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Melvinmerrill

Honorable
Aug 2, 2012
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10,510
Hello,
Im looking to upgrade some components of my older system:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400(2.66GHz)
4MB L2 Cache
8GB DDR2 800
1TB SATA 5400RPM
NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Graphics with 1GB
300W psu
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

I don't play a ton of games, mostly diablo 3. Looking to play guild wars 2 soon. My budget is about $350, or less. Not using an 1080p monitor currently, but will in the future. Was thinking about a gtx 560, new 650 wat corsair psu, and maybe a 120gb ssd. Or lose the drive and get a 7850 instead of the gtx560. Also I do plan on upgrading the motherboard ram and CPU eventually. Suggestions? Comments?
 
Solution
mocchan
I would suggest getting a quality 550w PSU paired with a HD7850. That should bring some second life into your system for gaming.

You might want to consider investing in a small SSD (60GB) for your OS as well, since your 5400RPM is just...well...yeah :lol: not the best.

MSI Twin Frozr HD7850 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

XFX Core 550w PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Crucial M4 64GB SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

The total of these components with discounts - $394.97

After Rebates - $364.97

It's a little over budget, but this is the route I would take :) You can carry these components to your new rig when you build it as...
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mocchan

mocchan

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Dec 28, 2011
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I would suggest getting a quality 550w PSU paired with a HD7850. That should bring some second life into your system for gaming.

You might want to consider investing in a small SSD (60GB) for your OS as well, since your 5400RPM is just...well...yeah :lol: not the best.

MSI Twin Frozr HD7850 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127663

XFX Core 550w PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Crucial M4 64GB SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148441

The total of these components with discounts - $394.97

After Rebates - $364.97

It's a little over budget, but this is the route I would take :) You can carry these components to your new rig when you build it as well.
 
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JefferyD90

JefferyD90

Honorable
Jun 1, 2012
842
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11,160
somewhat agreed... but I think you could get by with a 7770 and get a nice monitor if you dont have one already.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5220691&sku=A204-2404 129.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2060885&sku=P450-7770 139.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3276574&sku=ULT-LSP550 49.99

If you do have a nice 23"+ 1080p monitor then use, then get a SSD like dude said...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2267400&CatId=5298 114.99
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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Dec 28, 2011
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For how the HD7770 is priced, I would prefer to spend $10 extra and get an HD6850.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7229007&CatId=3669
http://www.hwcompare.com/11925/radeon-hd-6850-vs-radeon-hd-7770/

Personally I would take the XFX PSU I listed over the Ultra you have listed, for many reasons.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Higher Amps on the +12v rail (30A on +12v compared to 44A on +12v), 80+ Bronze certified, and it's $25 off counting the discount and rebate, making it $49.99. Much better value IMO.

 
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Melvinmerrill

Honorable
Aug 2, 2012
7
0
10,510
I do like the 7850 as I think it would last for a while. However, I only currently have about 9.5 inches of space in the pci slot. Which limits some of my choices, including some 6850s. (I like dual fans as they tend to be quieter). Also wouldn't the 7850 be a bit of overkill currently? I don't have a nice monitor currently. Thanks for the suggestions by the way.
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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Dec 28, 2011
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What is your monitor resolution?
 
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JefferyD90

JefferyD90

Honorable
Jun 1, 2012
842
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I got dude under budget too, so dont forget that... Plus whats the point of having a 7850 if you are using a small 19" monitor to play on? The 7770 will do just about anything you want of it at 1080, I think the only games you would ever need to turn down would be BIG title games...
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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Dec 28, 2011
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If I had compromised on the GPU and had chosen the 6850, I would've been under budget too ;)

That's beside the point, where did OP state his monitor size? I must have missed it.

I understand that the HD7770 will play games just fine @1080p, but I find it to be out of the question when you consider the price point of the HD6850. Performs better, only a little more power consumption, and only $10 more.

@ OP

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353

Under details are the card's dimensions. It comes close at 9.06 inches :)
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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Dec 28, 2011
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1920x1080 would be the most optimal for a 7850.

Up until 1680x1050, the HD6850-HD6870 for Radeons, or GTX560-GTX560 Ti for Nvidia would do the trick.
 
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mocchan

mocchan

Splendid
Dec 28, 2011
3,580
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That SSD is actually very good and it's priced very reasonably at the moment ($99 on newegg). Highly recommend it
 
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