Upgrading current PC

[bdiddy11]

Looking to upgrade my current PC... Has the M2N-E Asus mobo and a lowly CPU.

What i'll be doing with the PC: School work, Photoshop, Video softwares, CoD etc.

Been bouncing around a couple different video cards and not sure which way to go...found this deal but not sure how the XFX PSU is.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.597411

also been looking at the nVidia GTS 450 (Fermi)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125342

for a CPU I've been looking at the x3 450 Rana

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

Trying to make the best upgrades I can for around $300. I can upgrade more stuff once I replace + sell my current stuff.

I'd like to upgrade the mobo as well, not a priority at the moment but down the road...so if I could get some input on PSU/Video Card and if that processor will suit my needs that'd be great.

 

[WR2]

Excellent PSU: XFX 650 W XXX Edition Power Supply Review

What resolution is your monitor?

 

[WR2]

What version of the M2N-E do you have?

M2N-E
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=NFlvt10av3F7ayQ9

M2N-E SLI
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=NJ8fkR6ufRM9XvFC

Check the CPU support lists for each version.

 

[bdiddy11]

New monitor is yet to be bought... looking for the biggest/cheapest I can get, so most likely a 22" Acer from CL or something. I'm not too worried about playing in full resolution as long as I can still play with it fairly large. Currently using a 17" Samsung Syncmaster and trying to ugprade on a budget.

The mobo is the regular version M2N-E. From what I read I have to mod the BIOS a little bit but that CPU is posted is supported. The mobo will be upgraded, just not right away.

Trying to get a new CPU/PSU/Vid Card first.

I'm still looking for good combo deals to save money and get what I need. That's how I stumbled onto the XFX deal just wasn't sure how good the PSU was. Even though on Newegg it doesn't say it's the XXX version it look exactly the same.

 

[WR2]

Even though on Newegg it doesn't say it's the XXX version it look exactly the same.

http://xfxforce.com/en-us/products/psu/xxx/p1-650x-cag9.aspx
If you look at the XFX website you'll see it's called the XFX 650W XXX Edition Modular PSU with Green Cooling Fan (P1-650X-CAG9).
There is also a version without the green fan: http://xfxforce.com/en-us/products/psu/xxx/P1-650X-CAH9.aspx

 

[WR2]

A GTS 450 runs just about even in performance with a HD 5770.
Either of those cards would give excellent performance with a 1680x1050 or 1600x900 resolution monitor. A good 400~450W PSU would be enough power for a system with a X3 450 CPU and one of those cards.

 

[bdiddy11]

Ok i'm about to pull the trigger on my buy... this is what i've come down to...

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

CPU, 450 rana still

Graphics Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133343

Comes out to roughly $270...is there a big difference between the GTS 450 and a GTX 460? Cheapest I can find a quality name brand GTX 460 is $140ish and GTS is $110ish. Would it be better to spend a few more dollars or am I not going to see a big enough difference to make it worthwhile?