Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

What upgrade(s) do I need?

Options
  • 21-06-2012 6:20pm
    #1
    Dave147
    Registered Users Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭


    Hey guys need a bit of advice, have a PC with GTX 280, AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2ghz and Gigabyte GA-MA-78G-UDH Mobo.

    Machine won't run Skyrim well at all and BF3 runs quite poor also, would I get away with just upgrading my GFX or is the CPU outdated too?


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    daz801
    Registered Users Posts: 1,159 ✭✭✭daz801


    what sort of budget do you have? Gpu would be the first on the list for upgrades then cpu and mobo if possible.


  • Options
    #3
    Eboggles
    Registered Users Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭Eboggles


    daz801 wrote: »
    what sort of budget do you have? Gpu would be the first on the list for upgrades then cpu and mobo if possible.

    Actually, the 955 isn't that bad, and I wouldn't see a real need to go and upgrade it right now. What I would do, however, Is get a good CPU cooler (€20-30) and get a nice overclock on it. 4ghz wouldn't be too hard.

    I'd then just pour whatever your budget is (less €30) into the graphics card, and maybe the PSU if you need to.


  • Options
    #4
    M00lers
    Registered Users Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭M00lers


    As above, overclock your CPU to 3.8-4.0ish with new cooler, add a new graphics card.....sorted. Should see you through another couple of years. SSDs are brilliant value at the moment if you really want to spoil yourself.


  • Options
    #5
    smileyj1987
    Registered Users Posts: 5,325 ✭✭✭smileyj1987


    What resolution is your monitor so we can pick up the perfect GPU for your budget ??

    Also the 955 is a good CPU and i know because I have a 945 and its still very good for gaming . I think a whole rebuild would be a waste of money .


  • Options
    #6
    Dave147
    Registered Users Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭Dave147


    Res of monitor is 1600x900 or 1440x900 depending on which one I'm using. I have a 1200w PSU which should be fine! Have €200 to spare at the moment so just one piece at a time. Thoughts on GTX 560 ti 1gb?


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Eboggles
    Registered Users Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭Eboggles


    560ti has been outclassed by the HD7850. Spend a bit more and get the AMD offering. It consumes much less power and overclocks like a champ.

    Hold on, 1200 watts!? Sell that and get a good quality 450 watt. There is no point at all in using it and you're losing a lot of money seeming as you're not going over 400 watts load, which is only 33% of it's capacity, which means very low effeciency. What model is it? You could get at least €100 to add onto your upgrades.


  • Options
    #8
    Dave147
    Registered Users Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭Dave147


    Eboggles wrote: »
    560ti has been outclassed by the HD7850. Spend a bit more and get the AMD offering. It consumes much less power and overclocks like a champ.

    Hold on, 1200 watts!? Sell that and get a good quality 450 watt. There is no point at all in using it and you're losing a lot of money seeming as you're not going over 400 watts load, which is only 33% of it's capacity, which means very low effeciency. What model is it? You could get at least €100 to add onto your upgrades.

    €200 is a bit of a push, don't have that kind of money to spend on hardware as I've two holidays to pay for and rent etc. The PSU is a toughpower thermaltake, bought it off Nordic Diver on adverts before, http://xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/power-supply-units/thermaltake-toughpower-1200w/1/ I'd rather not be bothered changing it if it's not necessary, but if it won't cost me anything I wouldn't mind.

    GTX 560 ti would surely be powerful enough to run BF3 at a very acceptable level?


  • Options
    #9
    Eboggles
    Registered Users Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭Eboggles


    Dave147 wrote: »
    €200 is a bit of a push, don't have that kind of money to spend on hardware as I've two holidays to pay for and rent etc. The PSU is a toughpower thermaltake, bought it off Nordic Diver on adverts before, http://xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/power-supply-units/thermaltake-toughpower-1200w/1/ I'd rather not be bothered changing it if it's not necessary, but if it won't cost me anything I wouldn't mind.

    GTX 560 ti would surely be powerful enough to run BF3 at a very acceptable level?

    I'd look at it like this: €200 + €100 for selling PSU = €300 to spend
    Then:
    Item|Price
    Sapphire Technology ATI Radeon 7850 860MHz 2GB PCI-Express 3.0 HDMI|€229.66
    OCZ Technology ZS Series 550W 80+ Bronze Power Supply|€61.22
    Shipping|Free!
    Total|€290.88

    Whatever you think yourself though. The 7850 is a tank of a card which would mean you wouldn't have to upgrade for a while.


  • Options
    #10
    Dave147
    Registered Users Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭Dave147


    Better deal here? http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/11984340/art/amd/radeon-hd-7850-2-gb-gddr5.html

    I'd have to go to the bother of taking out the PSU wrapping it up and selling it etc. I could stretch to €230 if it isn't necessary to go to the bother of changing PSU. I work 50 hours a week, I want as little hassle as possible.


  • Options
    #11
    Eboggles
    Registered Users Posts: 1,600 ✭✭✭Eboggles


    Yeah that's a grand one, I think it's actually a sapphire model, which comes with a great cooler.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    Dave147
    Registered Users Posts: 3,235 ✭✭✭Dave147


    Bought the pixmania one for €220. Cleaned out my second account lol.


Advertisement