Need Some Help, Upgrading the Desktop (CPU & GPU)

A

ARom

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
234
Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade my desktop within the coming weeks and at the latest early May. I would like to play Crysis, Far Cry 2, Mass Effect and any other graphically intensive games on relatively high settings (shaders and shadows) without AA at 1400*900.

Price/Performance is most important as I am on a budget and will only use this desktop from May-August (not at college). Resale value is important as I would be inclined to sell the graphics card in early September as I head back to campus, and then buy a new one next spring(2010).

My desktop is on XP and my monitor has a maximum resolution of 1400*900. I will not upgrade either of these, just the CPU & GPU.

My desktop has:

Intel Pentium 4 Dual Core 3.4GHZ (old, slow)
ATI X1950 GT (Sold)
3 GB RAM
Windows XP

From the Current Best Computer You Can Get for $X U.S.
 I'm certain the Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz will be the CPU upgrade.

I'm not sure about the GPU... it's down to brand new and less performance vs a used card and a bit more performance.

I'm looking at the: 4830, 4850, 9800 GT, 9800GTX+ and the GTS 250.

Which card should I buy?

My budget is $161 USD ($205CAD) which means I could buy the 2.5ghz wolfdale + 4830/9800 GT brand new, or get a more expensive graphics card (9800GTX+, 4850) on ebay that has been used a bit and pair that with the wolfdale processor instead.

Thoughts? I would like to know your opinion.

Also, would I have any problems getting the Very High/Enthusiast settings for Crysis (only for shaders & shadows) on XP?
 
Is this system custom or prebuilt? What mobo and psu do you have? they might not even work with newer technology. Please give exact model numbers.

Xp won't be your problem it will be your hardware.
 
It's a fairly recent prebuilt machine, my mobo is PCI-Express (I have popped the X1900 series & Audigy 2 soundblaster in there no problem... which was the last time I looked into power supply and my motherboard) yes of course I will look into power supply & cpu compatibility before making a final decision...

I'm interested in which graphics card would be the best choice given my budget, my monitors 1400*900 display, and resale value... let's assume everything is good on the psu & motherboard (I'm almost certain it is).

And if the 2.5ghz wolfdale processor is a good mainstream/budget processor
 
The 9800gtx is a great card for the money but if you have just the psu that came with your machine you might run into problems, also do you have at least 10.5" for the card in your case. Your mobo model is needed. Not all 775's support the newer C2D 775's.
 
that's what i was thinking... 9800GTX+

thanks, I will get the measurements and find out my power supply.

But it's looking like:
2.5ghz wolfdale
9800 GTX+

any other thoughts?
 
I don't think I can get a GTS 250 & a processor for $161 USD ($205 Canadian)... besides, the GTS 260 is nothing new from what I'm reading.

OK:
2.5ghz wolfdale ($72)
Best card I can afford for $100 USD (#1 9800 GTX+, #2 4850, #3 4830, #4 9800 GT)

I take it you guys think I should forget about the 4830 & 9800 GT? I could get those new. Or get a used 9800GTX+ (or used 4850) on eBay.

I think the 9800GTX+ is the most likely to find used, and offer the best price/performance.
 
I'm leaning towards brand new:

2.5ghz wolfdale
ATI 4830

Which I can get for $163 USD.

From what I understand the 4830 runs cool and is smaller.
 
On a side note, you should check your motherboard to make sure it supports the cpu. A lot of the older chipsets dont support current socket 775 CPUs.
 
lloose said:
On a side note, you should check your motherboard to make sure it supports the cpu. A lot of the older chipsets dont support current socket 775 CPUs.
Click to expand...

Agreed, please do this.

The ATI 4830 or the GTS 250 are both good choices. Yes the ATI should be shorter.
 
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