Just got a new rig

[namelessonez]

So I just put together a new rig with the following specs:

Core 2 Quad@2.33
Intel G41 Chipset
PSU 450w
Graphics Card nVidia GeForce 9400GT (1GB)
500GB SATA HDD
2*2GB DDR2RAM (80 FSB)

Till I came across this place, I was pretty kicked with my config. But now it seems I should've done a bit more research!

Basically, I got tired of my old config, which had really become outdated! It was:

AMD Athlon@2ghz
2GB DDR2 RAM
nVidia GeForce 5400
Soundblaster Live! 5.1

My query: having invested the monies, will my new config run the higher end games? Far Cry 2, Crysis, etc. I'm basically a Half Life fan and am pretty sure that game shouldn't have any issues. I now feel that I should have gone for the GEForce 8800 GT/ 9600 GT.

Any views?

Cheers'

 

[gkay09]

Yes...the main bottleneck of your PC is that grapics card...
Even a ATI 4670 would have been good for running those games atleast @ low resolutions...
But the 9800GT/ HD4830/ H4770/ HD 4850 would be the best option...

 

[namelessonez]

So if I were to swap the 9400GT for a 9800GT (1 GB), would that solve the problem? I'm assuming that the rest of the config is good enough. Or should I consider swapping something there as well?

And which is a better deal (and why)? The GEForce 9800GT or the 9600GT? I read up on the 8800GT, which really gave me quite a surprise as compared to the 9400GT!

Appreciate the help gkay...

 

[coozie7]

Your rig is OK for new games apart from the graphics card and you might want to bring the memory up to 4Gb if you are running a 64 bit version of Windows.
What is your monitor resoloution?
What is your budget?
What, exactly is your PSU?

 

[Milos-stancene]

new GPU + new PSU

 

[namelessonez]

Coozie:
My RAM is already at 4GB and I'm running vista ultima at 32-bit (was advised that the 64-bit vista hangs up pretty often). Screen resolution is currently at 1024*768 (will be upgrading to a 19" Samsung touch). I have a 450 watt power supply. As for the budget, that will depend on what is necessary....I may stretch the budget out of greed for better performance!

 

[namelessonez]

@Milos:
What's the suggestion on the GPU and PSU?

 

[coozie7]

Ah, that's what I get for running across several threads at once, 4Gb is fine!
Milos is, like me, unsure of the quality of your powersupply. It may seem fine, but a low qulity unit rated at 450W may not, in fact, give that much and, even worse, may lack protection, so if it is loaded heavily and fails, it can take the system with it! Now can you see why we need to know more details?
Right now I'd say the 9800GT (not GTX or GTX+) or HD 4770 are your best, safest options.

 

[namelessonez]

I get your drift coozie...
My power supply is Zebronics, dunno if thats a good make. In addition to my UPS, I've got a spike protector just so no unwanted spikes reach the comp.

Will 450 watts suffice the load for a 9800GT?

Will be happy to provide more details if need be.....getting a lot of info from here!

 

[gkay09]

Yes it will just be fine but still the best advice would be to get atleast Antec EA380/ Corsair 400CX...

 

[coozie7]

I can find no information on that powersupply, and what little I can find on Zebronics is less than good, the few 450W supplies I could find any information on are only showing a single 20A 12v output.
Until you can confirm the actual rating, I'm going to say the HD4770 or 9600GT is now the best option.

 

[namelessonez]

Wow! Never really thought of this. I always knew that the PSU was most essential in safeguarding the setup, just never researched on the different types! Now it turns out there's an ocean of options there too!!

gKay:
Thanks for the inputs. I'm now looking at the following options on the PSU:

Corsair VX450W
Antec EA480
Visiontek 450
RAIDMAX RX-450K

Coozie:
I'm def gonna post the proper specs of my PSU soon. Though I've decided to change the unit nonetheless, it would help to know the 'reliability' of the unit currently being used!

To sum it up, I'm doing the following:
1. Change the graphics card to a 9800GT
2. Change the PS to one of the above (subject to inputs)

Hope this will bring the comp up to the mark! Do lemme know of any views/ suggestions...

 

[coozie7]

I think you mean the EA430?
Either way Corsair and Antec make top quality units and I would instantly recommend them to anyone who asks.
Not so sure about Visiontek but Raidmax seem to be unpopular here.

I know we've bullied you into spending far more than you intended but one last recommendation: Check the prices on the HD4850 or 9800GTX, they'll both run on the replacement power supplies and give a bit more punch. Obviously, I'm not suggesting you sell Granny for the upgrades, just making a suggestion.

 

[namelessonez]

Coozie:
Man, sure wish I came across this forum a bit earlier! Would have avoided the few extra bucks! But hey, a comp's gotta be what a comp's GOTTA be!
As for the PSU, I meant the EA480....higher wattage than the 430. Since I'm going in for slightly heavy duty stuff, what the heck!

Gonna be checking the prices of the HD4850/ 9800GTX. They're roughly around the same range. Dunno why, but I've kinda always gone for nVidia. Will post the info soon. Gotta get some dinner before granny DOES throw a fit!