Was All set for Sandy Bridge upgrade. Now I aint so sure..

Hedge · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:07

I have the PC in my Sig, but now with a 5850 instead of my GTS.

Today I got Battlefield BC2 and Vietnam installed on my PC, I ran them, put them on 1680x1050 and High Detail. It runs flawlessly.

Its the first modern game Ive played on here in a while and was part of the reason I was splashing out next week.

Now Im questioning if I actually need to bother since my Monitor is maxed out and Im still on Win xp

Part of me is thinking a 24" Monitor and an SSD might give me more of a Wow factor and tide me over until later in the year when prices come down.

I have Dragonage to download on steam next, Hopefully that runs as well as BFBC2.

What would you do in my situation?

ThomasTheTankEngine · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:12

If you're happy with your current performance, I'd get the monitor and SSD. Getting a SSD was the best functional upgrade I've ever made in 15 years upgrading.

A bigger monitor is always nice as well, just keep in mind there will be a performance hit between 1920x1080 and 1680x1050.

coupe69 · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:17

Win 7 as well perhaps?

Hedge · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:18

Yeah I think that might be an Issue. I dunno how 1080p games will fare.

Ive had this pc years now and Ive got the bug to splash out, but Im not sure its the right time for me. Damnit

I go to Afghan for 3 months or so around April so I only probably have about 12 weeks use left until then. Maybe if I wait until I return prices will be down, Bulldozer will be out, and I will feel the benefit.

Looks like Im already deciding the more I write.

Such a shame SSDs are low capacity still. Would be nice to have a high capacity drive reasonably priced.

Hedge · 6 Jan 2011 at 18:20

coupe69 said:
Win 7 as well perhaps?

Ive been thinking about this too this week. 110 quid for the Retail will be a bit of a sting but will allow me to use my GFX card properly and give me a much nicer OS to look at and use.

Once you get the idea to change things on your pc it soon adds up. Its a nightmare.

gropingmantis · 6 Jan 2011 at 19:06

Hedge said:
Such a shame SSDs are low capacity still. Would be nice to have a high capacity drive reasonably priced.

You say that but soon: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/05/ocz-intros-vertex-3-pro-vertex-3-ex-and-z-drive-r3-pcie-ssd-at/

6Gbps SATA up to 400GB storage (although at current prices it'll cost £600

)

Hedge · 6 Jan 2011 at 19:40

Woah that will be awesome when it becomes more mainstream. Wish more companies would push em into the market faster and drive prices down.