Considering an upgrade, need some advice

Arjun806 · 18 Aug 2008 at 01:16

At the moment, my specs are:

2GB Ram
7900 GT
AMD Athlon 3700+ @ 2.2ghz
I think my motherboard is an Asus A8N-something
450w Enermax PSU

So I was considering upgrading my ram/mobo/cpu/gpu as my stuff is a bit old now, and i get loads of artifacting when playing games.

I'm looking for something as cheap as possible, but still good enough. With my current specs I was able to play TF2 on mostly high @ 1920x1200 although the FPS rate wasn't amazing and dropped down in big fights etc. I do play games quite a bit, but this is mainly TF2 and older games such as CSS, not that many newer more demanding games.

So far I'm considering these:

Cpu
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-219-IN

Ram
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-095-CS

Mobo
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-100-GI

Now I'm not sure about the graphics card, on whether to go for an Nvidia or ATI card? This seems to be quite cheap. Also, I'm not sure if my PSU will be enough if I upgraded to these? I hope it is as I can't really afford to spend more money.

So I'd like to know what others think of this? If you could save me even more money that would be better

Cheers

Chimerical · 18 Aug 2008 at 01:36

Your PSU should be fine for that 8800GT.

Other component choices look good too except for RAM, up it to 6400 stuff.

If you want to save money, try getting the Intel C2D E2180 instead.

Arjun806 · 18 Aug 2008 at 13:58

What difference will that ram make? I don't know anything about ram lol.

That CPU seems to be quite a bit slower? Will it make that much difference, or maybe I could overclock it? I've never overclocked anything before, is it easy to do? with stock cooling can I get much?

1337z0r · 18 Aug 2008 at 14:06

For games on the source engine (CSS) its more about the CPU than the GFX card, but correct me if I'm wrong TF2 is not based on the source engine?

But yes overclocking is not that hard once you understand it a bit, plenty of guides out there. Stick a cooler like the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro on the CPU, should keep temps low enough to get a decent OC as it has on my CPU.

Arjun806 · 18 Aug 2008 at 17:17

Yeah TF2 is based on the source engine, and would the Intel C2D E2180 be a big or small improvement over my current cpu? If it's not that big then I don't mind spending a bit more, unless I could get it and an aftermarket cooler and overclock it. I'm guessing the stock cooler isn't that good or something?

Chimerical · 18 Aug 2008 at 18:24

Arjun806 said:
Yeah TF2 is based on the source engine, and would the Intel C2D E2180 be a big or small improvement over my current cpu? If it's not that big then I don't mind spending a bit more, unless I could get it and an aftermarket cooler and overclock it. I'm guessing the stock cooler isn't that good or something?

The E7200 has more cache which is it's main benefit.

The 6400 RAM is rated to run at 800Mhz speeds as opposed to the 5400 RAM's 667Mhz speed...so yeah the former is faster and better and only marginally more expensive.