Video_freak

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Nov 16, 2008
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Hey, I started a thread similar to this one a little while back, so I'm sorry if I'm being a thread whore or something. I have an HP m7640n, which has some crappy motherboard and an AMD X2 5000+ clocked at 2.6 GHz. I also have two GB of 533 MHz RAM (not an upgrade, stock parts). Since I'm selling my old GPU/PSU, I was thinking of upgrading the two parts with some newer stuff. The XFX 9800 GTX+ is at $155 on tigerdirect.com, but I'm not really sure if it's even worth getting with my other components. Will the rest of my computer keep up with the new GPU, or will it bottleneck it like crazy? I heard the CPU wasn't as important for gaming, but that may be wrong. Oh yeah, I was thinking of building a PC with a 780i motherboard by the end of next year. Should I buy a 9800 GTX+ now and add another one in a year, or will an upgrade be better?

Final question is whether or not you guys think it's worth picking up the card now. Will newer/much better cards be coming in that price range soon?

Thanks for all the help!
 

sprucebr1

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The Athlon X2 5000+ is a solid CPU. I see no problem with installing a 9800GTX, though you may want a new PSU, as the "HP" power supply is a piece of garbage. Yeah, a 780i board and a second 9800GTX would be a good setup. However, I would recommend either a HD 4850 or 4870 instead. And, yes the CPU does not have as much of an effect on gaming as the GPU.
 

Video_freak

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Alright, thanks for the reply. Yes, I realize stock PSUs suck... really badly. I replaced mine with a 400 watt Coolmax and my GPU with a BFG 7600 GT. I'm selling those two items for $70, which I think is OK. It's good to hear my CPU will be able to keep up with games, hopefully even Crysis (my monitors top at 1360x768 and 1280x1024, so it shouldn't be too much for it). I'll just wait another year and see what available then to build a new PC with. Thanks for the info.
 

sprucebr1

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No Problem. For the new PSU I would suggest at least 500Watt, and either Corsair or OCZ or something similar if you plan to invest in a power hungry GPU (GTX 260). For Crysis you would want at least a 9600GT 512MB to get a good frame rate.
 

Video_freak

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I'm probably going with a XFX 9800 GTX+ 512 MB card for now, maybe I'll get a second once I get an SLI-ready board.

As for the PSU, I'm going to get a decent one so I don't have to replace it when I get a bigger card or a possible tri-SLI. I'm debating between 650 watt Ultra for $60, the same but in 750 watt for $80, and a 700 watt OCZ.

Here are the links, which would you recommend?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276573&Sku=ULT-LSP650

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276567&Sku=ULT-LSP750

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2235424&Sku=O261-2005

I'm also thinking of possibly getting a modular PSU, but at the same time, is it really worth the extra cost?