Doing an upgrade (Need some advice)

[namtran512]

So here is what I am currently running


Phenom X4 9750
ASRock 780 gxh
4 gig DDR2 (Forgot the brand)
Radeon 5770



Monitor I have is Samsung 1280 x 1024 max resolution.


My budget is 400 dollars; I'm considering doing a Mobo/Ram/CPU overhaul before doing a GPU overhaul, since the 5770 is holding out so far on most games, especially since I do not run at higher resolutions then 1280 x 1024.



So far I'm looking into the newly released SB line, probably the 2500k i5.



The recent GPU/CPU article states that upgrading the GPU is more important, but I'm not so sure based on the resolution that I run.

 

[Makuab]

Hermm Are you happy with your monitor? I'm not to excited for SB, I guess ill wait and see how the release goes and if people are satisfied, so I think waiting a few weeks would be a good idea.

 

[namtran512]

Hermm Are you happy with your monitor? I'm not to excited for SB, I guess ill wait and see how the release goes and if people are satisfied, so I think waiting a few weeks would be a good idea.

Yeah I'm not too picky about the monitor as long as it runs at decent resolution. I feel that monitor is more of a premium then anything.



I forgot to mention that I am upgrading for gaming.

 

[Makuab]

People say SB is the way to go, I just dont like the limitations Intel put on the chips. You COULD call me an AMD fanboy, but im running a core 2 at the moment. I feel like Intel is prison and AMD is freedom, and I have no idea why, I feel like AMD is linux and Intel is windows. Its a matter of opinion, you really wont know until you buy it. Benchmarks arent always reliable. I would wait for people to review them.

 

[MisterDonut]

Get a Phenom II X4 + SSD and call it a day. IMO, the rest of your rig holds up fine in gaming. I'd try to upgrade the monitor before upgrading the GPU/CPU platform.

 

[fffblackmage]

I'd try to upgrade the monitor before upgrading the GPU/CPU platform.

+1
Unless you're having low framerate issues in the current games you're playing, I would try to upgrade the monitor first.

 

[mfenn]

+1
Unless you're having low framerate issues in the current games you're playing, I would try to upgrade the monitor first.

Another +1. People don't quite realize how small their current monitor is until they get a big one. Your original Phenom is quite slow though, so you'll probably want to replace it as well. Luckily, you can carry your DDR2 over to a Phenom II.

I would recommend:
ASUS VE247H $180 AR
Phenom II X4 955 $145
Total: $325

Regarding the mobo, the only "780 GXH" is the M3A780GXH/128M, which is actually a DDR3 motherboard. Can you double check the model number for me?

If you are DEAD SET on not upgrading your monitor, you should be able to do i5 2500K, P67 mobo, and 4GB of DDR3 for right around $400 (maybe a tad over). Can't really get too specific about the best deal on that though, since the parts are for sale yet.

 

[namtran512]

Another +1. People don't quite realize how small their current monitor is until they get a big one. Your original Phenom is quite slow though, so you'll probably want to replace it as well. Luckily, you can carry your DDR2 over to a Phenom II.

I would recommend:
ASUS VE247H $180 AR
Phenom II X4 955 $145
Total: $325

Regarding the mobo, the only "780 GXH" is the M3A780GXH/128M, which is actually a DDR3 motherboard. Can you double check the model number for me?

If you are DEAD SET on not upgrading your monitor, you should be able to do i5 2500K, P67 mobo, and 4GB of DDR3 for right around $400 (maybe a tad over). Can't really get too specific about the best deal on that though, since the parts are for sale yet.

It's the A780GXH/128M, it should be a DDR2 mobo (at least that's what is in it).


I honestly don't put a huge premium on monitor, since I transfer my computer down stairs to my 58" Samsung Plasma TV all the time if I really want to play with huge resolutions and watch movies.



I'm putting the money towards a CPU/Mobo/Ram upgrade, already priced it out and I'll be just under 400.