Gaming Rig (time to upgrade?)

[wigglez]

I had a friend help me build my gaming rig about 4-5 years ago when I was playing WoW. I've had to replace a couple of parts of the years, but it's been the same for the most part. I've actually had to downgrade from a 8800 GTS to a 9600 GT because my 8800 died on me I was thinking of just upgrading my video card if it was at all possible, but I'm not sure if my current rig will be able to handle it. I feel like my video card may be the only thing that is holding me back from playing the more newer MMORPGs that are out now, which is mainly when I use my gaming rig for besides surfing the web and watching movies. These are the specs:


Case: Antec Sonata (case is maybe 6-7 years old now from when I built my first rig) Has only one fan in the back

PSU: OCZGXS700 (don't see it on newegg anymore)

Mobo: ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131142

CPU: Intel Pentium E6600 Wolfdale 3.06GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E6600 (not sure if the link is correct. I know it's a Intel E6600 though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-347-_-Product

HDD: WD 500 gig and Seagate 1tb

RAM: 2x CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X1024-6400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=cm2x1024-6400

Video Card: BFG Tech BFGE96512GTOCE GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143130

Monitor: Acer 21" (I think it's dead now. refer to this link as I created a thread about it: Is my LCD monitor dead? )
I was planning on upgrading to this if it really is my monitor that isn't work: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Asus-VH242...ReviewTitleBar



Ideally I'd like to just replace my monitor if it is the problem I'm having right now. It seems like my video card needs to be upgraded if I want to be able to play the newer MMORPGs. I was able to run WoW and even watch a movie (dual monitors) at the same time back when I use to play it. I hear these MMORPGs these days (even the free ones) require quite a bit more resources now compared to WoW which could run on almost any decent rig. Would I be able to run newer games like FF14 which will be coming out soon if I were to upgrade just my video card? I wouldn't mind shelling out the cash of upwards of $400 if it was just my video card which would need to be upgraded. I probably wouldn't want to spend more than $1200 on a new gaming rig if it came to it. I'd probably replace everything but my HDs as I would be donating my old PC to my brother.

[glc]

All you need for now is a video card upgrade and some more ram. 1gb ram is way too light these days.

I think your E6600 is the original 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo Conroe, not the Wolfdale.

[wigglez]

Originally Posted by glc All you need for now is a video card upgrade and some more ram. 1gb ram is way too light these days. I think your E6600 is the original 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo Conroe, not the Wolfdale.

oops! I forgot to say I actually have 2 sticks of them. And yes it's the original 2.4 ghz core 2 duo I believe. I just couldn't find it on newegg =)

Are there any video card recommendations? I'd like to get something that is medium to top end. I bought the 8800 GTS a few years ago when it was around $200-$250 as it was what everyone was getting and best bang for your buck. I'd like to get something in the similar range again and wouldn't mind spending a little extra if it's worth getting. This hand me down 9600 GT just seems to be lacking compared to my 8800 GTS which seemed like a beast.

[orbrit]

FFXIV is pretty resource intensive on CPU and GPU
I ran their benchmark with the rig in my signature and scored a 2500 on high res.
The benchmark didn't ues Crossfire so was on a single 5770


Score and Data

[8000 and over] Extremely High Performance
Easily capable of running the game on the highest settings.
[5500–7999] Very High Performance
Easily capable of running the game. Should perform exceptionally well, even at higher resolutions.
[4500-5499] High Performance
Easily capable of running the game. Should perform well, even at higher resolutions.
[3000-4499] Fairly High Performance
Capable of running the game on default settings. Consider switching to a higher resolution depending on performance.
[2500-2999] Standard Performance
Capable of running the game on default settings.
[2000-2499] Slightly Low Performance
Capable of running the game, but may experience some slowdown. Adjust settings to improve performance.
[1500-1999] Low Performance
Capable of running the game, but will experience considerable slowdown. Adjusting settings is unlikely to improve performance.
[Under 1500] Insufficient Performance
Does not meet specifications for running the game.

[glc]

The best gaming card in the $200 to $250 range is the Radeon HD 5830. If you must have a Nvidia, the GTX 465 is over $250 but the Radeon HD 5850 at the same price is a better card. The only Nvidia under $250 is the old GTX 260.

[wigglez]

Originally Posted by glc The best gaming card in the $200 to $250 range is the Radeon HD 5830. If you must have a Nvidia, the GTX 465 is over $250 but the Radeon HD 5850 at the same price is a better card. The only Nvidia under $250 is the old GTX 260.

I wouldn't mind what type of card it is as I don't really stick to one brand. Just whatever gives me the best performance for my money. How good are these cards in comparison to others? Like I said, I wouldn't mind spending extra if it was just my video card that I can replace and still keep this set up for another few years.

