Upgrade path suggestions wanted

[ChickenShwarma]

Hello.

I'm seeking suggestions to upgrade my current system. My goal is to play Crysis at Very High settings in DX10 and get 35~40fps.

My current system is:

Intel C2D E6600 (not OCed yet)
Asus P5B
BFG 8800GT OC @ 700/940
Corsair XMS2 2gig DDR2 800
Vista 32bit
430w PS
1680x1050


I can currently run Crysis default GPU timedemo around 29FPS on High setting with DX9.

What would be my best upgrade path? Get a fan/cooler, OC the E6600 to 3.0+, and get a new video card? Get a new CPU, maybe E8400 and OC that? I'm trying to figure out how much of what I can salvage to achieve playable DX10 at Very High setting.

Thank you,

 

[Roguestar]

Radeon HD4870 1GB. That's all. Buy it now and thank me later. Your CPU is probably fine, as at that resolution you'll be GPU limited. You can probably overclock it to about 3GHz or so with a decent cooler if you'd like, look into the Xigmatek S1283.

Also, get another 2GB of RAM. I was playing Crysis Warhead (which I hear is a just little more demanding than Crysis) and my desktop on 2GB was audibly hitting the page file. I've upgraded to 4GB and it's smoother than silk now.

 

[jae]

eh... Overclock that E6600, and pick up an HD4870 1GB model and another 2GB of RAM

 

[ChickenShwarma]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

My current power supply is only 430w. It looks like the requirement for the 4870 1gig card is 500w+. Do I need a new power supply, or is this card something my lower powered power supply can handle?

 

[Roguestar]

Depends what kind of power supply you have, really.

Getting a new one wouldn't be a bad step, you could pick up a Corsair, Seasonic, Antec (earthwatts, trupower or neopower) or OCZ supply of around 500W.

 

[Blain]

Are you pimping Corsair again?

 

[betasub]

430 PS doesn't tell us much.

Brand name and available current (Amps) on 12V rail would provide some clues, but unless it's a well known brand it could be hard to tell (thanks to way rated specs seem to be based more on marketing than reality). Hopefully it's not one of the no-name PSUs common on the Indian sub-continent.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Blain
Are you pimping Corsair again?

I mentioned them first because I get $10 every time I namedrop them in a recommendation thread. You should sign up to the corporate whore plan too, all you have to do is sell your soul for a couple of bucks!


Edit: Incase some of you take this post too seriously, I am joking.

 

[sonnygdude]

Originally posted by: Roguestar

Edit: Incase some of you take this post too seriously, I am joking.

Ah bummer, I was going to try to get in on some of that action! :evil:

 

[ChickenShwarma]

This is my case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129033

I'm uncertain how good/reliable the power supply is, but it is only rate at 430W. 4870 1gig card is rated for 500w power supply.

If I were to get a new power supply, do I want to consider going SLI?

Option A)

SLI mobo $150
2nd 8800GT $150
Bigger power supply $100
=$400

Option B)

4870 1gig
Bigger power supply $100
=$400

A or B?

 

[Juked07]

B

 

[Roguestar]

No, do not go SLI. It's a total waste of money when you already have a good motherboard. SLI will create more noise, use up more power and may not scale linearly (ie: not always double one card's performance) in all games.

Pick option B, and get yourself a decent new 500W~ PSU.

 

[ChickenShwarma]

I just wanted to thank all of you for your suggestions. I took your advice and just ordered myself:

HD4870 1GB
Antec 850w PS
Tuniq 120 cooler

Thanks again, and have a nice weekend.

 

[Molondo]

I thought a 32bit wouldn't recognize more than 3 gigs?

 

[ChickenShwarma]

Originally posted by: Molondo
I thought a 32bit wouldn't recognize more than 3 gigs?

I think you are right. I only have 2 gb of system RAM.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: Molondo
I thought a 32bit wouldn't recognize more than 3 gigs?

I feel like a stuck record here.

Windows x86 can use up to 4GB but reserves the best part of one gig for address allocation to system devices and stuff, leaving you with between 3 and 3.5GB left to use in programs. 3.5GB is still better than 2GB, though.