Upgrade time

[arges86]

This is my system

AMD: Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2886 MHz
Fan: Thermaltake MaxOrb
Mobo: Gigabyte M57SLI-S4 v.2
RAM: 4GB Mushkin DDR2 PC2-6400
OS: Vista 64bit SP2
VC: EVGA 8800 GTS 320MB
PSU: 800 Watt BFG

I've got 300 bucks to spend to upgrade this. I like to slightly OC my system and i mainly play games, and use Photoshop, Dreamweaver, ect.
Any suggestions?
I don't feel like swapping out my AM2 mobo... but i guess i'll have to eventually.

 

[JaredAudiophileGamer]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165024
new mobo and cpu

and id save another like 200 to get a 4870 or so gpu.

 

[gkay09]

^+1 get tat Mobo and CPU and get the 4870 later...

 

[Proximon]

That's what I would do as well

 

[Onus]

Makes sense to me too.

 

[arges86]

its worth sticking w/ AMD?

 

[Onus]

Well, if you want to max your budget, you could get a Q8300 and a Gigabyte P43 mobo. The performance would be better, but 190+85+shipping likely would not allow you to also get a better CPU cooler.
To me, the Intel Q8xxx fits into that category of products that you might be happy to have now, and would likely meet your needs, but then you'd be really hacked off at yourself in 6 months for not coughing up another 10%-15% to get the better part you know you really wanted.
Most of the AMD X3's I'd put there too, except that 720BE. It IS a Black, may have an unlockable 4th core, and is sufficiently better than the X2 to be worth considering.
In your place, I'd either get that AMD combo, or I'd spend a little more on a Q9xx.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

You have the same board I've got. I wonder, why not go now and get the 4870? Or even a 4850? Or would that bottleneck his rig do you guys think? Or what about say a 4870 and would say a 7750 kuma chip be a nice stopgap solution for some better gaming here?

Another option, grab the 720 and decent mobo now, and then you could grab a 4830 with the leftover cash, or hold out till the 4750 comes out, seems to be what a lot of sites are calling that. But some are saying it will be almost as good as the 4850, but for around 100 bucks. Or am I completely off here?

 

[Proximon]

Yeah, the Kuma is a good CPU for the price, but the OP needs a bit more power sounds like. It's not JUST a gaming rig.

 

[arges86]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165024
new mobo and cpu
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3369861210_bf24dd5c1f.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3369036863_72b4319be5.jpg

and id save another like 200 to get a 4870 or so gpu.

why buy a new mobo if my current one supports the processor through a firmware update?

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

I have the same mobo as you have, and from what I read, even if it supports the chip, it still will limit the ht speed of the chip. So if I'm not mistaken, the chip cannot utilize it's full bandwidth on that board. Maybe I'm wrong? Anyone else have input?

 

[dougyfresh]

remember..dont uprade now for what you plan to have in the future.


i got sold on 64 bit 5 years ago. still using xp 32 bit.

i got sold on dx10 2 years ago. still using dx9@xp.


I can't waste any more money on dumb upgrades...but i am anticipating amazing future hardware









I am really not sure.

 

[arges86]

well, i'm using Vista x64 (w/ 4 gigs of RAM)
so i have the 64 bit and Direct X 10 utilized