CPU versus GPU Upgrade

[Mulder19]

Hi, all. Specs in sig. I have some cash for an upgrade, and I am considering which component to target first. Since I have LGA775, I can only upgrade to the Intel Q series 4-cores. I found a Q9450 for $220, which I would OC. However, Newegg is currently selling a 5850 for 240 after mail in rebate. I know I will get a bigger performance boost from the 5850, but I am worried that high end 775 CPUs will get more expensive in the future as fewer are produced and people are more desperate for upgrades. What do you guys think?

 

[Petey1013]

No point upgrading to a 775 Quad at this point. They're still super expensive. You'd be better off saving your money to jump to i5/i7. You could get an i5 760 for 200 or under (cheaper then your Q9450) and get a mobo for $100 bucks and probably still use ur old ram (although I'd upgrade).

That'd be a better investment I think.

 

[enzo matrix]

depends on what games you play.
FSX, Dragon age, most console ports all use 3-4 cores but few will see as large a FPS increase as you would with a 5850 upgrade.

Personally, I say wait and save up for a motherboard, ram, CPU and GPU upgrade all in one.

 

[enzo matrix]

and probably still use ur old ram (although I'd upgrade).

Name even one icore platform that supports DDR2 memory.
integrated memory controller on all icore models only support DDR3 memory. A motherboard manufacturer couldn't make it support DDR2 if they wanted to. Hmm, well I guess they could create some kind of adapter or something but it would add a hell of a lot of latency.

 

[Petey1013]

Name even one icore platform that supports DDR2 memory.
integrated memory controller on all icore models only support DDR3 memory. A motherboard manufacturer couldn't make it support DDR2 if they wanted to. Hmm, well I guess they could create some kind of adapter or something but it would add a hell of a lot of latency.

Yeah that was a big assumption on my part, and you know what happens when you assume

 

[jonpaul37]

Agreed with both posters.

Save up to get a new platform such as i5/i7 or Phenom II all will require DDR3 RAM

 

[Mulder19]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll wait a while and get a 5850 when the price drops. Save up money for a new platform, and get it when i5 prices drop. Are the next gen of Intel procs going to be on 1156?

 

[enzo matrix]

Are the next gen of Intel procs going to be on 1156?

No. They will be split between two brand new sockets. 1155 and an unnamed one (some say 2011 but I say that's just rumour name)

 

[Mulder19]

Best answer selected by Mulder19.

 

[Mulder19]

That sounds like a plan, ever think about nVidia cards.?
Plus the ATI 6000 series will be dropping after awhile too.

Well, I really want three monitor support for my job, specifically a three-way extended desktop. I know the 470 is a bit faster and has physx, but as far as I know only the 5850 supports three monitors.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey