so i want to upgrade.....

[farlex85]

So i want to upgrade to the 8800 GTS or GTX, haven't decided yet. I am not sure how well it will work with my system though. I have a mid-tower case and a 450 watt power supply and I have heard this beast is power hungry and quite large. First of all, I am wondering if it will even fit in my case. Secondly, the specifications for most of these cards says they require a 400 watt power supply minimum. Do I need to have the extra wattage with my specs? I would rather avoid it if possible. Any input would be appriciated.

 

[Frick]

Wait a few weeks and buy the 8800GT. It's faster than the 8800GTS in ALL cases and are pretty close to the 8800GTX in some cases. Also, it's not as power hungry as any off them. What PSU is it?

EDIT: Also, it's way cheaper than the 8800GTS. $200-250 depending on wich model.

 

[erocker]

Your processor will really hold one of those cards back. The first thing I would do if you are on a budget is get one of these:
x11 Multiplier
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031
x10 Multiplier
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115014

Then when the 8800gt and the gts with more shaders are out a few weeks from now you can save up the $120 from the processor you bought and buy a card.

 

[Frick]

Or if you're on a tight budget, you can go for the e2xxx-CPU's and overclock it like something something.

 

[keakar]

So i want to upgrade to the 8800 GTS or GTX...

the specifications for most of these cards says they require a 400 watt power supply...

Do I need to have the extra wattage with my specs? yes


I would rather avoid it if possible. you gotta go bigger

you should have 600 - 750 watts psu so you are ok and if you were thinking of SLI you need 1000 watts minimum

 

[keakar]

So i want to upgrade to the 8800 GTS or GTX, haven't decided yet. I am not sure how well it will work with my system though. I have a mid-tower case and a 450 watt power supply and I have heard this beast is power hungry and quite large. First of all, I am wondering if it will even fit in my case. Secondly, the specifications for most of these cards says they require a 400 watt power supply minimum. Do I need to have the extra wattage with my specs? I would rather avoid it if possible. Any input would be appriciated.

you really are in that grey area where everything needs improving so your better off selling the whole rig to start over because it will save you money in the long run.

 

[farlex85]

Yea I was thinking about getting a new rig soon. Thing is, i wanted to wait till I had 5-10 grand to get a top off the line full media center pc that would do pretty much anything I am looking for in electronics. I got this on a budget with the explicit intention of upgrading. What about the 8600 GTS. Would give me DX 10 which is why i am looking to upgrade. I know it wouldn't be great, but would it work well and avoid me the trouble of a new psu. And I am sorry for being an idiot, but I am not sure how the E4500 is that much of an upgrade. I know core 2s are better, but thats got the same amount of cache and multiplier with less speed. I'm new at this. Thanks for the inputs.

 

[tkpenalty]

E4500 is a massive upgrade mate ...

I'd go with this upgrade path, E4600 + 8800GT. Factual sorces have stated that it runs faster than a GTS and is cheaper, however its stock cooling system is dreadful, I reckon something like a VF1000 would do justice to this though.

If you are on a tight budget, go for a VX450W PSU, even though its rated at "450W", this PSU is far more powerful than that, it will support your upgraded setup very nicely (and quietly as well).