Advise which of these two computers to get new video card for PLEASE!

[kciaccio1]

My son is transforming from console gaming to PC gaming.

He currently has a Gigabyte 41m combo MB..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128449

and the CPU is a E5700 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116381

I am getting him a Video Card. He mostly plays Call of Duty series and the up coming Titan Fall.

I have another computer available that is AMD set up.

Mother Board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130662

A4 5300..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113283


Which computer would you use for his gaming needs?


I was going to get him a http://www.microcenter.com/product/...MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card_-_Refurbished

For his intel system but was thing changing him over to the little newer AMD computer.

Thoughts?

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Are you close to MC?
I'd like to see more specs, RAM, HDD, OS and display resolution
No to the AMD system.

 

[kciaccio1]

Are you close to MC?
I'd like to see more specs, RAM, HDD, OS and display resolution
No to the AMD system.

1TB HDD Toshiba 7200 I think. 4 Gigs of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144
Windows 7 Ultimate and a 26 inch 1080p monitor tTV


And yes, I will be making a trip to MC tomorrow so that is why time is limited.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

...honestly I'd say you were crazy.

You're looking at a $220 GPU, to pair with either of these systems. The LGA775 system might be promising, if it wasn't running a dual core processor. The AMD system is pretty much a joke, because a dual core APU isn't really a CPU for intensive gaming. Both systems are significantly less expensive to purchase than the GPU you're looking to put in, so I'd suggest picking up the classifieds and searching for somebody selling an old computer for replacement/upgrade parts.

So, there are a few more questions that need to be answered.
1) What GPUs do you have access to now?
2) What resolutions are you looking at playing?
3) What are you looking to spend?

The first question is simple. That 775 socket mobo doesn't have an imbedded GPU, so it had to be running something. Given its age, it could well be something in the 2xx series for Nvidea or the 4xxx series for AMD. Neither is great, but still might be serviceable.

The second question determines what you're actually looking for. You don't need a Titan to power a low resolution display.

The final question is what it always boils down to. If you're looking to go all out, a sub $100 mobo, sub $160 CPU, and a GPU at $150 should offer more than enough performance, and significantly better performance than either of the systems listed. If that $220 is all you're willing to spend, then you shouldn't buy that GPU (the Intel board is only PCI-e, so only the FM2 board would be able to use its performance).


Edit:
Assuming you don't offer any more responses, I'd go with the FM2 based system, and an upgrade to the CPU. A 660 GPU, six core APU, and the listed board aren't going to win any awards, but it'll perform well enough for gaming at 1920x1080. If you can OC the RAM to 1866, rather than 1600, the APU is a peppy enough option. Just remember, FM2 isn't going to be upgradeable.

 

[kciaccio1]

...honestly I'd say you were crazy.

You're looking at a $220 GPU, to pair with either of these systems. The LGA775 system might be promising, if it wasn't running a dual core processor. The AMD system is pretty much a joke, because a dual core APU isn't really a CPU for intensive gaming. Both systems are significantly less expensive to purchase than the GPU you're looking to put in, so I'd suggest picking up the classifieds and searching for somebody selling an old computer for replacement/upgrade parts.

So, there are a few more questions that need to be answered.
1) What GPUs do you have access to now?
2) What resolutions are you looking at playing?
3) What are you looking to spend?

The first question is simple. That 775 socket mobo doesn't have an imbedded GPU, so it had to be running something. Given its age, it could well be something in the 2xx series for Nvidea or the 4xxx series for AMD. Neither is great, but still might be serviceable.

The second question determines what you're actually looking for. You don't need a Titan to power a low resolution display.

The final question is what it always boils down to. If you're looking to go all out, a sub $100 mobo, sub $160 CPU, and a GPU at $150 should offer more than enough performance, and significantly better performance than either of the systems listed. If that $220 is all you're willing to spend, then you shouldn't buy that GPU (the Intel board is only PCI-e, so only the FM2 board would be able to use its performance).


Edit:
Assuming you don't offer any more responses, I'd go with the FM2 based system, and an upgrade to the CPU. A 660 GPU, six core APU, and the listed board aren't going to win any awards, but it'll perform well enough for gaming at 1920x1080. If you can OC the RAM to 1866, rather than 1600, the APU is a peppy enough option. Just remember, FM2 isn't going to be upgradeable.

Thanks for your response.

You are right. Both computer were kind of econo builds. lol My son was not into PC gaming at the time of the intel build and was using onboard for a maple story game, youtube and El gato game capture on his xbox 360. The AMD set up was just a theater pc build, to use for game capture and play around with some theater movie software VS a boxee setup I had.

