Don't know what to do

[gus6464]

It's finally gotten to the point where the system in my sig is just not cutting it anymore. I play games like WoW and Warhammer, Warcraft 3 and the system is just not cutting it, even in WoW. The problem is that I only have $500 for an upgrade. These are 2 options I have come up with:

Option 1
I currently have a 9600GT on my system not the one that is in my sig and I was thinking about getting another 9600GT for $100 and going SLI. Would this even be worth it?

Option 2
Core 2 Duo E7400 $120
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 $35
4GB Corsair 1066 Ram $35 after rebate
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R $99 after rebate
SAPPHIRE 100259L Radeon HD 4870 512MB $150 after rebate

I will be using the same PSU, case, dvdr, and hard drives from current machine to save money.

What do you guys think?

Monitor is a 22" LCD.

 

[vj8usa]

What are the specs of the 9600 system? Is that system also not cutting it for the games you play?

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: gus6464
I play games like WoW and Warhammer, Warcraft 3 and the system is just not cutting it, even in WoW.

I currently have a 9600GT on my system not the one that is in my sig and I was thinking about getting another 9600GT for $100 and going SLI. Would this even be worth it?

Monitor is a 22" LCD.

no

 

[JTP709]

mutli GPU systems, aka SLI and Crossfire, will only have noticable performance for higher resolutions in 24" and 30" monitors. You'll get much better performance from a HD 4870 than two 9600GTs at that resolution.

I would also recommend an AMD build. For ~$140 you can get a Phenom II x3 720 BE and a 790GX motherboard for around $100. While this is $20 more, it will outperform a C2D e7400 and have better overclocking potential. Also, the third core will improve CPU intensive processes and multitasking. Since AMD now owns ATI, IMHO ATI cards run more efficently with an AMD CPU and Mobo platform.

 

[gus6464]

Originally posted by: JTP709
mutli GPU systems, aka SLI and Crossfire, will only have noticable performance for higher resolutions in 24" and 30" monitors. You'll get much better performance from a HD 4870 than two 9600GTs at that resolution.

I would also recommend an AMD build. For ~$140 you can get a Phenom II x3 720 BE and a 790GX motherboard for around $100. While this is $20 more, it will outperform a C2D e7400 and have better overclocking potential. Also, the third core will improve CPU intensive processes and multitasking. Since AMD now owns ATI, IMHO ATI cards run more efficently with an AMD CPU and Mobo platform.

Well main reason I was thinking of going with cheapest C2D right was not only because of price and good overclocking capability but also because of future upgradeability. I was thinking that later down the road when intel kills 775 altogether I would pick up a quad for cheap. I have been reading that the E7400 can hit 3.5GHz fairly easy on air so the Phenom II can go even higher? The $500 upgrade budget is very strict and I cannot go above it unfortunately.

 

[gus6464]

Originally posted by: vj8usa
What are the specs of the 9600 system? Is that system also not cutting it for the games you play?

The system is the one in my sig except that instead of the 7900GT I have a 9600GT now.

 

[Blain]

How old is your Enermax PS?

 

[gus6464]

Originally posted by: Blain
How old is your Enermax PS?

about 3 years

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Go for a quad core if you go Intel. The PII X3 is also a good buy if you stay with AMD.

 

[Denithor]

With MMOs today CPU/RAM has as much impact as GPU.

X3/X4/C2Q is your best bet, along with plenty of RAM.

Look for some of the combo deals at newegg - you might be able to score a nice X3 + motherboard cheaper than you think - and that will help lots with your gaming experience. Add the 4870 and you're g2g.

 

[JTP709]

^^^Definately agree. Newegg has sooo many combo deals its crazy. The other day I was able to save $50 and upgrade to faster memory on my next build because of all the good combos that were available, just hope something as good will be there when I am actually ready to buy my new system. Sometimes its worth it to wait a week and check out the daily deals and combos.

 

[gus6464]

OK I will check out what I can combo with the Phenom II X3 720. Should I be going for a DDR3 mobo or a DDR2 mobo?

 

[JTP709]

Every article and benchmark I've seen shows none, or negligible improvement in performance. The only reason I am going to upgrade to DDR3 is because it is phasing out DDR2 and is going to be the standard, and I want to try and keep up with technology, makes it easier to do incremental upgrades IMO.

 

[gus6464]

Well I have been scouring newegg for some combo deals and came up with this setup:

Phenom II 720BE comboed with SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 512MB saves me $15
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.177908

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128387

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227293

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16835233003

Total comes to $497 and I get $25 back in MIR. Would you say this about the absolute best bang for the buck I can get at the moment for these components at under $500?

 

[JTP709]

Looks solid to me, except your memory won't work. That motherboard only supports DDR2, not DDR3.

This MSI board will work, for only $20 more.

Otherwise use this DDR2 memory for the same price.

You won't notice a difference between DDR2 or DDR3 memory, but DDR3 is phasing out DDR2 and is becoming the standard, thus easier to upgrade in the future.

 

[gus6464]

Originally posted by: JTP709
Looks solid to me, except your memory won't work. That motherboard only supports DDR2, not DDR3.

This MSI board will work, for only $20 more.

Otherwise use this DDR2 memory for the same price.

You won't notice a difference between DDR2 or DDR3 memory, but DDR3 is phasing out DDR2 and is becoming the standard, thus easier to upgrade in the future.

Ohh damn I saw the AM3 spec on it and automatically figured it would be DDR3. Honestly it doesn't matter what memory type I go for since I plan on doing a major upgrade next year anyway with Core i7. Thank you for all the help.

 

[gus6464]

Ohh I also forgot to ask if the increased height of the reaper ram would be ok with the size of the XIGMATEK HDT-S1283. If I decide to get another pair for 8GB in the future will it not mess with the heatsink?

 

[JTP709]

I don't think so based on what I've seen, but atm i dont own a s1283. And IMO wait at least 3 years to double up to 8gb of ram lol. Buying it anytime soon, even within the next year is overkill and games simply won't take advantage of the memory. 6gb is max for all of your needs, but just be sure you get 2x2gb and 2x1gb kits because AM2s and AM3s are dual channel. i7s are triple channel so you can use 3x2gb DDR3 kits.

If you are going to go i7 anyway in a year, I would spend the extra $20 now to get the AM3 mobo and DDR3 memory, so you an just continue to use it with your i7 rather than throwing out $60 DDR2 and buying another $60 DDR3, so you'll save $40. Make sense?

 

[gus6464]

Originally posted by: JTP709
I don't think so based on what I've seen, but atm i dont own a s1283. And IMO wait at least 3 years to double up to 8gb of ram lol. Buying it anytime soon, even within the next year is overkill and games simply won't take advantage of the memory. 6gb is max for all of your needs, but just be sure you get 2x2gb and 2x1gb kits because AM2s and AM3s are dual channel. i7s are triple channel so you can use 3x2gb DDR3 kits.

If you are going to go i7 anyway in a year, I would spend the extra $20 now to get the AM3 mobo and DDR3 memory, so you an just continue to use it with your i7 rather than throwing out $60 DDR2 and buying another $60 DDR3, so you'll save $40. Make sense?

Yeah I thought about that but I think I will just give the system to my wife when that time comes so she can play Sims 3 on it.