Upgrading Computer for Gaming

[saje43]

Hey everyone, I'm looking to upgrade my MoBo to better suit my gaming habits. I'd like to stay under 200$ for the MoBo if I can. Can't post all the specs of what I'm running currently (at work) but I currently am running 8gb of DDR2 800, 1gb 9800gt and an E5200 CPU 2.5ghz dual core. I'm just looking for overclocking capabilities and just a solid motherboard for gaming. I recently got The Witcher 2 and it's driving me crazy! Oh, and currently on 64-bit Vista..

By the way, here's a link to my current MoBo.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121351R

 

[mgf derp]

You could also instaed get an AMD Phenom II x4 955 and an ASrock A770-DE. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157226 Together those would cost you ~$170 and you can use your ram,HDD,psu, graphics card. Just a thought

 

[saje43]

Hmm, never ran AMD. Just worried what kind of changes would be in store if I did.. And if everything I have currently will be compatible. Granted, I know I'd need a new CPU.

 

[mgf derp]

Everything but the motherboard and cpu are universal as long as the motherboard excepts DDR2 which that one does. And as shown in this article the 955 is a few steps up from the 5200 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2951-5.html

 

[saje43]

I see that, the processor looks great. I'm just trying to maximize my game performance on a budget. Hopefully the 8gb of DDR2 800 can manage that..

 

[striker410]

And Saje, remember that you have to factor in OS costs. With a motherboard switch, you have to do one of 2 things.
1. Call up microsoft for a new code. (retail version)
2. Reinstall OS with another copy. (OEM version)

Figure out which type you have and respond accordingly.

 

[mgf derp]

As of now 4Gb is enough for games so your 8Gb is more then enough. The other thing is you wont see a peformance increase from ram unless you upgrade to DDR3. If you want to do that get these items:
AMD Phenom II x4 955 $115
ASRock M3A770DE mobo $60http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176
GSkill DDR3 1333mhz 4Gb (2x2Gb) ram $40 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
I know its a little over budget but its just an idea.

 

[mgf derp]

And Saje, remember that you have to factor in OS costs. With a motherboard switch, you have to do one of 2 things.
1. Call up microsoft for a new code. (retail version)
2. Reinstall OS with another copy. (OEM version)

Figure out which type you have and respond accordingly.

If you have your product key you can just install the OS and use the key as it is good for up to three uses or three computers.

 

[saje43]

That gives me a lot to think about! Thanks a lot you guys!

 

[mgf derp]

Sorry to not just say go for it and know you have to decide. Just like people to get the most for there money.

 

[tph15]

Hmm, never ran AMD. Just worried what kind of changes would be in store if I did.. And if everything I have currently will be compatible. Granted, I know I'd need a new CPU.

amd will work just fine, its cheaper and you will see a performance boost from your last cpu and mobo

 

[mgf derp]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660353 Or you could get this combe for $180 and use the GSKill ram I posted earlier and have a Sandy Bridge build that will out game the Phenom 955. Overbudgt by $20 then but better performance according to this article:http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-10.html.
Sorry about trying to get you to spend more money but I am just trying to present all possible options. Then again you could upgrade the 9800gt and see if that helps but personally I would upgrade the cpu and save up for a new graphics card down the road (or ask for one during the Holidays if possible). Hope this helps

 

[saje43]

Man, here I was thinking my video card was great.

 

[saje43]

So, color me inexperienced.. The i3 and the i processors are faster than the normal quad cores or?

 

[saje43]

Okay, looking at processors..I've decided I think I want to go with the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=19-103-808&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3 . Now, I could use you guys experience to figure out the best MoBo I could get that coincides with the DDR2 800 I use now. I need four slots. And, just remember I want to game...Like a badass. Haha, but a badass on a budget.

 

[mgf derp]

The 9800gt isnt bad (I still game with 8800gt's sometimes) its just not top tier anymore. As for motherboards the ASRock I recommended earlier would do you well
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157226 or go with this Asus (my brother has it with a Athlon II x3 unlocked and it is a very good board)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595

 

[striker410]

I second either of those boards.

Actually, speaking of the x3 that might be a good idea. See, right now games run optimally on 2 to 3 cores. That's starting to change to quads, but tri cores are an excellent value especially if you can unlock them.

 

[saje43]

Hah, don't hate me.. But now I have more money available but only through Dell! So, I guess the goal for me now is to build an awesome gaming laptop and I'll pursue the desktop upgrades in time. So, now I'm fighting between an alienware or an xps..

 

[mgf derp]

I really hate/love my gaming laptop. But if its going to work for you go with an Alienware, I like the m14's

 

[striker410]

I'd say XPS is for the win. The alienware line carries a huge premium. Can you spring for something like an MSI laptop, or is it ONLY Dell?

 

[saje43]

I guess the m14 wouldn't bother me, since I play on a 22in HD Monitor. But now I'm conflicted, as Striker says the Alienware's do carry a larger price tag. On the XPS I have built I'm looking at GeForce GT 555m and I think that's what I'm worried about. And yeah, striker it's just looking like Dell.

 

[saje43]

And the only reason I don't go with the dell desktop is because I already have a custom desktop (obviously) and I've needed/wanted a laptop for the longest time, so I figured why not make it a gaming rig. It would fulfill my needs for now, but I want it to be able to hold up for quite a few years too.

 

[saje43]

So, looking to you guys again.. I have a m14x set up for about 1900 dollars with the following specs.

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz w/Turbo Boost, 8MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English edit
MEMORY 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz edit
VIDEO CARD 3.0GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s edit
LCD PANEL 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel® Wireless-N WiFi Link 1000 a/g/n 1x2 edit
WIRELESSHD None edit
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical Drive edit
SOUND OPTIONS Soundblaster® X-Fi™ Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled edit
BLUETOOTH Internal Bluetooth 3.0

 

[striker410]

Looks pretty good! Obviously the most important part is the graphics. Here's an excellent benchmark: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-555M.41933.0.html If you scroll down, it shows a list of games and what the gt 555m can pull on them.

 

[saje43]

Alright, and here's my XPS build, although I have a processor question about it. This one is sitting at about 1800.

PROCESSOR 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i7-2820QM processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.40 GHz edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® Home Premium, 64-Bit, English edit
SERVICE PLAN 2 Year Home Express Service edit
HD DISPLAY 17.3" FHD (1080p) with 2.0MP HD Webcam & Facial Recognition edit
VIDEO CARD NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 3GB graphics with Optimus edit
HARD DRIVE 1.0TB 500GB 7.2k HDD x 2 edit
OFFICE SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word & Excel w/ ads. No PowerPoint or Outlook edit
SECURITY SOFTWARE McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-Months edit
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Tray Load Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD) edit
WIRELESS + BLUETOOTH Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1030 and Bluetooth 3.0 edit
SOUND OPTIONS JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3 + Creative SoundBlaster X-FI MB 1.2 edit