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What should I upgrade?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - What should I upgrade?

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d0n   10-11-2009 at 04:48:21 AM

So my video card died last week and now i am wondering what to do..

Motherboard:Asus P5KPL-VM
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
RAM: 2 Gig ram
Video Card: None atm, using onboard Previous card: EVGA Ge-Force 8600 GT
PSU: Antec 500 Watt
Case: Needs upgrading
HDD: 500gb Sata drive (I think this one should be ok)
Monitor 1: SyncMaster 2253BW
Monitor 2: Optiquest Q19wb

This comp will be used for gaming (Diablo 3 [when it comes out], SC2, PES2010, and some random games), Rendering (Revit, 3D Max), watching movies (not HD)

I am wondering what i should do, in terms of what to upgrade next my budget would be around $500 CAD. Thanks for helping!


Message edited by d0n on 10-11-2009 at 05:21:46 AM
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d0n   10-11-2009 at 05:22:15 AM

I guess i should of added
Previous card: EVGA Ge-Force 8600 GT

how does the your purposed card compare to my old one?

Reply to d0n
dragoon190   10-11-2009 at 12:26:56 PM

Think the cheapest way is to upgrade and get a Q9550. With the rest of the budget, you will have enough to get yourself a GTS250 and a nice looking case. Don't think there's a need to build a new system while the one you have right now is still upgradable (Q9550 is as far as you can upgrade based on that mobo, past that you might as well get an i5). Either way, I don't think you can do a complete i5 build with 500 CAD.

Reply to dragoon190
apache_lives   10-11-2009 at 03:21:42 PM

Q9550 - check wether that P5KPL-VM supports it

GTS250 is a great upgrade option, or a 4850 whichever

------------------------------ Q6600@3510/1560 + TT BigTyphoon+Mod
8gb Kingston 800mhz
Gigabyte EP35-DS3P
XFX 8800GT/512
 Reply to apache_lives
d0n   10-11-2009 at 03:57:51 PM

it looks like my current mobo will support the Q9550.
Is it a good time to upgrade my mobo + CPU ? or will the combo of my current mobo + Q9550 last me long enough?

in terms of my use, what would be better GTS250 or 4850?

Reply to d0n
dragoon190   10-11-2009 at 04:28:45 PM

Well, it's gonna cost you around 500 to get an i5 and its mobo, and a bit more for DDR3 RAMS. The current setup with Q9550 should last you a couple more years.

I guess it really depends on whether you want to do a complete revamp (changing the cpu, mobo, ram, and graphic card) now or in two or three years.

As for the GPU... well, it's up to your personal preference. The two cards performs pretty much the same, with some game performing better with nVidia cards or vice versa.

Reply to dragoon190
d0n   10-11-2009 at 04:33:05 PM

would my current PSU be enough for the new video cards? or the new CPU?


Message edited by d0n on 10-11-2009 at 04:33:56 PM
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ryohei   10-11-2009 at 04:41:48 PM

the 9550 is a good cpu, but for 500 he should really get something that will give him upgrade options for the future

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ryohei   10-17-2009 at 04:42:30 AM

if your mobo doesnt have sli, then the ATI card

Reply to ryohei
d0n   10-17-2009 at 06:49:02 PM

so the ATI performs better against the GTS250 on a 1v1 basis?

Reply to d0n
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