Upgrade my gamer son's video capabilities?

[plautus]

Hello,

I'd like to upgrade the graphics and the general performance of my son's PC: 4200 Athlon 64 AM2 Dual core; ASRock AliveNF6G mobo; 1 GB RAM; 7600GT.

I am going to buy him anther stick of RAM. Can anyone suggest a medium priced video card? He engages in heavy gaming. My pockets, like everyone's these days, are not deep.

Thanks to all, from a guy with with medium tech skills and experience.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

This may have some good information:
http://www.tomshardware.com/re...deon-geforce,2364.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/re...raphics-card,2362.html

 

[AshPhoenix]

ASUS EAH4770 FORMULA/DI/512MD5 Radeon HD 4770 512MB

 

[RussianSensation]

$79 4850 512MB
+
Corsair DDR2-800 4GB $34
= $113

$130 GTX 260 OCV3

4850 > 4770

 

[jdjbuffalo]

I agree with RussianSensation. That is probably your best bet.

With this upgrade you will basically be maxed out on the hardware for that system. Anything more would require a new CPU and Motherboard.

 

[Leyawiin]

Can you pull off a CPU upgrade as well? Would be collectively under $200 for both and would really boost his performance:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103773



If he has a capable enough power supply (quality 450W at least):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102824

If the power supply is weaker (and you don't want to/can't replace it) This is one of the new energy efficient 9800 GT models - no six pin needed:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814134066

 

[Jacen]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
$79 4850 512MB
+
Corsair DDR2-800 4GB $34
= $113

$130 GTX 260 OCV3

4850 > 4770

+1 for Russian's idea. The 4850 is arguably the best budget card right now and he is going to get a lot of bang for his buck with this card at that price.

 

[Surutcra]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
$79 4850 512MB
+
Corsair DDR2-800 4GB $34
= $113

$130 GTX 260 OCV3

4850 > 4770

I agree on the hd4850 but he doesn't need 4gb of ram, 1gb more would do just fine

 

[nemesismk2]

Originally posted by: Jacen

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
$79 4850 512MB
+
Corsair DDR2-800 4GB $34
= $113

$130 GTX 260 OCV3

4850 > 4770

+1 for Russian's idea. The 4850 is arguably the best budget card right now and he is going to get a lot of bang for his buck with this card at that price.

+2 for Russians idea.

 

[Denithor]

Another +1 for Russian.