Upgrading System, need advice!

[MLG The Canadian]

Hello, I currently have a great build but I'm looking for even greater. I've had it for a little over a year and a half and I've recently decided to upgrade.

My PC Specs:

Case: HAF Coolermaster 932
http://www.coolermaster.com/product....category_id=18

Processor: Intel Quad2Core 2.50ghz Q9300

Video: ATI HD 4870 1GB Ram

RAM: 3GB DDR3

OS: Vista 32

I'm looking at upgrading my OS to Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate, getting additional RAM, and either getting a new graphics card or crossfireing my current card.

My questions are, should I be looking at getting a new processor possibly i5 or i7? Can I get away with a new graphics card instead of replacing my processor? I want to be able to run GTA 4 better (Not at full capacity because that's impossible.) and other games as well flawlessly. Three gigs of ram is not nearly enough and Vista 32 is garbage, I know I have to change those two.

Thanks.

[BraveSoul]

i would say new graphics card, like 5850, and some ram. any chance on overclocking ur cpu?
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[Fourstaff]

My advice: Get 2x2Gb ram or 4x1Gb ram depending on what you currently have, OC your processor to about 3Ghz, and get another 4870 if you don't care about DX11 or upgrade to 5850 if you do. What is your power supply?

[MLG The Canadian]

I'm on my work laptop currently, but I'll be home in about 3 hours to post my detailed specs.

I've thought about overclocking, but I have no experience doing it and I really don't want to fry my computer. I've heard that overclcking just shortens the life of your computer.

[n-ster]

I have an ASUS 5850 for sale soon if you'd like , live in canada also

OCing can make your computers life longer if you want lol... undervolt + OC OCing won't shorten the life of your computer, as long as you stay conservative. The CPU, anyways, is one of the longest life components in your pc anyways

[MLG The Canadian]

I'd need to learn how to do it first, or get some serious help with it. I've always considered it. I game so much on my PC and I feel like I'm missing out but I'm afraid I'll mess up.

[n-ster]

you cant mess up with small OCs anyways... there are threads here at TPU to help start out... and it is really EASY to do if you don't go extreme

You could easily go 3~3.2ghz with the right settings

[MLG The Canadian]

Would that make a difference?

[n-ster]

with a 5850 for sure, with a 4870 a bit

I`d start by 2.7~2.8 and go up by ~0.1 ghz everytime..

I'm not sure how OCing lga775 goes though, use the search in the OC section in TPU

[MLG The Canadian]

My specs are available, check it out and tell me what you think I can upgrade or change to increase performance.

I'm gonna crack open my case now to see the wattage.. brb

COOLMAX CXI-600B 600W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFi...

Coolmax CXI-600B, 600 watts.. That's not enough to run two 4870's is it?

Guess my RAM is only DDR2, yikes.

[joeyck]

Originally Posted by MLG The Canadian

My specs are available, check it out and tell me what you think I can upgrade or change to increase performance.

I'm gonna crack open my case now to see the wattage.. brb

COOLMAX CXI-600B 600W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFi...

Coolmax CXI-600B, 600 watts.. That's not enough to run two 4870's is it?

I could run 2 9800GTX+ in SLI with a 650... so i think u'll be fine.. but the 12V rails on the PSU in the link u gave me r 19 19 as to where mine r 22 22 and 25... idk bout that 1... look at the PSU in my specs thats a good cheap one from antec (cheap but freakin awesome)

[MLG The Canadian]

First things first, I need to get a 64 bit operating system that isn't Vista.

[joeyck]

U'll also need a upgrade in RAM... 2 x 2GB of Geil RAM (the ones i use) are only 95$ (u'll need a 64Bit OS first tho lol)

[MLG The Canadian]

Exactly. I'm getting XP 64 if you can still buy it, or getting 7... not happy about the price of windows 7 though.

[joeyck]

I sent you a message relating to XP64 bit.. you didn't read? (private message) 64Bit XP is just awesome.

[MLG The Canadian]

I got it, replied. Maybe I'll go with that instead. Cheaper.

[joeyck]

lol much cheaper :P

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by MLG The Canadian

I got it, replied. Maybe I'll go with that instead. Cheaper.

I don't think you can get DX11 with XP, I may be wrong though

[random]

My opinion

1. More RAM - I suggest looking at the budget Kingston brand

2. Quality PSU - there are many PSU's to choose from that fall at an affordable price.

I recommend - Corsair HX-650 Power Supply

3. New GPU - GPU will impact your system performance the most but if you wanna see a good gain you need to get 4GB+ of ram and a decent power supply to support something like a HD5850 or GTX470.

Optional - If you got spare time and money go buy yourself a CPU cooler and some thermal paste and do some overclocking to bring that 9300 to its full potential.