will need a quad core cpu and a better graphics card, you could do it on the cheap with a q6600 and cheapish g card ot go all out and update the lot.

[NickCPC]

Score: P6190 (I have no reference to how good this was but Im guessing not very)
Just so you have a point of reference against a modern quad and an average graphics card (specs in my sig - click the pic for a bigger image)...

http://i53.tinypic.com/v6me6p.png

[Cabey]

Thanks guys for that.

@ Marsey I'll do that bios template as Im trying to learn the dark arts of OC'ing and with the help of you guys and my own researching I hope to get there. WRT to my rigs future, Im beginning to think that maybe a new rig may be in order, so maybe just use what ive got to gain more knowledge, just shudder to think of the money aspect though. I'm maybe planning on doing a modded case deign build for fun so these parts will come in usefull i suppose eventually.

@Nick, thanks for the reference. Man I'm way of those scores and that's with my OC already, damn! lol I was really into PC's when I was a lot younger back in the days of Intels DX66's (pre pentium), I built my last one back in circa 2005 and I'm so out of date now even from 2007 when i bought this PC from Gladiators. Btw I couldnt remember my old login/ username from back then.

[Cabey]

Ok Ive been looking around and I have been thinking about upgrades and wondered if you guys support my ideas or think its worth while..

first, updating my CPU to this..
<removed link>
It seems a decent buy especially if I water cool it and OC it to 4Ghz. (£220)

Second, throw another 4 Gig of ram at my PC to 8 Gig (£40 ish)

Third, Upgrade to a decent Gfx card, im thinking a MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC (£215)

Fourth, Water cooler Corsair H70 (£70)

Update OS to Windows 7 64 Bit (£75)

= £620 for what should be a bit of a beast.

Thoughts anyone?

[gbh4]

Firstly, I delete that rainforest supplier link as you are not allowed to post those.

Secondly, I wouldn't go spending £220 on an outdated several series superseded CPU!

Look at the systems Aria are offering, compare those prices you have put which total £620 and you could very easily get a much better PC for almost that money or maybe a tad more.

Look at this pre-overclocked bundle from Aria for just £110 more than what you are proposing to just spend on the CPU.
http://www.aria.co.uk/Systems/Bundles/Intel+Overclocked+Bundles/Gladiator+%2A%2AMSI%2A%2A+B3+Core+i5+2500K+4.40GHz +Overclocked+Bundle+?productId=44082

[IanS]

I would definitely not want to spend that kind of money on an obsolete CPU.

I'd say the choice should be either to upgrade the whole system to something current, as suggested by gbh4 above, or simply upgrade the graphics card to something current.

If you try upgrading the graphics card, and it's still not sufficient for your needs, you can then upgrade the rest of the system, using your new GPU, so wouldn't be money wasted.

Depending on the resolution that you're wanting to game at, your current CPU may well be good enough, when combined with an up to date GPU.

[TaxMonkey]

Agree with the above that cpu is far from the best you can get for the money.

My advice would be to create a new thread here (http://forums.aria.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=34)stating your budget and what you want you use the pc for and you'll get some very good suggestions for a build.

[spleenharvester]

Whole new system would be my bet, if possible find the source of your current problem and sell the known working parts to recoup some money.

[Cabey]

Thanks everyone, that's a resounding answer to my question lol.
Im going to go for getting a bundle sometime around sept/ oct. In the mean time play around with OCing and stuff :)