Upgrading 4830

[amplex007]

Hey guys, I'm looking to upgrade the graphics card on my current build which I've had for a few years now. My current system looks like this:

AMD 3.1GHz Dual Core (no OC)
4 GB DDR2 800 RAM
HD 4830 (no OC)
480 W PSU
Samsung monitor at 1024 x 768

Any advice on a good upgrade? Basically I play most games like DA:2, DA:O, Oblivion, and Fallout 3 at 1024 x 768, and Ill have occasional hiccups in FPS when I play at max settings. Crysis on the other hand I play at 1600 x 1200 and I can only play at High settings with no AA, and I still only get 20-30 FPS. I'm looking to play all games (including Crysis) at max settings with at least some AA turned on.

I have no real budget (although under $250 would be preferable), I just want to avoid overkill. I just want a card that will last me a few more years till i build a whole new rig. ATI or Nvidia are both fine, and I generally shop at Newegg.com.

Thanks for your help!

P.S. If you wanna suggest any other performance upgrades, feel free. Unfortunately my MoBo doesnt support AM3 socket so I'm limited when it comes to upgrading the CPU.

 

[borisof007]

Well, based on your requirement of wanting to play games at "max settings with some AA" you're going to need to do a few upgrades.

At the baseline, you're going to need to upgrade your GPU and PSU.

A 6850 + 550-600 watt PSU would be a good start.

Next step, I'd actually upgrade your monitor. That resolution's terrible and doesn't do your games justice. A 1680x1050 monitor for $100-150 would be a good start.

 

[mdsiu]

Well, based on your requirement of wanting to play games at "max settings with some AA" you're going to need to do a few upgrades.

At the baseline, you're going to need to upgrade your GPU and PSU.

A 6850 + 550-600 watt PSU would be a good start.

Next step, I'd actually upgrade your monitor. That resolution's terrible and doesn't do your games justice. A 1680x1050 monitor for $100-150 would be a good start.

Upgrade the monitor before doing anything else. Go for 1920x1080 they are $125+. That card should be able to get decent framerates at 1360x768 with low to medium settings. Upgrade if you are unhappy with that. Doing anything right now with that monitor is overkill IMHO.

 

[jb6684]

Too many people under estimate the importance of a strong, quality power supply. Choose one from Corsair, Antec TP, or Seasonic...
650watts will work for any single GPU system.
850Watts will work for all but the highest end dual GPU systems.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Then any 6850, 6870, 5870, will get you going..... BUT you need two of these cards to max out Crysis or Cysis2 even @ 1600x1200 (I'm running 2 5870's to hit 50--60 FPS on those games...)

I think the 5870 is the best bargain right now like this card on sale for $199 (these cards went for over $400 last year....)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125326

another $80 for the Antec TP 650 watt supply and you can play at 50-60 just NOT at max settings....



Since dual cards need the right motherboard, a good case, and the bigger 850watt supply

IF you had a $600+ budget, then go with a 6950, 6970, GTX570, or GTX580..... and an the Antec TP.... that would get your real close to 50 FPS on max settings..... hey, max eye candy is REAL expensive....

 

[amplex007]

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up ordering a new 24" 1920 x 1080 monitor off Newegg and a 6850. I had been wondering about my power supply though... I read that minimum recommended PSU for 6850 is 500 W. Should I definitely upgrade my 450 W (I incorrectly put 480 W in my post)? What would be the consequences of hot having enough power? Thanks!

BTW As far as my current monitor is concerned, it has a max resolution of 1600 x 1200, but everything is way too small in Windows (and in games) to use it. Its only 20" so perhaps thats my problem.

 

[jb6684]

Yes, you need a new power supply 600--650 watts will do for a Single GPU system :
- to avoid crashes and BSOD during gaming
- because the CPU doesn't get the power it needs
- and/or the GPU doesn't get the power it needs
- if you run your supply that hard all the time, its going to run hot & loud
- and your power supply will fail prematurely, sometimes frying parts of computer along with it


SOOOO, yeah, buy a power supply ASAP !

You need a good brand like Corsair, Antec, or Seasonic...............

Here is one that's on sale that will get the job done right: $55

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139019


Or these are a bit better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371048

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005