Upgrading a two year old PC

[Dominato3r]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing. WoW, pretty much it lol.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread Max budget is $120

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. Canada

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc. Don't really care.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are. Im upgrading so i plan on using most

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. Ive done some research on newegg, but havent looked up anything here.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. nope

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with. 16x9

9. WHEN do you plan to build it? in under one month

My computers current specs:

2.3ghz cpu dual core
2gb ddr2 ram
250W PSU
Onboard GPU


I want to upgrade my GPU. Ive recently come across $100 or so bucks that i can filter out on to upgrading this rig. I get like 20fps in WoW, and i believe the main thing holding me back is my gpu.

So if you guys have any GPU/PSU upgrades that would fit in under $120. Please help =]

 

[philosofool]

Your PSU may a limiting factor for praphics cards. For your budget, a Radeon HD 4850 would be great, but I think your PSU will not have the necessary connectors. If you can get us more info about your PSU, would could give you clearer advice. We need to know how many 12V rails you have, what their amperages are, and whether you have a PCIe 6-pin connector among the cards. You can find pictures of a PCIe 6 pin connector by googling images of them. On the side of your PSU, there should be a sticker with a bunch of columns, rows and numbers. It will have the number of amps of your 12V rail(s). You'll have to open up the case to see whether you have a PCIe 6pin connector and to read the sticker on the PSU.

If your PSU is not up to the 4850, a Radeon HD 4670 is your best bet. $70 is a good price.

If you want more advice, let us know.

 

[Dominato3r]

Its a stock HP PSU that came with the systems. Im 100% sure that it will need replacement.

Also im looking for a combo of sort =/

A GPU and PSU in under $120. I can up the price to $150(MAX) if need be.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Dominato3r
Its a stock HP PSU that came with the systems. Im 100% sure that it will need replacement.

Also im looking for a combo of sort =/

A GPU and PSU in under $120. I can up the price to $150(MAX) if need be.

Psu , Antec earthwatts 380watts 45$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371005

Asus 9600 gso with 512mb gddr3, 96 sp's for 60$ with 20$ rebate=40$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121320

If you like Ati then go with the 4670 for 70$ - 10$ rebate= 60$
About 5% faster then the 9600gso

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121329

Thats the best your gonna do!

Edit: if you wanna spend to your max 150$ go for the 4770, as fast as a 4850 (5% slower) but only 95$. This card is much faster then the 9600gso or 4670. It also draws much less power then the 4850 and runs much cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131170

Edit 2: I just noticed you shop in Canada.
Prices will be 5 ,10$ more sorry.

 

[philosofool]

I don't know whether you would even need a new PSU unless you are going for HD 4850 or greater. The HD 4670 is bus powered and will run fine off a 250W PSU as long as the mobo can supply the necessary power. It has a PCIe x16 slot, right?

If you can't do the 4850 w/PSU in your budget, the 4670 is going to be great for WoW and other old games. It will play most games from 2007 on with reduced settings, and will get near full settings for game 2006 and before. Those dates are a rough estimate and there will be exceptions.

 

[Dominato3r]

Yes i have PCIx 16 slot. I don't want to risk going with a bad PSU tbh. Do they make 9600GT's or are those gone now aswell.

Also a few questions regarding 9600GSO. Will it be capable of running wow at medium settings with a steady 30 fps? ( same question regarding 4770)

 

[CurseTheSky]

WoW is more CPU and memory limited than graphics limited. A 9600 GSO, 9600 GT, or HD 4670 should still be plenty. DO NOT expect to get excellent FPS in highly populated areas like Dalaran. My GTX 285 with a dual core E8400 (3.0 GHz) and 4 GB DDR2 still dipped down to the mid 20s at times. I heard a quad core helps the situation, but I have my doubts... I haven't played WoW in several months, though.

Either way, the jump from integrated to a dedicated card should net you a decent performance increase. I heard the 9600 GSOs were a mixed bag, and even heard that the specs are wrong on that ASUS. If they aren't, it should be a great card. If they are, I'd get the HD 4670.

 

[0roo0roo]

the specs are right for the asus.