My Upgrade!

If you could use the template shown at the top of this forum and link to the parts you are considering at a website you can buy from we will help you either find a stronger build for the same amount of save some money for the same performance, as the GTX280 is an older tech and runs hotter than an OC'd GTX275 that will perform the same.

The upgrade is worth it but it can be made better.

oh wow it got all scrambled im sorry for that. I will Update with links and more information..

*bump* (need a reply pls)

Get this CPU/motherboard/ram/HDD combo instead, it gets you a better HDD and motherboard and costs $8 less before $30 MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Since you are going AMD get an ATI card for crossfire potential, it performs equal to a GTX275 which beats out a GTX280, saves another $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If you want to crossfire you need better than that 700 watt PSU, this case/psu combo gives you enough power and plenty of cooling for only marginally more
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

If you are in college, you can get a great deal directly from MS on Vista Ultimate Upgrade (basically home premium and business combined - requires previous ownership of earlier Windows version) for $65 and MS Office Ultimate for $60 dollars. The listing does not say if the Vista is 32bit or 64bit - you would have to go through a couple more screens after listing your email address to find out - I assume it would give you the option to select whichever.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimates...

@hunter315

1) The first link doesn't work

2) I am a Nvidia Type of a Guy

3) and I'm not paying an Extra $100 for a Power supply and when I'm already @ my limit

4) I'm not SLIing til the 300 Series in about 6-9months so 700w is good enough power for one decent card do you disagree?

You could actually make do with the OCZ Modstream 600w PSU if not planning to SLI or OC, but unfortunately it is only $5 AR cheaper so I would not recommend the change.

The EVGA 280 video card requires a system with a minimum 550w PSU with 40a on the 12v rails.

Also I recommend not buying the GTX 280 video card - which you cannot find listed among the current products on the EVGA product pages - and even have difficulty linking to for specs - but get the GTX 275 instead - which is replacing it, performs better, has 384MB more memory, costs $30 less AR, and is a 2 time winner of the newegg customer choice award.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Here is a link to a performance conmparison:

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-card...

well I don't think I wanna OC the graphics card just to make it last as long as possible Just in case. but I do want to OC the processor to 3.0Ghz - 3.3+Ghz if possible...

Thanks for helping me choose GTX 275 instead of GTX 280 but i don't get a Free COD: WAW =( stupid Limited Offer

So I bought Mercenaries 2 for $10 to play with a friend Co-op

The first link doesnt work anymore because the month ended and newegg changed their combos unfortunately. If you are going nvidia you cannot run a dual card solution so you could even drop down to a 600 watt power supply if you can find a good deal on a decent one, but that OCZ 700 watts is pretty cheap right now so thats your best option.

Are you still planning to get the mobo you first listed? It only has on PCIe slot so you cannot use it for SLI.. If planning to SLI later, do you plan to purchase not only a graphics card but new mobo, psu, and maybe RAM compatible to new mobo?

Don't buy the recertified GTX280... really a bad move.

I would get a Crossfire motherboard ready and two 4850. It will cost you less and gives you the same performances.

Edit : You cannot SLI with Phenom II chips right now... at least from what I know.

yes..i will pretty much buy a "Amazing PC" within a year i just need something to last me till then

my question is my father is Saying that the AMD Phenom II X4 is Unstable & needs Liquid Cooling in order to run is that True? And he also Says that AMD Phenom Quad-Core 2.3ghz is fine for me...and i want to get Phenom II X4 how do i tell convince him its stable and Alot better..? Thanks


Thanks

Mine is running with the stock cooler and only the two fans that come with the antec 300. In a 24C room its running at about 33 right now and the highest i got it to go while stress testing it using prime95 is 55. The Phenom II is alot cooler than the older phenoms due to 45nm instead of 65nm processing allowing it to run faster and produce less heat.

But in reality if you want high end gaming and nVidia you need to go i7 there is no way around it with no nvidia chipsets for the new AM3 sockets.

The thing right now is that two 4850s are as strong a a GTX280 and cost half the price.

Mine are even OC versions that are as strong as a GTX285 and I paid 165$.

nepkse... I don't know what your father is rambling, but I can assure you that it's totally untrue. Phenom II chips are easily the best performer for this kind of money.

I know someone who OC his Phenom II X2 550 to a X4 stronger than a Core i7 cpu that is 3 times more expensive.

If he don't plan to SLI at least 2 GTX260, going i7 is a waste of money... especially for a single GTX280.

Ok hold on let start over because I'm confused now lol...This is What I have Right now

Xclio Coolbox Mid Tower $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103021

Asus M4A78 770 ATX Motherboard $79.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131381

MSI GTX 275 $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127429

OCZ 700W Power Supply $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341019

AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8Ghz $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103472

4GB Ram DDR 2 1066 $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

500GB Western Digital HD 32MB 7200RPM $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358

Acer 23'' Widescreen LCD Monitor $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009163

64bit Vista $99.99
Mercenaries 2 $9.99

Total = 1,021.63 (Including Tax)

Okay Questions.

1) I need a Graphic or Graphics Card That will Take Crysis on 1920x1080 High or Highest No AA or AF - with Steady FPS

2) If I do need to SLI or Crossfire what Mobo would be good enough?

3) My Budge is $1,100

4) I'm Planning on getting a Amazing PC within 12 months (hopefully)


(games I will be playing if that helps)

Crysis
COD 4
COD WAW
MERCS 2
Street Fighter 4
Dead Space
Assassins Creed
FC2 and so on

I hope That helps

Thanks

Nepske has listed a GTX 275 @ $199 -which is faster than and the replacement for the GTX 280. So 2 4850s at half the price would be $50 per 4850. Where do you find those?

@ rockyjohn

i believe he means these $89.00 After Mail-in Rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125238

I'm Assuming...but the GTX 275 Destroys the 4850's imo

**Updated**

http://s984.photobucket.com/albums/ae327/nepkse/

But nepske - $89 x 2 = $178 and that is not even close to half the price of $200.

Redgarl - I ask again, where can you get those 4850s for $50 ?

I want to see a review that shows 2 512MB 4850s in crossfire performing equally to a GTX275. I would go for the GTX275 over the 2 4850s, it means you actually have an upgrade option in the future.

Another good point. THG 2008 charts (4850 CF not on 2009 charts and 275 not on 2008 charts) show the 280 beating the 4850 CF on almost all tests, and quite handily in some.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-char...

Since 275>280>4850CF, then 275>4850CF - isn't that the transitive law or something - or did transitive law only refer to "equal to" equations - my 8th grade math is slipping away.


Come on redgarl - don't get shy on us now. Where is your source saying 2 4850s beat the 280 or 275 AND where are the 4850's @ $50?

LoL

1) GTX 280's used to cost a lot more.

2) unless you're only looking at Crysis or another nvidia prefering game then the dual 4850's beat the GTX 280 almost every time.

3) dual 4770's beat the GTX 275 by miles and cost about the same so they might be worth looking into.

Yes, it does not surprise me that once you rule out the games that nVidia does better in the dual 4850's might beat the 280. What happens when we first rule out the games that AMD does better in?

The link I posted above was comparing 4850's in CF with the 280 and does not show what you said. Can you link to some sources showing otherwise?

Of course on major advantage of using a single card now is that he can greatly increase processing power by adding a single like card. If he maxes out now with 2 4850s and wants more, then he has to discard both and buy two new cards.