Just bought parts for my upgrade, what do you guys think?

[Azndude51]

After 2+ years, I'm finally upgrading. I want to wait until the next G80 cards or R600 come out, but my current GPU is dead so I might as well upgrade now. Looking at my GPU upgrade history (Geforce2 MX300 => G4 ti 4400 => 6800GT), I probably won't upgrade again for a fairly long time.

I'm going to try and play the newest games such as Rainbow 6 Vegas, Company of Heroes, etc. at 1680x1050 with med to high settings, preferably with moderate AA/AF but not it's not necessary.

I'm upgrading from an A64 3200+ Winchester, 2GB DDR400, and 256MB 6800GT AGP.

Here's what I'll keep:
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream Case
OCZ Modstream 450W PSU
Creative Audigy2 Value Sound Card
NEC ND-5300A DVD Burner
Multiple SATA/IDE hard drives
Floppy Drive
All external peripherals

Here's what I'll sell:
CPU, RAM, Mob
I'll probably get over $300 for them on ebay

Parts I bought (Prices are after shipping):
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 - $169
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 - $130
RAM: OCZ Platinum 2x1GB DDR800 (4-4-4-15 timings) - $175 AR
GPU: MSI 8800GTS OC 640MB (includes Company of Heroes) - $370 AR
PSU: Thermaltake Graphics GPU 250W - $50

Total: $895 (~$595 after selling old parts)

I decided not to skimp on the graphics so I got the 640MB OC version. Since I have an overclocked GPU and I'm also going to OC the E4300, I had to get the secondary GPU.

What do you guys think?

(updated from original post)

 

[jkresh]

the modstream might be an issue with an 8800, it will probably be ok as long as you dont ahve a large number of hard drives and high powered fans and you don't overclock the core 2, but if you do plan on overclocking the 6300 (and specificaly overvolting it) then I don't know if the modstream will be able to handle all of that. Also r600 should be out this month (at least benchmarks, maybe next month for retail) so if you can possibly wait it might be worth it as the graphics card is your most expensive part.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: jkresh
the modstream might be an issue with an 8800, it will probably be ok as long as you dont ahve a large number of hard drives and high powered fans and you don't overclock the core 2, but if you do plan on overclocking the 6300 (and specificaly overvolting it) then I don't know if the modstream will be able to handle all of that. Also r600 should be out this month (at least benchmarks, maybe next month for retail) so if you can possibly wait it might be worth it as the graphics card is your most expensive part.

Yeah, the modstream just barely meets the 26A needed for the 8800GTS. I do have 3 hard drives, two case fans though. The Modstream is also the reason why I'm not going to try and OC right off the bat. I'm going to see how my PSU works out, if I have problems, I'll probably just buy one of these which should be enough for a single 8800GTS.

EDIT: As for the R600, I can't really wait more than two weeks since I'm using a borrowed computer, so I have to buy the parts within the next week or so.

 

[Zebo]

I'd get the E4300 if overclocking... not only cheaper but has better multiplier to work with. That ram will put severe limitations on a e6300 1:1 clocking not so with e4300.

But really if I were boxed into a $600 corner I'd prolly get a GTX and new PSU since the GTS is barley playable maxed in OB and fear at your res. CPU makes little difference compared to GTX vs. GTS
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=618&p=3

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'd get the E4300 if overclocking... not only cheaper but has better multiplier to work with. That ram will put severe limitations on a e6300 1:1 clocking not so with e4300.

But really if I were boxed into a $600 corner I'd prolly get a GTX and new PSU since the GTS is barley playable maxed in OB and fear at your res. CPU makes little difference compared to GTX vs. GTS
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=618&p=3

Actually, I might just go with the E4300 and try and OC it to 3+GHz. However, getting a GTX with a new PSU is A LOT more money and I can't afford that right now. Plus, the review you linked to has all the games at 1600x1200 with AA/AF cranked way up. I'll be playing at a lower resolution with little to no AA/AF so it'll be more CPU bound.

