Upgrading tomorrow! OCing with s775

[Hybridstigmata]

hello tomshardware-ers :]
Upgrading tomorrow! Budget range 200~300

SYSTEM USAGE: Occasional gaming [SC2, various FPS], photoshop, general use

CURRENT SPECS (after today's upgrade):
Windows 7 x64
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400, 2.80GHz
Motherboard: MSI P43 Neo-F (MS-7519)
RAM: DDR2 4GB [ 2gb kingston + 2gb micron ]
GPU: Nvidia Geforce GT 240. 512mb
PSU: Corsair HX-650
Cooler: Hyper 212+
(peripherals not necessary)

PREFERRED PURCHASE METHOD: Visiting a decent store.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes.
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe in the far future.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure as of yet (monitor in transit). 23"

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I can give the parts I am left with (after upgrade) to my sister.
Unsure whether to;
upgrade GPU and try OC
upgrade MOBO/(cpu?)/(ram?) and properly OC

[p.s. I will probably be upgrading again in 1.5 years]

manymany thanks !

 

[banthracis]

I don't really like either the CPU or GPU, but the GPU is what's holding back system performance ATM.

For $200, biggest upgrade I can think of is grabbing a 4890
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150438&cm_re=4890-_-14-150-438-_-Product

It's last gen, but honestly the biggest upgrade I can think of for the money on a single PCIE 2.0 slot board.

Won't have DX11 and eyefinity obviously.

 

[tainted_peak]

Overclock your CPU to atleast 3.5ghz and get this card. This is a little better buy than the one stated above. Direct X11 also

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150481

 

[MadAdmiral]

The 5830 isn't more powerful than the 4890.

I'm going to dissent slightly. I think a better upgrade choice would be the CPU/board/RAM as it sets you up for a future upgrade. I'd go with:

CPU: X3 440 $75
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 $120 after rebate
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 2x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 $120

Total: $315. You could cut the costs a little by getting some CL 8 or 9 or 1333 mhz. Or you could cut it a lot and get a non-Crossfire board (GA-770TA-UD3 in combo with CPU).

 

[banthracis]

Problem is he says he won't be upgrading again for 1.5 years, and I don't like the idea of that GPU for another 1.5 yrs >.<

 

[MadAdmiral]

True. I'm also thinking more of an improvement for SC 2 over other games too. Depending on the resolution, the GPU should hold up for a little while longer...

 

[Hybridstigmata]

Thanks all :]

I'm going into year 12 at the end of this year, so I won't be gaming too much. I guess I can live ..

my resolution would be around 1900x1080 btw.

will the x3 440 hold its ground in price for over 2 years?

 

[builderbobftw]

At 1080P you would want a 5850 and OC that CPU.

In some games that arn't to highly bound by the CPU you're build should hold up nicely, in the majority of games, the GPU is the main factor.

Or you could head on over to microcenter, and pick up a Q9550 for 180$.

(OCs nicely to 4.0+ if you get the E0)

A Q9550 and a 5850 would keep you goign for a few years.

I( can't say I would recomend a new motherboard or memory honestly)

 

[liquidsnake718]

Well you can somewhat OC that CPU as its almost the same as a e7500 which is slightly ocd from your CPU.

I would suggest getting a better GPU to power your system and play most games. What is your actual budget for gaming/GPU? PLs try to sell that GT240, its really not worth keeping on your system which has alot of potential. Just get at the very least a GTS250 or a, 5770, or a 4870. These GPU's are still very good and can play most games at their high settings.

You will thank me for this as you will immediatly see and feel the difference.

 

[Hybridstigmata]

Ah. My 'cancelled' order got processed LOL.

MSI 5770 HAWK it is.

I guess I'll just research overclocking and how my old board will do.

 

[megamanx00]

That 5770 is a good choice and of course overclocking it will stretch it's life even longer. In a year or two you can add another 5770 and run them in crossfire. Anyway, your motherboard has some overclocking options so just read an LGA775 overclocking guide and you should be able to get a decent overclock out of your CPU. When overclocking the mixed RAM will likely be the limiting factor. I recommend you get a good tower cooler for your CPU and you may also want to get a small fan to attach to the north bridge.

 

[Hybridstigmata]

Best answer selected by HybridStigmata.