What would you upgrade most?

Rollingskies · 9 Oct 2008 at 14:16

I have the following:
E2180 2.00 GHZ
Geforce 8500GT
2GB RAM
485W power
viewed on a 22" screen.

Now the questions:
1) What would be the biggest problem for slow FPS on Flight Simulartor X?
2) How much would I need to spend and on what to see a significant improvement on general computer speed outside gaming.
3) Given a budget of:
a) £80 b) £120 c) £150 what would you do if anything to see a big improvement?

I don't want to just increase some benchmark thingy to brag on, I want to see something really material for my money which I don't have much of!

Thanks

magicroundabout · 9 Oct 2008 at 14:32

correct me if i'm wrong as i'm still learning!!!!

But if you could stretch your budget you'd acheive:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-192-IN

this would be a big improvement on your current setup

bledd · 9 Oct 2008 at 14:39

buy a 2nd hand 8800gt, what power supply is it..? might be able to power it with that..

get a 512mb one

£60 max

magicroundabout · 9 Oct 2008 at 14:56

just noticed that 8800gt i linked too is only 256mb :rolleyes:

Rollingskies · 9 Oct 2008 at 15:08

magicroundabout interesting those were your two recommendations. They were the two items I had in mind!

Not to go for the 256? Ok I won't. I think on this basis then I'll go for that card at 512 first. The processor perhaps can come later.

Thanks

magicroundabout · 9 Oct 2008 at 15:19

good comparison of graphics are here:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/charts/gaming-graphics-charts-q3-2008/Call-of-Duty-4-v1-6,746.html

but the 256mb 8800gt isn't listed so can't compare unfortunatly

Rollingskies · 9 Oct 2008 at 15:22

Had a look around auction sites and their prices agree with OC prices. £100. Bledd Not sure where you can find them at £60.

magicroundabout · 9 Oct 2008 at 15:28

i'd get rid of the rainforest mate. might be classed as a competitor!!!!????

Rollingskies · 9 Oct 2008 at 15:33

Oh not allowed to mention those?

magicroundabout · 9 Oct 2008 at 15:36

i think the bay is fine but not the other.

pastymuncher · 9 Oct 2008 at 16:32

Overclock your E2180 which will easily hit 3-3.2Ghz with a Freezer 7 Pro on it. Then get rid of that awful 8500GT and get a 8800GT 512mb or, even better for a 22" monitor, a 4850. In my opinion that would be the best way to spend £110-150.

bledd · 9 Oct 2008 at 16:49

oh, you don't have members market access yet..

people sell them on the forums (in the members market -read the FAQ)

Freelanc3r · 9 Oct 2008 at 16:54

Upgrade to 4gb of RAM, some OCZ, Geil or Corsair would be good.

PaulyD · 9 Oct 2008 at 17:56

Definately overclock the CPU (if you havent already) and get rid of the 8500GT, 2gb ram is ok to run a system on but to run a game on a 22" monitor with a 8500GT...

Rollingskies · 9 Oct 2008 at 19:16

I didn't realise it was so bad. I haven't a clue on overclocking, but I guess I could have a go and if it goes then I'll be forced into getting another.

Where is that forum you were referring too or were you just kidding?

Thanh55 · 9 Oct 2008 at 22:07

You on 22" so @ least 88GT or go for 4850, the Sonic still very good out there, spen a bit more on PSU for overclock your cpu to get a descent frame rate.

Rollingskies · 10 Oct 2008 at 09:08

I think learning to overclock and buying a better card is the way forward. I'll work my post count to 250 and then also wait for the right card to come up in the offers!!

Captain_Slick · 10 Oct 2008 at 09:18

Buy this:

Overclock that processor. I don't know if that's the same speed RAM as you've got now, but an extra 2GB of whatever you have now will help with Flight Simulator.