Build

[kkdart]

I'm currently getting an athlon x2 4800+(no oc) (and a motherboard+ 3gb ddr2 667 + 250w psu)from my uncle $0
plus I'll add in an extra stick for 4gb ram, dual channeled.


I'm wondering if I pair it with a amd 6850 and a 500w power supply ($200 is my budget) will it be able to run most games at a playable frame rate? (23" full hd monitor), how much will it bottle neck?

I also have a 3.5" 80 gb 7200 rpm sata hd, I will later add in a tb drive for media.


I want to know what frame rate I can get playing Crysis 2, Skyrim, MV2.

I'm thinking of getting this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908&cm_re=Radeon_6850-_-14-102-908-_-Product (No oc)

And a Coolmaster extreme power plus 500w, In the event that I'll need a new psu for sli/cf I'll just install this in my parents dell.

Any suggestions or any deals on a 6870 for under $150? or 5870 for under $175.
Or should I just get a new mb and cpu for $200 and use a nvidia 120 gt (mac pro 2008)?

 

[inzone]

What do you intend to do with the stuff you are getting from your Uncle ?

 

[kajabla]

This looks acceptable. You'll have trouble in more CPU-limited games, like SC2 and Skyrim; you may be stuck on low there. I consider 50-60fps acceptable framerates; some people are happy with less (in SC2 40 is generally considered plenty, as opposed to FPS games). In Crysis 2, I think you'll survive on low-medium settings. You'll bottleneck pretty bad; a 6850 could handle Very High settings in Crysis 2 with an X4 955 or better.

 

[inzone]

You need a 500w power supply to run the 6850 , so if you ever intend to get another to do crossfire then you will need a larger power supply. If you want to play Crysis 2 with the 6850 then you are going to get low fps if you try to play at high resolutions , if you play at a lower resolution then you will get better fps.

30fps- very limited gameplay
30-40fps- average gameplay
40-60fps- good game play
>60fps - best possible gameplay

At a resolution of 1280x1024 a 6850 will get 42fps approx.
At a resolution of 1600x1200 a 6850 will get 31fps approx.
At a resolution of 1920x1200 a 6850 will get 26fps approx.

Your best option will be to overclock the cpu some to help out the video card and pull some extra fps. With the hardware that you have and what you can afford you are looking at the low end of the range of fps for the games you want to play. Maybe if you can wait a bit for the new cards to be released then the current cards could drop in price and you could pick up a better card.

 

[inzone]

PowerColor AX6870 1GBD5-2DH Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
$159.99 and a $20 rebate for $139.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131378

HIS H687FN1GD Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$169.99 and a $20 rebate for $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161389

SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
$179.99 and a $20 rebate for $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Here are some sales I came across at Newegg.

 

[kajabla]

^nice first one. I agree that you should OC. Every extra 100 mhz will improve this build.
What's your resolution?

 

[kkdart]

Best answer selected by kkdart.

 

[kkdart]

Thank so much! I'll be sure to get a 6850 then and a 500w powersupply. One more question: would a 6870 be any better with my setup?