Upgrade Itch

KaylanCloud

KaylanCloud

KaylanCloud

Associate
Joined
23 Oct 2004
Posts
230
Location
Cardiff
Hey guys,

Well I am sat here suffering from what I can only describe as an upgrade itch,
I simply fancy an upgrade from my current spec below :-

Base Unit
*******
Cpu : AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550 @ 3.6Ghz
Mobo : Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3
Ram : OCZ Gold 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC6400 4-4-4-18
Hdd#1 : Intel X25-M Mainstream 80GB SSD
Hdd#2 : Samsung F4 2TB
Hdd#3 : Samsung F3 1TB
Hdd#4 : Samsung F3 1TB
Gfx : XFX Ati Radeon HD4870 1GB
Dvd : Samsung SH-S223Q
Psu : Enermax Noisetaker V1 600W
Case : Akasa Eclipse 62

Peripherals
********
Speakers : Generic 5.1 Surround Sound System
Headset : Generic Wireless Stereo Headset
Monitor : Belinea 2225S1W 1680x1050
Keyboard : Logitech G15 V1
Mouse : Logitech MX Revolution

Now as to what the rig is used for, in order of priority - Gaming, Movies, Internet / Office.
I typically like to spend around £100-150 with the possibility of stretching to £200 for a particularly nice bit of kit.

So the main thing I'm after is opinions / advice on what you guys would upgrade,
coupled with your reasons + suggestions on new kit.

Some idea's I've had of my own include a HD Monitor (Samsung P2450H), PSU (Antec 650W / Corsair HX650), GFX Card (GTX460/470) and CPU (Quad / Hex Core).

*EDIT* Should've been posted in General Hardware can a mod move this to the correct section please.
 
Last edited:
total budget?

for £215 you can get the Viewsonic VP2365wb which uses an IPS panel so is a good bit better than any cheaper screens
 
There's not really a total budget so to speak, if I can justify each purchase then the cost is fine. I would however like to spend £100-£150(£200 for something special) per piece of kit.

I went through the TFT Central selector which resulted in my consideration for the Samsung P2450H, I am not convinced that IPS would really benefit me really as I would be sat right in front of the monitor with the main use being Games rather than say colour critical photo work.
 
It isn't just about off-centre viewing angles. It's also about consistency of colours across the screen and how those colours are created. This page illustrates the former issue rather nicely and highlights the large variability in colour(s) across the screen. This is particularly apparent for large TN panel monitors, less so for PVA panel monitors and not much at all for IPS panel monitors. Although you may not benefit as much from IPS technology as users who require such colour reproduction for their work it can still add to the gaming experience by improving the distinctiveness of colours displayed. Some people tend to prefer a higher level of vibrancy and wouldn't tend to notice the 'subtle details' so much during gaming sessions. In this case a TN panel such as the P2450H provides a nice vibrant image and good all-round performance. Iiyama offer some slightly less attractive looking but fairly strong performers too and OcUK currently has a decent range of these.
 
Thanks for the insight PCM2, it seems I hadn't considered all of the IPS panel's selling points. The option then seem to be trying to decide if an IPS based solution is worth the extra over a Samsung / Iiyama TN based solution.

It's shame the Samsung went back up in price as @ £170 it seemed like a really good buy.
 
KaylanCloud said:
Thanks for the insight PCM2, it seems I hadn't considered all of the IPS panel's selling points. The option then seem to be trying to decide if an IPS based solution is worth the extra over a Samsung / Iiyama TN based solution.

It's shame the Samsung went back up in price as @ £170 it seemed like a really good buy.
Click to expand...

This is the golden question... in my opinion, the extra price simply doesn't justify the cost. I went from an asus 22 inch tn at your resolution, to a 27inch tn, (an Iiyama) at 1080, and in terms of gaming it is pretty epic.

I simply wouldn't trade it for anything smaller.

A monitor would be a good 1st upgrade though, as you are currently running a relatively low resolution for gaming. Then if nessesary you can look at other upgrades.
 
mattyfez said:
This is the golden question... in my opinion, the extra price simply doesn't justify the cost. I went from an asus 22 inch tn at your resolution, to a 27inch tn, (an Iiyama) at 1080, and in terms of gaming it is pretty epic.

I simply wouldn't trade it for anything smaller.

A monitor would be a good 1st upgrade though, as you are currently running a relatively low resolution for gaming. Then if nessesary you can look at other upgrades.
Click to expand...

Cheers for this input, I think ill rule out IPS based purely on the cost involved... I also think your pretty much spot on RE: 1st upgrade. Out of interest would you mind expanding on what you think should be 2nd/3rd etc?

Also is it just me or are the Iiyama model numbers a complete mess? I can't seem to tell which model would be the best to compare to the Samsung P2450H.
 
KaylanCloud said:
Cheers for this input, I think ill rule out IPS based purely on the cost involved... I also think your pretty much spot on RE: 1st upgrade. Out of interest would you mind expanding on what you think should be 2nd/3rd etc?

Also is it just me or are the Iiyama model numbers a complete mess? I can't seem to tell which model would be the best to compare to the Samsung P2450H.
Click to expand...

Iiyama model numbers are a mess lol. I would first buy a screen that you like, at 1080, and then re evaluate where the weaknesses are on your hardware at the higher resolution. I've not had an amd chip since the hacyon days of the a64. So I couldn't comment, other than. But a bad ass screen and then upgrade.
 
KiiYzOo said:
I'd go for a new GPU personally, Maybe the 460 or 560 when it comes out?
Click to expand...

My only concern with getting a new GPU would be the power req's as my PSU is a 4+ year old Enermax 600W unit which provides around 35A on the 12v rail I believe. To be on the safe side perhaps a GPU + PSU upgrade of £200-£300 could work.

Do we have an estimated price for the 560 yet? As following the 470->570 jump thats +£100 with the 570 performing like a 480, so that would make a 560 £200-£250 and performing like a 470. That's if im not completely out of the loop so to speak.

mattyfez said:
Iiyama model numbers are a mess lol. I would first buy a screen that you like, at 1080, and then re evaluate where the weaknesses are on your hardware at the higher resolution. I've not had an amd chip since the hacyon days of the a64. So I couldn't comment, other than. But a bad ass screen and then upgrade.
Click to expand...

At least it's not just me with those Iiyama model numbers then. I'll take a closer look at the 24" 1080 range on OcUK and read the other hundred threads on that topic ;) it seems like "Which 24 inch monitor?" is a popular question in the monitor section these days.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom