cpu + gpu upgrade

[uksoldierboy]

Hi guys, i'm new here, nice to meet u all.

used to well into my rigs but i've been away from it all for a while. best gpu at the time was the x800xt so everything is new to me now.
Anyway,first my current specs.
(the pc was bought by my girlfriend but she gave it to me as a pressy)

pentium core duo e5200 o/c 3.0ghz
foxconn g31mx socket 775
unknown memory 3gb
Nvidia 8400gs o/c core 500mhz mem 500mhz
unknown psu
o/s vista 32bit

I'm going be upgrading the cpu and graphics card this week as the 8400gs is utter crap, not sure if the cpu is any good(anyone?)
i want to be able to play games like crysis/ arma2 and all other new titles maxxed out if possible, i've set aside a max of £250 to do this.
I've looked at a few reviews and the ati 4890 seems to be the card to go for,would this card work with my motherboard?. as for the cpu i have no idea, so any info/suggestions for both choices would be really helpful.
thanks guys.
david.

 

[Hades]

Welcome to the forums

If buying new components then:

GPU: ATI 4890 1mb [£130]
CPU: E8400 3ghz, 6mb cache, 1333mhz FSB [£126] - apparently they tend to overclock well if you have decent RAM.

They should both work fine in your machine. Your current CPU is ok but would be a little wasted on the new GPU. The E8400 should overclock a little and the extra cache and FSB speed should make it faster clock-for-clock.

However, once you have around 250 posts to your name, you should be able to access the MM (Members Market) and look for second hand components. For the same money you could probably get a faster CPU and some extra memory. You can also sell your old GPU and CPU on there to put towards your upgrade.


EDIT: That's an mATX motherboard with two DDR2 slots. With 3gb RAM you must be running a 2gb DIMM and a 1gb DIMM. As they are unevenly matched then it wont be running in 'dual channel mode' and so will be slightly slower than optimal. Ideally you'd want to get two identical 2gb sticks in there. However, I think your money is still best spent on GPU and CPU before changing any RAM. 3gb is a little small but still perfectly fine nowadays. Also note that you would need to install 64bit Vista to see any more than 3gb.

 

[PwnDirect]

£250 budget + selling old bits

unknown memory 3gb £15
Nvidia 8400gs o/c core 500mhz mem 500mhz £15
unknown psu £10

Total £40: £280

4890
£152.98

PSU
£54.99

RAM
£33.99

CASE
£30.99

CPU COOLER
£17.99

Sub Total : £253.00
Shipping : £11.25
VAT : £39.64

Total : £303.89

The above poster is not allowing for the fact your PSU is most likly around 300w & will need replaced.

Also an e8400 would be totally wasted with that mobo & ram & so theres no point.

The ram & cpu cooler ive speced you will allow you to overclock your e5200 a bit more & its not impossible for them to reach 4ghz.

I’ve speced you a new case as I very much doubt a 4890 & a new psu will fit in your existing one + the cooling is mostly very poor.

Then once you can afford it you can drop in a full atx mobo, new cpu & possiby ram.