Upgrade?

demon8991 · 27 Apr 2011 at 08:11

I have the system in the signature below and have loads of games which I play.

With more and more games now being released on a multi platform basis I am starting to wonder whether developers are limiting the detail and graphics they are producing for PC to run in line with what hardware is available to them on Xbox and PS3

So I want to ask is; do you think my computer needs upgrading and if so what should I do?

stulid · 27 Apr 2011 at 08:35

I would do a GPU upgrade first, then see how this improved the end results.

If I felt I was in someway getting bottlenecked by the CPU, then that would be the next victim of the upgrade bug.

Trusty · 27 Apr 2011 at 08:45

Yeah, see how a GPU upgrade goes first, that E8400 @ 4Ghz still has life in it.

demon8991 · 27 Apr 2011 at 08:58

What would be the best bang for buck card that would provide a significant performance boost and how much could you get for a 1GB 4870 nowadays?

Trusty · 27 Apr 2011 at 09:19

Not sure on the resale value of 4870's but i guess around £50. Best bang for buck cards at the mo seem to be the 480's and 6950's. 560 Soc's if your your a tight arse about heat and power consumption

480 comparison:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/158?vs=176

This is a cracking deal!
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-079-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=1750

Remember that Anandtech comp is with a stock 480 at 700Mhz core, those Soc's have a standard 820Mhz.

olivier renault · 27 Apr 2011 at 10:16

Yeah, the 480 has massive power for the price. Not the most efficient, but it's beefy. Double check on your PSU 12V rail power being able to supply enough juice. If it's the ZM600-ST, it should be good enough.