PC Upgrade

zensun

zensun

zensun

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10 Feb 2010
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Hey, never built my own pc, so I am looking for some advice on my chosen upgrades :)

Phenom X4 955 (3.2) (does this usually come with a CPU cooler?)
Asus M4A785TD-V EVO (DDR3, PCI-2.0, AM3)
Arctic Power Supply 700w
2x1gb OCZ RAM DDR3 1333mhz
*HD 4850 1GB DDR3 or 4870/90 (the whole 5750/70 series sounds like opinion vs opinion, with the dx11 seeming to overrun every debate, however without noticing the 128bit on these cards, 4000 series can have 256bit) - Ideas?

I currently have my own CD drives, hard drive, cooler, soundcard and fairly standard n0v4tech case (not bothered with looks as of yet due to budget)

What do you think?

Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks.
 
The CPU comes with a cooler and thermal compound already applied.

The HD5770 is around the same speed as the HD4870:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/11/23/powercolor_hd5770_video_card_review/

It also can run off smaller power supplies too.

I would go for a better quality PSU than the Arctic Power 700W.

If you are on a budget I would go for the following PSU instead:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-OC

Unlike the Arctic Power 700W it also has a pair of PCI-E power connectors and modular cabling.
 
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Thanks for the reply.. and your sure that the 500w will cut it, regardless of brand?

Last thing I want are components failing/dying ;)

edit - also will the 5770 hd be able to play new games, such as crysis, bioshock 2, bfbc2, far cry2 and such at a respectable level, obviously not maxed out settings, but enough to appreciate the games design?
 
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i have a arctic power 500w running my rig but that does not mean i would suggest buying one xD

always buy good branded ower supplys and yes that 500w will be sufficent :)
 
A 5770 will max out any game atm (apart from crysis, its still a hog), just as long as long as you dont go crazy on the AA etc.
 
Cheers all.

Well I found a OCZ Stealth xtreme 600w, 100more than CAT posted. (slightly cheaper too)

and for the case.. well I wont be overclocking or changing anything till I can afford a good case and upgraded fan. As soon as I install the new parts I'll monitor the temperature on and off task, just in case.
 
that psu's £5 more than the one cat posted :D besides you'll probs want modular as they're generally a lot easier to deal with

what is your budget btw?
 
4890 is better than a 5770 and only a tenner more so I'd get that personally. Get a good PSU, I would recommend splashing out cos it'll last you for years if you get a good one. 4GB RAM? I just got a spinpoint F3 as well, well worth the money my pc's way faster
 
Around 400quid... Don't particularly care for 4gb, 2gb will cut it for now (purely for budget reasons, and that I don't have windows 7 64bit yet)

Obviously I can get parts quite a bit cheaper from other sites (pardon me if that's frowned upon)

Could get the 4890, in terms of gaming, which will deliver the best performance?
 
Jules2k7 said:
A 5770 will max out any game atm (apart from crysis, its still a hog), just as long as long as you dont go crazy on the AA etc.
Click to expand...

So will a HD4870 which is cheaper
And a HD4890 will do it much better for a fraction more money :p

CF two HD5770's up though and its pretty tough to beat
 
if its more future proof, I could always get a 5770 and then get another when the next generation comes and the 5770 reduces in price. I don't mind getting a 4890, but I'd rather have something that's slightly longer lasting..
 
4890 will give the better performance but it will be hotter and noisier than a 5770 (although I haven't owned a 4890 myself).

Longer lasting graphics cards is a nice idea, but it is just that really; there is always something bigger and better, or some new technology, just around the corner...
 
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