£400 June upgrade

[Coomber]

Hello all,

I am looking to upgrade my PC this or next month. I built my current computer (please see sig) roughly two years ago, I feel the need to fiddle with it again.

First of all I'd like to know if it's worth upgrading my video card. I was thinking about getting a 6950 and then flashing it to a 6970, as a lot of people are (have?). Otherwise do we know when new cards will be out?

The second thing I would really like is a solid state drive, I think 120GB would suit me (I would like to install several games on it as well and not have to worry about uninstalling them every time I stop playing them for a while).

Finally some minor bits that I'd like. A fan controller, and an aftermarket cooler if I do get a new video card.

Looking to spend around £400. Looking forward to any suggestions or comments!

 

[J-FRO]

A 6950 would be a good shout, and most people are flashing them so it seems. I plan to get one this summer and go down that route as well. You can pick a 2Gb version up for £200 easily as well.

Only problem with the £400 budget and wanting a 120GB SSD as well is that it's likely to eat up most of your budget. The cheapest 120GB being a box standard OCZ Vertex for £129.99 whereas £194.99 will get a OCZ Agility 3. Alternatively you could get a 60GB Agility 3 for £99.99. You do that and get the 6950 you're left with £100 to play around with for a fan controller and aftermarket cooler.

 

[Coomber]

Would these two be a safe bet:

Video Card
SSD

Is the only difference between the 2.5 and 3.5 Vertex 2E the size? As I only have a SATA-2 mobo I probably won't get a Vertex 3.

Also is there anything crucial I should know about a new SSD? Installation, bugs to worry about, etc.

 

[stulid]

yes.

good parts, when you fit the SSD and before you install windows on it, go into the BIOS and set the SATA controller from IDE to AHCI.