Upgrade from 8800gt

[4soundz]

Hi everybody, I'm new to this forum but would like to stick around.

So could you please help me out, I'm thinking about upgrading from my GT8800 but have been out of touch and really have no idea..

My computer's connected to a telly to play games and watch HD films.

The current set up is

Intel core 2 Duo CPU E8400, 3.00GHZ
Ram 2 GB
Gygabyte 8800gt slightly over clocked
Mother board Asus P5KC
Power macron power mpt-350p
Windows XP

That's all dated isnt?

Could I even get away with just upgrading from my GT8800? I wouldn't really want to spend more than 150.
Should I be looking at the Radeon 77500 or the GTX650 are they even compatible with my pc? or would I be bottlenecking?

Looking for a cheap solution to make my current pc compatible with the newer games.

Thanks in advance

 

[tweakboy]

You need more RAM and a higher CPU clock. Those E8400 can overclock very well.

I recommend a 460 GTX since your at 2 core 3Ghz. Anything higher is big time bottleneck, even tho this chip is. Also your PSU wont handle the newer cards.

Your going to have to spend a little on RAM, on PSU and also get a SSD drive it will change your life.

Grab a 120GB for 90 dollars and install your OS and apps on it. Games go to another drive. gl

 

[4soundz]

Actually just reading around the forum it looks like I should just get a HD7770 and another 2GB's of system memory?

But there are so many HD7770's to choose from which is the best option and would I need an extra power cable or something?

 

[Face2Face]

Actually just reading around the forum it looks like I should just get a HD7770 and another 2GB's of system memory?

But there are so many HD7770's to choose from which is the best option and would I need an extra power cable or something?

Another 2GB of ram would be a nice upgrade. You should really think about upgrading your PSU as well. Maybe even get a better HSF for your CPU so you can overclock that as well. I assume you play games @ 720P or 1080P? Your max budget is $150USD?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226086

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139049

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202011

 

[ShreddedWheat]

First off, Welcome You will find a lot of advice on this site, different opinions, and viewpoints.

My recommendation: Eventually you will need a new system but understand wanting to go the inexpensive route. I would upgrade the video card to the best you can afford within reason if your intent is to eventually upgrade your system (you will already have a good video card for new system / regardless of bottlenecking/ ie 7870/50+), if you don't plan on upgrading go with 7770, etc.

Upgrade ram to at least 4 gigs (cheap used ddr2 ebay)
Overclock that e8400 to 3.5+

Look at youtube videos of your cpu + others gpus to gather info of what you can expect.

Good Luck

 

[4soundz]

Another 2GB of ram would be a nice upgrade. You should really think about upgrading your PSU as well. Maybe even get a better HSF for your CPU so you can overclock that as well. I assume you play games @ 720P or 1080P? Your max budget is $150USD?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820226086

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139049

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814202011

Hi thanks, I'm ashamed to say that I dont know what a PSU or an HSF is :$

I usually play games at 720P some time I use 1600x900

I was thinking 150 euro max.


* edit just realized PSU is the power supply, so the current one isnt good enough?

 

[4soundz]

First off, Welcome You will find a lot of advice on this site, different opinions, and viewpoints.

My recommendation: Eventually you will need a new system but understand wanting to go the inexpensive route. I would upgrade the video card to the best you can afford within reason if your intent is to eventually upgrade your system (you will already have a good video card for new system / regardless of bottlenecking/ ie 7870/50+), if you don't plan on upgrading go with 7770, etc.

Upgrade ram to at least 4 gigs (cheap used ddr2 ebay)
Overclock that e8400 to 3.5+

Look at youtube videos of your cpu + others gpus to gather info of what you can expect.

Good Luck

Hi thanks, I would like to get another 2-3 years of gaming before having to upgrade the whole system? So would a 7770 be ok for that along with 4GB' ram?

I wouldnt know how to overclock the E8400 to 3.5?

