Upgrading 4 year old PC for friend

[xAnimosity]

Hey everyone!

I just built a new rig and was going to give my old one to a buddy who is to poor to build a new one.

I think the biggest upgrade this computer needs is just a new GPU.

it currently has -

geforce 8600 gts
8g ddr2 ram (just upgraded that)
550w psu
mobo - http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.us.asp?Model=4Core1600Twins-P35
quad core processor, cant remember specific model. but it was almost top of the line 4 years ago.

could anyone please recommend the best GPU for this build? i live in the US and would like to buy from newegg, amazon or best buy (buddy works there and gets discounts)

any help would be appreciated.

 

[jsc]

Which 550 watt PSU? That will make a difference in how powerful a video the system will support without upgrading the power supply.

Also, what is your budget?

 

[g-unit1111]

Which 550 watt PSU? That will make a difference in how powerful a video the system will support without upgrading the power supply.

Also, what is your budget?

Yeah I agree we definitely need a bit more info to go on. Your GPU is determined by what PSU you have.

 

[xAnimosity]

awesome i found my receipt with all the specs.

600w coolmaster cxi series
intel quad core2 2.4 ghz

for budget, cant really say maybe $100. if its mostly just the GPU to upgrade. what is the best he can get for the current mobo, processor and psu?

thanks again

 

[xAnimosity]

bump, any help i would appreciate.

 

[g-unit1111]

awesome i found my receipt with all the specs.

600w coolmaster cxi series
intel quad core2 2.4 ghz

for budget, cant really say maybe $100. if its mostly just the GPU to upgrade. what is the best he can get for the current mobo, processor and psu?

thanks again

As long as your motherboard (I'm guessing Intel 945? 975?) has PCI-e x 2.0 you should be able to run any graphics card you want. If you want the best bang for your buck right now - no question it's the Sapphire Radeon 6850. You can find them for about $160 - $170 on Newegg - the Flex model with Eyefinity will run a bit more.

If you wanted to spend a bit more I'd recommend going with a EVGA Geforce GTX 560.

 

[swifty_morgan]

what monitor/resolution ? what PS ? budget ?

 

[xAnimosity]

what monitor/resolution ? what PS ? budget ?

Im not sure his monitor size, i am guessing 19-21inch. PSU/budget stated above.

And this mobo doesnt seem to have PCIe 2.0. Its quite an old model.

 

[DXRick]

$100 budget?? I would scour Ebay for a deal on a new/used older model, like an ATI 5850 or GTX 460.

 

[swifty_morgan]

a 1gig 6750 would probably be your best bet for the price/performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161395


vga charts

http://www.guru3d.com/article/vga-charts-spring-2011/

6750 is almost exact 5750