Ads
Tom's Guide > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > Homebuilt > $150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?...

$150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?...

Forum Homebuilt Systems : Homebuilt $150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?...

Related Content
You have searched for "$150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?..." . You might be interested in the following threads:

See more for "$150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?..."

Can't find your answer?
Ask!
Word :    Username :           
 
hobojoe58   02-13-2012 at 09:27:31 PM

Hey so I wrote a post a couple of weeks ago assuming I would have $300 to upgrade my PC as it turns out I really only have $150 to spend on upgrades. So with that said what would be the best bang for my buck performance wise? Can it be done with a dash of future proof?!
I am currently gaming @ 1078x768 and 1360x768 on this build:

X2 5600+, ocz 2GB ram, 8800 GTS 320, 650 psu, 300gb raptor.

I can adequately play modern games but I would like to play MORE than just adequately @ cool temps under load.
I have been intrigued with the possibility of an APU solution like an A6-3670K Unlocked or would it make more sense to stick a $100 GPU in this rig and call it a day? What would you do for the money? Any ideas or experience welcome!

------------------------------ Current Specs:
EVGA 590 SLI Mobo (AM2)
AMD 64 X2 6000+ (3ghz)
2x SLI PNY 8800 GTS 320MBs
Reply to hobojoe58
Register or log in to remove.
QuietPC   02-13-2012 at 10:48:42 PM

A few more details please:
DDR2 or 3?
How many ram slots open?
Brand of psu?

Without any details I would get to 4gb of ram and put a better video card in and call it a day.

------------------------------ Remember that opinions are free so you get what you pay for
 Reply to QuietPC
hobojoe58   02-13-2012 at 11:31:19 PM

Yea its DDR2 I have 2 slots open, and the psu is BFG.

------------------------------ Current Specs:
EVGA 590 SLI Mobo (AM2)
AMD 64 X2 6000+ (3ghz)
2x SLI PNY 8800 GTS 320MBs
Reply to hobojoe58
QuietPC   02-14-2012 at 12:10:15 AM

Then the recommendation stands. Add 2gb of ram that matches and upgrade the gpu for the money those are the most bang for the buck.

------------------------------ Remember that opinions are free so you get what you pay for
 Reply to QuietPC
hobojoe58   02-14-2012 at 12:20:36 AM

So what would even be a substantial upgrade from my 8800? Keepin in mind Im running an older AM2 Dual core I dont want to bottleneck the GPU too badly....

Any opinions on the new AMD APUs? I could couple my cpu and gpu needs? Are there any valid reasons not to game this way? drivers too early to tell?

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Current Specs:
EVGA 590 SLI Mobo (AM2)
AMD 64 X2 6000+ (3ghz)
2x SLI PNY 8800 GTS 320MBs
Reply to hobojoe58
QuietPC   02-14-2012 at 11:53:18 PM

hobojoe58 wrote :

So what would even be a substantial upgrade from my 8800? Keepin in mind Im running an older AM2 Dual core I dont want to bottleneck the GPU too badly....

Any opinions on the new AMD APUs? I could couple my cpu and gpu needs? Are there any valid reasons not to game this way? drivers too early to tell?



How much do you have left after upgrading the ram another 2gb? Assuming it's around $100 a 6670 or 6770 and it should work ok with your present system. Here is a link to the Feb Toms Gpu report: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 107-3.html

------------------------------ Remember that opinions are free so you get what you pay for
 Reply to QuietPC
hobojoe58   02-15-2012 at 10:46:22 PM

I have $120 left after the RAM, would the 6670 or 6770 still the best bang for the buck or should I save $30 more and get a 6850? Or would a 6850 be bottled necked too badly?

------------------------------ Current Specs:
EVGA 590 SLI Mobo (AM2)
AMD 64 X2 6000+ (3ghz)
2x SLI PNY 8800 GTS 320MBs
Reply to hobojoe58
QuietPC   02-15-2012 at 10:48:49 PM

A 6850 would be a nice upgrade and is, in my opinion, worth the cost.

------------------------------ Remember that opinions are free so you get what you pay for
 Reply to QuietPC
termhn   02-15-2012 at 11:37:28 PM

It might be bottlenecked right now, but it'll be able to stick around for a while so that when you have the money to upgrade the CPU, the CPU won't be bottlenecked by the GPU, and you'll still see performance increases right now.

So: 2 more GB RAM
6870 if you want to spend the extra $30 or 6850 at $20 over or $6790 at $10 over. Anything below, I would just wait for another $10-$20 in the budget then upgrade :P or just buy ram for now and wait for another $10-$20.

Reply to termhn
hobojoe58   02-16-2012 at 06:03:36 AM

Hell yes great advice I am soooo getting a 6850! Thankyou termhn (you da mhn) and Quiet stay loud! Will update with gains and stains. Toms fans = DEEP FRIED ORGASM.

------------------------------ Current Specs:
EVGA 590 SLI Mobo (AM2)
AMD 64 X2 6000+ (3ghz)
2x SLI PNY 8800 GTS 320MBs
Reply to hobojoe58
hobojoe58   02-21-2012 at 12:08:08 AM

Just unboxed and installed my new Sapphire 6850!!! This card is incredible!!! @ full load batman/crysis/skyrim 60fps+ never reaches above 45C underload! Wow. Thats with my old X2 dualcore, sooo impressed! Great bang for buck @ $140!! cant stop smiling!!! thanks again!

------------------------------ Current Specs:
EVGA 590 SLI Mobo (AM2)
AMD 64 X2 6000+ (3ghz)
2x SLI PNY 8800 GTS 320MBs
Reply to hobojoe58
Ask the community Add a reply
TomsGuide.com: Over 800,000 questions and answers to address all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
See all topics related to "$150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?..."
Tom's Guide > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > Homebuilt > $150 upgrade: new CPU/RAM/Mobo/Soul? Or new GPU?...
Go to:

There are 40 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.858 seconds
Tom's Guide around the World