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Cheap Rig Setups around $500
- Thread starter I/O
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So wait, what's your question? lol.
Shalafi
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you're using DDR 800? not DDR2? Just curious
i could go i5 750 + mobo + DDR3 for $400
you might wanna buy a new PSU
after that you can just save up some more for a video card, your 4850 is fine for now, it's not bleeding edge but it'll last untill you have $150 to spend on a 5770 or $300 to spend on a 5850
i could go i5 750 + mobo + DDR3 for $400
you might wanna buy a new PSU
after that you can just save up some more for a video card, your 4850 is fine for now, it's not bleeding edge but it'll last untill you have $150 to spend on a 5770 or $300 to spend on a 5850
Its DDR2. From what I understand, there are not that many applications that use the full potential of the i7's rediculous power. I was thinking of a crossfire, but i will still wait to see what is avail in the next few months
Shalafi
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well I was suggesting i5 given your budget
what I just recommended would serve you well
you could crossfire 2x 5770's but really the best solution is to just get the best single GPU you can afford
what I just recommended would serve you well
you could crossfire 2x 5770's but really the best solution is to just get the best single GPU you can afford
It'd help us if you've listed the specs of your rig in this thread, instead of having us search through your user profile for details.
The video card would give you the most noticeable improvement overall, but that depends on your gaming habits. The E8400 can be overclocked to 4GHz, if not higher, using a good fan-based CPU cooler and DDR2 1066 RAM.
I also recommend replacing the PSU before you pursue the video card as (IIRC) the "Panther 650V QuietCool" sounds like one of the "generic" PSUs that can't actually produce the power load that they're rated for. Do you have a model number and/or link to the PSU you're currently using?
I/O said:
The video card would give you the most noticeable improvement overall, but that depends on your gaming habits. The E8400 can be overclocked to 4GHz, if not higher, using a good fan-based CPU cooler and DDR2 1066 RAM.
I also recommend replacing the PSU before you pursue the video card as (IIRC) the "Panther 650V QuietCool" sounds like one of the "generic" PSUs that can't actually produce the power load that they're rated for. Do you have a model number and/or link to the PSU you're currently using?
Concentric
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Tell us about what you use the machine for - gaming? photoshop? databases? just browsing?
If you're into gaming then on your 24" you'll probably be wanting a new video card - something like a 5770 or 5850 (possibly along with a new PSU).
Alternatively, upgrading your storage might bring you up to speed - some 640GB or 1TB drives (for speed, not just capacity), or maybe even an SSD.
If you're into gaming then on your 24" you'll probably be wanting a new video card - something like a 5770 or 5850 (possibly along with a new PSU).
Alternatively, upgrading your storage might bring you up to speed - some 640GB or 1TB drives (for speed, not just capacity), or maybe even an SSD.
Tiraides, sorry. I thought just looking at the signature would be fine. I would like to get a PSU(750V-900V), some RAM1066mhz(1200mhz would be nice, but maybe too expensive), Vid card, and ultimately a new case with a more organic design. This computer gets around 50% gaming usage, 25%, browsing, 25% multimedia usage. I have seen SSD's going for $89.99 for a 40GB, but its not a name brand. A friend who is more up on this than me said that Intel has the best right now. I can't find the box that the PSU came in right now, so I'm gonna have to open the case. It needs to be replaced anyhow. I do want to start playing Crysis.
The "ideal" upgrades for Crysis, based on what you currently have, are (in order of necessity) a better video card, PSU, processor, and memory. However, Intel's Socket 775 lineup have reached EOL status and the price of DDR2 RAM has risen to the point that it's not worth buying (new) over DDR3 RAM. However, dropping your current parts in favor of an AMD Phenom II-based system would be a lateral move, at best.
To maximize your purchasing power, I recommend trying to find a Yorkfield quad-core (Q8xxx or Q9xxx), a 4GB dual-channel DDR2 1066 kit, and the HD4870 or HD4890 through the used market. (Before you look for the processor, find out whether or not your board can support the newer Core 2 processors. If it can, get the most recent BIOS version you can find and update your board to it.) I recommend buying a new PSU with at least 550 watts, 40A combined on its 12V rails, and 80 Plus certification.
To maximize your purchasing power, I recommend trying to find a Yorkfield quad-core (Q8xxx or Q9xxx), a 4GB dual-channel DDR2 1066 kit, and the HD4870 or HD4890 through the used market. (Before you look for the processor, find out whether or not your board can support the newer Core 2 processors. If it can, get the most recent BIOS version you can find and update your board to it.) I recommend buying a new PSU with at least 550 watts, 40A combined on its 12V rails, and 80 Plus certification.
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Thats some serious voltage right there, buddy! Your outlet can pump that many volts out?!? lol. /sarcasm. Anyhow, as tiraides mentioned, you do not need such high WATTAGE PSUs for a typical single vidcard gaming system. Stick to a 550W - 650W, Corsair, Antec (non-basiq), Seasonic, Silverstone, BFG (non-GS), etc, that meet or beat the specs tiraides listed.
I agree with tiraides suggestions. The GA-EP45-DS3R will certainly accept the latest Core2Quad Yorkfields, so just update the BIOS to the most recent before upgrading. Though, I would also agree with Concentric in that you would most likely be better off with a newer HD 5000 series card, if you can afford it.