Any way I can get this upgrade's price down?

[dwell]

So she has a couple of PC gamer guys at work she talked about getting me some upgrades for Christmas. Right now I have:

Athlon Mobile @ 2.0Ghz
Asus A7N8X Deluxe
1GB PC3200
eVGA 6800GT 256MB

I think they talked her into:

E6600 $300
Asus P5B Deluxe $180
2GB PC6400 $250
eVGA 7950GT $279

~$1000

Nice machine but it's way too much for me to let her spend. Any suggestions for getting it down a bit? AMD? ATI? I mainly use the system for gaming like Oblivion and FPS. I want to be able to play Gothic 2, HL2:E2 etc, and have a decent system for around two years. I was considering:

E6400 $215
Asus P5B Deluxe $180
1GB PC6400 $125
7900GS $189

~$700

Any suggestions?

 

[secretanchitman]

her setup is actually a great combination. it'll last you for several years, at least. but you are definitely right, it is kinda pricey.

i would say the E6600 might be a bit overkill, and if you're into overclocking, the E6300/E6400 like you said would be a better option. the motherboard is fine, and i would say bump up the memory to 2x1GB of DDR2-667 or higher since you like to play oblivion and fps games a lot.

as for the video card, what resolution will you be gaming at? the 7900GS is a great card, as well as the newly released X1950Pro from ATI. if you dont need that high-end of a card, the 7600GT is also another option.

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
as for the video card, what resolution will you be gaming at? the 7900GS is a great card, as well as the newly released X1950Pro from ATI. if you dont need that high-end of a card, the 7600GT is also another option.

I run at 1024x768 and can live without AA if it means more speed.

My 6800GT does about 20 fps in Oblivion with most stuff turned down. I want to do HDR and pretty much everything cranked so it looks pretty, but I want a decent frame rate.

 

[secretanchitman]

hmm, since the 7600GT is roughly equal to the 6800GT, i would go for a higher-end card, like a 7900GS/7900GT/7900GTO/7950GT or an ati equivalent.

 

[Slugbait]

I would say...be gracious. Accept it. Love her. Brag about her to your friends (or keep on the low-down if you don't want competition).

Some people actually get insulted when being thwarted while trying to spoil someone they love. Trust me, I've been on both sides...it seldom turns out pretty.

 

[twjr]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
I would say...be gracious. Accept it. Love her. Brag about her to your friends (or keep on the low-down if you don't want competition).

Some people actually get insulted when being thwarted while trying to spoil someone they love. Trust me, I've been on both sides...it seldom turns out pretty.

Good words those very good words.

But if you really want to change something then I would go for E6300/p5b-e/2g ddr2 667/ati x1950pro or nvidia 7900gs. But then you are pretty much changing everything and well just believe the words said above.

 

[Dave Richardson]

You lucky lucky man

 

[dwell]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
I would say...be gracious. Accept it. Love her. Brag about her to your friends (or keep on the low-down if you don't want competition).

Some people actually get insulted when being thwarted while trying to spoil someone they love. Trust me, I've been on both sides...it seldom turns out pretty.

You're right. Plus, I am getting her a MacBook

 

[bob4432]

since you like oblivion i would drop down to a 6300/6400, get a cheaper m/b like a gigabyte 965-s3, 2GB ddr667-800 and then put the extra $$$ into a 8800gts to be able to really turn up the settings on the game. you are still spending ~ the same amount as her "friends" suggested but put more of the $$$ where it counts for oblivion.

also you will probably need a new psu - i would go a decent (fsp, enermax, enhance, seasonic, etc) 500W unit

 

[imported_RedStar]

i say that is a great build ...so instead of cheapening it. Give her the difference, you won't accept, back in cash (or some romantic translation of said cash)

 

[Oyeve]

I would let it be unless its paid with by a shared CC or bank account! Which means you are paying for it also!

 

[DaveSimmons]

Good advice from bob4432 as usual. Oblivion and next years' RPGs/FPS will benefit from that 8800gts.

 

[Roguestar]

I think the suggestion he made himself at the bottom of the first post is spot on, actually.

 

[dwell]

Wow, she went overboard:

E6500
Asus P5B Deluxe
2GB PC6400
eVGA 7950GT 512M
Coolermaster Centurion 5

Don't want to know what she spent

Gotta get a 500W PSU now.

What a gift!

 

[Bill Kunert]

Be very nice to her. Sounds like a keeper.
Merry Christmas

Bill

 

[balane]

I think at that price point the 8800GTS is key and build the system around that. Get the video card first and spread the money you have left around on the other components.

If I couldn't work in that card and wanted to save money the card I would use the is X1950XT for $250 Best card for the money in my opinion. Get a C2D 6300, MB and a couple of gigs of DDR2. This system can do a lot.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: Chris

I think they talked her into:

E6600 $300
Asus P5B Deluxe $180
2GB PC6400 $250
eVGA 7950GT $279

~$1000

same cpu
same mb
G.Skill PC4200 (200)
x1950pro 256 (220)

~save a 100

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: balane
I think at that price point the 8800GTS is key and build the system around that. Get the video card first and spread the money you have left around on the other components.

If I couldn't work in that card and wanted to save money the card I would use the is X1950XT for $250 Best card for the money in my opinion. Get a C2D 6300, MB and a couple of gigs of DDR2. This system can do a lot.

read all the posts...he already got his rig....