Upgrading Graphics Card for my Dell Studio 540 w/ Antec 300 + Corsair 600w PSU

[chimpoo]

I currently have a Dell Studio 540 which I replaced its case with an Antec 300 and I also replaced the 350w PSU with a Corsair 600w. Which graphics cards would you recommend I replace my current one with to be able to play, for example, BF3 at high settings? Here is the rest of my specs:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz, 2336 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT 512 MB
4 GB DDR2 RAM
Board: Dell Inc. 0M017G A00
Serial Number: ..CN7443194804D4.
Bus Clock: 333 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc. 1.0.11 03/02/2009

Would upgrading my video card be enough or is my processor/RAM not good enough either?
I'll also be getting a new monitor, currently playing on a NEC LCD1765 17.1"
I was also looking at maybe the GTX 550 ti. Thoughts?

 

[toyota]

if I had a 1280x1024 monitor then I would not even get a new gpu until I got a modern widescreen monitor. you are missing out on 1/3 of the fov with that 5:4 aspect ratio.

plus if you were to stick with that low res screen then you are not going to see all the benefits of a much faster card with your stock cpu. many games only use 2 cores and your low cpu speed will keep any decent card from performing near its potential. honestly that 9800gt is not a bad card for your setup and any gpu worth upgrading to will held back too much IMO.

so bottom line is I would find a decent size monitor first and then see what gpu deals there are after that.

 

[chimpoo]

I said in my OP that I'm getting a new monitor...

 

[toyota]

I said in my OP that I'm getting a new monitor...

I know that but no where did you say when. I was simply saying I would get the monitor first and then worry about the card.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Is the GTX 550 Ti on the brink of your budget? It's a fine card, but if you could afford to step up to a GTX 460 1GB or HD 6850 then I would suggest doing so. I'm not sure where your shopping, either, as prices for these two cards can also overlap the prices you find on a 550 Ti.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

I know that but no where did you say when. I was simply saying I would get the monitor first and then worry about the card.

Finding a monitor isn't difficult, and things don't always have to be done your way.

plus if you were to stick with that low res screen then you are not going to see all the benefits of a much faster card with your stock cpu. many games only use 2 cores and your low cpu speed will keep any decent card from performing near its potential. honestly that 9800gt is not a bad card for your setup and any gpu worth upgrading to will held back too much IMO.

There are plenty of games where a 9800GT wouldn't cut it; there are plenty of games that utilize more than two cores, and in those games he would see a benefit from a faster video card. Plus... he's going to get a new monitor, and video card prices have stabilized.

 

[toyota]

Finding a monitor isn't difficult, and things don't always have to be done your way.


There are plenty of games where a 9800GT wouldn't cut it; there are plenty of games that utilize more than two cores, and in those games he would see a benefit from a faster video card. Plus... he's going to get a new monitor, and video card prices have stabilized.

thanks for chiming in just to start crap with me as usual. I believe most people would find getting a monitor more difficult than picking a video card. I also did not know if he had immediate plans to get a monitor or not and card prices and deals can change all the time. as for the rest of your comment all you did was take what you wanted out of context. of course its a given that in games that use more than 2 cores he will see an improvement.

 

[betasub]

I guess knowing what resolution monitor OP is intending to get would help any recommendations be more relevant & more specific. All we know is it will not be that NEC 17".

 

[Termie]

By the way, that CPU won't cut it for BF3. The clock speed is just too low, and although it's a quad-core (which will be a necessity for BF3), it's not a particularly advanced one. I'd be cautious about putting too much money into that Dell rig.

Assuming the OP will go with a 1680x1050 22" monitor, which would be a natural step up from his 17" monitor, a GTX460 768MB would be a fine choice. Here's a good one for $115 after rebate (plus shipping): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

Right now, you can also get this EVGA GTX460 1GB for $130 AR (free shipping): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130570. It's a faster card, and definitely worth $15 more.

Again, however, I'd say that neither card will perform particularly well with that 2.33Ghz quad, and $130 is the absolute max I'd put into that rig. Here's a BC2 chart that will give you some idea of performance, with a GTX460 1GB at 1680x1050: http://techreport.com/articles.x/20486/5. The OP's CPU will perform just below a Q9400, or at about 60fps at most. Since a GTX460 can actually support much higher FPS at 1680x1050 (e.g. 87fps on a Sandy Bridge CPU), the old quad-core is already a major bottleneck in BC2.

 

[chimpoo]

termie and cuside, I see that you guys are recommending the 460. Someone else in another forum recommended a gtx 560 ti, which is almost $200. That would be overkill right? Also, if I were to get a new processor, I'd also need to get a new motherboard?
Also, I'll probably either be shopping at Fry's or online depending on price.
And I was hoping to spend less than $150 on a new card. I won't be upgrading until after the summer though.
And termie, you said the max you'd put into the rig is $130. But the only Dell component I really have left is the motherboard. Wouldn't replacing it and the processor basically make it a new build anyway since I got my new PSU and case?
And toyota, although you have a point with the "buy monitor first", I really don't need an answer regarding the monitor especially since I posted this thread in the graphics section. But thanks anyway. Speaking of monitors, thanks for recommending that 22", termie.

