Time for an Upgrade - Need You're Input

Z

Zulash

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So the time has come, my once beautiful machine has become a lawn mower which does nothing but cut frames off the top of my games and leave me pulling my hair out... I don't think going bald at 18 years of age is a good thing so I have decided to upgrade... Now my question is what to upgrade? This is where you all come in!! (yay another one of these threads I love them! :D)

My budget is around R5,000.00 and I reckon my biggest improvements are needed on my Graphics Card and CPU.... Oh and the PC is used primarily to run games and drafting programs such as AutoCAD and Bentley Microstation!

My Current Speccs??
Intel Core2Duo E6420 @ 2.13GHz
2GB RAM @ 333MHz
MSI MS-7350 P6N Platinum SLi-Compatible MOBO
M$ Windows XP Service Pack 2
XFX 8600GT 256MB
Samsung 2232GW 22" Wide @ 1680x1050
Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard
Razer DeathAdder Gaming Mouse
 
Your CPU is still pretty good :D

Checked your mobo's specs aswell it's still pretty new :)
Could get a 8800GT, and perhaps some DDR2-800 RAM
Just some random stuff I slapped together, could probably get it for cheaper :)

Inno3D 8800GT OC' - 2.2k
2GB's DDR2-800 Corsair TWIN - R650,94
@
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/
 
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everything is fine there

get a new vga card

9800gtx for around 3.7k then your pc should be fine

overclock your cpu as well
 
9800gtx to expensive right now.

get the 8800GT (preferably one with a nice cooler) and 4GB DDR2-800 rams (2GB will also do)

you dont talk about your PSU. That Aerocool zero DBA is great.

It all depends if you are going to be buying new or used. A few months old GFX card represents good bang for your buck.
 
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Even this tech noob knows that all you need to do really is burn that terrible gfx card, replace with a beauty, bump up the RAM and you'll be enjoying that PC again :D
 
Mephisto_Helix said:
Even this tech noob knows that all you need to do really is burn that terrible gfx card, replace with a beauty, bump up the RAM and you'll be enjoying that PC again :D
Click to expand...

lolz that 8600GT must be like putting a 1000cc Mini Engine in a 10 ton truck! :p
 
Ancient_Despair
You don't need an upgrade, maybe a new card though and RAM...

I suspect the lag is from cluttered HDD/Start up mess that builds over time, pm me for a program or ask here for one that can help

Many people confuse this for a new upgrade :(
 
thanks for the replies so far all... much appreciated!

@Glordit - the core clock on that GFX card is very nice for an 8800 but temps seem to be high... perhaps I can slap a different cooler on it.

@sdd - my PSU is some ol'cheapo one I found at a local shop (Cafe Viva for those of you in CT) but it puts out about 550W... not sure on its lifetime though... had the PC for about a year now and it seems to be doing well enough.

@killadoob - OC'ing is my biggest weakness's in computers... ask me to hack the CIA.. sure thing.. ask me to OC a processor.. and I'll most probably short circuit my entire house :D

@boramk - The PC itself runs very smoothly when in windows and such... just not smoothly enough when in games or under an extreamly heavy work load (15-20 files in Photoshop or 12 plans in microstation ect.)

By the way... I used vista way back when it first came out... is it stable enough for me to switch to now so i can finally drool over DX10?

Muchos Thanks All
 
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XFX 8800GT Alpha Dog has a Zalman cooler and while noisy (/me has a thread about that) it stays cool even under load :D
 
I'm not too bothered about the temperature that it reaches, mine is still rock-solid :)

But I agree, 8800GT and maybe some DDR2-800 RAM should serve as a decent upgrade :)
 
Indeed!
plus DDR2-800 is so cheap might as well get it, should also make overclocking more easy :)
 
get a 88GT and maybe another 2 gig ram. Or just another 86Gt in sli.Would also work well.Depends on how much money u willing 2 spend of course.
 
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SLI does not give much performance IMO, for 4k you might as well get a 9800GTX instead of a 8800GT SLI setup. Then again there are the new G200's comming might want to wait and see how much they are going to cost :)
 
The 9 series graphics cards have proven to be quite a let down, the 8800GTS is probably your best bet. I know of people who have actually modded the bios on the card (flashed it) to make 8800GTS the same config as 9800GTX. Cause the 8800GTS is same chip inside as 9800GTX. But if you only have R5k to spend then the 8800GT (definitely).

Now the Ram, would recommend the Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 - 1GB, get FOUR of these comes to total of R1400 from Simplicity. then your computer won't lack speed. Will run great with the dual channel. Plus they each have heatsinks. :D
 
Glordit said:
SLI does not give much performance IMO, for 4k you might as well get a 9800GTX instead of a 8800GT SLI setup. Then again there are the new G200's comming might want to wait and see how much they are going to cost :)
Click to expand...

Actually ur wrong, 8800gt in sli beats the 9800GX2 in most scenarios.
9600gt in sli is close behind.
3850 / 70 in crossfire is apparently pretty wicked too.

8600gt/s... rubbish.
 
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