 

[Azndude51]

bump

 

[Brock123]

Think this is the same ram but cheaper. I just ordered some 160 shipped no rebates
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4815800;jsessionid=vLbkivY5rIplEegP1Clsog**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG




** Added with the edit**
I was looking at a DS3 but went with a Evga 680i when they offered the $50 mail in rebate . Little buggy of a chip set yet but lots of room to grow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188011

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Brock123
Think this is the same ram but cheaper. I just ordered some 160 shipped no rebates
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4815800;jsessionid=vLbkivY5rIplEegP1Clsog**.node1?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG




** Added with the edit**
I was looking at a DS3 but went with a Evga 680i when they offered the $50 mail in rebate . Little buggy of a chip set yet but lots of room to grow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188011

Actually, the RAM at Outpost is different, it is "OCZ2P800R2GK," the RAM I linked to is "OCZ2P800R22GK" (rev. 2)

If it wasn't so much more expensive, I would consider the evga 680i. Also, I'm don't really want to go SLI.

 

[Azndude51]

I've made some changes to my list of parts

 

[Azndude51]

updated

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Looks good. I personally would just change out the PSU vice adding the graphics PSU thingy, but if that will work for you, then :thumbsup:

 

[HannibalX]

If you are only running one GPU do you really need the extrea PSU?

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'd get the E4300 if overclocking... not only cheaper but has better multiplier to work with. That ram will put severe limitations on a e6300 1:1 clocking not so with e4300.

But really if I were boxed into a $600 corner I'd prolly get a GTX and new PSU since the GTS is barley playable maxed in OB and fear at your res. CPU makes little difference compared to GTX vs. GTS
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=618&p=3

You are severely underestimating the 8800GTS and overestimating those games. My O'ced 7600gt plays FEAR maxed at 1280 x 1024 at 50fps. At those resolutions, an 8800gts will amaze you after stepping up from a 6800.

 

[yh125d]

Don't bother with a GPU PSU, just pick up one of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817139001

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: yh125d

Originally posted by: Zebo
I'd get the E4300 if overclocking... not only cheaper but has better multiplier to work with. That ram will put severe limitations on a e6300 1:1 clocking not so with e4300.

But really if I were boxed into a $600 corner I'd prolly get a GTX and new PSU since the GTS is barley playable maxed in OB and fear at your res. CPU makes little difference compared to GTX vs. GTS
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=618&p=3

You are severely underestimating the 8800GTS and overestimating those games. My O'ced 7600gt plays FEAR maxed at 1280 x 1024 at 50fps. At those resolutions, an 8800gts will amaze you after stepping up from a 6800.

Not to speak for Zebo, but 16x10 is definitely more strenuous than 12x10. If you look at the link Zebo posted, you'll see they test at 16x12. It seems nobody does 16x10 these days. Either way, as you can see, almost 40% difference from a GTS to a GTX. Not that a GTS isn't playable, but, let's face it, FEAR is a little bit of an older game now. Newer games will likely be even more graphically demanding (such as Crysis).

If Azndude51 had spec'd out an E6600 or something, I would've recommended scaling down to a 4300 or 6300 and move up to the GTX. But, seeing as how he's trying to keep to a low budget, and he's already done the right thing and gone with the lowest CPU in the class, it is hard to recommend the GTX upgrade, even if the 40% increase in performance does justify the 40% increase in price.

In the end, I think I have to agree that, for games out right now, the GTS is likely to be enough to keep things playable. Oblivion at 16x10 might be an exception to that (as well as Supreme Commander and maybe a few others). A future upgrade to an 8900-series or R600 is likely in the next several months. A GTX now would eliminate that need.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
Looks good. I personally would just change out the PSU vice adding the graphics PSU thingy, but if that will work for you, then :thumbsup:

I don't want to skimp again with the PSU, so I want to get something very high qual that will last me a long time. I'm already pushing my budget to the max and it's cheaper to get the 2nd PSU right now. When summer comes along and I get a job I will sell the two older ones and get a better one.

Originally posted by: Pale Rider
If you are only running one GPU do you really need the extrea PSU?

Yes, the 8800GTS requires 12V rail with 26A minimum. I have 26A, but since I'm going to OC the CPU/RAM and I have an OC'ed 8800GTS (OC'd GTS needs 28A according to BFG), I won't probably won't have enough power.