CPU Upgrade(AMD 4200) and GPU(7800GTX)

[WickedCobra03]

Ok, so my full specs as of now are ...

AMD X2 4200+
A8N SLI Premium
2 gigs DDR(yep, not even 2 yet)
300 gig hdd
1 dvd rw
450 watt psu


So I was wondering, I have kinda been out of the PC gaming loop, and well the entire gaming loop insofar that my copy of Half Life 2: Orange Box for the PC was still wrapped till last summer and I just started in on Bioshock on the 360. And the STALKER, I am really starting to get back into but it runs like crap(due partly I think to just the coding of the game itself). But I am looking at getting the 9800GTX card on Newegg for the 189 with a mail-in rebate for 30 to bring it to 159 which is pretty damn good, plus it comes with Far Cry 2 for free. Anyways, Is my CPU which is a bit overclocked...I think 200 or 400 mhz would be holding the card back too much to the point of not even making it a worthwhile purchase? I have a 4:3 19 inch Viewsonic which is fine so I am only looking to run games in 1280x1024 with everything mostly just on high(or even ultra if possible), but high is fine.

And then for the CPU issue? Ideas? I know I am really limited with the 939 socket being so old but I was wondering what I could stick in there? Would an AM2 work? What would work?

 

[JPB]

AM2 cpu wont work in a Socket 939. Only the socket 939 will. You are more than likely already almost maxed out for the cpu you can really use for your board.

Any X2 that would be faster than your current cpu, would be really expensive I think.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Don't worry about your CPU. It shouldn't hold the video card back at all. But be aware that your video card upgrade will need more power then your current PSU can offer. So focuse on getting a new PSU.

 

[WickedCobra03]

Yeah, I was thinking that any 939 socket would be kind of a waste. But is even upgrading my GPU from a stock like 3 year old 7800GTX going to really improve anything? I mean I am wating for the i7's and thinking that with my monitor only doing 1280x1024 that I should be set with a 9800GTX+. And for only $159.99, I can't pass this up. I was looking at the ATI 4850 but this GTX+ is seeming to edge it out and for 40 dollars cheaper with the special at newegg!

 

[ihyagp]

A64 FX!60 or an opteron 185 would both work in that board. Good chips. Real world though - wait for nehalem.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.tomshardware.com/re...ng-benchmark,2054.html

 

[mpilchfamily]

A video card upgrade can make all the differnece in the world.

The 4850 would be a much better option then the 9800. Sure it cost a bit more but you get allot more out of it.

 

[MarcVenice]

Go with the videocard upgrade. What kind of PSU do you have though? I highly doubt it has 2 6pin pci-e connectors, meaning you'll either need molex to pci-e 6pin, or a new PSU if you want to buy a 9800gtx+. The HD4850 on the other hand only requires a single 6 pin pci-e connector, which you probably do have ...

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: WickedCobra03
I was looking at the ATI 4850 but this GTX+ is seeming to edge it out and for 40 dollars cheaper with the special at newegg!

There are plenty of 4850s for $150 or less after rebate on newegg. There are even some going for around $120, which is a heck of a deal, since it's generally faster than a 9800GTX (and on par with a 9800GTX+). The 9800GTXs don't seem to be worth it these days in terms of value. Even the 9800GT doesn't seem to be that great a value now, seeing as to how the 4850 is only a bit more.