Need advice please

[archer7282]

Hello All,

Looking for some friendly advice from some folks who know more than i do.

Just recently purchased a comp with the following specs... pretty happy with it but want to up the gaming performance for LOTRO and like. (would love to be able to play at max or near max settings with a good fps)


AMD Phenom II X4 Quad core processor 945
OS : Win 7 64 bit
Mem: 6GB DDR2 (8gb max)
Graphics: integrated ATI radeon HD 3100
PSU : ATX 12V 300W


I know that the graphics card is pretty low end..... looking for some recommendations to get the most bang out of my buck to upgrade that (and i think i will also end up needing to upgrade the PSU)

Ideally would like to keep it under 150$....

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[JDFan]

Well - adding any other graphics card is pretty much going to need a PSU as that 300W unit is probably already struggling with the quad core CPU and other components. so to try to keep under $150 is going to leave you with a mid level at best video card probably something like a 4670 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150450 ) with a 550W BFG PSU for $49.95 + $10 shipping or if you can stretch the $150 to $160 get the 4850 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824 )instead with the BFG PSU and it will get you better performance.

Those are probably the best you can do at your budget level! but someone else may find something better.

 

[belial2k]

You didn't list your resolution, but I think a 4670 would serve you well for online gaming, and you wouldn't have to upgrade the PSU with that card.

 

[archer7282]

screen resolution is currently set at 1360 X 768...

running this on a 26 lcd so its a good bit of eye candy. (at least it is to me )

I should have clarified.. willing to spend up to 150 on just a graphics card.... know that i will need to drop another 50-100 on a PSU upgrade.

 

[christop]

new psu and add a card to be happy

 

[archer7282]

Well - adding any other graphics card is pretty much going to need a PSU as that 300W unit is probably already struggling with the quad core CPU and other components. so to try to keep under $150 is going to leave you with a mid level at best video card probably something like a 4670 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150450 ) with a 550W BFG PSU for $49.95 + $10 shipping or if you can stretch the $150 to $160 get the 4850 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824 )instead with the BFG PSU and it will get you better performance.

Those are probably the best you can do at your budget level! but someone else may find something better.

Thanks for the info... i wasnt too clear am willing to spend up to 150 just on the graphics card. would that change your recommendation any?

 

[JDFan]

IF you order before the 15th and use the $10 off promo code you could get a 5770 for $152 including free shipping ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317 ) and that would give you a good quality DX11 card that will run pretty much all games out at high end settings at your resolution !! - THey are also very power efficient (108W max power at full load) so if the 300W unit is high quality you might get by without the new PSU (though for stability and peace of mind I'd probably still upgrade it.)

 

[belial2k]

As I see it you have two ways to go...the 4670 doesn't require any additional power, so will run fine on your current Psu...at your resolution it will be able to play most games maxed out without high AA and AF. If you move up to a 4850 for $99, it will allow you to max out everything and even include AA and AF in most games, but you will have to get a decent 400 - 450W Psu with the left over cash. So overall, if you want to save a little money the 4670 is the way to go for about $75, but if you want the absolute best performance in your budget, you'll need a 4850 and a PSU to support it.

 

[archer7282]

Best answer selected by archer7282.