Do I need to upgrade?

[perdomot]

I'm still running an E4400 OC'd to 3Ghz and was wondering how much difference I'd see in daily usage compared to the newer cpu's. I do some encoding once in a while so I know that would benefit from the newer cpu's but what about daily stuff like web surfing, media playback, downloading/torrent files? I've been trying to decide between a new cpu or a new vid card to replace my old 7600GT. Not a hardcore gamer. Opinions?

 

[BlueWeasel]

For the daily stuff you mentioned, an E4400 @ 3Ghz is way plenty, even overkill. You'd see some encoding improvement with a newer CPU OC'ed to 3.6-4.0Ghz, but with only "once in a while" encoding patterns, I wouldn't bother upgrading. It certainly sounds like you don't need a quad-core.

I'd probably replace the video card, but for a non-hardcore gamer, it may not be worth it. :shrug;

What specific games do you play or intend on playing?

 

[daveybrat]

From what you say you do with your pc.....i'd say it would not be beneficial to upgrade your cpu. Videocard?.....only if you're a gamer.

Wait until faster quad-cores become cheaper and more plentiful, then upgrade. It makes no sense for you to do it now with the little benefit it would provide for you.

 

[perdomot]

Thanks, that's what I figured but wanted cooler heads opinions. Upgrade Fever, you know? LOL

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: perdomot
Thanks, that's what I figured but wanted cooler heads opinions. Upgrade Fever, you know? LOL

I completely understand.....I always have that Fever! Even now i'd like to get the 5000+ X2 BE cpu which i know i don't need!

 

[Denithor]

If the fever gets bad enough, pick up an 8800GS (EVGA model, quiet fan) from Newegg for like $110 after MIR. That would be a massive upgrade from your 7600GT and if you are even just an occasional gamer you would see the benefit.

Also, how much memory do you have? DDR2 is so cheap right now you could easily add another couple of gigs for next to nothing.

EDIT: Sorry, couldn't resist spreading the fever. :evil:

 

[nanaki333]

just do it. upgrade. don't think about it. trust your urges!! DO IT!!!!!

 

[sutahz]

My opinion, become a hardcore gamer so you no longer will be wishy-washy about such things.

 

[perdomot]

I have 2 Gigs right now so I'm OK on ram. I was looking at getting a 9600GT which are going really cheap with MIR at Newegg right now but since I just ordered a WD 640GB HDD to replace my aging 74GB Raptor, I think I'm good for a little while.

 

[twistedlogic]

There's only one thing I've found to cure the PC upgrade fever............ buy something else thats upgradeable and your fever spreads to it.

I recently bought me a D-SLR, so now its all about buying lenses, flashes, and other goodies. Maybe I can sell you my GPU, lol.

Damn you fever,

 

[joutlaw]

New D-SLR owner here too. I've got lens fever, but its a bit more expensive that pc toys.

OP, I'm running a similar system. E4300 @ 2.99Ghz 4GB of GSkill 2x74GB Raptors RAID0 7800GTX.

I get the fever every now and then, but after working all day I don't even use my home PCs that much. Programming FTL.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: sutahz
My opinion, become a hardcore gamer so you no longer will be wishy-washy about such things.

:laugh: