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New CPU or new video card

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GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H motherboard
AMD phenom x4 3.0ghz
PNY gold 1066 ddr2
Sapphire Radeon HD4870
WD Caviar green 320 gb
Thats my current system

i have the GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H motherboard, and after reading http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/socket-am3-phenom,2... i thought i could get a phenom 2 and put it in my current system until i can afford a motherboard and DDR3 RAM or would that not work
I was also thinking of getting a 5850. Which should i get first, would the motherboard work, or should i just keep my current stuff and wait for the next generation which will inevitably come out 3 days after i buy this stuff?

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Homebuilt system Master
Motherboard Expert

I would hit that HD 5850 in a snap (for instant gains in games) - though PhenomI a.k.a Agenas aren't as good as the Denebs if u can eek out 3ghz or a tad higher it's all good
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Homebuilt system Master
Motherboard Master

Your cpu and gpu are both balanced and good.

I would expect that at 1920 x 1080 you are more limited by the gpu than the cpu.

To get some insight, run these two tests:

1) Run your games, but reduce the resolution and eye candy to a minimum. This will simulate what will happen if you upgrade to a stronger graphics card. If your FPS improves, it indicates that your cpu is capable of driving a stronger graphics card to higher levels of FPS.

2) Keeping your graphics resolution and settings the same, reduce your cpu power. Do this by removing the overclock, or by using windows power management to set a maximum cpu% of perhaps 70%. If your FPS drops significantly, it indicates that your current cpu is a limiting factor, and that a faster cpu would help.

You might want to wait though.
In time for Christmas, I expect to see some updated graphics cards and prices.
Also, sandy bridge is due in that timeframe.

If you are inclined to upgrade your gpu now, make it a jump of several tiers or you will be disappointed.
It needs to be at the 5870/GTX480 level.

Ok, you're right, i should get the new GPU first, and yea i was planning on waiting for a while because i won't even have enough money for a while (With New Vegas and whatnot). And then, maybe if i get enough Christmas money, ill be close to getting the CPU.

Also, i think the very first thing i need is a case with the size on these new cards. My 4870 barely fits right now and the 5870 is huge.
Homebuilt system Master
Motherboard Master

ererr10 said:
Ok, you're right, i should get the new GPU first, and yea i was planning on waiting for a while because i won't even have enough money for a while (With New Vegas and whatnot). And then, maybe if i get enough Christmas money, ill be close to getting the CPU.

Also, i think the very first thing i need is a case with the size on these new cards. My 4870 barely fits right now and the 5870 is huge.


Perhaps not. the new GTX460 is 8.5" long.
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