Cheap upgrade

Danni · #1 10-05-09, 12:32 PM

Hi all

I need to upgrade my computer. I play World of Warcraft, and though my graphics is fine for it (GeForce 8500 GT) my CPU (AMD Athlon 64 3500+) is now showing it's age.

I want to replace my cpu, motherboard and ram. I have a budget of £200 for the lot (I'll be getting a better graphics card and PSU later). Any suggestions? I was thinking of going Core 2 Duo, but if AMD's dual core offerings are better for the price I don't mind going with them.

Mul. · #2 10-05-09, 12:38 PM

Any chance you'd be able to tell us what power supply unit you have at the moment and whether your case is Micro ATX or ATX? Also, any ideas what Socket your CPU uses as you may not even need a motherboard or RAM swap if it's Socket AM2!

Danni · #3 10-05-09, 12:42 PM

Can't remember what PSU it is, and I'm not lugging it out at the moment- it was suitable for a Core 2 Duo at the time I bought it(I checked). My CPU is socket 939, and the ram is DDR 1, so I need a replacement of both, really.

The case is ATX, with a ton of room in it. Bought it especially because it was big

Ham · #4 10-05-09, 12:50 PM

£200 will get you a nice upgrade these days.

I'd look at somthing along the lines of a E5200, P5Q-E/DFI DK P45 Tr2S Plus and 4GB DDR2 PC6400 by which ever manufacture you like best (Crucial ftw

)

That'll add up to about £150-60, so put the extra £50ish towards either a higher cpu or a better GPU when that upgrade comes.

Nice to see you posting again btw.

Diablo · #5 10-05-09, 12:57 PM

+1 on the P45 and ram. That extra bit of cash could be spent on a decent CPU cooler to clock the nuts of the e5200, or on a slightly higher end CPU.

Also good choice on the 939...I have that board as well!

Mul. · #6 10-05-09, 01:00 PM

I wouldn't turn down taking the AMD route either as performance wise they're about par with most of the Intel line up, up to the Q9550/Q9650, but you also get the advantage of being on a socket platform that is so far due to outlive LGA775.

P45/E5200/DDR2 and 790GX/X2 7750 Black/DDR2 are both very good propositions, although the first one swings it by a country mile if you are an overclocker

Danni · #7 10-05-09, 01:06 PM

Ooh, there's a thought- do I overclock it? I was thinking of maybe not, and trying to get some quieter cooling on it. My current machine is overclocked, but is noisy with air cooling.

For upgrading the gpu when I get the money: what do you recommend? I only play World of Warcraft, but have dual monitors (which doesn't help my framerate). I'm also on Linux, and at the moment NVidia has better support.

You guys are great, you know that, right?

Ham · #8 10-05-09, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by name='Danni'

For upgrading the gpu when I get the money: what do you recommend? I only play World of Warcraft, but have dual monitors (which doesn't help my framerate). I'm also on Linux, and at the moment NVidia has better support.

Dual monitors and wow isn't a hassle for any card these days. My 8800GT ran a 24" and a 22" while playing WoW and playing videos (hardware accelerated) at the same time.

Now your best of with a 4850 or the 4770 for price

erformance.

And 'Should I overclock?' don't ask silly questions!

Core2s can be highly clocked and still remain cool and thus quiet. Especially comapered to 939, however epic that socket was

.

Danni · #9 10-05-09, 01:30 PM

I guess I'll be overclocking then

How much should I look to spend on a decentish graphics card? I need to work out how long I'd need to save for. It's taken me a few months to get the money for the cpu/motherboard/ram together.

Ham · #10 10-05-09, 01:45 PM

As it stands you wouldn't have to spend much over £100 to get a good GPU. Say £55 would get you a decent supply that would power it all too.

Examples being the Powercolour 4850 and the Silverpower 500w/Corsair 450 VX on ebuyer.