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Upgrading My GPU & CPU Because Of New Monitor (Need Help)

Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
262 (0.04/day)
System Name Matt's Special
Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition AM3 3.4 GHz
Motherboard ASUS M4N72-E SLI
Cooling Zalman CNPS9900A-LED PWM
Memory Corsair Dominator XMS2 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 1066 MHz Dual-Channel Kit
Video Card(s) Sapphire Radeon HD 4890 Vapor-X 1GB GDDR5
Storage Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB 7200RPM
Display(s) Samsung SyncMaster P2070 20" 1600x900 LCD Monitor
Case Thermaltake WinGo V7000
Audio Device(s) VIA High Definition Audio
Power Supply OCZ StealthXStream 600W
Software Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit
Hey, I'm going to be upgrading my GPU and CPU because I am in need of a new monitor which i'll be ordering the parts this week. Everything else in my specs I am keeping. The new monitor which i'll be getting will have a resolution of 1680x1050, I am not going 1920x1080 because I don't want to spend lots of money on expensive parts. I am using it mostly for gaming, entertainment and light-medium video editing e.g. bad company 2, bioshock 2, left 4 dead 2, modern warfare 2 and watching movies and editing videos and stuff using programs like sony vegas. I already know the GPU & CPU i'm getting but need help for the brand of GPU and also need feedback on what these monitors are like (my final three choices)... Also does my PSU have enough watts power and volts to run these new hardware?

GPU = Radeon 4890, I'm looking for the coolest and most quiet version of this, I was thinking of powercooler pcs+ or the toxic/vapor-x. suggestions?

CPU = http://www.ebuyer.com/product/186428

Monitor Choice #1 (Samsung P2070) = http://www.ebuyer.com/product/164041

Monitor Choice #2 (Samsung T220) = http://www.ok-go.co.uk/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=prodshow&ref=Samsung_SyncMaster_T220_22_wide_TFT+

Monitor Choice #3 (Samsung 2233BW) = http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150966
 
i love the samsung T series i have a T260 its a damn brilliant screen
 
You dont need to upgrade anything PER SE, maybe a second 8800 for gaming?

I have been running at that resolution for years with one GF9600GT and later with 2.
 
You dont need to upgrade anything PER SE, maybe a second 8800 for gaming?

I have been running at that resolution for years with one GF9600GT and later with 2.

Best suggestion given right here. At one point in time, I myself ran a single 8800GTS 512 and GTS 512 SLI on a 1080p display. I couldn't feel a difference with the 2nd GPU or I wasn't playing demanding games (See system specs). Left 4 dead 2 was the most demanding out of the ones I was playing at the time.
 
But on a 1680x1050 screen resolution won't my 8800GT and AMD 7750 suffer a lot on games like bad company 2, crysis? What about if I just upgraded CPU would that help a bit or not really?
 
But on a 1680x1050 screen resolution won't my 8800GT and AMD 7750 suffer a lot on games like bad company 2, crysis? What about if I just upgraded CPU would that help a bit or not really?

Depends, if you feel like overclocking the 7750. Best route IMO is 8800GT SLI + Phenom II X4 925 or Athlon II X4 635.

EDIT:

Or even don't upgrade cpu and spend your budget on a GTX260 or ATi HD5770.
 
What about a GTX 275? are they any good for 1680x1050 gaming
 
sure, but i would only get one used
 
Upgrade is a must, if you like all the very latest games and want performance, it is essential.
 
What about a GTX 275? are they any good for 1680x1050 gaming

Oh of course, I am just saying anything equivalent to in performance. Meaning 8800GT SLI would be the cheapest most inexpensive route, but single card is always "better", although you may find youself holding onto those 8800GT's longer getting you newer stuff when you decided to buy better again. Back to my variable GTS SLI, it was approx. by numbers as good as in most games a GTX280 (if that helps any).

EDIT:Can always decide on GTX275 SLI, if you decide to buy it, later if you want also. :)
 
Monitor choice #1 is a good screen. I have the P2770 and it's amazing. One of if not the best screen Samsung has right now.
 
I wouldn't get 2 graphics cards, i would rather spend more money on one awesome one than 2 older ones... Don't have to buy a HD5000 series graphic card (too expensive) HD4000 series more than sufficient enough too handle the latest games, especially the HD4890. I would recommend overclocking your cpu instead of buying a new one (the one you have now has great potential) and if you have enough money left, more memory can give your games a big boost.
I have the Athlon II X2 250 3.0Ghz (Overclocked to 3.37Ghz) and im playing Bad Company 2 on full graphic settings. Runs flawlessly.
 
An HD4850 512 would be more than enough at 1680x1050. I played BC2 at mostly high at 1920x1080 on a 4850, they're excellent. I can't imagine the 8800gt struggling with much though, why don't you try it on the new monitor to see if its satisfactory?

EDIT: The Vapor-X 4890 is the best, I have the Toxic version with the Vapor-X cooler and its silent.
 
Thanks for all te replies guys I'm just gonna get the monior first and see how it goes and if my system suffers cause of the higher resolution then I'll upgrade my gpu and cpu
 
Edit: Is my PSU still capable of running a 4890 vapor-x, amd phenom 965 and the new samsung p2070 monitor?
 
yea, that's plenty. My bro runs a GTX 285, i7 920, on a 650watt so your 600watt will be fine.

Also, i run an 88GTS(see specs) and i don't have a problem with any games at 1680x1050 but i have to 2xAA in l4d and tf2. So I'd say if you do see lag at 1920x1080(u will if maxed with any AA) then save and see what the GTX 265 brings. its supposed to be $259-299 and i think it'll perform better than HD 5850.
 
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