CPU+Video upgrade help for Windows 7 box

[jtac84]

Hi all -
I have a custom build that I want to put a little upgrade into, along with a fresh installation of Windows 7. For around $200 for hardware upgrades ($250 max - if it makes sense), I want to upgrade my CPU, RAM (from 2gig to 4 gig, DDR2 800), and Video Card in this build. My goals with the system are the following: A lot of multitasking ability (which is why I am looking at a low end AMD quad core, see below), the ability to play all current games with at least pretty decent resolution (I want to max out WoW, I want to play COD 4/5 very smoothly), dual monitor capability, good value for the money. I want to get strong performance from this machine for the next two years.

My current specs are:
Gigabyte 785g Mobo
AMD Sempron AM3 Single core CPU 2.7 ghz
2 gigs DDR 2 800
160 gig SATA Hard Drive (may upgrade at a later time, not worried about space for now, using external HD)
430 Watt PSU (Thermaltake)
DVDRW

*My initial thoughts were to add the following, which would cost $230 shipped from Newegg:
Athlon 2 X4 - $99
2 gigs DDR2 800
Radeon 4670 1 gig

Any thoughts/advice on this is much appreciated. What upgrade would you do to this system for the reasons above, and why?

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[deimos3428]

Looks sensible to me, though the 48xx series is getting cheaper all the time. You might be able to barely squeeze a 4830 into your budget.

 

[Markfw]

I would go 2 x 2 gig for the memory, very cheap nowadays. Added to your 2 x 1, thats 6 gig, and I hear win 7 can use it all.

 

[v8envy]

If we could all play games very smoothly on an extreme budget GPU we would.

That TR-2 430 is not a current generation PSU. Most of its wattage is on the 5v rail, and it's not very reliable. I have one in a closet, I think it was $5 AR. Definitely don't trust it to power anything valuable.

You're definitely correct in looking for low wattage GPUs. However, these tend to be extreme budget, low performance parts. Don't expect to run games with all details cranked up and resolution over 1280x1024 with bargain bin GPUs today, never mind two years from now.

I'd look into after rebate pricing on a 9800GTX+ or step up to a 5750 if I were you. Overclocking your CPU with that PSU is going to be a huge gamble, so don't expect miracle performance from a stock clocked $99 CPU either. These value CPUs really shine once overclocked, but at stock clocks they're simply OK.

My advice is keep saving up for an upgrade you can feel. Until then, spend the $ on a PSU and GPU first, everything else second.

 

[Markfw]

Good catch on that PSU. svc.com has $39 700 watt OCZ psu's (rebadged fortrons, pretty sure, I have 4), they are reconditioned. I got one, with a scratch, it was installed, works fine.

 

[nyker96]

if you want to play a little game, why not get a hd4850? it's like a little more but hd46xx not too good for heavy graphics games. rest of the choice is enough for what you need.

 

[BD231]

The only way I'd recommend an X4 over a Phenom II is if you know you wont be overclocking and the only thing you do is encode video. You're not going to notice a thing going from 2gigs to 4gigs so adding serious GPU power and added L3 cache to your system would net you the most bang for your buck.

Phenom II x3 720 and a 4850 to 4890 gets my vote, that X4 is not all that amazing when you consider it lacks the overclocking potential and L3 cache of its big brothers. With an X3 you at least place yourself in the upper echelon of AMDs flagship CPU features, less one core. The added overclocking potential of the X3 pretty much destroys any chance the X4 has at competing with an x3 if overclocked.

 

[lopri]

It looks like he's already got 2GB and adding another 2GB for total 4GB. 2GB for Win7 is like a bare minimum and going for 4GB is a sensible decision, especially for gaming and multitasking.

 

[Arkaign]

The only way I'd recommend an X4 over a Phenom II is if you know you wont be overclocking and the only thing you do is encode video. You're not going to notice a thing going from 2gigs to 4gigs so adding serious GPU power and added L3 cache to your system would net you the most bang for your buck.

Phenom II x3 720 and a 4850 to 4890 gets my vote, that X4 is not all that amazing when you consider it lacks the overclocking potential and L3 cache of its big brothers. With an X3 you at least place yourself in the upper echelon of AMDs flagship CPU features, less one core. The added overclocking potential of the X3 pretty much destroys any chance the X4 has at competing with an x3 if overclocked.

This man speaks truth. Just combine it with a respectable PSU, don't want to do all of this only to have it go up in smoke.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Good catch on that PSU. svc.com has $39 700 watt OCZ psu's (rebadged fortrons, pretty sure, I have 4), they are reconditioned. I got one, with a scratch, it was installed, works fine.

I bet you got in on that PSU deal. Don't you go through PSUs like popcorn, with all of those overclocked 24/7 rigs?

I bought a 600W and two 850W from SVC, sold the 600W to a friend, haven't installed the 850W units yet.