As far as looking for a used gaming PC with higher specs most people on the classifieds around me are retarded in their pricing. Asking new retail or higher for used stuff unfortunately and having built about 10 computers from scratch refuse to play those games with them.

Right now a 1080p 26 inch tv monitor is what he is using. I am not sure what I will upgrade him too in the future. Depends if he really takes to PC gaming. He loves the private servers but is having growing pains on the keyboard mouse vs controller.

 

[KingPing]

I would buy something like this to pair with the Intel system: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687

Use it to learn the basics about PC gaming, and make mistakes, if he likes PC gaming then do a complete build (CPU, RAM, Mobo, GPU, PSU).

 

[krusha03]

1TB HDD Toshiba 7200 I think. 4 Gigs of Corsair Vengeance DDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144
Windows 7 Ultimate and a 26 inch 1080p monitor tTV


And yes, I will be making a trip to MC tomorrow so that is why time is limited.

You can fill in the system specifications in your profile. It makes easier for people to help you. How much RAM does the AMD system have? Also what resolution would your son be playing at? 1080p?

What I would do is buy Athlon X4 750K for $80 and a cheaper GPU like for example this Gigabyte GTX 660 for $180. You can overclock the Athlon provided you have a good cooler and achieve decent performance. If your PSU is not up to the task you can also look into the 750Ti

 

[kciaccio1]

You can fill in the system specifications in your profile. It makes easier for people to help you. How much RAM does the AMD system have? Also what resolution would your son be playing at? 1080p?

What I would do is buy Athlon X4 750K for $80 and a cheaper GPU like for example this Gigabyte GTX 660 for $180. You can overclock the Athlon provided you have a good cooler and achieve decent performance. If your PSU is not up to the task you can also look into the 750Ti

That's why I love this place...did not think about going your route. Profile?? I have like 8 computers, my old profile had my personal power PC but could not log in for some reason one day and I was impatient and created a new id lol.

I have a mixture of AMD and Intel at the house. Problem is I don't really PC game. I followed it a little out of curiosity but I thought dual core CPU was plenty for current games and it was mostly the Video card that did the heavy lifting.

 

[kciaccio1]

I would buy something like this to pair with the Intel system: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687

Use it to learn the basics about PC gaming, and make mistakes, if he likes PC gaming then do a complete build (CPU, RAM, Mobo, GPU, PSU).

That is kind of the plan. Just wanted to make sure I get a video card I could move to the new system in a few months if he really got into it. That's why I was going the $220 route. Right now he is using my old Power Color HD6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131447 that was acting up when I was using it on a 6 monitor system I have.

I thought him using it for a single monitor system would be fine but it is still acting up in his COD game playing.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

That is kind of the plan. Just wanted to make sure I get a video card I could move to the new system in a few months if he really got into it. That's why I was going the $220 route. Right now he is using my old Power Color HD6870 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131447 that was acting up when I was using it on a 6 monitor system I have.

I thought him using it for a single monitor system would be fine but it is still acting up in his COD game playing.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428900/GTX650TI_1GB_PCIE_REFURB

Get the two year warranty. In that time, you can decide whether the console or PC gaming market is for you.

Buy either a dual-shock or Xbox controller to pair with the PC. Even with this purchase, the GPU+controller should be less than $220. That Nvidea card, plus the FM2 board, should make a decent entry level system. If it doesn't, upgrade the APU to either a quad or hexa core. Even a $100 APU should offer a good performance boost.


Take the LGA 775 system behind the barn and put it out of its misery. The processor is salvageable as a low end gaming machine, but that North Bridge is beyond its prime. To purchase a board worthy of gaming on LGA 775 you'd need more money than to buy a new i3 based system. That just doesn't make sense with that processor.

 

[kciaccio1]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/428900/GTX650TI_1GB_PCIE_REFURB

Get the two year warranty. In that time, you can decide whether the console or PC gaming market is for you.

Buy either a dual-shock or Xbox controller to pair with the PC. Even with this purchase, the GPU+controller should be less than $220. That Nvidea card, plus the FM2 board, should make a decent entry level system. If it doesn't, upgrade the APU to either a quad or hexa core. Even a $100 APU should offer a good performance boost.


Take the LGA 775 system behind the barn and put it out of its misery. The processor is salvageable as a low end gaming machine, but that North Bridge is beyond its prime. To purchase a board worthy of gaming on LGA 775 you'd need more money than to buy a new i3 based system. That just doesn't make sense with that processor.

Looks like I will be turning his LGA775 into a simple storage server in the near future.lol I have a unraid server with a single core 2.2 Cpu in it. Sounds like this thing will be a good back up when it lets loose.

