Time to Upgrade!!

[Mimsyborogoves]

This is my rig that will stay the same for now (all from Newegg based on recommendations I got here 3 years ago):

Mobo - Intel BOXDP45SG LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Harddrive - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
PSU - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified


These are the parts I want to upgrade:

Graphics card - ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/1G Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
CPU - Intel duo core 4400 (gift from a friend, don't have all the specific specs)


I'm a gamer gal, so I want a really good graphics card, as I don't do much else with my computer, although I often have multiple programs open. I can afford approximately $500 for the two of them (maybe a little more).


Recommendations? (mostly for the graphics card; for the CPU I just don't want to bottleneck myself)

 

[Mimsyborogoves]

Quick edit:

I don't overclock and I don't have a super cooling system. I'm basically an out-of-the-box type.

 

[holdingholder]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115060
You maybe able to find some cheaper core 2 processors on ebay but they don't make them anymore and intel never lowered the prices on them so this maybe the best you can do, still a very good cpu though.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102949
for under $500 with those two you should be good to go for a while.

 

[k1114]

I would not suggest upgrading an old 775 system, it's time to retire that old rig; the prices never dropped and never will. A i5-2400 can be had for $150 at microcenter+a h67 mobo(probably around 80) and it will be a lot better than that. Though if you want the mobo to be able to upgrade to ivy bridge, those mobos start at $125.

 

[lycros]

How much are you looking to spend?

I second that you should also upgrade to a new socket. I just upgraded from an E6750 Core 2 Duo to an i5-2400 on a Z68 board. Was under $300 at newegg. A bit faster than the E6750.

Also note that black Friday will be coming in a month.

 

[Lutfij]

Even if we don't go Z68 route, H67+i3-2100+4GB DDR3 1333 + 6950= wonders for you

still stubborn about putting that core2 board to rest..? than hit up ebay for a cheap core2quad processor and look no further than newegg for the GPU.

I just upgraded from an E6750 Core 2 Duo to an i5-2400 on a Z68 board. Was under $300 at newegg. A bit faster than the E6750

according to this chart - you're doing something terribly wrong to say its "a bit faster" - i used a i3-2100 and its on par with my Q9550.

This is my rig that will stay the same for now (all from Newegg based on recommendations I got here 3 years ago):

**snippity snip**

PSU - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified

if your psu is 3 years old, than you also need to account for capacitor aging and maybe that psu isn't able to give that same output it once did when you first bought it. maybe get a kill-a-awatt meter and see how much power it can spew. nce you have that taken care of - get this instead of the 6950

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565