PC upgrade this year.

[acefisher1]

So I need to update my PC. I've had it roughly 5 years now and I need an update.

I currently have an Nvidia 8800GT and 2G of RAM... not so great any more.

I don't have much money, I want to stay around $200 total for my video card and RAM update. I also need to update my operating system to the current windows version.

I'd like to stick with Nvidia, and I can't remember what processor I have exactly, but its a dual core 3.0 Ghz.

Windows scored my performance as a 5.0 on their scale. Which is basically recommended for the original Crysis.

I could also use a hard drive update. I currently only have 500 gigs, which is completely full. I need to add at least 1TB, preferably 2.

I'm looking for product suggestions, specifically things that will work better together.

Thanks guys!

 

[Snipeye]

Acefisher

Type in RUN /dxdiag

It'll tell you what your processor is.

First off, upgrading the OS. That's $100 right off the bat.

Second, hard drive prices are REALLY high because of the problems in/around Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Supply is drying up => High prices. For a 1TB HDD, you're now looking at paying $150-$220 for 1TB, +$230 (now around $300) for 2TB. Hold off on this until supply increases, if you can.

GPU-wise, you're looking at a GTX 560 or 560 Ti for around your $200.

GPU+RAM, the only nVidia card that would work is the GTX 460 1GB card, with RAM ranging between $30-$80 depending on brand and size. Also relevant, will it be DDR2 or DDR3 memory, if it would even work. (If you're using a Core2Duo proc, you're using DDR2 RAM most likely, which means this entire upgrade is for nothing without a new proc and mobo).

 

[acefisher1]

Well I can't run my DXDiag until I have internet at home (this weekend). I'll see if I have them saved somewhere for a beta test profile though.

And yeah, I kinda think a Processor upgrade is in order.

 

[acefisher1]

Intel? Core™2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
CPU SPEED:
3.02 GHz

VIDEO CARD MODEL:
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

DESKTOP RESOLUTION:
1680x1050

 

[Snipeye]

Yeah, you may as well update the entire build.

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
GPU

I've in the same boat as you. I want a better GPU, but the CPU is limited. If I get a new CPU, I need a new mobo for it. With a new mobo, I'll need new RAM. ..

P.S. I don't think you need Internet to run dxdiag. Never caused me a problem. Other way to do it is to right click My Computer, and go to Device Manager.

 

[acefisher1]

Yeah, you may as well update the entire build.

CPU
Motherboard
RAM
GPU

I've in the same boat as you. I want a better GPU, but the CPU is limited. If I get a new CPU, I need a new mobo for it. With a new mobo, I'll need new RAM. ..

P.S. I don't think you need Internet to run dxdiag. Never caused me a problem. Other way to do it is to right click My Computer, and go to Device Manager.

Thats kinda what I figured. And as far as DXDiag, I need to be at my home PC to run it, and i'm at work.... but yeah, those are from my blizzard beta specs.

I just hate the idea of having to replace everything just for a small upgrade. May as well look into selling and buying a new system I suppose.

 

[acefisher1]

Is something like this worth looking into? I've always bought things seperately, and haven't had problems in the past, but would a package be worth looking into?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.752601

 

[Snipeye]

LOL. I saw this same deal. I passed on it, because there are certain parts that I want to use that's not included. 8 GB instead of 4. HAF 932 full tower instead of mid-size tower, etc. etc.

 

[a pet rock]

It's absolutely absurd how high HDD prices are right now. $150 for an F3, I'd much rather get an SSD for that price. Just don't buy a HDD right now. It's a stupid stupid move. Find some files and programs you don't use and get rid of them. Get your HDD to last as long as possible.

A C2D is still perfectly acceptable for most games, BF3 will chug a bit but I think that a new GPU will be a more significant difference than a new CPU. What I mean to say is, if you have to pick upgrade the GPU first.

My suggestion, either save your money until you have enough for a full upgrade, which is preferable, OR buy incrementally in this order (less preferable, do this only if you need to upgrade for what you are doing right now and can't wait).

$130-150 Radeon 6850
$100 or less new OS
$350 new CPU mobo and RAM (these you have to buy together otherwise you have incompatibility issues)
<$90 HDD. Wait until HDD prices fall before buying. 1TB should only be about $50-$80.

 

[acefisher1]

It's absolutely absurd how high HDD prices are right now. $150 for an F3, I'd much rather get an SSD for that price. Just don't buy a HDD right now. It's a stupid stupid move. Find some files and programs you don't use and get rid of them. Get your HDD to last as long as possible.

A C2D is still perfectly acceptable for most games, BF3 will chug a bit but I think that a new GPU will be a more significant difference than a new CPU. What I mean to say is, if you have to pick upgrade the GPU first.

My suggestion, either save your money until you have enough for a full upgrade, which is preferable, OR buy incrementally in this order (less preferable, do this only if you need to upgrade for what you are doing right now and can't wait).

$130-150 Radeon 6850
$100 or less new OS
$350 new CPU mobo and RAM (these you have to buy together otherwise you have incompatibility issues)
<$90 HDD. Wait until HDD prices fall before buying. 1TB should only be about $50-$80.

Sounds good.

Thanks for the info. I heard about the HDD's and was kinda planning on waiting. It's just a pain because I pretty much can only install 1/6th of my Steam Library... I realize I play too many games, but still, it's frustrating having to uninstall/install all the time.