I did buy him the PC Xbox controller already. Weird thing is it's not compatible with some of the older COD games. It is good in a way because it forced him into the keyboard and mouse in those games. He is frustrated though because he does some trick shooting crap and feels he can only do that via a controller.

Anyway your advice is to upgrade the AMD apu and get the card above.

I heard there is a way to hybrid the APU and certain cards in a crossfire like way. Have you heard of this?

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I heard there is a way to hybrid the APU and certain cards in a crossfire like way. Have you heard of this?

this thread is about that- http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/apu-discreet-gimmick-or-amazeballs.198298/

 

[kciaccio1]

this thread is about that- http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/apu-discreet-gimmick-or-amazeballs.198298/

Thanks, looks like the Hybrid thing is trash.

I do have one more option as far as computer sitting around. I have this motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131669
Teamed with a Athlon II X4 630.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103703

Is this a better jumping off point compared to the other two?


Or should I just bite the bullet and get a new MB and CPU bundle at Micro Center like this?

http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

Thanks, looks like the Hybrid thing is trash.

I do have one more option as far as computer sitting around. I have this motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131669
Teamed with a Athlon II X4 630.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103703

Is this a better jumping off point compared to the other two?


Or should I just bite the bullet and get a new MB and CPU bundle at Micro Center like this?

http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/intel-processor-bundles.aspx

Hybrid crossfire is meant for people that want to upgrade the graphics, but only want to spend about $60-$100 more. It isn't a bad thing, but it isn't worth the effort if you're looking at a GPU more expensive than $150.

The Athlon is...more serviceable. You're getting a decent quad core CPU, but the motherboard is the question again. You've got SATA connections, and PCI-e only. The maximum 8 GB DDR3 ram is good enough, but we're back to the question of why you'd put a system together where the OS and GPU are more expensive than everything else combined.

I'd stick with the APU based system, and an upgrade to that APU, if I didn't want to purchase another system.


Assuming you do want to splurge a little, that 4670k+Extreme 4 deal is pretty awesome. Plenty of connectivity (8 SATA III, 3 PCI-e 3.0 x16 slots), capable of being upgraded by the refresh in a couple of months, and capable of whooping all three of the cited systems at once in computational power. You'd wind up spending about $500 with the GPU, but that'd offer more than the Xbox One in terms of both gaming, and eventually productivity.

View it like this. I can buy a console, spend $60 for new games, and have a very limited library available. I can buy a computer, spend $60 for new games, but have a library of cheap games on Steam and Origin that cost under $10 and if played for 10 hours a pop prior to being discarded. If you look at it that way, the cost of the PC is lowest in the long run, while the console has the lowest price today.

 

[rhino]

If this is just a temporary solution why not just put in the corresponding G-card in the AMD rig?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150542
or
sell both rigs on ebay and start with a fresh AMD rig.

 

[kciaccio1]

Well as usual my little idea of just spending $200 to get my son's computer to do pc gaming blows up to $500+. At micro center.

Decided on a 4th gen i5 4670k cpu and a msi z87 motherboard. Where I might have skimped and might regret was going with the Gforce gtx660ti instead of the extra 50 bucks on the gtx760. Bumped his ram from 4 gigs to 8 gigs.

Thanks for all your help. Learned a lot. Been awhile since I checked into gaming pc specifics for a build.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Now you just got to introduce him to other games than just CoD.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Honestly I think you made the right choice. the Intel based system should last your son five years. Where with either the others, if you would've put money into one of them it would've only extended the life of the system as a gaming system another year( guessing titanfall is not going to like dual cores). In the long run you did spend less money.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Honestly I think you made the right choice. the Intel based system should last your son five years. Where with either the others, if you would've put money into one of them it would've only extended the life of the system as a gaming system another year( guessing titanfall is not going to like dual cores). In the long run you did spend less money.

*1

 

[Arjai]

Well as usual my little idea of just spending $200 to get my son's computer to do pc gaming blows up to $500+. At micro center.

Decided on a 4th gen i5 4670k cpu and a msi z87 motherboard. Where I might have skimped and might regret was going with the Gforce gtx660ti instead of the extra 50 bucks on the gtx760. Bumped his ram from 4 gigs to 8 gigs.

Thanks for all your help. Learned a lot. Been awhile since I checked into gaming pc specifics for a build.

Honestly I think you made the right choice. the Intel based system should last your son five years. Where with either the others, if you would've put money into one of them it would've only extended the life of the system as a gaming system another year( guessing titanfall is not going to like dual cores). In the long run you did spend less money.

+1 Well done.