So, I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade now. Been playing Age of Conan and my PC just isn't cutting it. I use my PC for 90% gaming, at 1920x1200.
This is what I have now, running XP:
CPU AMD x2 4400+
Mobo Abit a8n SLI
RAM DDR2 800 chips
PSU OCZ 600W Gamestream
GPU eVGA 7800GT
Crappy case and XP
24" Samsung LCD that I'll be keeping.
Big question for me is -- should I upgrade now, or hold off for 6-10 months for Nehalem? Thinking of plunking down for a new case, 1000w PSU, 750i board, DDR2, e8400, and a 9800GXT from eVGA ready to 'step-up' to the new gpus.
And keep in mind my concerns are all about increasing gaming performance. The big question is -- how much gaming performance am I gonna' get in dumping my x2 4400+ for an E8400? Cause that upgrade -- DDR2 / E8400 / 750i -- will cost me about $500, and probably be replaced by a Nehalem upgrade in 12 months. Simple question -- will that upgrade get me a boost of 25% or more in gaming performance? If so, it's worth it to me.
I see two scenarios that I can do now:
1) Upgrade PSU / Case / Video cards now. I need to do this because a 9800GTX barely clears my drives (1/4" clearance, literally), and my 600W PSU is getting close to it's limit on a dual SLI setup.
Then, upgrade Mobo / CPU / RAM in 12 months with Nehalem.
2) Upgrade everything now. I would do this and then upgrade to Nehalem next year if the gains I'll get over the next 12 months warrant it. While I hate the idea of wasting this money, at the same time, upgrading my CPU/RAM/MOBO to an e8400 setup will only cost ~$500 ($200 chip; $150 mobo; $100 RAM). The bulk of my $1500-$2000 upgrade is really coming from the case, CPU, video card, etc. -- stuff I really should bump up.
(3) Video cards -- wanna' get a 9800GTX from EVGA for the step-up program. Or, do I go with the cheaper 8800 series in case there ARE no new cards to step-up to, or if the 4870 rocks hard.
Is it certain that new nVidia cards are coming out in the next 3 months?
Any and all questions to give me some guidance on what my best "bang for the buck" here in upgrading my PC is appreciated!
This is what I have now, running XP:
CPU AMD x2 4400+
Mobo Abit a8n SLI
RAM DDR2 800 chips
PSU OCZ 600W Gamestream
GPU eVGA 7800GT
Crappy case and XP
24" Samsung LCD that I'll be keeping.
Big question for me is -- should I upgrade now, or hold off for 6-10 months for Nehalem? Thinking of plunking down for a new case, 1000w PSU, 750i board, DDR2, e8400, and a 9800GXT from eVGA ready to 'step-up' to the new gpus.
And keep in mind my concerns are all about increasing gaming performance. The big question is -- how much gaming performance am I gonna' get in dumping my x2 4400+ for an E8400? Cause that upgrade -- DDR2 / E8400 / 750i -- will cost me about $500, and probably be replaced by a Nehalem upgrade in 12 months. Simple question -- will that upgrade get me a boost of 25% or more in gaming performance? If so, it's worth it to me.
I see two scenarios that I can do now:
1) Upgrade PSU / Case / Video cards now. I need to do this because a 9800GTX barely clears my drives (1/4" clearance, literally), and my 600W PSU is getting close to it's limit on a dual SLI setup.
Then, upgrade Mobo / CPU / RAM in 12 months with Nehalem.
2) Upgrade everything now. I would do this and then upgrade to Nehalem next year if the gains I'll get over the next 12 months warrant it. While I hate the idea of wasting this money, at the same time, upgrading my CPU/RAM/MOBO to an e8400 setup will only cost ~$500 ($200 chip; $150 mobo; $100 RAM). The bulk of my $1500-$2000 upgrade is really coming from the case, CPU, video card, etc. -- stuff I really should bump up.
(3) Video cards -- wanna' get a 9800GTX from EVGA for the step-up program. Or, do I go with the cheaper 8800 series in case there ARE no new cards to step-up to, or if the 4870 rocks hard.
Is it certain that new nVidia cards are coming out in the next 3 months?
Any and all questions to give me some guidance on what my best "bang for the buck" here in upgrading my PC is appreciated!