Upgrading computer for a good 1080p resolution

[Just a nickname]

Hi,

System:
E6400 @ 2.1 GHz => changed cooler (waiting for the thermal paste to put it and O/C)
Kingston 300MHz => PI black g.skill 800MHz 4-4-4-12 (waiting to receive it)
P5B dlx
PSU anthec - i think it is 550W

 

[jaguarskx]

If you are looking at a video card recommendation then get a HD 5850 or HD 5870.

If you are looking at something for less than $200 then you may want to wait a few days. I think the HD 5770 is supposed to be released on Oct 13th; either that or sites are allowed to release reviews for that card.

 

[jsrudd]

Are you trying to watch blu-rays or gaming. If you're just watching blu-rays then really most any graphics card will do. Try something like a 4650. If you're gaming, then consider getting one of the new ATI 5000 series. They're supposed to be much better than current models, especially at the lower end.

 

[carpenter20m]

I have the same cpu as well and I have it overclocked at 2.56. Even overclocked it is a major bottleneck for my 4850, so you should really consider that before you go and buy a major gpu which will be of no difference. Really, with a 5850 for example you're gonna see around the same fps at all resolutions up to 2560x1600.

OK, maybe I exaggerate, but it's true that our processor, even if it's oced, is a bottleneck for a medium-high card like thr 4850

 

[Just a nickname]

@carpenter

The E6400 is overclockable to 3.2GHz. It really depends what kind of game you play. Some require more than 2 cores, faster FSB or frequency. In the case of the E6400, it has only 2 cores thus I won't invest more than 250$ for a G/C because it's just going to be a waste.

@jaguarskx Well, I'll wait one more day I think xD.

 

[carpenter20m]

That's what I am saying. Even $250 is too much, since a 4850 is a bottleneck. Really, if you can achieve the 3.2 (I couldn't; even at 2.56 the voltage is higher than I would like it to be), then the 4850 would be just right. Any better and it would just be overkill. Maybe you should just wait a few weeks for the 5770.

 

[meodowla]

Anyway care to get some GPU with minimum 1Gb Video RAM. It'll help in that resolution..

 

[siddsm]

Anyway care to get some GPU with minimum 1Gb Video RAM. It'll help in that resolution..

+1 to that, even for watching movies.

but its tough to recommend G.card without knowing what you want to use your rig mainly for?

 

[Just a nickname]

@sid Gaming - that's why I upgrade it.

BTW, I'd like to see a link carpenter b/c your source(s) seem(s) to not be really fiable.
Why do I say that?
I don't know if you take in consideration that some game are more CPU demanding than some. Same thing for the G/C. I think it really depends what kind of game you play, what is your resolution, etc. It's sure that a good system in 1920x1080 may sucks at 2560x1600, but you simply can't generalise for every situation.
I may be wrong, but I think that 3.2GHz is suffisant for actual bottom line G/Cs.

 

[Just a nickname]

Carpenter, I just realised I didn't even know why you tell us that your 4850 is too much for your E6400?

 

[siddsm]

i use the 5870 on my amd 6000+ for 1080p gaming....and am fully satisfied, all settings on at high..maxed af and sometimes maxed aa gets me 40~70 fps

 

[Just a nickname]

I was actually looking for 4870 1gb or maybe the new radeon coming soon... I just need to look at some benchmarks and see what they say, but that's not until tomorrow if what you say is true.

 

[carpenter20m]

I can't give you any links, because I am speaking of my own experience. I have an E6400 and a 4850 and it is NEVER used at its full speed. I think only Crysis has taken it to 100%. When I benchmark with gpu-z, which shows you what percentage of your card is used, it is around 50-80% all the time, while the cpu usage approaches 100% (for one core or two cores, depending on the game; I still play some games that have minimal or no multicore support like TF2 and NW2).

I told you that I have oc'ed my E6400 to 2.56. I do believe however that if you manage to OC it to 3.2, then a 4850 or a 4870 should not be a bottleneck, especially at your resolution.

I play at 1440x900 and with some games I get low fps. Crysis with a mix of mid-high settings, I get 25-40 fps (lower in a really heavy battle). In TF2 depending on the situation I get from 35 to 140. I used to get 20 before overclocking.

Anyway, I am not saying you should buy a 4850 and nothing better (I am not that pleased with my card; ever since I got it it idles at around 70 degrees). DX11 comes out, so it would be wise to go with a 5xxx, especially if you plan on getting Windows 7. I am just saying that with your cpu (and mine, remember that), there is no way that the graphics card is going to be used at its full capacity. That's why I suggested the 5770. If it's any good, it sounds ideal for your system.

In any case, I hope you enjoy your purchase.

 

[siddsm]

I was actually looking for 4870 1gb or maybe the new radeon coming soon... I just need to look at some benchmarks and see what they say, but that's not until tomorrow if what you say is true.

check some posts at the end pages here, some of the users have got a 5770 somehow....and has loads of benchmarking too.
http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=783670