 

[ShreddedWheat]

7770 should be good with more ram, google overclocking e8400. Have fun

 

[Termie]

I originally ran an e8400 system with an 8800gt. That's a very balanced setup, but the e8400 can support a somewhat faster video card. When I upgraded to a GTX460, I was quite bottlenecked, and the HD7770 is almost as fast. My personal opinion is that an HD7750 would be more than enough of an upgrade, 50% faster than the 8800gt. If it's much cheaper where you live versus the HD7770, just go with the HD7750. Also, you won't need to upgrade your power supply for an HD7750 - it is extremely efficient and doesn't even require a PCIe power connector. More RAM is definitely a good idea, but don't sink too much money into this system...new games like BF4, in addition to running terribly on a dual-core, won't run on Windows XP.

 

[4soundz]

I originally ran an e8400 system with an 8800gt. That's a very balanced setup, but the e8400 can support a somewhat faster video card. When I upgraded to a GTX460, I was quite bottlenecked, and the HD7770 is almost as fast. My personal opinion is that an HD7750 would be more than enough of an upgrade, 50% faster than the 8800gt. If it's much cheaper where you live versus the HD7770, just go with the HD7750. Also, you won't need to upgrade your power supply for an HD7750 - it is extremely efficient and doesn't even require a PCIe power connector. More RAM is definitely a good idea, but don't sink too much money into this system...new games like BF4, in addition to running terribly on a dual-core, won't run on Windows XP.

The 7750 ranges from 95 euro to 150 euro in the same shop different models and I have no idea which is the better, in the same shop again the 7770 ranges from 112 euro to 160 so not much difference there.But I would need a new PSU for the 7770 you say?

I will also upgrade to windows 7, so with windows 7 another 2 GB of RAM should I go for a PSU+7770 or just a 7750? my 8800gt was overclocked so I would like to see some difference after spending some money, after all the 8800gt hasn't blown up or anything I'm just looking to upgrade.

 

[Termie]

That is a pretty cheap power supply - I wouldn't risk running an HD7770 and an overclocked e8400 on it, especially considering that the HD7770 will be badly bottlenecked in any modern game.

Windows 7 and another 2GB of RAM are good upgrades, but like I said, be careful how much you spend on this system. DDR2 is obsolete and cannot be used in future systems, and the e8400 simply is not adequate for games that have come out this year. If you're just playing older games, it's fine, but for that purpose, the less expensive HD7750 is also fine (as long as you get the GDDR5 version, not the slower DDR3 version).

 

[4soundz]

That is a pretty cheap power supply - I wouldn't risk running an HD7770 and an overclocked e8400 on it, especially considering that the HD7770 will be badly bottlenecked in any modern game.

Windows 7 and another 2GB of RAM are good upgrades, but like I said, be careful how much you spend on this system. DDR2 is obsolete and cannot be used in future systems, and the e8400 simply is not adequate for games that have come out this year. If you're just playing older games, it's fine, but for that purpose, the less expensive HD7750 is also fine (as long as you get the GDDR5 version, not the slower DDR3 version).

I would like to be able to play all the new games that come out as of today and for the next couple of years at 720p, so does that mean I need a new CPU too?

 

[Termie]

I would like to be able to play all the new games that come out as of today and for the next couple of years at 720p, so does that mean I need a new CPU too?

In my opinion, yes. The fact that you're playing at low resolution doesn't compensate for the fact that you only have two cores.

 

[4soundz]

In my opinion, yes. The fact that you're playing a low resolution doesn't compensate for the fact that you only have two cores.

Termie thanks for all this info I'm glad I joined this forum, I really do appreciate it.

So how about,

A new CPU with current motherboard, current memory plus another 2gb, windows 7, a new PSU and a 7770 with 1gb ddr5.

Would that be ok for another 3 years of playing newly released games?

 

[nurturedhate]

Looking at something like a q6600, 2g of ram and a hsf to oc it you are looking at almost $150. I've seen deals on newer systems for right around $200-$220 for i5 ivy, mb and 4gb ram.

