Hey guys, I'm looking to upgrade my current computer and need some advice on whether (and what) I should buy now or whether I should hold out on a component.
I use this PC for gaming, so that's the only area I'm really looking for performance. Here's what I currently have.
450W PSU
MSI K9A2 CF motherboard
AMD 64 X2 4600+
2GB ram (sorry, don't remember the brand)
Sapphire ATI 3850 256mb
22" HannsG monitor (max resolution: 1680x1050)
Windows XP Pro 32-bit
I underlined what I think might need to be upgraded. I'm mostly upgrading because I bought EndWar and GTA4, which seem to perform much better with quad-cores. When I bought the computer last year, I intentionally gimped the CPU a bit figuring I'd upgrade in the first half of 09.
I don't want to be called a fanboy, but I'd prefer to stick with AMD/ATI. I don't want to upgrade the motherboard, so Intel is definitely out. And it just seems like ATI's current offerings are better than Nvidias. Plus I use AMD Fusion, which actually does help boost performance and requires an AMD/ATI rig.
Before we begin discussing options, I should mention that I live in China. So pricing effects me differently. Let's say the difference in cost between two components is $50. Well, that's 340RMB ($1=6.8rmb), and my monthly salary is 4500rmb. So please do consider the additional costs when recommending something. Usually pricing here is pretty close to the pricing set by AMD/Intel/Nvidia, so you can somewhat guess what the cost would be here. I have no specific budget....just be a bit price sensitive. I could afford all the top stuff, but if the performance benefits can't justify the cost, I'd prefer lower.
So for a CPU, my current options are either the entire Phenom I line, the Phenom II 940 and 920. Currently, the X3 720 isn't available in my city. I know performance wise it can get near the 940, but that's in apps that seem geared towards dual-core. However, it's about $80 cheaper, so I'm not sure if it's best to hold out on for this one or spend the extra buck on an X4. It seems like things are finally being optimized for quad-cores, but not just yet.
For the GPU, I have no idea. I hear great things about the 4xxx series, but I'm not sure what's the best option for someone who's a bit price sensitive. I do have the option of using Crossfire, so a potential upgrade could be my current gpu + another 3xxx card or maybe two 4xxx (though I suspect that would be pricey).
And PSU....it just seems like 450W isn't going to be enough with the upgrade, so what's a good amount of wattage for what I want?
Finally, if you had to prioritize my upgrading, what should get an upgrade first? Or is it not worth upgrading one without the other?
Thanks in advance.
Quick edit: I don't overclock, so that's not important to me.
I use this PC for gaming, so that's the only area I'm really looking for performance. Here's what I currently have.
450W PSU
MSI K9A2 CF motherboard
AMD 64 X2 4600+
2GB ram (sorry, don't remember the brand)
Sapphire ATI 3850 256mb
22" HannsG monitor (max resolution: 1680x1050)
Windows XP Pro 32-bit
I underlined what I think might need to be upgraded. I'm mostly upgrading because I bought EndWar and GTA4, which seem to perform much better with quad-cores. When I bought the computer last year, I intentionally gimped the CPU a bit figuring I'd upgrade in the first half of 09.
I don't want to be called a fanboy, but I'd prefer to stick with AMD/ATI. I don't want to upgrade the motherboard, so Intel is definitely out. And it just seems like ATI's current offerings are better than Nvidias. Plus I use AMD Fusion, which actually does help boost performance and requires an AMD/ATI rig.
Before we begin discussing options, I should mention that I live in China. So pricing effects me differently. Let's say the difference in cost between two components is $50. Well, that's 340RMB ($1=6.8rmb), and my monthly salary is 4500rmb. So please do consider the additional costs when recommending something. Usually pricing here is pretty close to the pricing set by AMD/Intel/Nvidia, so you can somewhat guess what the cost would be here. I have no specific budget....just be a bit price sensitive. I could afford all the top stuff, but if the performance benefits can't justify the cost, I'd prefer lower.
So for a CPU, my current options are either the entire Phenom I line, the Phenom II 940 and 920. Currently, the X3 720 isn't available in my city. I know performance wise it can get near the 940, but that's in apps that seem geared towards dual-core. However, it's about $80 cheaper, so I'm not sure if it's best to hold out on for this one or spend the extra buck on an X4. It seems like things are finally being optimized for quad-cores, but not just yet.
For the GPU, I have no idea. I hear great things about the 4xxx series, but I'm not sure what's the best option for someone who's a bit price sensitive. I do have the option of using Crossfire, so a potential upgrade could be my current gpu + another 3xxx card or maybe two 4xxx (though I suspect that would be pricey).
And PSU....it just seems like 450W isn't going to be enough with the upgrade, so what's a good amount of wattage for what I want?
Finally, if you had to prioritize my upgrading, what should get an upgrade first? Or is it not worth upgrading one without the other?
Thanks in advance.
Quick edit: I don't overclock, so that's not important to me.
