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Thread ID: 92831 2008-08-24 14:45:00 Computer upgrades - what's my next step? jononz (14115) Press F1
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700019 2008-08-24 14:45:00 Hola!

Well, I've got some extra cash on hand, and I'm currently considering upgrading my computer. Only one component at this moment, anyway.

The list below are the things that I'm considering to upgrade:
Intel E6420 @ 2.13Ghz (unoverclocked, obviously)
2GB DDR2 RAM @ 800MHz
Nvidia 8600GTS 256mb @ 675MHz

Now, while I used to consider myself a techfreak back in the days of the 9700 Radeons, I've unfortunately fallen completely out of touch with what's snazzy these days. I'm mostly considering this upgrade so I can hopefully run Fallout 3 in all its graphical goodness, (Yes, I'm aware the game isn't even out yet, and that the minimum/required/recommended specs are likely to be not what I expect) so if just one upgrade for one of the components above will not suffice, I'm considering just blowing my savings (well, not really) and going for the kill, so to speak.

So! Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks! :)
jononz (14115)
700020 2008-08-24 21:57:00 Well generally changing the CPU involves upgrading the board, CPU and RAM in one go.

Graphics cards are the single most important component for gaming however.
And that one is way too lame.

I would look at these only:

H3870x2
HD4850
HD4870
HD4870x2

9800GTX
9800GX2

GTX 260
GTX 280
pctek (84)
700021 2008-08-24 23:07:00 Hmmm. So the CPU isn't too bad, is it? I've got the Xfx 680i SLI motherboard, so I figure I can upgrade that to the E6700 without much hassle. I don't suppose anyone has any recommendations as to whether or not I should go for the GX2 or settle for the GTX? I had a quick look over the internet for benchmark comparisons, but couldn't really find a definitive (and trusted) review site for the two. With the GX2 being almost twice the price of the GTX, I'm mostly wondering whether or not the price jump will be worth the performance increase. jononz (14115)
700022 2008-08-24 23:25:00 have you looked it up at Tom's hardware they have good reviews and comparisons gary67 (56)
700023 2008-08-25 00:41:00 if you're getting it for a game, you could wait until it actually comes out. By then, the cards will have at least dropped in price a little. utopian201 (6245)
700024 2008-08-25 01:02:00 I'd go for two 4850's. Best value for money, and pretty much unrivaled performance. Just make sure your PSU can support two cards first.

I'd actually go for 4850's regardless of how much money I wanted to splash around. Two will set you back around $550 (haven't actually looked it up, just by memory)
Thebananamonkey (7741)
700025 2008-08-25 01:13:00 Meh...2 graphics cards.....tie hoe everyone, the 1st question that should be asked when someone is looking to upgrade graphics is what monitor they have?....LCD, what's the native resolution, as its pretty pointless going CF with a 17\19" LCD...... SolMiester (139)
700026 2008-08-25 01:27:00 the 1st question that should be asked when someone is looking to upgrade graphics is what monitor they have?...s its pretty pointless going CF with a 17\19" LCD......

Speak for yourself. I have a 19" CRT at home and a HD4870x2.
I sure don't care about huge resolutions but I do care about gaming performance.


jononz - if the board already supports the CPU, then yes upgrade it too.
But card first if budget is a consideration.
pctek (84)
700027 2008-08-25 02:21:00 Speak for yourself. I have a 19" CRT at home and a HD4870x2.
I sure don't care about huge resolutions but I do care about gaming performance.


jononz - if the board already supports the CPU, then yes upgrade it too.
But card first if budget is a consideration.

LOL....then you are wasting your money....SLI\CF configurations are wasted on such small resolutions, you wont get any further noticeable frames on 2 4870 than you would on 1 4870.....

Would you like benchmarks to prove it?
SolMiester (139)
700028 2008-08-25 02:56:00 you wont get any further noticeable frames on 2 4870 than you would on 1 4870.....



Well for one thing I didn't upgrade from 1 4870.
And for another theres the eye candy as well as frame rate.

And each time I have upgraded a card I have had better performance from new games, and Thats all I care about.
pctek (84)
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