RE: What component to upgrade on my Dell XPS?
Sorry this is really long, I figured I'd spit it all out right and be as specific as possible!
Since this is my first post here: Hi
I've come to ask the great minds here for some much appreciated advice on what would be the one thing I could do that would increase gaming performance on my current rig.
Current Specs: Stock Canadian Dell XPS 630?
CPU: Q9300 @ 2.5GHz
RAM: 4 X 1GB DDR2 6400
GPU: 2 X 512MB 8800GT SLI
HD: 500GB 7200 RPM (western digital)
Mb: nforce 650i SLI SPP (Dell Druid something...)
PSU: 750W
OS: Windows Vista32
Normally wouldn't by a pre-built Dell but this was the last floor model at FutureShop - I noticed it had minor damage to the case and front LED panel was cracked so I spoke to the manager?? who lowered the price for me the next day and I got an awesome deal. The guy then walked me to my car, gave me his card with his private number written on it so maybe there were other reasons for the additional $200 discount lol.
Anyway...
My Computer use:
Adobe Suite CS4 ( primarily Photoshop)
Gaming - Age of Conan, Oblivion, Mass Effect, Bioshock......
Ideally I like to play at the highest res my monitor can support (1650X1050) with at least 8XAA and highest possible settings, over 30FPS
On the newer games and when I have a lot going the computer starts to chug so I figure its time for an upgrade. I'd love to play Age of Conan DX10 at med-high settings, right now 5-20 FPS
Now that the warranty is up, I've also considered overclocking although I've never done it before and from what I understand from searching the forums, my "yorkfield" CPU is somewhat limited in this regard. I'm willing to give it a go. I live in the Canada and my apartment stays about 20 in the summer and 15 in the winter. The computer is adjacent to a window so is constantly bathed in cool air. Nothing like gaming in mittens and a toque.
~OR~
Should I upgrade one or more of the components - spend under $250(Canadian) and would be ordering from ncix or tigerdirect ca.
Some options I've considered:
A) Upgrading my OS to Windows7 64bit ($149.99) and adding some more RAM ( I have extra compatible 2X2GB = 6GB total)
B) New video card - EVGA GeForce GTX 460 1 GB ($200)? It has HDMI which I currently lack ( which sucks with a 40" HDTV near by)
C) Overclocking
D) ?
So which would provide the biggest boost in performance?
My preference is for a single video card because of ease of install and the fact that I can add another down the line for SLI. But I'm not sure if the RAM and CPU would limit the benefit received from a new card. 64 bit Windows 7 has it's advantages too as I could add more ram, be rid of Vista and increase multitasking capabilities. Oh, the conflict!
Thanks to everyone who read all this and thanks in advance for any suggestions! and sorry if a similar question was already posted here.
<3
Sorry this is really long, I figured I'd spit it all out right and be as specific as possible!
Since this is my first post here: Hi
I've come to ask the great minds here for some much appreciated advice on what would be the one thing I could do that would increase gaming performance on my current rig.
Current Specs: Stock Canadian Dell XPS 630?
CPU: Q9300 @ 2.5GHz
RAM: 4 X 1GB DDR2 6400
GPU: 2 X 512MB 8800GT SLI
HD: 500GB 7200 RPM (western digital)
Mb: nforce 650i SLI SPP (Dell Druid something...)
PSU: 750W
OS: Windows Vista32
Normally wouldn't by a pre-built Dell but this was the last floor model at FutureShop - I noticed it had minor damage to the case and front LED panel was cracked so I spoke to the manager?? who lowered the price for me the next day and I got an awesome deal. The guy then walked me to my car, gave me his card with his private number written on it so maybe there were other reasons for the additional $200 discount lol.
Anyway...
My Computer use:
Adobe Suite CS4 ( primarily Photoshop)
Gaming - Age of Conan, Oblivion, Mass Effect, Bioshock......
Ideally I like to play at the highest res my monitor can support (1650X1050) with at least 8XAA and highest possible settings, over 30FPS
On the newer games and when I have a lot going the computer starts to chug so I figure its time for an upgrade. I'd love to play Age of Conan DX10 at med-high settings, right now 5-20 FPS
Now that the warranty is up, I've also considered overclocking although I've never done it before and from what I understand from searching the forums, my "yorkfield" CPU is somewhat limited in this regard. I'm willing to give it a go. I live in the Canada and my apartment stays about 20 in the summer and 15 in the winter. The computer is adjacent to a window so is constantly bathed in cool air. Nothing like gaming in mittens and a toque.
~OR~
Should I upgrade one or more of the components - spend under $250(Canadian) and would be ordering from ncix or tigerdirect ca.
Some options I've considered:
A) Upgrading my OS to Windows7 64bit ($149.99) and adding some more RAM ( I have extra compatible 2X2GB = 6GB total)
B) New video card - EVGA GeForce GTX 460 1 GB ($200)? It has HDMI which I currently lack ( which sucks with a 40" HDTV near by)
C) Overclocking
D) ?
So which would provide the biggest boost in performance?
My preference is for a single video card because of ease of install and the fact that I can add another down the line for SLI. But I'm not sure if the RAM and CPU would limit the benefit received from a new card. 64 bit Windows 7 has it's advantages too as I could add more ram, be rid of Vista and increase multitasking capabilities. Oh, the conflict!
Thanks to everyone who read all this and thanks in advance for any suggestions! and sorry if a similar question was already posted here.
<3