Upgrade Questions 1900x1200

[monsterman]

Hello all,
I want to understand what the best route is for possibly upgrading my system. I just ordered my new 25.5" monitor and it will be delivered soon.

Here are my current spec's
E8400 @ 3.8
4g 800mhz ddr2
25.5" 1900x1200 HP W2558hc
Sapphire 4850 1gb
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS - 600 watt

I was thinking to play games at near max playable graphics settings, Dragon Age + Diablo 3 (needs to be played at max max), I will need to eventually upgrade. Here are my scenario's.

1.
Upgrade power supply to at least a quality 750 watt (for future proofing) $130 SeaSonic M12D SS-850 850W
Add a second 4850 1gb -$110 ebay

2.
Add a 5850 and sell my 4850 on craigslist or ebay. ~$220
And upgrade power supply later.

3.
Live with what I got because it will be fine with Diablo 3 at max max.

4.
Upgrade power supply $130
Wait for 5850 to drop in price then buy that sucker and possibly save $75-$100

Side Note:
I really like SeaSonic's reputation. But if I can live with a 750 watt Corsair, with an eventual crossfire in mind, and save $20 then I will do that.

 

[jay2tall]

Just sell the 4850 and buy a 5850 to be done with it. They are $309 on Newegg and I don't see them dropping in price any day soon. Nvidia doesn't even have a competing card, why would they lower the price?

I wouldn't bother with Crossfiring, it can be a headache with heat issues. A single 5850 will do what you want it to do. Your current PSU can handle a single 5850.

 

[jyjjy]

I'd go for the HD5850. Since it wont need a new PSU the cash layout is actually less than adding another HD4850. Plus you get better performance, DX11, Eyefinity, MUCH less heat, a lower power bill and the option to add another in crossfire later on.

 

[dead_95]

BETWEEN 2 AND 4....is your system overlocked??

 

[jyjjy]

Assuming you mean overclocked he says he has an E8400 running at 3.8 ghz. Stock speed for that chip is 3 ghz.

 

[jay2tall]

Side-note, or question to monsterman. How do you like your display? I am looking for a 24"+ monitor at 1920x1200 and am trying to narrow it down. I like the good HP displays but they are pricey. Do you get any blurring or ghosting in FPS games?

 

[monsterman]

BETWEEN 2 AND 4....is your system overlocked??

Hell yea. I oc'ed my cpu to 3.8 ... When I get faster memory it will easily reach 4.0.
My video card is Oc'ed slightly but it doesn't stay very stable at a significant overclock (unlucky)

 

[monsterman]

Side-note, or question to monsterman. How do you like your display? I am looking for a 24"+ monitor at 1920x1200 and am trying to narrow it down. I like the good HP displays but they are pricey. Do you get any blurring or ghosting in FPS games?

I was tossed up between Hann 28", HP 2709m, HP w2558hc
Everyone I have ever talked to has very much like the HP displays. I owned the 22" HP w2207H and I loved it, but I needed something bigger to watch movies from the bed. The adjustable height was the selling point. THe Hann has mixed reviews and most people were more impressed with the size than the quality. HP has significant quality. I got the HP W2558hc for $298 shipped refurbished from Geeks.com. I called them and asked about dead pixels and they said out of 1000 refurbished shipped out none had dead pixels. So I was comfortable with that. I will get the monitor on Wed and I seriously doubt there will be any ghosting or blurring involved with a very nice display of that nature, otherwise they would never have repeat customers like myself.
Chris

 

[jay2tall]

^ Oh so you didn't get the display yet? I noticed it wasn't on HP's site anymore. I've noticed the same thing with the Hanns-G. I want big but still want decent quality even though it's a TN panel. I have a Dell 22" that I bought for $300 3 years ago and it is great. But it tends to blur a little and the colors aren't that great and it isn't to bright. But for the time it was pretty good. I'm going to sell it to a buddy for $80 and get something a little bigger, brighter, and with a little better color. I used HP displays at my last job and always loved their height adjustment. Let me know how it is. All the new displays are 1920x1080. The 1920x1200 are starting to be scarce. You can get an IPS panel for $600 but they are $$$$$ and slower response.

 

[monsterman]

Just hooked up the new monitor and it is beautiful. Just everything that I wanted and same great picture as the 22" w2207h.
I will post after I get some gaming done tonight on Dragon Age.

 

[jay2tall]

Uhh I'm jealous. I can't find a good 25.5 1920x1200 anywhere!

 

[monsterman]

I have one.... it's sitting on my desk right now... go to geeks.com bro

 

[jay2tall]

^ yeah they don't have it anymore

 

[monsterman]

I did a quick check today. Both amazon and ebay have the exact model. I also like to call places that just went out of stock and tell them to give me a call if they get more in or to check their inventory just in case.