[wigglez]

Originally Posted by orbrit FFXIV is pretty resource intensive on CPU and GPU I ran their benchmark with the rig in my signature and scored a 2500 on high res. The benchmark didn't ues Crossfire so was on a single 5770 Score and Data [8000 and over] Extremely High Performance Easily capable of running the game on the highest settings. [5500–7999] Very High Performance Easily capable of running the game. Should perform exceptionally well, even at higher resolutions. [4500-5499] High Performance Easily capable of running the game. Should perform well, even at higher resolutions. [3000-4499] Fairly High Performance Capable of running the game on default settings. Consider switching to a higher resolution depending on performance. [2500-2999] Standard Performance Capable of running the game on default settings. [2000-2499] Slightly Low Performance Capable of running the game, but may experience some slowdown. Adjust settings to improve performance. [1500-1999] Low Performance Capable of running the game, but will experience considerable slowdown. Adjusting settings is unlikely to improve performance. [Under 1500] Insufficient Performance Does not meet specifications for running the game.

what type of gpu do you have? Rest of your set up seems pretty good I think? =X

[orbrit]

I have 2x Radeon HD5770s in Crossfire, but the benchmark wasn't Crossfire optimized as I scored better with Crossfire off.

[wigglez]

Originally Posted by orbrit I have 2x Radeon HD5770s in Crossfire, but the benchmark wasn't Crossfire optimized as I scored better with Crossfire off.

ahhh okay I see. I don't think I'm hardcore enough to be running to video cards. I actually don't know what the benefits are of having them dual rather than just getting one really good one.

What I'm trying to figure out now is if I can keep the same set up I have now and have it viable for the next few years if I just upgrade my graphics card. I'm not sure if upgrading the cpu/ram will make a significant difference in my gaming if I were to upgrade them. Anyone have an answer and a best bang for you buck type GPU? I'd like it to be above average if it's the only thing I will need to replace. I'm just confused with all the lingo used when reading specs as I have no idea what I should be looking for =\

As for RAM, would it be recommended that I get another 2x 1gig sticks? I think they're pretty cheap now for the same ones which I paid nearly $100 a few years ago. That would bring me up to 4gigs.

[Nikon]

if your mobo has 4 memory slots, i dont think alot of computers more than a couple years old have 4, most have 2.

if only 2, you would be better off getting a 2x2gb set (4gb total) run you about 100 bucks too.

if you have 4 slots, go for the 1 gig sticks.

edit: DURR your mobo is in tyour OP and it has 4 slots lol im blind! sure go for the 1 gig ones.

[David M]

Originally Posted by wigglez How good are these cards in comparison to others?

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2...marks,107.html

[orbrit]

Originally Posted by wigglez ahhh okay I see. I don't think I'm hardcore enough to be running to video cards. I actually don't know what the benefits are of having them dual rather than just getting one really good one.

The only benefit I saw was price - I didn't intend to Crossfire when I started my build. I ended up with almost HD 5870 performance for 2/3 the price of a 5870.

The general consensus is to buy the best single card you can afford.
A single 5770 actually performs very well.

I just wanted to see what the Crossfire would do and in the game I play it basically maxes out frame rates on multiplayer at highest detail. Some benchmarks have showed it outperforms a single 5870 in COD MW2.

Not sure if it was the cards, but my performance in multiplayer improved significantly around the time I added the second card.

[glc]

^^^

the best gaming card in the $200 to $250 range is the radeon hd 5830.

[wigglez]

would upgrading to 2 more sticks of 1 gig ram even be needed? I think I'll be going with the 5830. I just need to find a monitor as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236052

The one above seems like a good price and has a lot of good reviews. It would be a nice upgrade from my busted 21" acer. What do you guys think or have any other recommendations? Probably a best bet to stick with the same sticks of RAM I'm assuming as well?

edit: when I type in Radeon hd5830 into newegg, I get a slew of different brands. I never understood what the difference was between them all as they have different prices for them. This is what I see when I did a search: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...hd5830&x=0&y=0

which would be my best bet?

[glc]

Very good monitor.

If you do upgrade the ram, yes, it's best to match it up as close as you can. Get the video card and see how it runs, go from there.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161327

[wigglez]

Originally Posted by glc Very good monitor. If you do upgrade the ram, yes, it's best to match it up as close as you can. Get the video card and see how it runs, go from there. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161327

Thank you. I guess I'll just get the monitor and video card for now. If needed, I guess I can get more RAM. I just don't know if it really is needed right now, or how much it will actually improve my gaming if any.

[wigglez]

going to put my order in tomorrow after work. anyone have any other suggestions? =)

[wigglez]

I've actually been thinking now that maybe I should wait until FFXIV is closer to release before buying my video card. I'm not sure if prices will drop then. I'm still worried that the 5830 I was planning on getting might not be enough! Looking at the benchmarks and specs some of these people are running, they have better PCs and still scoring somewhat low/average =X

[glc]

You are always best off waiting as long as you can before buying a video card.

[wigglez]

Originally Posted by glc You are always best off waiting as long as you can before buying a video card.

I guess I'll wait 3 months then and see if prices drop by then.