I am buying a new computer, this is the one I have in mind:
Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
AMD Phenom(TM) II X4 920 quad-core processor [2.8GHz, 2MB L2 + 6MB L3 shared, up to 4000MT/s]
8GB DDR2-800MHz SDRAM [4 DIMMs]
640GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 [DVI, HDMI, VGA]
Monitor 1920 x 1080p
350W power supply
The thing is I want to do everyday kinds of stuff on it, but on the other hand I also want it to last long and be able to play WoW on it. I am afraid that the graphics card does not meet the potential of the rest of the system. The GT 220 is a $60 upgrade from the other options that come with the computer, the highest priced one I am willing to upgrade to. The only other semi-acceptable option is the ATI Radeon HD 4650. So, my question is what should I do; buy my own graphics card ($75 under range) or stick with this one. I am already at the top of my budget.
Any input/recommendations are appreciated.
Thanks
Message edited by coolwhhip on 07-23-2009 at 02:18:25 AM
if your budget is $75 for a GPU get a 9600GT. The GT220 is the 9500GT replacement and suppose to give similar performance results although I have yet to see one review of it. You can also look into the 9600GSO or ATI 4670, slightly cheaper cards.
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Ok I decided i'm going to downgrade on memory to 6GB in order to get a better graphics card/PSU. I now have about a $140 budget for both of those items. Right now I am looking at the Radeon 4850 512MB and a thermaltake 500W PSU.
Oh and I am using these: http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88 to compare graphics cards. But, I need some help sorting out which areas of this chart tell me the overall performance of the card and which parts of the chart are useless.
Thanks
Message edited by coolwhhip on 07-24-2009 at 08:59:38 PM
No, going to buy a pre-built one and swap the graphics card out for a new one is my plan. Some where along the line i realized I would also need a new PSU as well.
If you are building on a budget there is no point in getting more than 4gb of ram. The performance gain of more than 4gb is very very small for anything but extreme applications, which you won't be able to do on a budget machnine anyway.
a 4850 is a fine choice, and a good price now a days. Will play most games very well on that resolution.
As always, I would recommend that you get a friend to put the computer together for you instead of buying a prebuilt machine, really does save a lot.
Message edited by daedalus685 on 07-24-2009 at 09:53:00 PM
No, going to buy a pre-built one and swap the graphics card out for a new one is my plan. Some where along the line i realized I would also need a new PSU as well.
If you really want to buy a pre-made system then following these steps will maximize your budget
get a system with the best CPU you can and a decent motherboard and hard drive. Get the cheapest PSU, GPU (preferably none at all), and as little RAM as possible.
Go to Newegg and purchase the following
RAM ( a blind person can install it)
a GPU (if you can install RAM you can install a GPU)
a solid PSU (tons of video on youtube show you how easy the PSU install is)
sell the pre-built RAM and GPU on ebay, use the pre-built PSU as a paperweight or as a rock garden fill in.
get a system with the best CPU you can and a decent motherboard and hard drive. Get the cheapest PSU, GPU (preferably none at all), and as little RAM as possible.
Thats pretty much my plan, however the RAM options are 4GB 6GB and 8GB. 4 is the base and there's a free upgrade to 6. So I cant save any money there.
So now I'm trying to find a good graphics card/PSU. I found
on newegg for $140 total after rebate. The prebuilt come with a $180 option for a Radeon 4850 as well(with upgraded PSU). The only difference is that the prebuilt one is 1GB and the other is 512MB
Im really not trying to treat this as a 'budget built' or anything, I just want to get the best setup thats within what I'm willing to pay.
Message edited by coolwhhip on 07-25-2009 at 12:43:11 AM
for the same price.
I like Asus video cards (i owned both an Asus 9800GT and 9600GT) but i have heard the 4850 ones run hotter then their competitors. I personally don't care for thermaltake PSU but that is just me.
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Thanks for all the recommendations. Although, the first two PSUs you recomended are right below the power requirements for the card (450W).
I am currently trying to figure out the exact model for the PSU with the prebuilt 4850 'edition'. The extra 30-40 bucks may be worth it is the PSU is quality. At least that way I wouldn't have to go through all this trouble. On the other hand, I like that extra weight in my pockets...Then again I could get the Phenom II X4 945 instead of the 920...decisions decisions
Thanks for all the recommendations. Although, the first two PSUs you recomended are right below the power requirements for the card (450W).
don't believe the watts Manufactures use tricks to increase their PSU watts in test condition that you will never see in real world scenarios so they often under deliver.
the most important factor for you to look at is amps on the 12v rail(s) which power most of your high energy PC parts.
The Antec delivers far more amps on its two 12v rails then the thermaltake you linked and the PC Power and Cooling unit has more amps on its 12v then most cheap 500w units. Both of those will power your 4850 with no issue and still have juice in reserve. I would personally get the PC Power & Cooling unit.
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