New Card: Does a 6850 even make since?

[rh535]

I thought i would have a new computer by now, but i decided on studying aboard instead. Because of this i was looking at just upgrading my GPU to hold me over for a year. I should have upgraded earlier, but like i said i thought i would have a new rig by now. I also wont use this card in my new rig next year. This card is just to hold me over. I currently have a eVga 8800 GTS 320MB. I was looking at a new 6850 or 6870. My monitor resolution is 1680 x 1050.

Budget: Under $175


My Specs:

Mobo – Asus P5W DH Deluxe
CPU – Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz : Running at 2.30
GPU - EVGA 320-P2-N817-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3
Memory - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) & Another set of name brand memory (2 x 1GB)
Monitor - SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms
Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb (I have 4 of these)
Keyboard – Microsoft Sidewinder X6
Mouse – Logitech G5
PSU – OCZ 600w

Games I play / want to play:

Battlefield 3
Saints Row 3
Mass Effect 3

Questions:

1. With my monitor resolution and CPU would a 6850 even be worth the money?

2. If not(1st Question), what would be the best card for me?

Thanks
rh535

 

[esrever]

Its probably not worth it since you won't be using it in the future, you might look to get a cheaper card like the 6670 or just keep your current card. Your cpu is really limiting if you do get a 6850.

 

[venur]

I thought i would have a new computer by now, but i decided on studying aboard instead. Because of this i was looking at just upgrading my GPU to hold me over for a year. I should have upgraded earlier, but like i said i thought i would have a new rig by now. I also wont use this card in my new rig next year. This card is just to hold me over. I currently have a eVga 8800 GTS 320MB. I was looking at a new 6850 or 6870. My monitor resolution is 1680 x 1050.

Budget: Under $175


My Specs:

Mobo – Asus P5W DH Deluxe
CPU – Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz : Running at 2.30
GPU - EVGA 320-P2-N817-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3
Memory - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) & Another set of name brand memory (2 x 1GB)
Monitor - SAMSUNG 226BW Black 22" 2 ms
Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb (I have 4 of these)
Keyboard – Microsoft Sidewinder X6
Mouse – Logitech G5
PSU – OCZ 600w

Games I play / want to play:

Battlefield 3
Saints Row 3
Mass Effect 3

Questions:

1. With my monitor resolution and CPU would a 6850 even be worth the money?

2. If not(1st Question), what would be the best card for me?

Thanks
rh535

No you won,t be able to run the 6850 at its full potential. Your CPU is just to slow for current games. Sadly your mobo won't work with the new CPU's same with your rams but a 600w PSU is good enough for a budget PC.

If you can afford it save your money and buy a new mobo + CPU + 2x 2Gb ram (even 2x4 GB would be good and pretty cheap). Should be around 400-500$

Then save some more and add a new GPU (150$ + can get you a nice one for a low res monitor). If you can dump 200-230$ the GPU will last you even longer.


Edit: I realy doubt you could run BF3 on playable setting no mather of you GPu with your current CPU. Especialy on multiplayer mode BF3 make a good use of multiple cores compare to most games.