What should I upgrade to?

G

Gutspiller

Gawd
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
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Right now I'm running a 3200+ CPU, 9800XT vid, 1 Gb mem, and an A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo. I'm looking to upgrade my CPU, vid, mem, and mobo.

I'm making the upgrade to a mobo that has PCI-e because I wasn't going to invest in anything AGP, so it's a somewhat larger upgrade. I looked at some prices of processors and video cards, but I'm having a hard time on finding the sweet spot. What brand will have the same performance as others, but cost me less as far as video cards go?

I'm looking for that spot right before the latest and greatest where it jumps in price a large amount. I'm not concerned with going dual video cards, but I did notice the recently released Crysis recommended specs that are sorta important as I'm a big FPS fan, but currently am only really playing CS:S, but am hoping to have a decent machine to play Crysis when it comes out. (Unless you recommend not getting something soo beefy until Crysis is closer?)

Recommended Requirements
CPU: Dual-core CPU (Athlon X2/Pentium D)
Graphics: Nvidia 7800GTX/ATI X1800XT (SM 3.0) or DX10 equivalent
RAM: 1.5Gb
HDD: 6GB
Internet: 512k+ (128k+ upstream)
Optical Drive: DVD
Software: DX10 with Windows Vista

Can some people help give me some recommendations on a new mobo, cpu, mem and vid to upgrade to? I don't know if it's possible, but I'm hoping for a system that will run the latest FPS coming out for the next year pretty smooth in a decent resolution with all visual settings cranked up (besides FSAA and the like).

If the mobos that offer the two video slots for future upgrading by just adding another card aren't too much more in price than ones that only have 1, I'd be interested in a mobo like that, unless the video cards differ in price for having that option too? (If it's more money I can probably wait, if it's only 10 or 20 bucks I am considering it)

I'm looking to stay AMD on my CPU, but am still up in the air on ATI and nVidia as far as a vid card goes.

Any help, suggestions or points in the right direction would be appreciated.

Thank you!

EDIT: Looking for mobo with sound and network onboard as long as it doesn't suck.
 
I'd suggest waiting until Crysis comes out. There's no predicting the future, and you'll be disappointed if you build a nice system that doesnt even play the game you want it to. Besides, DX10 vidcards arent even out yet.

What's you budget for this upgrade? BTW, most, if not all, mobos come with onboard NIC and Audio now. No real point in getting an external NIC. As for audio, try the onboard first, then upgrade if its not up to your liking.

I'd suggest something like:
Intel E6600 Core2Duo (have you read the reviews? Conroe is spanking AM2)
Intel 975X chipset mobo, or wait for an nForce based mobo
Corsair or OCZ 2GB (2x1024MB) DDR2-667 (for intel, 667 is good... amd, go with ddr2-800)
eVGA 7600GT (nice and cheap, so when DX10 cards come out, you have money to spend on one)
WD 250GB WD2500KS (you'll want a faster HDD thats nice and cheap to feed such a powerful system)

Total cost should be around $850. Upgrade to a G80 or R600 GPU for about $275-$300 when they come out in about 6 months.

You could go with a lower Conroe if you think $325 is too much for a CPU. The E6300 is around $225. If its over your budget or you really hate intel, then go with an nF570SLI mobo and 3800+ X2, along with ddr2-800 RAM. Final cost on that should be about $725.
 
Thanks for the reply. That looks in about the right price range. I'm fine with Intel if it's beating out the AMD CPUs of the same price.

As far as the video card, the eVGA 7600GT. How fast is it comparable to my 9800XT? Any ideas on frame rates off the top of your head in any recent game? Or how well it will be able to use Counter-Strike: Source?
 
The 7600GT is 2 generations newer than your current card. It should get 100+ fps unless you're gaming at 1600x1200 4xAA 16xAF (in which case you'll probably get 75+fps).
 
Gutspiller said:
Thanks for the reply. That looks in about the right price range. I'm fine with Intel if it's beating out the AMD CPUs of the same price.

As far as the video card, the eVGA 7600GT. How fast is it comparable to my 9800XT? Any ideas on frame rates off the top of your head in any recent game? Or how well it will be able to use Counter-Strike: Source?
Click to expand...
Yeah enginurd gives you some pretty solid advice there. Now IMO you probably could pull the trigger now on a budget dual core system from either AMD or Intel and be OK when crysis comes out. Its not that hard to build a system that meets or exceeds the recommended configuration for around $750ish. Especially if you OC your cpu. A x2 3800+ running around 2.6Ghz or better yet a 3Ghz Conroe will be more than adequate for Crysis. Granted I'm not suggesting its overkill, far from it. Just that it will suffice and then some. As aforementioned you could also go a little lower end on a video card now if you intend to go a little higher end later. Regarding the 7600gt is a nice budget card for lower resolutions. Since it has 128 bit memory you're really going to get zapped at 1600x1200 and higher. But if you have a 17"LCD with native 1280x1024 it would suit that perfectly.
 
