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Upgrade question

N

nosch

n00b
Joined
Dec 20, 2002
Messages
28
I am wondering if upgrading to a new video card, such as a 4850 or 9800, would be worth it with my setup. Here are my specs:

4600+ X2
2gigs RAM
Antec 480 True Power
ATI X1950Pro 256meg

Is replacing the card the best bet, or just saving up and replacing the whole thing? I want to play Fallout 3 on this machine and I am afraid the current config won't cut it.

Thanks.
 
The biggest problem with your current setup is your PSU: The Truepower series were well-known for premature failure as a result of a poor design choice. A new video card like the 9800 or HD4850 will definitely push that PSU to its limits and kill it. So you will have to upgrade your power supply before your upgrade the video card.

As for your CPU, Fallout 3 might be like COD4, S.T.A.L.K.E.R or F.E.A.R in that the game is mostly GPU limited and that even the X2 4600+ will be enough.

Though what's the resolution of your monitor?
 
Danny Bui said:
The biggest problem with your current setup is your PSU: The Truepower series were well-known for premature failure as a result of a poor design choice. A new video card like the 9800 or HD4850 will definitely push that PSU to its limits and kill it. So you will have to upgrade your power supply before your upgrade the video card.

As for your CPU, Fallout 3 might be like COD4, S.T.A.L.K.E.R or F.E.A.R in that the game is mostly GPU limited and that even the X2 4600+ will be enough.

Though what's the resolution of your monitor?
Click to expand...

My monitor's resolution is 1680x1050.
 
The HD4850 or the 9800GTX/GTX+ would be good at that resolution. If you want the most possible frame rates at the highest graphical settings, and you could afford one, you may want to consider the HD4870 or GTX 260 instead.

Regarding the power supply -- which I agree with Danny that you should get a new one -- you don't need to go overboard and spend over $100 on a good one. For example, the Corsair VX550 is a PSU that will power one of those video cards while still giving you some headroom for future upgrades. Get it from Provantage, ZipZoomFly, or Buy.com (as NewEgg's prices are generally higher, except for certain ones on sale).
 
tiraides said:
The HD4850 or the 9800GTX/GTX+ would be good at that resolution. If you want the most possible frame rates at the highest graphical settings, and you could afford one, you may want to consider the HD4870 or GTX 260 instead.

Regarding the power supply -- which I agree with Danny that you should get a new one -- you don't need to go overboard and spend over $100 on a good one. For example, the Corsair VX550 is a PSU that will power one of those video cards while still giving you some headroom for future upgrades. Get it from Provantage, ZipZoomFly, or Buy.com (as NewEgg's prices are generally higher, except for certain ones on sale).
Click to expand...

One thing I forgot to mention is that my power supply is actually a True Power 2.0. Does that make any difference in it's reliability?
 
Adakos said:
actually it was a 650 Watt unit from BFG for 69.99 or so. Before taxes, before shipping, courtesy of Tiger Direct.
Deal is still going on -- hope this helps :)

It's the PSU I'm currently using.
Click to expand...

Deal is gone apparently. Don't see a rebate or instant discount of any sort on TD's website.
 
nosch said:
One thing I forgot to mention is that my power supply is actually a True Power 2.0. Does that make any difference in it's reliability?
Click to expand...

That actually might be worse, since I don't think the original True Power series was notorious for failures like the TP2.0 series. However, those are of older designs, back when system's weren't +12V heavy.
 
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