Money to blow...

[Anomaly1964]

I have about $500 to play with...

My current system:

* Gateway LX6810-01...

* Intel Q8200 processor, 2.33GHz with a 1333MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) and 4MB of L2 cache...

* 8 GB memory
* 700 watt power supply...
* Nvidia9800GT Video card...
* I-Inc iH282 monitor - 28"

Right now I am playing Arkum Asylum, COD Black Ops, most any game at highest resolution, no lag, no issues...

Can you think of anything that would make my gaming experience better?

I've been out of the loop for a while, thank for any advice...

 

[RavenSEAL]

Either OC the hell out that Q8200 and get a GTX580

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-068-_-Product

or buy a new CPU and get an hd5870

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5130&Tpk=q9650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-883-_-Product

 

[Anomaly1964]

Either OC the hell out that Q8200 and get a GTX580

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-068-_-Product

or buy a new CPU and get an hd5870

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...5130&Tpk=q9650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-883-_-Product

WOW..that is a big video card!!!!

Would I need to put a new fan on it or does the existing one cool it pretty well?

 

[RavenSEAL]

WOW..that is a big video card!!!!

Would I need to put a new fan on it or does the existing one cool it pretty well?

I would say it's less of the fan and more of the case airflow, how many things you got hooked up in there?

 

[RavenSEAL]

Ugh, never mind, seems like the Q8200 is a really crappy OCer, i would go with the #2 option.

 

[Termie]

You're going to be pretty limited with a pre-built system. Overclocking is most likely not an option in the BIOS. Honestly, that system is pretty balanced. If you really wanted to, you might try a GTX460 for some more graphics power, but your CPU will limit you. A GTX580 is not the right pick for your system.

 

[Anomaly1964]

This is my graphics screen for Black Ops...isn't this pretty good?

If not, don't laugh, I've been outta the loop for a while...

 

[Arkaign]

Look for a used Q9450/9550, and combine with GTX460 1GB or Radeon 6870. Shbuld come in close to $500ish and be a legit upgrade. Resell your 9800 and Q8200 while they're still worth something.

 

[happy medium]

Look for a used Q9450/9550, and combine with GTX460 1GB or Radeon 6870. Shbuld come in close to $500ish and be a legit upgrade. Resell your 9800 and Q8200 while they're still worth something.

Yes,:thumbsup:

 

[TemjinGold]

I have about $500 to play with...

My current system:

* Gateway LX6810-01...

* Intel Q8200 processor, 2.33GHz with a 1333MHz Front Side Bus (FSB) and 4MB of L2 cache...

* 8 GB memory
* 700 watt power supply...
* Nvidia9800GT Video card...
* I-Inc iH282 monitor - 28"

Right now I am playing Arkum Asylum, COD Black Ops, most any game at highest resolution, no lag, no issues...

Can you think of anything that would make my gaming experience better?

I've been out of the loop for a while, thank for any advice...

Yes, send the money to me.

 

[Arkaign]

Oh hey, an added bonus, looking up that mobo on ebay, two great things :

(1)- It's standard MATX, even the front panel/usb/audio connectors.

(2)- It sells for a reasonable amount of $ used.

So you could also grab a decent MATX mobo to go with the new Q9450/Q9550 and essentially have zero $ out of pocket on that upgrade. Replacing it would give you nice new options and good overclocking ability. Hitting mid 3ghz range with the q9450 or better with the 12MB L2 will give you massive gains in CPU performance over the 2.3ghz/4MB L2 Q8200.

 

[Arkaign]

Ah hell, I just realized that my suggestion was borderline ludicrous when you put it all together.

Do this :

Sell current mobo/cpu, ram, video.

Get matx socket 1156 mobo, $50 4GB DDR3 kit, i5-760, and GTX460. This will be a beyond epic upgrade, and you should be able to sell your current stuff for well enough $ to bring the net cost way under $500.

Quick ebay sell-through price list (prices at which the parts easily sell, not just listing prices)

Used 8200 goes for $100
Used 9800gt goes for $60
That gateway mobo goes for ~$80 used
8GB DDR2 goes for $100+ (4x2GB set)

So at least $300 from the used parts! Might even be able to switch to 8GB DDR3 in the budget Or perhaps a WD black or small ssd.

 

[TemjinGold]

You're missing the point. He just said he plays his stuff at the highest settings with no issues whatsoever. Given that, the answer to his question of what would improve his gaming experience is nothing. Yes he can get all that fancy new stuff but how can you improve someone's gaming experience if they have all the settings cranked up and everything is already smooth as silk?

 

[Lonyo]

Better to save up the money for now and go for a full overhaul when new stuff is out next year (Sandybridge etc), and when graphics card prices have settled some more (with new cards out from NV and ATI and then the Christmas season over).

Buying now when you have no "need" to is silly. If you're not unhappy, wait a while until you can buy stuff that will last you longer because it has future upgrade potential, or is just simply faster.

 

[bryanW1995]

Look for a used Q9450/9550, and combine with GTX460 1GB or Radeon 6870. Shbuld come in close to $500ish and be a legit upgrade. Resell your 9800 and Q8200 while they're still worth something.

no way, with $500 to spend he should sell the entire rig and do a complete system upgrade. last year on bf I spent $864 to upgrade to an i7 rig with an ssd, he should easily be able to spend ~ $650 to get an i5 rig with a gtx 460 or 6850 that will absolutely smash his current setup.

edit: haha, sorry, didn't see that you already caught the mistake.