Well, I have a 21 inch CRT monitor, and I use 1280 x 960 on desktop, but for CS:S I've been playing in 1024x768 to keep the framerate smooth and with textured turned to low for getting into the multiplayer action faster.

When I wasn't going to go for a very low end card, but not the best of the best and not dualies, what should I get? I don't want a slow card slowing down the rest of my machine. Which is inbetween mid range and high and best for the price? I'm up in the air on nVidia or ATI also.

I'm pretty set now on getting that Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe Processor. So what video card should I get if I want to get the most out of that CPU, and am not concerned as much about holding off the real power for a DX10 card? Something that will last?

Thanks for all the input. I'm down on the CPU and the mem I will basically buy whatever I'm told will keep the mem up to speed with all my other new stuff. What about the "Intel 975X chipset mobo"? Any recommendations on a decent one? (Or any other decent chipset, if there even is one)

Thanks again. Great help!
 
For other chipsets, you'll have to wait for the nForce based Conroe boards. I think they come out mid-August. Too bad AMD and ATI merged, bye bye RD600 boards. If you had to buy it now and you were interested in overclocking, I'd suggest the Intel D975XBX i975X bad axe or the Asus P5W DH Deluxe i975X. Those are the two best boards out right now. If you don't plan on OC'ing, wait for the other boards to come out.

As for the video card... Since you're playing CS:S, I'd suggest the X1900XT for around $350. If thats too pricey for you, the X1800XT is around $250. If you go any lower than that, stick with the 7600GT for around $150; or the X850XT if you can find one for around $130. The 76GT or x850XT aren't really worth it unless you plan to upgrade to a DX10 card soon. If you can afford it, go for the X1900XT.
 
Alright, I looked into the video card and the Asus Radeon X1900 XT Video Card from Newegg according the Pricegrabber will run $356.93 I think I can manage that, I have a thing for not skimping very much on video cards.

On the motherboard, what if I'm not concerned with overclocking, but am looking into getting all this purchased in the next few days? What is going to be a decent one? Some people have informed me that an Intel board is the way to go. I'm not concerned with any type of brandname, I just want something that is going to be stable, good warranty, and if it's geared for gaming, all the better.

On the CPU, I looked on Pricegrabber and only 3 companies came up as selling it and the only one that claimed to have it in stock was Mwave and they were asking for $432.02 to my location. Is that such a new processor it's not widely available yet or is there a better source? If I had to fork over that much to get it, I might, but I was hoping for it to be more around the $350 - $300 range.

Thanks.
 
Gutspiller said:
Is that such a new processor it's not widely available yet or is there a better source? If I had to fork over that much to get it, I might, but I was hoping for it to be more around the $350 - $300 range.
Click to expand...
Precisely.

Many aren't even shipping out for a few days anyway. Just watch as the days of August wind down you'll see those prices come down and much closer to where they were projected to be.
 
454Casull said:
This runs $300 after rebate.
Click to expand...


Does anybody know how the Connect3D brandname and cards compare to other companies cards of the same chip/name? Also, I'm still at a loss as to which motherboard to get. Does anybody have any recommendations? One that is maybe geared toward gamers? If not, at least at exact name? I got the Intel chipset name from the first replier, but am still a little confused about which one to get of that chipset. Can I please get this last little bit of help?

Thanks.
 
Unfortunately, the demand for the E6600 is higher than the supply, inflating prices. If you don't mind waiting a month or two, it should settle down to $316 retail.

Either one of these will work great:

Intel BOXD975XBXLKR 975X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813121016
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110895

Asus P5W DH Deluxe 975X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=110710
 
Thanks.

On the Asus P5W DH Deluxe 975X under memory it says: DDR2 Standard DDR2 800.

Is there going to be a noticable difference if I run that mobo with the 667 vs the 800 memory? Or if I get that mobo, shoudl i opt for the 800 memory?

The second question that I'm hoping somebody can help me with as I'm not sure I understand it. On that Asus mobo in the pics it shows this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowI...75)+Intel+975X+ATX+Intel+Motherboard+-+Retail

What is that for? Is that for the chipset? I'm not sure I want another fan just to cause noise and to get clogged up... But I do like the features that the Asus one offers.
 
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