Upgrading Graphics Card

[daenterpri]

Hello!

I am looking for some advice for upgrading my gaming computer. I put mine together a little over 2 years ago. Here is what I currently have:

- MSI G33M-FI LGA 775 Intel G33 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
- 2GB Corsair Dual Channel
- MSI N9600GT-T2D512 OC GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
- Microsoft XP

Overall it runs great! However, when playing the larger maps on Supreme Commander Forged Alliance, it starts to choke up mid game. There are some games like this that I would like to be able to play without chokeups or slow-downs, without going broke. So here are some questions:

- Should I just upgrade my graphics card?
- If so, should I get the new GTS/X or go with a 9800GT?
- Should I upgrade anything else?
- If so, any recommendations?

Thanks for your help!

 

[daenterpri]

I appreciate it very much! What's the best way to go about over clocking?

 

[daenterpri]

I believe I'm running a 2560x1600 resolution on the monitor. It does handle games pretty well for the most part. But where I'm at right now in this one game...its crawling

 

[EXT64]

That is a huge monitor resolution! What is your monitor?

 

[daenterpri]

Thanks for the help! Yeah, its a 30" monitor... is that my problem?

So, if I downgraded to say a 24" for my PC, maybe I would notice less slowness?

 

[EXT64]

If I had a 30" I wouldn't downgrade my monitor, I'd probably build a whole new PC just for it.

 

[renz496]

I believe I'm running a 2560x1600 resolution on the monitor. It does handle games pretty well for the most part. But where I'm at right now in this one game...its crawling

is that your native resolution?

 

[daenterpri]

is that your native resolution?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is. It's my work monitor. Typically hooked up to my work laptop, and then I plugin my gaming PC when I want to play

 

[daenterpri]

I like option 2! Setting to a lower resolution usually makes everything look like death. I think a 19-22" monitor would be fairly inexpensive to acquire these days. I really appreciate the help!

 

[daenterpri]

Thanks! I just checked, and it appears that I'm only using a 300W! Thought it was a 400W!

You mentioned earlier that you recommended upgrading the CPU if I was to upgrade the graphics card. What would your recommendation be for the CPU?

Thanks,

Andy