 

[toyota]

termie and cuside, I see that you guys are recommending the 460. Someone else in another forum recommended a gtx 560 ti, which is almost $200. That would be overkill right? Also, if I were to get a new processor, I'd also need to get a new motherboard?
Also, I'll probably either be shopping at Fry's or online depending on price.
And I was hoping to spend less than $150 on a new card. I won't be upgrading until after the summer though.
And termie, you said the max you'd put into the rig is $130. But the only Dell component I really have left is the motherboard. Wouldn't replacing it and the processor basically make it a new build anyway since I got my new PSU and case?
And toyota, although you have a point with the "buy monitor first", I really don't need an answer regarding the monitor especially since I posted this thread in the graphics section. But thanks anyway. Speaking of monitors, thanks for recommending that 22", termie.

this is also the section for monitors. and the resolution of what monitor you get will determine how much video card you need. now do you see why picking out a monitor first makes sense?

 

[Termie]

termie and cuside, I see that you guys are recommending the 460. Someone else in another forum recommended a gtx 560 ti, which is almost $200. That would be overkill right? Also, if I were to get a new processor, I'd also need to get a new motherboard?
...
And I was hoping to spend less than $150 on a new card. I won't be upgrading until after the summer though.
And termie, you said the max you'd put into the rig is $130. But the only Dell component I really have left is the motherboard. Wouldn't replacing it and the processor basically make it a new build anyway since I got my new PSU and case?
...
Speaking of monitors, thanks for recommending that 22", termie.

Yes, for your current system a GTX560 is overkill. But if you're going to upgrade the motherboard/CPU, then you're talking an entirely different scenario. Sounds like a lot of this is still in the planning stages, and if you're not going to buy anything until the end of the summer, you'll probably find some very different video cards (or at least different prices), so it's probably best to circle back then.

In the meantime, if you'd like to spend money on something, spend it on the monitor. The technology doesn't change nearly as fast, and you'll get a huge amount of benefit from upgrading to a 1680x1050 monitor in all your apps, not just games.

By the way, if you change out the motherboard/CPU, then I agree you don't really have a Dell anymore, but until then, you're locked into the performance of a q8200 at 2.33Ghz. A CPU upgrade, if it's possible on that Dell motherboard, wouldn't be worth it given the older socket you're on.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

thanks for chiming in just to start crap with me as usual. I believe most people would find getting a monitor more difficult than picking a video card. I also did not know if he had immediate plans to get a monitor or not and card prices and deals can change all the time. as for the rest of your comment all you did was take what you wanted out of context. of course its a given that in games that use more than 2 cores he will see an improvement.

Now it just looks like you're starting crap. You offered one perspective only. I didn't take anything out of context. I specified a different context that you failed to mention. I didn't twist what you said because I was making my own statement. Grow up. And there are games that only use 2 cores in which he would see an improvement.

Again, however, I'd say that neither card will perform particularly well with that 2.33Ghz quad, and $130 is the absolute max I'd put into that rig. Here's a BC2 chart that will give you some idea of performance, with a GTX460 1GB at 1680x1050: http://techreport.com/articles.x/20486/5. The OP's CPU will perform just below a Q9400, or at about 60fps at most. Since a GTX460 can actually support much higher FPS at 1680x1050 (e.g. 87fps on a Sandy Bridge CPU), the old quad-core is already a major bottleneck in BC2.

Realistically, if possible, a gamer would probably be playing with AA, which would bring the faster results closer to the medium ones. Upping the resolution to 1080p would also shift the bottleneck to the GPU.

And I was hoping to spend less than $150 on a new card. I won't be upgrading until after the summer though.
And termie, you said the max you'd put into the rig is $130. But the only Dell component I really have left is the motherboard. Wouldn't replacing it and the processor basically make it a new build anyway since I got my new PSU and case?

If $150 is your budget then you can get a good card for that budget.
GTX 460 1GB for $150 ($120 after rebate) is the best deal for you on newegg if you don't mind rebates. Otherwise if that is still too much for you, then you would need to look at the 550 Ti, HD 5770, HD 6770.

 

[chimpoo]

Thanks for the advice guys. Is there a way I can +rep you guys or something
Termie, so my priority list should be new monitor, then video card, then new mobo/cpu? And I'm guessing I'd have to chuck out my DDR2 ram if i'm going for a new mobo as well.

Realistically, if possible, a gamer would probably be playing with AA, which would bring the faster results closer to the medium ones. Upping the resolution to 1080p would also shift the bottleneck to the GPU.

So you're saying if I get a new monitor that supports 1080p and the GTX 460, my cpu wouldn't be as big of a problem?

 

[Termie]

Thanks for the advice guys.
Termie, so my priority list should be new monitor, then video card, then new mobo/cpu? And I'm guessing I'd have to chuck out my DDR2 ram if i'm going for a new mobo as well.



So you're saying if I get a new monitor that supports 1080p and the GTX 460, my cpu wouldn't be as big of a problem?

I think the new monitor will be a nice upgrade, and you won't get much benefit from upgrading other parts until you have that.

Yes, you have to chuck the memory, but 4gb of ddr3 is now $40, so it's not too big a deal.

As to the 1080p question, his point was that the test I linked to tested at 1680x1050, but if it had been at 1080p, the scores would all be closer together since it would be working the gpu harder and the cpu wouldn't make as much a difference. I'd still say your cpu probably won't be strong enough for bf3.