Newbie Advice

CharlieCharlie · 2 Mar 2010 at 11:45

I'm looking at upgrading my current setup which I've had for a couple of years.

I've set aside about £200 for it.

Currently got

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-SH

Processor: AMD Phenom X3 8750 2.4GHz Socket AM2 Black Edition Retail Boxed Processor

Memory: Crucial 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 Ballistix Memory CL4 2.0V

Currently using the onboard HD3200 graphics, but have just purchased a HD 4890 off of an auction site for £95. Also got a Coolermaster 550w PSU to run it.

So just wondering the best way to go about upgrading.... Just a new processor (Motherboard takes AM3) and some more memory? Or a new motherboard as well? I mainly watch a bit of streaming TV and play games on it.

Thanks in advance

buttkinz · 2 Mar 2010 at 11:50

i wouldnt bother upgrading your ram at the moment, 4gb is plenty for most stuff, your board will support all the new phenom II's all the way up to the 140w models, drop in a nice phenom II and it looks like a sweet system

your choice of cpu will be governed by how much your spending

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 2 Mar 2010 at 11:54

I would say that the OP either go for the 95W version of the X4 945 or the 125W version of the X4 955BE or 965BE. The OP also has low latency DDR2 so they should stick with their existing RAM and motherboard IMHO.

cmndr_andi · 2 Mar 2010 at 11:55

Sounds like you bought yourself a great upgrade - the 4890 is a wonderful card and for £95 its a bargain.

I would suggest seeing how you feel with the new card. I suspect that everything will be fast enough. However, if you do want to upgrade further I suggest this:

- Don't upgrade the RAM, the stuff you have is grand and replacing it/adding to it will be very expensive (considering current RAM prices) and the performance boost is rather small.

- Upgrading the CPU is your best bet. That board can take a Phenon II X4 955 - which now costs £130-135. You should also consider an aftermarket CPU cooler for a bit of overclocking

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 2 Mar 2010 at 11:57

If the OP is overclocking on the motherboard they have I would get an X4 945 95W as the motherboard has a 4+1 phase VRM. There is also a 95W version of the X4 955 coming out AFAIK although the 95W versions of the X4 945 and X4 955 do not have an unlocked multiplier.

CharlieCharlie · 2 Mar 2010 at 11:58

Thank you for your quick replies

So, looking at this CPU

With the other £80 left, might sell the HD 4890 and get myself a 5850. Just don't know if I can justify spending £220 on a graphics card!

buttkinz · 2 Mar 2010 at 12:01

see how you go on with the 4890 first, with that cpu it should be nice and quick in games.

CharlieCharlie · 2 Mar 2010 at 12:13

Will do.

Thanks again.

Time to order.....

shanezog · 2 Mar 2010 at 15:03

Really no point in getting 5850 lol, if you've manged wth onboard graphics a 4890 is going to be a HUGEEEEEEE improvement and it;s a great card