Help me Upgrade my system for Modern Warfare 2

[Mocs]

I am an old Call of Duty 2 Gamer that now wants to get Modern Warfare 2 and I need to be able to run the multiplayer at 1680*1050 at a solid 60fps. I don't have to have everything maxed out but hate to run on the lowest settings. Please advise me to the most cost effective way to achieve this.

I currently have

AMD FX55
EVGA nForce 4 939 pin
EVGA 7800GT (pci-e)
Corsair 4*512 DDR 2 800?
Ultra 500 watt psu (20 pin)
Windows 7

Thanks!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Please use the format in the "How to ask for new build advice" sticky at the top of the forum. We need to know some basic information like budget, where you live, all the intended use of the system, etc... Without that information we can't offer any meaningful advice.

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'd say you're looking at an entirely new build. Really need a budget.

If you've got $1,000 (US), it'll be easy to meet your goal. Less than that may be a bit tougher...

 

[Mocs]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: sometime within the next month (unless I decide I just can’t come anywhere close to what I want for cheap)

BUDGET RANGE: as little as possible, hopefully under $500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Internet, Office Documents, and Gaming

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, case, hdd, dvd)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Does not matter. I do have to pay tax (9.25%) at Newegg.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA (Tennessee)

PARTS PREFERENCES: I have always used AMD, but whatever gets me the best performance for the $

OVERCLOCKING: I have never OC’d before, but wouldn’t be against it if it were easy to do for someone that hasn’t built a machine in four years.

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Doubtful

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680*1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have an original Cooler Master Stacker case with good air cooling. I have a IDE HDD and DVD Drive and a small 74G SATA Raptor Drive

 

[MadAdmiral]

CPU: Athlon II X4 630

Mobo: Asus M4A79XTD EVO

Combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315744 $241 after rebate

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB DDR3 1600 CAS Latency 7 $110, free shipping

GPU: HD 5770 $155 after rebate

Total: $506.

If you can't swing the extra $6, there's lots of CPU/mobo combos with that board. I suggest the X4 630 one (I think it was $215).

 

[Mocs]

Would this work for MW2 at 1680*1050 at 60fps?

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
ASUS M4A78LT-M LE AM3 AMD 780L Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131619
OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102859
That would be $442 before taxes and shipping

 

[Mocs]

I am assuming my old 500watt psu would have to go to. It was originally part of a 2004 build and it only has a 20 pin connector. I would re-use it if I could.

 

[MadAdmiral]

You can buy an adaptor to get the connection. If you decide to replace the PSU, the OCZ StealthXStream 700W is only $60 after rebate.

I would at least get the 5770. The 5750 is good, but at $15 more, the 5770 is excellent.

 

[Mocs]

Thanks for the tip about the adapter. I didn't even know they existed. If it would work I would like to keep my current psu for a little while longer, then I could replace it later with a Corsair unit when money isnt quite as tight.


What about this setup?


AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
ASUS M4A78LT-M LE AM3 AMD 780L Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131619
OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346
POWERCOLOR AX5770 1GBD5-PPG Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131327
LOGISYS AD01 20-pin Male To 24-pin Female Power Adapter Cable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887007&cm_re=20_pin_to_24_pin_adapter-_-12-887-007-_-Product

How easy would this be to OC and how high could I easily and safely go if I added something like this:

XIGMATEK HDT-SD964 92mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233014&cm_re=Xigmatek_HDT-SD964-_-35-233-014-_-Product

 

[shortstuff_mt]

A HSF with a 120mm fan will cool better. This one is a few dollars more, but has free shipping which makes it about the same price.

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail $29.99

 

[Mocs]

My PSU is a first generation (2004) Ultra X-Connect. I have the manual with the specs:

+5V@30A, +12V@34A, +3.3V@28A, -5V@0.3A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A

70% power efficiency

would this be sufficient?

 

[Mocs]

How easy are CPU coolers like that to install? I have used OEM and Aftermarket coolers but they have all mounted up to the OEM mounting hardware.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The cooler is easy to install as long as you do it while the motherboard is outside the case. Actually, with AMD systems it's easy to install any time since they use a simple latch system.

 

[MadAdmiral]

EDIT: answered...

 

[Mocs]

I have another question. If I were to change the Mobo out to one without onboard video like this one:

ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

It says that it uses DDR3 1600 Ram

A. I am assuming I could not use the 1066 ram I had before, right?

B. why do the timings on all of the 1600 ram suck so bad?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You can use DDR3 1066 RAM with that system. The RAM speed rating on a motherboard just tells you the max RAM speed it's rated to run. Anything below that is just fine.

You can get CAS 7 DDR3 1600 RAM, it just costs considerably more than the 1066MHz RAM. DDR3 1600 RAM isn't worth it for this low-end system IMO.

 

[Mocs]

Thanks!

Does anyone have experiance with Elitegroup Mobo's? I have used Asus, Gigabyte, and EVGA before but never an Elitegroup. This is the one that I was comparing to the AS Rock.

ECS IC780M-A2 (V1.0A) AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135250

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I sure wouldn't use an ECS motherboard. They don't have the best reliability track record. It's best to stick with Asus or Gigabyte if at all possible. ASRock and Biostar are the next tier down and I would say ECS is at the bottom of the pile.

 

[Mocs]

Thank you for your help

I ordered my system last night

Here is what I ordered

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392&Tpk=gigabyte%20ga-ma770t-ud3p
OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346
POWERCOLOR AX5770 1GBD5-PPG Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131327
LOGISYS AD01 20-pin Male To 24-pin Female Power Adapter Cable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887007&cm_re=20_pin_to_24_pin_adapter-_-12-887-007-_-Product
COOLER MASTER SAF-B83-E1 80mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999070
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=Cooler_Master_Direct_Heat_pipe-_-35-103-065-_-Product


My only other concern is with my PSU. I bought an adapter to change it from 20 pin to 24 pin, but also noticed that the Mobo has a 8 pin power slot while my current PSU only has a 4 pin connector. Is that going to be an issue? Am I going to have to order another PSU now? I was hoping to get a Corsair unit down the road a few months because I can't afford it now. Hopefully you guys will tell me it isn't a problem, but if I have to replace it what do you recommend as a super cheap PSU?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

As far as the PSU you are going to have to find another adapter then, its that simple.

That's not true. You'll have to double check your motherboard owners manual, but most systems work just fine with a 4-pin connector plugged in. In fact, most Asus boards come with a plastic cover over four pins that you have to remove to use an 8-pin connector. You should be fine.

 

[Mocs]

Thanks to everyone for their help especially shortstuff_mt who saved me from having to buy another psu now. I put my system together yesterday and everything is working great! I don't have MW2 yet, but I went from 25-30fps in COD4 to ~150fps. I was also able to unlock the fourth core on my Athlon II X3. It now reads Pheanom II X4 B35. I haven't done any overclocking yet but I might as my temps seem to be very low.

 

[amantonas]

Yeah man, nice system. I live in Tennessee too, and that 9.25 sales tax is a real killer. I order from tigerdirect instead . Also, as BDDazza said, just because you unlocked the core does NOT mean that it's stable. Good luck on MW2!

 

[Mocs]

Just ran a 12 hour Prime95 Torture Test and everything seemed stable. My CPU temp was only 38* under load and runs at 24* at idle. My GPU is 29* at idle and 45* under load.