Got $150 bucks...

[ocada]

For a PSU and video card.

I just bought an hp p6310f which has a AMD 630 anthlon II x4(2.8 ghz), 6 gigs ram ddr3, 1 terrabyte.

Which came with a junky 9100 nvidia. So I'm looking to upgrade a bit.

I'm not an avid gamer. The only things I play are civ4, original call of duty and lord of the rings online. I'm used to lowerish settings so I dont need to set the world ablaze with crazy graphics. But I've been looking around this price range and it seems like I could get a lot for the money. Also, just in case I buy a FPS that has been made after 2002 I'd like to have some juice.

First question is: For someone who's never done any computer hardware work is installing a PSU and video card that difficult?

Next question is which combo should I be looking at:
I found a 500w antec basiq for $50

and was looking at these cards:
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325137

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0305845
How is this for a combo? For about the same price what other video cards should I be looking at?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Upendra09]

that isn't all that good

it will be enough but

this is better slightly over budget but u can get high settings with this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.347649

to put them in the gfx cards aren't hard

the PSU will need a bit more work thouhg, u have to put the right cables in the right place
but still not to hard

 

[ocada]

This looks similar to what you posted for the GPU. Worth the extra $15? http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328113

Also, how does that compare to this?
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0327368

Would I need to really go nuts with the PSU? I'm not adding anything else to the stock system.

 

[AsAnAtheist]

This will give you significantly more performance then the HD 5670. Also that 600w PSU is an over kill. You do not need 600w for the HD 5670. This is the best you can do for $160~

GPU Sapphire HD 4850 $106.99 Shipped:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824&cm_re=HD_4850-_-14-102-824-_-Product

PSU: Corsair CMPSU-400 $54.99 shipped and a $10 Mail in Rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, +1 for Atheist.
That card is much better than all the others mentioned in this thread and the PSU is a good choice for it.
As for installing things the video card couldn't be much simpler really. The PSU can be a pain depending on the layout of the case as some smaller cases will need you to remove the CPU fan or the motherboard itself. But it's nothing someone who can use a screwdriver can't handle.

 

[ocada]

One hitch guys, microcenter isn't carrying the 4850 and I really would like to get the card today and not wait for shipping. For a game like lotro are we talking about a huge difference between a 5670 and a 4850? So much so that its worth the extra expense and wait?

 

[jyjjy]

The HD4850 is over 30% more powerful than the HD5670;
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/Radeon_HD_5670_IceQ/28.html
What is the native resolution of your monitor?

 

[nrnx]

The 5670 isn't considered to be a gaming class card, so yes there is a HUGE difference between the two, and it would definitely be noticeable in LOTRO. If you are looking for the best bang that you can walk in and simply pick up at microcenter:

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0281688 Earthwatts 650W PSU $75.44

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0323818 <-- GTS 250 $90something. The 5670 again isn't considered a gaming card.

 

[jyjjy]

The HD5670 is definitely a gaming card, it's just one intended for low resolutions. Also the card you linked is a GT 240 which is noticeably weaker than the HD5670 you are telling him to avoid, not a GTS 250.

 

[ocada]

I got a samsung 931c 19" with 1280x1024 resolution.

I don't have high end stuff nor high end tastes.

 

[jyjjy]

The HD5670 will be pretty good for that resolution while the HD4850 would be great and pretty much let you max out the settings/AA in almost every game.

 

[nrnx]

Eeek Meant to link to the GTS 250 but thats $20 more so a bit out of the price range. 1280x1024 would be fine for a 4770, a GTS/GTX 250, a 4830, or a 4850. If you are limited to what they have on hand, and what they have on hand from their website doesn't seem to be much, and you are not willing to wait the 3-4 days from newegg, I would say get the 5670. At your resolution it shouldn't be TOO much of a problem. However, just going straight into microcenter, they seem to not have too wide a variety on the $100 price market (which should include all of the cards I posted above)

 

[jonnyboyC]

I would actually go with nrnx suggestion, at 90 dollars, the gts 250gts is similiar in performance actually alittle better looking at the toms charts for sum of 1650-1050, is slightly higher on the chart. and you can get it today

 

[ocada]

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0320361

So this look good?

And does this compare to the 4850? If so, its right at the same price point and readily available. I just now need a psu. Here's a list: http://microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?coordinate_group=HB5F

Thanks guys you've been a great help. As an aside, am I being stubborn in not just doing newegg? Or am I getting pretty comparable gear for the same price and getting it today?

For comparison's sake, the recommended combo of 4850 and corsair 400w psu is $175 total from new egg.

The 250gts and same PSU would cost me $195 from microcenter.

Or for $210 i can get the antec basic 500w PSu and a 5750. I love how I managed to blow my budget so quickly .

 

[ocada]

How is this PSU? http://www.frys.com/product/6159859

 

[jyjjy]

For comparison's sake, the recommended combo of 4850 and corsair 400w psu is $175 total from new egg.

The recommended combo is actually $162, $152 if you count the rebate.
If you are willing to pay the extra to get this stuff today then there's no reason not to go for it and get the GTS 250 instead. It's your money after all.
The Earthwatts 430w is fine and about on par with the Corsair 400w

 

[Bluescreendeath]

A GTS250 is pretty good as well. It basically performs equal to the 4850.

Here are two good BFG PSUs:

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0326034
This 450watt one has 25amps usable on 12v rails (~300watts).

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0294054
This 650watt one has 38amps usable on 12v rails (~450watts)

Both will run a single GTS250 just fine, while the 38amp one can probably run two in SLi.

The one you listed has a combined max of 34amps? (it doesn't say what it's actual usable amp is so it's probably lower)

All of those choices are fine, but I'd go with the 650watt BFG PSU since it's better and only $5 more.

 

[ocada]

The recommended combo is actually $162, $152 if you count the rebate.
If you are willing to pay the extra to get this stuff today then there's no reason not to go for it and get the GTS 250 instead. It's your money after all.
The Earthwatts 430w is fine and about on par with the Corsair 400w

My cart is showing $175 with tax and the rebate included. But right now I'm liking the 250 and the 450 watt PSU listed below by bluescreen. That should run me $166.

 

[jyjjy]

Ah, you are in one of the unfortunate states(CA, NJ, TN) where newegg charges tax.
The GTS 250 and that PSU should do the trick.

 

[ocada]

Awesome, thanks for all your help guys. This is basically the first time I've bought a serious upgrade to a video card and I feel good about it. Thanks again.

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, it should be great for your resolution. Crysis is probably the only game you wont be able to max out or at least come close. If you do decide to get a better monitor at some point it should do well up to 1680x1050