Upgrade graphic card or CPU, RAM and MoBo?

[jenkas]

Hi I gonna make an upgrade but I want to know what are better, upgrade the graphic card or other things like CPU, MoBo, and Memory I only use my PC for games, my system right now is:

MoBo: ECS A780GM-A AM2+
CPU: AMD Phenom X4 9750 2.4Ghz
RAM: Kingston 4Gb DDR2 800Mhz (2 x 2Gb)
HS: Coolermaster V8
HDD: Seagate 500Gb Sata II
VGA: Sapphire HD 4890 1Gb
PSU: Coolermaster 750W realpower

I was thinking to upgrade for a core i7 system (the cheapest x58 MoBo, CPU, and RAM) with my old HD 4890 or get one GTX 480 for less price than the other upgrade

What will be better for gaming?, and in the case that the VGA upgrade will be better, my PSU will handle the GTX 480 upgrade?

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
Upgrading your CPU to an i7/Phenom II X4 will give you a good boost,however what resolution do you play at ?

 

[jyjjy]

The ECS website isn't working at the moment but your motherboard should be able to handle a Phenom II and that's the only upgrade you really need.

 

[jenkas]

Hello and welcome to the forums
Upgrading your CPU to an i7/Phenom II X4 will give you a good boost,however what resolution do you play at ?

my resolution is 1680 x 1050.

You think it's better upgrade the CPU than the Graphic card for more FPS?

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, it is the processor that is limiting you. An HD4890 should still be very good for 1680x1050. With the latest BIOS your motherboard supports all current AMD chips;
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-ECS/A780GM-A%28V1.0%29.html
I would recommend a Phenom II x4 955.

 

[jenkas]

Yeah, it is the processor that is limiting you. An HD4890 should still be very good for 1680x1050. With the latest BIOS your motherboard supports all current AMD chips;
http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-ECS/A780GM-A%28V1.0%29.html
I would recommend a Phenom II x4 955.

in the specs of my board say that only support 95W CPU's.

with this BIOS upgrade can I get a 125w or 140w CPU and then my FPS gonna rise?

right now i run crysis ALL ultra high 1680 x 1050 AA8x but somethimes the FPS fall to 10-20 normaly are at 20-25 in some scenarios are at 30 (very rare); if i get the Phenom II 955 with no OC i can rise that FPS with the same sapphire HD4890 (it's not the OC edition)

 

[Mousemonkey]

in the specs of my board say that only support 95W CPU's.

with this BIOS upgrade can I get a 125w or 140w CPU and then my FPS gonna rise?

right now i run crysis ALL ultra high 1680 x 1050 AA8x but somethimes the FPS fall to 10-20 normaly are at 20-25 in some scenarios are at 30 (very rare); if i get the Phenom II 955 with no OC i can rise that FPS with the same sapphire HD4890 (it's not the OC edition)

I really can't see a BIOS update increasing the amount of power the CPU socket is able to supply as I think that is more likely to be limited by hardware as opposed to software.

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, you'll want to stick with 95w or lower. The 955 should be a very nice upgrade and will help noticeably in the more cpu intensive games.

 

[Maziar]

I agree with jyjjy.
Your resolution benefits from a faster CPU, and a 4890 can handle games fine on that res so get a newer CPU.(Phenom II X4/X6 series are great choices for upgrading)

 

[jenkas]

Yeah, you'll want to stick with 95w or lower. The 955 should be a very nice upgrade and will help noticeably in the more cpu intensive games.

then the 955 will run at 95W only? or there's a 955 95W version?

 

[jyjjy]

Hmm, I thought it was 95w. Anyway the ECS site is working now. They do list the 955 and even the x6 processors as working with your motherboard;
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=866&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=20&LanID=0

 

[jitpublisher]

Agree with others here, a better GPU isn't going to do anything for you without first upgrading that relatively slow CPU you have right now. And after you do that, you may discover the 4890 has a lot of life left to give.

 

[jenkas]

ok well thanks to all I gonna think and research a little bit more because I don't want to make a waste of money in the CPU if it does't gonna work with the mobo, because it is on the CPU list, but also it say that only support 95W and the 955 is a 125W CPU or i gonna see if i can get another mobo

I think i gonna need to ask ECS directly

 

[jyjjy]

I already linked the manufacturers website page they put up specifically to tell people what processors work on your motherboard. I don't know why they would lie.

 

[jenkas]

I already linked the manufacturers website page they put up specifically to tell people what processors work on your motherboard. I don't know why they would lie.

I better decide to not take the risk and made the complete upgrade I've already order a:

Mobo: ECS Black Series A890gxm-a (v1.0)
CPU: AMD Phenom II 1055t X6 2.8ghz 125w
Ram: Kingston Ddr3 4Gb (2Gbx2) 1333 Mhz

It's gonna be here by 29/09/2010 in the evening, I know there are too much people who think ECS don't give one, but I own one for 2 years and it rocks, maybe the black series is the beginning for a better quality mobos because my ECS A780GM-A AM2+ was great I hope the 890gx be better experience and most people beggin to go with ECS they deserve one chance.

And for the CPU I will OC to 3.4Ghz (i don't need more) and I have the HS v8 so i think it will be great cooling solution, the 1333Mhz memories will be changed in the future for a 1600Mhz, but in mexico are rather expensive right now I think the next year they will be more cheaper, but I think the 1333Mhz will do a great job

 

[jenkas]

Best answer selected by jenkas.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey