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Time to upgrade

P

Planenutok

n00b
Joined
Mar 4, 2006
Messages
34
My current rig is starting to show its age and its time to upgrade. My budget is $1000 max, less if possible. I am planning on reusing case, optical drives, speakers, monitor etc. I have a copy of XP to use so don't need an OS. Primary uses are gaming. Have a 22" ws monitor running 1680x1050.

Here are my current specs

Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe mobo
amd 3700+ san diego
EVGA 7950GT KO
Antec Truepower 550W
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel
Samsung 320 GB Sata HD
Win XP Pro
 
Ive been reading around quite a bit here is a short list of options, let me know what you guys think

Mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131333

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

With the above im up to about $350
Ive been looking at all the different graphics cards out there and its crazy. Ive always been an nvidia fan but the ATIs are looking great also. which would you guys recommend for my build 8800gts(g92), gtx260 and 280, 4850, 4870??? Would my psu handle these cards or do i need an upgrade there?? Im so confused, too many options.
 
Tiraides, with a gap that far between upgrades don't you think he/she would be better off getting the 4870 with a VX550? Just my .02, playing a 22" in 2 years or so at that res on a 4850 might fall behind.

Tiraides recommendations are pretty much spot on and a great price to boot! Also, on that P5Q SE Planenutok, the ATX is in a shitty position, get the P5Q Pro.
 
This build is already good. The HD4850 is soo much more powerful than his 7950GT KO video card. He/She will be impressed already by this upgrade.


tiraides said:
Which case are you reusing? (I'm trying to figure out how much space you have to work with.)

Off the top of my head...

$275 - Asus P5Q Pro and Intel E8400 bundle
$80 - G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1000 kit
$42 - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 CPU cooler and ACK-I7751 retention bracket
$80 - Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA HDD
$175 - HIS HD4850
$70 - Corsair VX450
=====
$722 - Subtotal (not including shipping, taxes, or rebates)
Click to expand...
 
Planenutok said:
Ive been reading around quite a bit here is a short list of options, let me know what you guys think

Mobo: Asus P5Q SE P45 ATX motherboard

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Retail

Ram: Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2 800 dual channel kit

With the above im up to about $350
Ive been looking at all the different graphics cards out there and its crazy. Ive always been an nvidia fan but the ATIs are looking great also. which would you guys recommend for my build 8800gts(g92), gtx260 and 280, 4850, 4870??? Would my psu handle these cards or do i need an upgrade there?? Im so confused, too many options.
Click to expand...

The location of the main ATX connection on the P5Q SE -- near the center of the board -- hampers cable routing and (possibly) air flow, making the board a bad choice. An inexpensive alternative with simliar features is the Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L.

The Q6600 is a fine choice, but since you could afford to, I suggest that you stick with my recommendations for RAM and the video card. Not counting the mail-in rebate amount (which you may not even receive), the G.Skill 4GB kit is only $13 more than the Corsair 2GB kit. The HD4850 is one of the best bang-for-buck video cards currently out now and is a better choice for games (now and possibly in the future) than the 8800GT/9800GT.

Cmustang87 said:
Tiraides, with a gap that far between upgrades don't you think he/she would be better off getting the 4870 with a VX550? Just my .02, playing a 22" in 2 years or so at that res on a 4850 might fall behind.
Click to expand...

The thing about video cards is when performance slips, ideally, you could upgrade the video card without having to touch the rest of the build. However, the ideal video card for the OP's needs depends on which games he wants to play and how long he wants to wait between upgrades (of the video card, in this case).

Having said that, I agree: The HD4870 and the VX550 (or higher, since the TX750 could still be found for around $10-$15 more) would be better choices performance-wise and over the long term. However, I have a feeling that the OP doesn't really want to spend the money right now.
 
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