Hey all, i've still got the system in my sig and its been serving me fine, but the 2gb of ram is getting to be a noticeable hindrance, and im wondering if my cpu (2.8ghz dual core opteron w/ 2mb cache) is also over the hill for gaming. Im debating 2 upgrade options mainly for their gaming benefit:
1. Getting a 2nd used 8800gt for SLI, adding 2gb of DDR ram for 4gb ram total. cost: ~$150
or
2. Getting a whole new C2D system, 8400e overclocked to 4ghz, P45 mobo/750i SLI, 4gb DDR2. cost: ~$450
in option 2 i wouldnt even be buying a new vid card, just transferring my old 8800gt, & if i go for the better p45 chipset, it rules out SLI. If i go the 750i SLI route, i have to settle for an inferior overclocking chipset that is a bit finicky from what im reading, but later i can get the 2nd 8800gt.
I'd rather avoid this costly upgrade all together if option 1 would hold me over for another year (when 8gb rigs start emerging). thing is, im not sure what would happen w/ stability w/ 4x1gb in my DFI Expert, all kinds of wierd stuff might happen considering my overclock.
So, main question is, is option 1 (8800gt SLI w/ my current rig) better than option 2 (4ghz C2D w/ 1 8800gt) for gaming?
Thanks in advance.
btw i game @ 1680x1050. Pretty sure this is GPU intensive territory, so not sure if the C2D would add that big a difference?
1. Getting a 2nd used 8800gt for SLI, adding 2gb of DDR ram for 4gb ram total. cost: ~$150
or
2. Getting a whole new C2D system, 8400e overclocked to 4ghz, P45 mobo/750i SLI, 4gb DDR2. cost: ~$450
in option 2 i wouldnt even be buying a new vid card, just transferring my old 8800gt, & if i go for the better p45 chipset, it rules out SLI. If i go the 750i SLI route, i have to settle for an inferior overclocking chipset that is a bit finicky from what im reading, but later i can get the 2nd 8800gt.
I'd rather avoid this costly upgrade all together if option 1 would hold me over for another year (when 8gb rigs start emerging). thing is, im not sure what would happen w/ stability w/ 4x1gb in my DFI Expert, all kinds of wierd stuff might happen considering my overclock.
So, main question is, is option 1 (8800gt SLI w/ my current rig) better than option 2 (4ghz C2D w/ 1 8800gt) for gaming?
Thanks in advance.
btw i game @ 1680x1050. Pretty sure this is GPU intensive territory, so not sure if the C2D would add that big a difference?