Upgrading from my AMD 5000+

wingz83

Honorable
Feb 22, 2012
7
0
10,510
Hi, I haven't been in the gaming scene for a while. I am currently running a AMD 5000+ with a ATI HD 3850, Antec 550w and 2gb Ram with Vista. I want to upgrade my system to todays gaming, and don't know what is the best bang for the buck. I would like to reuse some of my stuff, mainly want to upgrade my CPU and Mobo and then go from there to satisfy my gaming needs. I would like some suggestions on a setup that will go $200-$400. Game I'm looking at is Dirt3. I am debating on either i5 or 960T.
 
Solution
AMD parts:

MOBO : ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280
CPU : AMD Phenom II X4 960T Zosma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995
RAM : G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422
GPU : SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908
TOTAL : $401.96 and 387$ after mail in rebates.

INTEL parts:

MOBO : ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131716
CPU : Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
RAM : G.SKILL Value Series...
AMD parts:

MOBO : ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280
CPU : AMD Phenom II X4 960T Zosma
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995
RAM : G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422
GPU : SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908
TOTAL : $401.96 and 387$ after mail in rebates.

INTEL parts:

MOBO : ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131716
CPU : Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
RAM : G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422
GPU : SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908
TOTAL : $399.96 and 386$ after mail in rebates.
With both options you get a free Dirt 3 game coupon.
If you drop the memory to 4GB Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748
you can buy a 6870 video card SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
If you want 8GB RAM you must to raise your budget with 15$ to buy 6870 video card.
 
Solution

wingz83

Honorable
Feb 22, 2012
7
0
10,510
Will those setups allow me to run high settings for dirt3? I was wondering if extra $80 of the i5-2400 make a difference in gaming compared to the i3-2120 with the setup stated by sosofm?