[UPGRADE]

[Konradx]

Hi Guys,

So I'm feeling I cant run a high quality with my build anymore and I want to spend $200-250 to upgrade my pc. I'm assuming i'll get the biggest jump via video card as opposed to cpu. I'm also assuming the newer chips wont work with my current mobo. Thoughts?

OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
System RAM: 3070 MB
CPU Name: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
CPU Speeds: 3000
Physical CPUs: 1
Virtual CPUs: 2
Video Card Description: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX/9800 GTX+
VRAM: 512 MB
Primary Display Resolution: 1920x1080
Multi-Monitor Desktop Resolution: 1920x1080
Microphone: True
Language: English (United States)
Free Hard Drive Space: 26873 MB
Total Hard Drive Space: 199996 MB
Windows Experience Index Rating: 5.8

 

[krazyjamus]

Best bet would be to get a Radeon HD7850 and yeah the GPU will be more effective for gaming increase in performance. The E8400 is pretty decent for an old chip.

You can probably sell your current card for about $50 through kijiji or craigslist too.

 

[deadlockedworld]

It is probably worth upgrading everything, but I agree that the GPU is the first step.

Also if you have a motherboard thats capable, the e8400 is a very good overclocking chip and should reach 3.5ghz with no problem. Now that its this old it very well might be worthwhile.

 

[geofelt]

Exactly what do you mean by high quality as a problem?

Are you talking about gaming, with lots of eye candy, or FPS issues?

Or, are you talking about app speed, or overall responsiveness?

 

[Konradx]

Exactly what do you mean by high quality as a problem?

Are you talking about gaming, with lots of eye candy, or FPS issues?

Or, are you talking about app speed, or overall responsiveness?

Running new games at 1920x1080 with all the bells and whistles. Haven't followed the upgrade market in a bit, I'm assuming I can run a Radeon on a nvid designed mobo? Just cant do sli/crossfire right? Also if upgrading my vid card i'd be looking for something that doesnt run too hot or isnt too loud. My 9800 GTX is kind of loud.

Thanks again,

Kx

 

[kevin83]

I would personally buy a gtx 560 ti. They suck power like a firehose but are very powerful for their current price of around $210. Most of them also have pretty sizable rebates as well. I can play BF3 at Ultra settings on 1080p with very little lag on an MSI overclocked version.

 

[krazyjamus]

I would personally buy a gtx 560 ti. They suck power like a firehose but are very powerful for their current price of around $210. Most of them also have pretty sizable rebates as well. I can play BF3 at Ultra settings on 1080p with very little lag on an MSI overclocked version.

GTX 560 Ti is great card and at $210 or less it's a good deal. A slight step up from that is the 7850 for about $250 and it's a bit better performance wise. It uses way less power though and runs cooler.

 

[geofelt]

Running new games at 1920x1080 with all the bells and whistles. Haven't followed the upgrade market in a bit, I'm assuming I can run a Radeon on a nvid designed mobo? Just cant do sli/crossfire right? Also if upgrading my vid card i'd be looking for something that doesnt run too hot or isnt too loud. My 9800 GTX is kind of loud.

Thanks again,

Kx

For better graphics and fps, a graphics card upgrade is probably appropriate.

It does not matter if you have Nvidia or AMD graphics cards in a Intel or amd motherboard. There is no connection.

I do not recommend dual cards if a good single card will do the job.
But... If you have a sli capable mobo, you can run two nvidia cards. If you have a cf enabled motherboard, you can run crossfire.
Some motherboards support both. In either case, you need two pci-e slots at X8 or X16, and a suitably strong psu.

Newer generation graphics cards run cooler, and quieter than your 9800GTX.

I think you are looking at a GTX560ti, or a 7850 class card.

 

[Konradx]

For better graphics and fps, a graphics card upgrade is probably appropriate.

It does not matter if you have Nvidia or AMD graphics cards in a Intel or amd motherboard. There is no connection.

I do not recommend dual cards if a good single card will do the job.
But... If you have a sli capable mobo, you can run two nvidia cards. If you have a cf enabled motherboard, you can run crossfire.
Some motherboards support both. In either case, you need two pci-e slots at X8 or X16, and a suitably strong psu.

Newer generation graphics cards run cooler, and quieter than your 9800GTX.

I think you are looking at a GTX560ti, or a 7850 class card.

Thanks for the recommendation. Does the new Nvidia cards transfer sound through there video ports, or is that still a Radeon only feature? I'd prefer to use 1 cable over 2.

Kx

 

[geofelt]

Thanks for the recommendation. Does the new Nvidia cards transfer sound through there video ports, or is that still a Radeon only feature? I'd prefer to use 1 cable over 2.

Kx

I don't know, I have not looked into that. But if a card has HDMI output, I would certainly think that it would transmit sound also. A good thing if you have a tv or monitor with speakers and don't mind lower quality sound.

 

[kevin83]

Yes, Nvidia from what I have heard has a better track record with audio over hdmi. My surround sound system runs off of my gtx-560 ti. It has a very wide range of codec passthru support.