I am currently running a Win7 x64 system with an AMD X3 2.9GHz CPU with 4GB RAM and an ATI HD 5570 with 1GB VRAM on a 19" widescreen monitor. The system is just a little over two years old, but still works great except as noted below.
I am a light gamer (WoW, SWTOR, Diablo3). I am an amateur radio operator and use my computer for light contesting and digital modes. I also do some light audio dubbing and video editing and I edit and publish a small (four page) monthly newsletter. Of course, there is the obligatory usage of web browsing, email, word-processing, etc.
My current system runs pretty good on everything except SWTOR and D3. D3 actually stutters a bit and crashes at times - I have to run the settings down, but it is playable. I like to have my cake and eat it too when it comes to gaming - form *and* function.
Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Before August 1st.
Budget Range: ~$1000 After Rebates; After Shipping. If I don't need to spend this, I won't spend it. That's just the max. No need to buy stuff just to get it.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Desktop system, gaming, amateur radio apps, video/audio editing/dubbing, watching movies, desktop publishing, web browsing, email.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Parts to Upgrade: CPU, RAM, video card, monitor. Power supply is:
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com depending on who is the least expensive after rebates and shipping.
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL (we only have a Best Buy and I hate the store except for browsing - I will not purchase from them).
Parts Preferences: Prefer XFX video cards, but their latest are AMD-only video cards. AMD is my preference on both CPU and GPU, but this is not "written in stone."
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: I would like to get to either 1920x1080 / 1200 from 1440x900
Additional Comments: Basically, I just want to know if upgrading from the following is worth my effort:
From:
AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz Socket AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
XFX HD-577A-ZNDC Radeon HD 5770 XXX Edition 1GB 128-bit DDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150464
ViewSonic Value Series VA1912wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116373
To:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SRQ214/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
8GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Ripjaw Series
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00339X1EM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=A374HTIQ3S6VSR
XFX ATI Radeon HD7950 3 GB DDR5
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00713RT62/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24" LED LCD Monitor - 16:10 - 8 ms
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JN9310/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=A17GNFZGZR5JN1
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: SWTOR at low to medium settings. D3 stutters and crashes.
I am a light gamer (WoW, SWTOR, Diablo3). I am an amateur radio operator and use my computer for light contesting and digital modes. I also do some light audio dubbing and video editing and I edit and publish a small (four page) monthly newsletter. Of course, there is the obligatory usage of web browsing, email, word-processing, etc.
My current system runs pretty good on everything except SWTOR and D3. D3 actually stutters a bit and crashes at times - I have to run the settings down, but it is playable. I like to have my cake and eat it too when it comes to gaming - form *and* function.
Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Before August 1st.
Budget Range: ~$1000 After Rebates; After Shipping. If I don't need to spend this, I won't spend it. That's just the max. No need to buy stuff just to get it.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Desktop system, gaming, amateur radio apps, video/audio editing/dubbing, watching movies, desktop publishing, web browsing, email.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Parts to Upgrade: CPU, RAM, video card, monitor. Power supply is:
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
Do you need to buy OS: No
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com depending on who is the least expensive after rebates and shipping.
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL (we only have a Best Buy and I hate the store except for browsing - I will not purchase from them).
Parts Preferences: Prefer XFX video cards, but their latest are AMD-only video cards. AMD is my preference on both CPU and GPU, but this is not "written in stone."
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: I would like to get to either 1920x1080 / 1200 from 1440x900
Additional Comments: Basically, I just want to know if upgrading from the following is worth my effort:
From:
AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz Socket AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
XFX HD-577A-ZNDC Radeon HD 5770 XXX Edition 1GB 128-bit DDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150464
ViewSonic Value Series VA1912wb Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116373
To:
AMD Phenom II X4 965 AM3 3.4Ghz 512KB 45NM 125W 4000MHZ
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SRQ214/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
8GB G.Skill DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz Ripjaw Series
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00339X1EM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=A374HTIQ3S6VSR
XFX ATI Radeon HD7950 3 GB DDR5
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00713RT62/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24" LED LCD Monitor - 16:10 - 8 ms
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JN9310/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=A17GNFZGZR5JN1
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: SWTOR at low to medium settings. D3 stutters and crashes.