New build / upgrade for gaming and photoshop

Syphon

Syphon

Syphon

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Joined
24 Mar 2005
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**please jump to bottom - requirements have changed since the first post**

Hi guys,

My current setup is as follows:

Motherboard: ASUS P5KC
Processor: Core 2 Duo E6750 @ 2.66GHZ
Memory: OCZ 2GB PC2-8500 1066MHZ
Cooler: Zalman CNPS8700 LED 110mm (although caked in dust at the moment)
Graphics Card: 320MB BFG 8800GTS 580MHZ
Power supply: 520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU, ATX, EPS12V

Currently with a Vista OEM license (I have windows 7 on pre-order).

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I am looking to upgrade or build a complete new system. It will be used for mainly photoshop/video work as well as playing ARMA II (very demanding game) at 1920 x 1200 res.

One of my staff at work is looking to upgrade with second hand parts and may be interested in what I have. I'm not sure if it would be sensible to upgrade using the existing motherboard or if I should sell the lot as a system to him. (I'll be keeping the power supply, harddisks etc - unless you think the new spec will need a beefier power supply).

I'm not into overclocking so want the best spec out the box.

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Firstly, any ideas what the existing stuff is worth?

Secondly what course of action / spec would you advise?

Budget is £500. I want quad core in some form, ideally an 4870x2 and 6GB memory if it's achievable in the budget.

Ta :)
 
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I would say it's not worth changing the mobo unless you go i7, which would also mean new CPU and RAM.

I have that mobo with on OC'd quad 6600 which works well, however my graphics card is pretty beefy and the ARMAII demo struggles a bit on high setting at 1680x1050, so 1920x1200 would have it on its knees. 1680x1050 is a much more GPU friendly resolution.

If your gonna stick with the P5KC platform, I would double up your RAM, get a quad and get a high end GPU, but if you already have a £500 budget it might be wise to start planning an i7 rig rather than upgrading....photoshop will be fine with some upgrades but if you want to play ARMA2 at that res with decent settings... start saving!!
 
Cheers. Will I see much of a jump from my current processor to the quad? The mhz isn't significantly higher. I guess only on apps that take advantage of the quad? (e.g. Photoshop and ARMAII).

Is the I7 that much better with a similar MHZ? (not really up on all the kit available at the moment)
 
yeah in addition to slightly hiigher stck speed its also got more cache
you said youre not into OCing but Id at least look at a mild OC, if you upped the FSB from 333 to 400, chances are you could leave everything else on auto (you'd have to adjust your RAM freq/multiplier back down as this would also get OCd by increasing the FSB) its really quite easy and youd definitely see a good performance improvement from this, your CPU would be at 3.4 and should be 100% stable
The RAM will help a lot too as vista eats through 2 gig with ease, 4 will be much smoother
And either gfx card will make your gaming MUCH better
 
Ta. Looking at the prices the 4870x2 is going to push the budget as I think I'd need a new power supply as well from what I've read.

Which would be the better bet to go for out of a 1GB 4890 vs an 896MB GTX 275 at my res?
 
Thanks for all the advice so far.

I've come up with two options...... One is slightly over budget!

option1r.jpg


option2.jpg


It's £200 extra I'm finding hard to justify, however I don't want to get caught out being unable to run ARMA 2 with good settings at the high res I have and regret not going for the x2.

It depends on what I'd get for my old kit 2nd hand. Any ballpark figures? I don't have access to the member's market yet.

Cheers.
 
the 4890 should be fine, the x2 wont be faster except ABOVE 1920x1200, Im assuming this is your res in which case the 4890 is more than enough, save your cash
 
That PSU is over the top in my opinion, i would get the 650w version, Corsair are brilliant PSU. I've seen some people power very similar set ups with the 550w version!

And the XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 XTX XXX Edition 1024MB will be fine for running it on high settings... I think :P

My suggestion:

 
95thrifles said:
the 4890 should be fine, the x2 wont be faster except ABOVE 1920x1200, Im assuming this is your res in which case the 4890 is more than enough, save your cash
Click to expand...

Ta. I was reading an article on GPUs in Custom PC recently and it did a comparison with Crysis running at 1920x1200 and there was a difference of about 8-10 FPS on the X2 over the next cards down which is what made me think I would need one for ARMA II. But then it's quite a big jump cost wise and I don't suppose I need to have every graphical setting maxxed out. As long as it looks good and runs smoothly at my res (which is 1920x1200 yes).

Ryan111 said:
That PSU is over the top in my opinion, i would get the 650w version, Corsair are brilliant PSU. I've seen some people power very similar set ups with the 550w version!

And the XFX ATI Radeon HD 4890 XTX XXX Edition 1024MB will be fine for running it on high settings... I think :P

My suggestion:

Click to expand...


Cheers. I already have a corsair 520 and didn't think I would need to upgrade for the new processor, extra memory and a 4890. Do you think I might need to?

Cheers both.
 
I have the 4870X2 using a corsair 750tx and its fine. id only purchase the X2 if your gaming at 1920x1200 or over andthing below is massive overkill imo.
 
Im not sure, do you mean you want to power it with a corsair 520w?

And ive seen ARMA II played at 1680x1050 with everything on full and its stunning!

I know the 4890 will be able to do it at 1680x1050, it will be able to do it on 1920x1200, but maybe not with everything maxed...

I would save your money and get a single 4890.
 
Ryan111 said:
Im not sure, do you mean you want to power it with a corsair 520w?

And ive seen ARMA II played at 1680x1050 with everything on full and its stunning!

I know the 4890 will be able to do it at 1680x1050, it will be able to do it on 1920x1200, but maybe not with everything maxed...

I would save your money and get a single 4890.
Click to expand...

Hi, Yes I have a 520 at the moment and would prefer not to need to upgrade the power supply if I don't have to. Will prolly go for the 4890 then.
 
Im not sure if the 520 will be enough, i'm sure if you post another thread somewhere being more specific you would get an answer. If not the 520 will still be worth a bit, how old is it?
 
If they think the 520 will be enough, you could think about added more RAM, upping to 8GB, programs like photoshop are RAM hungry.
 
This powersupply calculator is useful so that forums aren't swapped with endless "can my PSU power such and such" a CPU/ GPU :rolleyes: It does appear to be a bit conservative so I would recommend bumping up the load to 100% and remember to add in capicitor aging (if using an existing PSU).

I would say a 4890 is your best bet - stick with your current PSU. The 4870X2 is really power hungry and runs hot. (Never mind the fact that OC don't sell the model you put in your basket anymore - so would cost a lot more!!) Shame you can't crossfire (2x4870 1Gb are a steal)... But it ain't going to swing on that P35 board. :(

Bob
 
I did the PSU calculator and it said 361watts, i only did a rough out line of your system, but im sure your PSU will be up to it :)
 
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