Upgrade Help

[Zaeon]

I've recently been looking to upgrade from my nVidia EVGA 7950GT KO 512MB graphics card and Intel C2D E6400 2.13 CPU. I know it's going to cost me a pretty penny to go up from here, but I think I will really enjoy having the upgrade when Aion comes around.

So, over the last few years, I've heard how bass-ackwards the nVidia 8800 line was, often how more expensive cards didn't run as well as the cheaper ones. This is what I want to know ...

What do you suggest I buy for a video card? Also, do you suggest going quad-core? Is there any real point to it yet, since alot of game aren't even optimized for dual-cores?

I built my PC myself, but I haven't kept up with the technology over the last year or so. I don't have a definite budget for this, but I'd really like to not exceed $500.

Oh, and just some background on my PC ...

Mobo : ASUS 650i SLI
CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13gHz
GPU : nVidia EVGA 7950GT KO 512MB
RAM : 2GB Corsair XMS2
PSU : Corsair HW520w PSU

All wrapped up in an Antec 900 case.

It use to be top of the line, but that's just not the case anymore.

I've also been looking into a new monitor, but that's a bit too pricey for me right now. I'd rather have the new insides first.

Any help you peeps can provide would be extremely helpful!

[Diablo]

Supper cheap.

Get an Intel E8300 dual core due out soonish for under $150 US and a Nvidia 9600GT also for $150. And you should be fine.

Not so cheap Q9550 Quad core and a 9800GX2.

[Zaeon]

Well, I found an E8400 CPU for $200ish. Should I wait for the E8300?

I also found a 9600GT, but it's marked for PCI Express x16 2.0, which I'm not sure I have. I know my mobo has PCI-E x16 2.2s, is that the same thing?

[Fishy McFish]

If you don't mind waiting for rebate checks you can purchase the OC'd version of the XFX 8800GT(about a 10%-15% boost in performance compared to the 9600GT) I bought for $170(after rebate).

Amazon.com: XFX PVT88PYDE4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB...
I went with XFX cause they seem to have the best warranty. There are complaints of the fan running at 100% on certain cards, but you can use rivatuner to change the fan speed yourself.

As for the processor I don't think it's that bad to upgrade is it? I'm using a E6300 so I'm a little curious myself. I OC'd it up to 2.8ghz.. >.>

[Zaeon]

Originally Posted by Fishy McFish

If you don't mind waiting for rebate checks you can purchase the OC'd version of the XFX 8800GT(about a 10%-15% boost in performance compared to the 9600GT) I bought for $170(after rebate).

Amazon.com: XFX PVT88PYDE4 GeForce 8800GT 512MB Extreme 640Mhz PCI Express x16 SLI Ready Video Card ( Dual DVI / S-Video ): Electronics

I went with XFX cause they seem to have the best warranty. There are complaints of the fan running at 100% on certain cards, but you can use rivatuner to change the fan speed yourself.

As for the processor I don't think it's that bad to upgrade is it? I'm using a E6300 so I'm a little curious myself. I OC'd it up to 2.8ghz.. >.>

I have no knowledge of actual hardware tools, like the rivatuner, or OCing hardware.

I'm afraid to buy an OC'd piece of hardware ...

I also hate waiting for rebate checks. In fact, most of the time, I don't bother with them, because it takes forever to get them. Not only that, but half of the time I don't know what to do to get them.

[zutto]

Rivatuner is a pice of cake to learn, anway i would go for 8800gt instead of 9600, the price between them aint so big anway, and u will get some extra boost^^

anyway, could this be ur motherboard?
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

[Zaeon]

Originally Posted by zutto

anyway, could this be ur motherboard?
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Yes, it is.

[Fishy McFish]

Originally Posted by Zaeon

I have no knowledge of actual hardware tools, like the rivatuner, or OCing hardware.

I'm afraid to buy an OC'd piece of hardware ...

I also hate waiting for rebate checks. In fact, most of the time, I don't bother with them, because it takes forever to get them. Not only that, but half of the time I don't know what to do to get them.

Hehe. Its factory OC'd so you really don't have to worry about it. Even then XFX offers a lifetime warranty, and even has a mod-friendly warranty policy.

I'll try to look for some other deals for you though. Actually most good deals require some sort of rebate so um... yeah.. :x

[Zaeon]

Originally Posted by Fishy McFish

I'll try to look for some other deals for you though.

I really appreciate the help!

Perhaps you'd like some buttered toast in exchange?

[Fishy McFish]

Originally Posted by Zaeon

I really appreciate the help!

Perhaps you'd like some buttered toast in exchange?

Oddly enough. I thought about how tasty that butter toast would go with my blobfish.

[Yamii]

XFX has a great warranty on their cards. But if one does go bad, expect a 2 month turn around to get a replacement card back.
This is an actual Timeline for my replacement.
01/18 - Contacted XFX
01/30 - Gave me an RMA
02/8 - Mailed the card to them (Was on vacation)
02/27 - Conformation that card was in RMA dept. being proccessed
02/29 - Card was confirmed faulty
03/11 - Said a new card was being shipped to me in the next 48
03/20 - New card was on my porch.

[Fishy McFish]

Originally Posted by Yamii

XFX has a great warranty on their cards. But if one does go bad, expect a 2 month turn around to get a replacement card back.
This is an actual Timeline for my replacement.
01/18 - Contacted XFX
01/30 - Gave me an RMA
02/8 - Mailed the card to them (Was on vacation)
02/27 - Conformation that card was in RMA dept. being proccessed
02/29 - Card was confirmed faulty
03/11 - Said a new card was being shipped to me in the next 48
03/20 - New card was on my porch.

o.O Their office is probably like a 30 minute drive from where I live. I'll give them hell if they ever take that long for me lol.

[Zaeon]

Originally Posted by Yamii

Flying monkeys stole the quote! Damn them.

Which is another reason I'd rather not go with an OC'd card. I don't want to have to wait to get it back if it does go on the fritz.