Any advice?

Associate
Joined
4 Apr 2012
Posts
19
I'm a hobby gamer and I'm looking to improve my computer, I currently have an AMD HD 6450 silent graphics card installed but I am looking for a new processor/motherboard bundle on a budget. My friend recommended this (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-188-OK&tool=3) but I don't really know what I need. My current components are an AM3 motherboard (don't know the specifics) and an AMD Athlon II X4 processor. Any advice would be great, thanks!
 
Whats your full system spec please, including your power supply?

For gaming, it's not your processor which is holding you back but it's your current graphics card. The 6450 is really a HTPC card designed for playing movies/replacing integrated and not aimed at gaming. What's your budget?
 
Its your graphics card that is holding you up. Go for something like this - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-030-C3&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752


If you want to keep you current GPU (I dont know why, maybe its brand new or something?), then Id recommend going Llano. You can use hybrid Crossfire then.

For £130 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-187-OK&groupid=43&catid=2047&subcat=

Or if you go over budget - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-099-OE&groupid=43&catid=2053&subcat=


If you dont mind it, second hand can find loads of bargains.
 
Thanks both of you, I'm just wondering whether a) whether there would be any compatibility issues and b) would that improve my fps (because I don't really have a clue)
 
For around £90 you can get a Radeon HD6850 or for around £150-160 your best bet would be a 1GB GTX560Ti. Both are great cards and will give a huge improvement in games! As above, the 6450 really isn't a gaming card at all! What resolution do you game at? Although aging now a little, the Athlon II X4 isn't too bad still, particularly if you can overclock your CPU just a little bit (maybe later) but I wouldn't have thought it would bottleneck either of the above cards?

Here's how the 6850 and GTX560Ti compare.

Link.

Also, what power supply do you have?
 
Im not sure on the power of the Club 6950, but my reference 6950 will play Skyrim @60fps constant @ MAX settings (will go higher, but it kept changing that much I made fraps cap it at 60).

There shouldnt be an compatability issues, if your current rig will run a 6450, it will run a 6950 (both 6 series).


EDIT: Just noticed shadow boxer's post. Id personally still stick with the 6950, better card and its 2GB VRAM.
Comparison - http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/293?vs=330
Although if the GTX 560Ti drops price anytime soon due to the new GPU's being released, I would go with that.
 
Last edited:
Cheers, I'll look at the recommendations but the 6950 looks great. As for the power supply i think it's 95W and I generally run my games at medium though I'm just downloading fraps to check what fps I actually get.
 
Cheers, I'll look at the recommendations but the 6950 looks great. As for the power supply i think it's 95W and I generally run my games at medium though I'm just downloading fraps to check what fps I actually get.

:eek:

I think you'll need a new power supply. Sounds like it was a cheap jobby in there. Open the side panel of the case and get the info. With what ever graphics card you upgrade to, sounds like a new power supply would be in order as well. Very important not to skimp on it either, a good one will last many many years and if you have a power surge or something it'll have more features to protect your motherboard/CPU/GPU etc from going BANG!

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus HD 6850 DirectCU V2 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card £95.99
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £43.98
Total : £151.67 (includes shipping : £9.75).

 
Last edited:
According to fraps my general fps when running skyrim (not including before or after loading/saving) is 13 :eek: ... though I do have a lot of mods, some of which are for graphics. I think I need an upgrade, I had no idea it was that bad
 
I had a look at my power suply (300W) and to get the 6950 i need a better one, but unfortunately i then wouldnt be able to afford the GPU in the first place so i might go for the 6850 and that power supply.
 
Guess we should have cleared that up first :p

What shadow specced would be the best, although maybe a bigger PSU (for future proofing) might be worth while, considering your buying anyway, dont want to have to buy again when you buy a newer GPU, etc....
 
Back
Top Bottom