What should I upgrade?

[thewalrii]

I built my computer almost two years ago, and it's probably due for an upgrade. I don't think I really want to build a whole new computer, but I might be interested in upgrading parts of it. What would be a worthwhile upgrade for me? I don't really have a specific budget, but less would obviously be better.

Here are my current specs:

RAM: 8 GB of G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR3 1333
Motherboard: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W
GPU: HIS H489FN1GH Radeon HD 4890 1GB
Case: Antec Three Hundred Illusion
SSD: OCZ Agility 3 120 GB
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black 640 GB

Thanks for your advice

 

[Outlander_04]

Its still a good rig .

Add a huge cpu cooler and OC to 4 GHz or so
and swap the graphics card for a 6950 , or GTX 560 ti

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523
$202 after rebate

But if your monitor is less than 1080p even that might not be worth it

 

[thewalrii]

The monitor is 1680x1050. If I upgrade to the 6950, do you think the CPU would bottleneck it much? What about without overclocking?

 

[Sequences]

Getting a 1080p monitor would be my first upgrade for that setup. Other than that, you're set for now.

Depending on what you do, you could either OC the CPU if you're not much into gaming or upgrade the GPU if you want to play more recent games that are graphics intense. Outlander's suggestion of choices for graphics card is good when you feel that the games you're playing have outgrown your GPU.

Welcome to the forums.

 

[Zero_]

The CPU can still keep up with a new GPU.

I'd say 3 items.

1. GPU - HD6950 would be the ideal upgrade.
2. 1080p monitor.
3. If you haven't got one already, get a CM Hyper 212 Evo and OC that CPU to the max.

 

[thewalrii]

I think I'll buy a 6950 now, then look for a monitor around Black Friday.

The reviews on the card Outlander linked, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523 , make me a little wary about that model.

Do you think it would be worth it to spend slightly more for one of these? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102949
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150524

Unfortunately I don't think the 3 fan Gigabyte card would fit in my case.

 

[Zero_]

Try this.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058W1MFW/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=banforbucga08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0058W1MFW

 

[ru_1980]

Like the guys mentioned above, your CPU will run a new vid card just fine. I have a 955 also and it runs my 6970 without a hitch.