 

[Face2Face]

Termie thanks for all this info I'm glad I joined this forum, I really do appreciate it.

So how about,

A new CPU with current motherboard, current memory plus another 2gb, windows 7, a new PSU and a 7770 with 1gb ddr5.

Would that be ok for another 3 years of playing newly released games?

If you are going to do all of that, then just find out what your total budget is and build a new PC. Sell the one you have for parts or complete to help fund the new build. Unless you don't mind buying stuff used, then it may be worth it.

 

[Termie]

Just roughly speaking:

Q6600 - $100
2GB DDR2 - $30
Power Supply - $40
Windows 7 - $100
Video Card - $100
Total = $370

The problem here is that you can get very good pre-built systems with a Core i3-3220 for about $350, and then drop an HD7770 in for an extra $100. It will be much faster than a Q6600.

I know it's tempting to upgrade, but it's not cost-effective when the system is this old.

 

[FalseChristian]

I had an E8400 but it wouldn't overclock worth shit. My current i5 2500K (Sandy Bridge) does 4.635GHz with ease. See if you can upgrade to this. It should be cheap but powerful. And, also, buy my 2 eVGA GTX 460 1GB SLI for $170 (American). LOL!

 

[4soundz]

I originally ran an e8400 system with an 8800gt. That's a very balanced setup, but the e8400 can support a somewhat faster video card. When I upgraded to a GTX460, I was quite bottlenecked, and the HD7770 is almost as fast. My personal opinion is that an HD7750 would be more than enough of an upgrade, 50% faster than the 8800gt. If it's much cheaper where you live versus the HD7770, just go with the HD7750. Also, you won't need to upgrade your power supply for an HD7750 - it is extremely efficient and doesn't even require a PCIe power connector. More RAM is definitely a good idea, but don't sink too much money into this system...new games like BF4, in addition to running terribly on a dual-core, won't run on Windows XP.

Termie, I'm thinking of getting either a Sapphire HD7770 1GB for 94 euro or a MSI HD7850 2GB for 150 euro and the extra ram, what else would I have to buy to connect either of those cards cables, a PSU? and what ram should I buy I really dont know which one fits my system, what would you suggest which card?

 

[Termie]

Termie, I'm thinking of getting either a Sapphire HD7770 1GB for 94 euro or a MSI HD7850 2GB for 150 euro and the extra ram, what else would I have to buy to connect either of those cards cables, a PSU? and what ram should I buy I really dont know which one fits my system, what would you suggest which card?

At that price, the 7770 is a great deal. The 7850 isn't as good a deal, and won't work well with an e8400 processor. 2GB of RAM won't matter for the settings you'll be playing at.

The RAM you need is 2x1GB DDR2-800. Try to find modules that run at 1.8v or 1.9v. Can you look in your system to see what the label on your existing RAM says? That would help confirm what you need.

I think you can stick with your power supply for now. You'll need a molex to PCIe cable adapter. The video card may come with one.

 

[4soundz]

At that price, the 7770 is a great deal. The 7850 isn't as good a deal, and won't work well with an e8400 processor. 2GB of RAM won't matter for the settings you'll be playing at.

The RAM you need is 2x1GB DDR2-800. Try to find modules that run at 1.8v or 1.9v. Can you look in your system to see what the label on your existing RAM says? That would help confirm what you need.

I think you can stick with your power supply for now. You'll need a molex to PCIe cable adapter. The video card may come with one.

You are such a nice person, I appreciate that you have no need to reply but instead do with such useful info so thank you very much again, I gather the 7770 will fit without any probs? my previous card is a 8800GT.

 

[Termie]

What system or case so you have? The only possible issue is whether you can fit a double slot cooler. Most 8800gt models were single slot.

 

[4soundz]

Ah! so the 7770 is a double slot is it? My mother board is an ASUS PK5 and my 8800gt is this

 

[4soundz]

And this is what I'm considering

or

 

[Termie]

Ok, either of those will work fine. I tend to like sapphire because it's the biggest AMD vendor, but Gigabyte is fine too.