Advice on GPU replacement

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Snow_bum

Commendable
Jul 24, 2016
4
0
1,510
Could anyone please help me with a suggestion for a GPU to replace my 8800gts that died.

My PC is old - 2007 - So was looking to pick up a second hand GPU from eBay as there's not a lot of point spending much cash on it.

Aim is to be able to run some older games and if possible the vanishing of Ethan Carter as my gf would like to play this.

Current setup is:
ASUS P5N-E SLI
2.4ghz q6600
3gb RAM
Win 7 OS 32bit
550w psu
610gt (borrowed to diagnose fault with old card)

Was also going to pick up a couple of RAM sticks same route - originally had 4gb but one stick went bad a couple of years ago.

I'm also prepared to have a go at OC'ing the CPU to 3ghz from one of the many guides available if it would help my aims.

Thanks for reading :)
 
Solution
coozie7
Don't try to OC that old Quad without some extra cooling, there's a real risk of frying it.
My old and sadly deceased Q6600 ran out of steam at about 3.3GHz and held back a HD7950 a bit even then, so have a look here to see what is the max to really look for: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gpu-hierarchy,review-33383.html
The above chart is getting very old BTW and you'll need to be careful with power requirements if you aim high for the graphics card, some of those older parts need plenty of it!

Really, you're only delaying the inevitable, though, it'll soon be time to pass it on to a relative or offspring for lighter duties more in line with its advancing age.
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Snow_bum

Commendable
Jul 24, 2016
4
0
1,510


Thanks for suggestion but I'm not looking to spend as much as that, would prob just save for new build if had to make a decent outlay. Prefer to keep below £100 (uk based) but also prob go down second hand route to keep costs down. Sort of in two minds as to whether to upgrade my rig or just get a new PC, will be a while before have the funds for a decent spec though

How fast can this cpu go with no extra cooling etc?

 
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coozie7

coozie7

Champion
Jun 2, 2007
10,015
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Don't try to OC that old Quad without some extra cooling, there's a real risk of frying it.
My old and sadly deceased Q6600 ran out of steam at about 3.3GHz and held back a HD7950 a bit even then, so have a look here to see what is the max to really look for: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gpu-hierarchy,review-33383.html
The above chart is getting very old BTW and you'll need to be careful with power requirements if you aim high for the graphics card, some of those older parts need plenty of it!

Really, you're only delaying the inevitable, though, it'll soon be time to pass it on to a relative or offspring for lighter duties more in line with its advancing age.
 
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Solution
S

Snow_bum

Commendable
Jul 24, 2016
4
0
1,510
I will get a new build but it won't be for a while so last comment not very constructive...

I was looking at a gtx 460 as they look fairly cheap 2nd hand. As you've rightly pointed out there's not much mileage left in this machine so I don't see point in throwing much cash at it. I reckon I can get a couple of 1gb corsair Ram sticks and the 460 for about £30-£50 off eBay so this looks a fair cash/performance ratio for me in the short term until I have money for a new unit.

Would vanishing of Ethan Carter run on this card?
 
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coozie7

coozie7

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Jun 2, 2007
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First the bad news: The vanishing of ethan carter has min specs that call for: Win 64 bit, 6Gb of RAM a 1Gb card and a Core2 Duo CPU.
I doubt it'll run outside of Win 7 64 and will possibly run horribly on less than 6Gb of RAM.
The good news:
You can go up to 8GB of RAM on the current MB.
From what can see you can upgrade to win7 64 for free: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_install/upgrade-from-windows-7-32-bit-to-64-bit-is-it-free/8960bea5-ba51-4249-bf03-99f2fcecb1a7?auth=1 If you have a retail disc it'll have the 64 bit version on it, if you have an OEM or Builder disc, AFAIK they only have either 64 bit or 32 bit versions on them.
Suitably upgraded, yes it'll run your game, but I'll suggest you look at a stronger 2Gb GTX5XX or even 6XX card or She Who Must Be Obeyed will be playing at very low settings.
 
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Snow_bum

Commendable
Jul 24, 2016
4
0
1,510
Thanks for the info coozie7, appreciate your feedback. I'll see what I can find on everyone's favourite auction site...

It might be worth it so I can watch some sport in peace ;) the new footie season beckons!
 
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