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Christmas computer upgrades

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  • Computers
  • Graphics Cards
  • Components
  • Memory
Last response: in Components
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December 4, 2013 1:17:19 PM

I am looking to spend around 300 bucks to upgrade. I was thinking memory and a video card, but there are so many choices. Please take a look and help me find the best way to upgrade. These systems are used by my boys and mostly used for gaming, the new skyrim is probably the most intensive game currently in use. The specifications are: GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 1GB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Support, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support
Asus M2N68-AM PLUS Motherboard - Socket AM2+, Micro ATX, nForce 630a, GeForce 7025 Graphics, SATA, RAID
AMD Phenom X4 9750 Quad Core Processor - 2.40GHz, 2MB L3 Cache, 3600 MT/s FSB, Quad-Core, Socket AM2+
Crucial 2x2GB Desktop Memory Module - PC6400, DDR2, 800MHz, DIMM
Seagate Barracuda LP Hard Drive - 1TB, 5900rpm, 32MB, SATA-3G
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium - 64bit,
450-Watt no name Power Supply ( I have replaced these with 500w IIRC)

More about : christmas computer upgrades

a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 1:32:22 PM

I would upgrade the PSU and video card, and look to get a new cpu/mobo as soon as you can afford it. You can pick up a radeon 7850 for around 150 dollars on newegg.
A 500w or so power supply would be about 80 bucks for a good high quality unit, like an antec, corsair, or xfx.
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a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 1:33:06 PM

edit: Just noticed you said you upgraded psu. Id just do the GPU for now, and save till you can get a new cpu and mobo together.
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a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 3:55:14 PM
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a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 4:01:42 PM


The X3 Rana has a DDR2/ DDR3 memory controller, and will move forward to AM3+.

It's also on his motherboard CPU support list :) 

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December 4, 2013 4:02:32 PM

jeremyp79 said:
I would upgrade the PSU and video card, and look to get a new cpu/mobo as soon as you can afford it. You can pick up a radeon 7850 for around 150 dollars on newegg.
A 500w or so power supply would be about 80 bucks for a good high quality unit, like an antec, corsair, or xfx.


jeremyp79 said:
edit: Just noticed you said you upgraded psu. Id just do the GPU for now, and save till you can get a new cpu and mobo together.


Thanks for the quick response. I actually built two of these machines for my boys back in 2010. I have replaced both psu because they both failed. I have to check to make sure what I put in them. If I get this GPU I need 500 watts correct? If I get this card will it be worth keeping if I do a processor mobo upgrade later, or should I get something better now with that plan in the future? I tried searching for a 7850 and it came up with a bunch, any recommendations? Sorry for all the extra questions. I appreciate the help.
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a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 5:46:33 PM

Unless your psu's are the junky ones, a 500w is more than sufficient for a 7850. The cpu would still be something of a bottleneck, but until you have around 250 bucks to buy cpu board and ram together, i wouldnt upgrade yet. If you upgrade to the cpu that wisecracker suggested, it would be an upgrade, but would be a very small one.
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a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 5:47:34 PM

And xfx, msi, or sapphire are all pretty good amd video card brands. If I had a choice I would get xfx, personally.
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December 4, 2013 6:16:23 PM

jeremyp79 said:
And xfx, msi, or sapphire are all pretty good amd video card brands. If I had a choice I would get xfx, personally.


Is it worth stepping up to the 2gb version?
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a b U Graphics card
December 4, 2013 6:22:09 PM

2ndgenguy said:
jeremyp79 said:
And xfx, msi, or sapphire are all pretty good amd video card brands. If I had a choice I would get xfx, personally.


Is it worth stepping up to the 2gb version?


Yes, for games like BF4 and skyrim, the extra gig of ram makes a big difference.
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December 4, 2013 6:25:52 PM

jeremyp79 said:
2ndgenguy said:
jeremyp79 said:
And xfx, msi, or sapphire are all pretty good amd video card brands. If I had a choice I would get xfx, personally.


Is it worth stepping up to the 2gb version?


Yes, for games like BF4 and skyrim, the extra gig of ram makes a big difference.


Thanks! I really appreciate the help.
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