Spec me an upgrade, please!

HalpMePlix · 20 Feb 2009 at 13:29

Hi folks,

I'm looking for some help with a PC upgrade and advice on a few things. First of all my current setup, and what I'd like to hold on to:

Abit IP35 Pro
Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS SuperClocked 320MB GDDR3
Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "LGA775 Kentsfield" 2.40GHz
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-5300C3 667MHz
Dual monitors, 24'' and 21''

I'd like to hold on to the PSU and Processor if possible. When I bought the system I was only using a single 21'' monitor but bought a 24'' monitor early last year and the 8800 GTS wasn't really made for 1900+ resolutions or dual monitors.

I guess the question is; would it be worth doing a full system upgrade (mobo, memory, GFX) or should I stick with the current setup and simply chuck in a new GFX card.

If just the GFX card would you recommend the GTX 285 or the 4870 X2, baring in mind I have a bit of an aversion to ATi considering their current financial/competitive situation.

OneTime · 20 Feb 2009 at 13:31

What you use your PC for?
What is your budget for an upgrade consisting of new mobo, mem and GPU?
Have you overclocked your Q6600? What cooler?
The main problem is your 8800GTS won't cope with the 24" monitor? System is still responsive and running fast?

HalpMePlix · 20 Feb 2009 at 13:58

It's a gaming PC playing everything from Crysis to X-COM. So high-end gaming.

The budget is about £700 for the mobo, mem and GPU. If you can justify a larger expense for a serious performance increase then I wouldn't have a problem with that.

The Q6600 isn't overclocked. I never really got around to doing it. It has a Tuniq Tower 120 CPU Cooler ontop of it

The 8800GTS can cope in most games; Source games, EVE etc., but I've been putting off installing Far Cry 2 and Crysis Warhead because I'd like to see the game in all its glory!

ro55o · 20 Feb 2009 at 14:04

Overclock the CPU (getting it up to around the 3.0ghz will show a big improvement), get another 2gb of ram and upgrade the graphics card to a 1gb 4870 or GTX 260, both cards would be great for gaming on the 24" monitor. If you want a bit more fire power and e-peen then go for a 4870X2.