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General discussion (archive)Ideas for computer upgrade?(13 posts)(13 posts)
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Posted January 22, 2012
I would like to upgrade one part (or possibly two if my power supply can't handle something...) of my computer to play new games and I would like your advice, thanks!

Here are the specs:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
RAM: 4,00 Go DDR3 669 MHz
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5700
Power Supply: 500 watt
Harddrive: 120 Go INTEL SSD

And my budget would be around 200-250$ I guess...
Post edited January 22, 2012 by xaemar
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Posted January 22, 2012
You might want to wait a bit if you plan on upgrading the video card. AMD's 7970 is about double your budget, but I'd expect in the foreseeable future for them to release a lower priced card from the same series.

IIRC nVidia is also going to be updating, but not quite as near term.
Posted January 22, 2012
The CPU is fine for now, it can be easily over-clocked. Since you have a limited budget I would upgrade the GPU, RAM and if possible the PSU. Let see.
GPU - HD 6850 1GB 256. It double the performance of your current GPU and costs $150, now you get also free Dirt 3 game. [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908 ]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908 [/url]
RAM - Is dirty cheap these days. However since your Mobo uses only DDR2 I think you stick with the one you have, they aren't that cheap compared to DDR3.
PSU - Because the Mobo needs 250W in 2D and over 300W in 3D would be good to upgrade the PSU. A cheap and good one would be OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular for almost $60 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
Here are some charts regarding GPUs, the reason why I suggested the one above.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=Radeon+HD+5600%2F5700
Posted January 22, 2012
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AlbLupus: The CPU is fine for now, it can be easily over-clocked. Since you have a limited budget I would upgrade the GPU, RAM and if possible the PSU. Let see.
GPU - HD 6850 1GB 256. It double the performance of your current GPU and costs $150, now you get also free Dirt 3 game. [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908 ]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908 [/url]
RAM - Is dirty cheap these days. However since your Mobo uses only DDR2 I think you stick with the one you have, they aren't that cheap compared to DDR3.
PSU - Because the Mobo needs 250W in 2D and over 300W in 3D would be good to upgrade the PSU. A cheap and good one would be OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular for almost $60 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
Here are some charts regarding GPUs, the reason why I suggested the one above.
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=Radeon+HD+5600%2F5700
The 500W pSU is fine for upto a 6950* now if he were going NV yeah he'd need a 700W supply so I'd just go with a straight graphics swap for a 6950 tbh

*Since this is basicly my PC with a different MB and I have a 6950 I can be pretty sure it's enough :P
Posted January 22, 2012
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AlbLupus: RAM - Is dirty cheap these days. However since your Mobo uses only DDR2 I think you stick with the one you have, they aren't that cheap compared to DDR3.
Gigabyte's site lists that motherboard as compatible with DDR3 (1066/1333/1666). In addition to the GPU upgrade you recommended I'd also recommend replacing the current RAM with 8 GB (2x4 GB) of DDR3 memory, which can be had for under $50 (assuming, of course, that the OP is running a 64-bit OS, otherwise such an upgrade would be useless).
Posted January 22, 2012
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AlbLupus: RAM - Is dirty cheap these days. However since your Mobo uses only DDR2 I think you stick with the one you have, they aren't that cheap compared to DDR3.
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DarrkPhoenix: Gigabyte's site lists that motherboard as compatible with DDR3 (1066/1333/1666). In addition to the GPU upgrade you recommended I'd also recommend replacing the current RAM with 8 GB (2x4 GB) of DDR3 memory, which can be had for under $50 (assuming, of course, that the OP is running a 64-bit OS, otherwise such an upgrade would be useless).
You're right. I might have checked the wrong one. Then there is no reason not to upgrade RAM. If OP has 64bit OS then Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 for only $46 would be the best choice.
Posted January 22, 2012
Your system is fine, spend the money on sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
Posted January 22, 2012
Thank you for all your responses! So no need to upgrade the PSU... So, I should upgrade my RAM to 8GB DDR3 1600 with a HD 6850 1GB 256 for example or wait for the new generation of cards...

Edit: for around 250$, I could upgrade to a 6950 like wodmarach said, or a 560 ti... which would be better?
Post edited January 22, 2012 by xaemar
Posted January 22, 2012
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xaemar: Thank you for all your responses! So no need to upgrade the PSU... So, I should upgrade my RAM to 8GB DDR3 1600 with a HD 6850 1GB 256 for example or wait for the new generation of cards...

Edit: for around 250$, I could upgrade to a 6950 like wodmarach said, or a 560 ti... which would be better?
Go for the ATI mentioned above(HD 6850 1GB 256)... it's cheaper and not that big of a diff.... and add 2x4GB 800MHz RAM and you will be just fine :)...
To be honest my only problem with ur system is the 120GB SSD ....I'm with 2x 1TB WD HDD and I don't have enough space all the time ;)
Posted January 22, 2012
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xaemar: Thank you for all your responses! So no need to upgrade the PSU... So, I should upgrade my RAM to 8GB DDR3 1600 with a HD 6850 1GB 256 for example or wait for the new generation of cards...

Edit: for around 250$, I could upgrade to a 6950 like wodmarach said, or a 560 ti... which would be better?
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spinefarm: Go for the ATI mentioned above(HD 6850 1GB 256)... it's cheaper and not that big of a diff.... and add 2x4GB 800MHz RAM and you will be just fine :)...
To be honest my only problem with ur system is the 120GB SSD ....I'm with 2x 1TB WD HDD and I don't have enough space all the time ;)
Well, I have another harddrive with 500mb and another external with 1TB :)
Posted January 22, 2012
phew... i guess u use the SSD for the OS only ;)
so in final words... upgrade gpu and ram :)
Posted January 22, 2012
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spinefarm: phew... i guess u use the SSD for the OS only ;)
so in final words... upgrade gpu and ram :)
I will, thank you :)
Posted January 22, 2012
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xaemar: Thank you for all your responses! So no need to upgrade the PSU... So, I should upgrade my RAM to 8GB DDR3 1600 with a HD 6850 1GB 256 for example or wait for the new generation of cards...

Edit: for around 250$, I could upgrade to a 6950 like wodmarach said, or a 560 ti... which would be better?
With a 6950 your processor would probably be acting as a bottleneck for the system so you wouldn't be getting the full advantage of the card (definitely not a $100 advantage vs the 6850). With a 6850 you may still get the occasional CPU bottleneck, but for the most part it would be a much better fit for the rest of the system.
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General discussion (archive)Ideas for computer upgrade?(13 posts)(13 posts)
(13 posts)