Upgrade Advice for 2007 Striker Extreme/Q6600 Build

[Tampa_Gamer]

I would like some upgrade advice regarding a previously built system that one of my kids is currently using. It is a December 2007 build that recently had one of its SLI video cards fail.

Approximate Purchase Date: 3-10 days

Budget Range: less than $200, since it is not one of our main computers

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming (Oblivion-like games), homework

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Video Card, Additional 2 GB memory

Current System:

Monitor: Viewsonic p225f CRT (1600x1200@75)
Case: Antec P182
Power: PC Power/Cooling Quad 750 Silencer
MBoard: Asus Striker Extreme
CPU: Intel Quad Core Q6600@2.4ghz (no OC)
Memory: 2 GB Corsair XMS 204pin DDR2 800/6400 (4-4-4-12 @2.1v) [2 of 4 slots used]
Video Card: 1x 8800 EVGA GTS 512 (was 2 in SLI but one recently failed)
OS: MS Windows XP Prof. 32-bit

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, amazon, tiger direct

Location: Tampa, Florida

Parts Preferences: no preference

Overclocking: Yes, but only auto setting

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1600x1200@75

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Recent failure by one of the SLI video cards. Rather than find another matching one was thinking of upgrading to single card solution and drop in 2 GB more memory since it is cheap and perhaps some gain with respect to additional 1 GB of "recognized" memory.

Currently thinking about using following:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Memory: Corsair XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2-800 Memory ($26.52 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($155.04 @ NCIX US)
Total: $181.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-21 08:33 EST-0500)

 

[cutebeans]

Get a 7850, there is no reason for you to get a 6870 anymore .

 

[Tampa_Gamer]

OK, so something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks


Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($154.98 @ Newegg)

 

[cutebeans]

That's right! Although, does he play WOW? If does play WOW then stick with a 6870 if not stick with the 7850.

 

[Tampa_Gamer]

no WOW, just heavy Oblivion and perhaps Skyrim at the next Steam sale. For my own knowledge why would WOW force an older card?

 

[cutebeans]

Oh, the 7800 series has problem with WOW.

If the kids don't play that the 7850 would be best.

Good luck.

 

[Tampa_Gamer]

great, thanks for your help

 

[cutebeans]

No problem! If you're going to upgrade your system. Please do come back here.