Improve my PC graphics performance

therealnerd2 · 20 Oct 2010 at 10:09

Hi all,

My current specs are:

E2200
8800gt
GA-p35c-ds3r
4GB DDR2

I want to upgrade my gaming performance without spending a bomb. Common games are FSX,F12010,Fallout3. Resolution 5040x1050. I don't use this PC for much else so don't want to spend too much.

My current thoughts are:

Small SSD
Best 775 cpu I can buy (E6500?)
GTX 460 or similar.
Possibly swap DDR2 for DDR3.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Nelson Santos · 20 Oct 2010 at 10:23

Whats your budget?

You could got i5 route with new mobo and ram and sell your old ram to sub some of the cost.

therealnerd2 · 20 Oct 2010 at 10:33

I don't have a strict budget, just want to improve my performance enough without spending the earth. What will the i5 give me over sticking with my current mobo?

Cupra · 20 Oct 2010 at 10:47

Your thoughts are good in the op however if you are sticking ddr3 and a new CPU in your current mono i5 would be a good option just sell your current parts to make the money for your mobo

biuro74 · 20 Oct 2010 at 22:42

It depends on what one understands as "a financial bomb"

I'd say Q6600 rev G0 (+ o/c upto 3.4-3.6 GHz) and GTX460 should be fine for your gaming, if you can handle it so far using 8800GT & E2200

FSX uses as much cores as it can, so it's why Q6600 should be better than E6500 (or E8500). 80 quids for CPU @ E-b*y and 160 for 1GB graphics card = 240-250 in total minus what you will get for selling your stuff.
i5/750 is more expensive as you have to change the whole platform (mobo & RAM). There's no noticeable framerate raise using DDR3 instead of DDR2, unlike for benchmark purposes.
One thing which makes me concerned is your gaming resolution. Looks like you've got a pair of GTs in SLI & Windows XP or 7 to use triple joined screens. If you want to keep that resolution, you need two GeForces, or one Radeon with Eyefinity feature (HD 5830 should be enough, but if you've got bigger budget, pick 5850 IMO).