øAslickproductions.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=5f0fck550j2m4m2fpbtkj2vkm1&topic=1352.msg13491e:/My Web Sites/Slick Productions - FFIV Message Board/slickproductions.org/forum/index947e.htmlslickproductions.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=5f0fck550j2m4m2fpbtkj2vkm1&action=profile;u=6;area=showposts;start=900e:/My Web Sites/Slick Productions - FFIV Message Board/slickproductions.org/forum/index947e.html.zxhŸh^ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÈ0P.3OKtext/htmlISO-8859-1gzip8:Ö3ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿWed, 11 Mar 2020 08:37:20 GMT0ó°° ®0®P®€§²ð®gŸh^ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿJ)3 Upgrade time

« previous next »
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 »

Author Topic: Upgrade time  (Read 19362 times)

Dragonsbrethren

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,820
    • View Profile
    • Dragonsbrethren Industries
Upgrade time
« on: January 28, 2010, 03:14:15 PM »
Alright, I'm going to have a little extra money in a few weeks, and figured I'd give myself a nice upgrade before I end up spending it on other things like I did a few months ago. I definitely want to get a new PSU, and am going to pick up an OEM copy of Windows 7 Home Premium (I want to keep this under $300, and the full retail version would wipe out two thirds of that alone). I figure since I'm buying a copy of 7, I might as well go with the 64-bit version so I don't need to worry about buying another copy down the road, so that means I'm getting a better CPU as well. Finally, I want a real video card, since I have a few games here that don't run so well. The most intensive is probably Doom 3 (actually, that's a lie - it's emulating GoldenEye with the Glide64 plugin). I've already browsed Newegg and picked out some hardware, but I'd like to run it past you guys to make sure I'm getting the best possible for the money I'm spending.


PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023
I know almost nothing about PSU's; this is part of a combo with the video card I've chosen below. Reviews make it sound pretty good; I am a bit concerned about the comments on short cords though, since I do have a fairly big tower.

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103279
This is the second cheapest socket AM2 CPU I saw, and the cheapest when you factor in shipping. It certainly outperforms the Sempron 3800+ I have in here now, but I have to admit I lost track of what a good processor was years ago. If I can get something better than this for about the same price, post a link.


Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150390
This was the best price vs. performance video card I could find. I've never owned an ATI card though, and I've heard their drivers are garbage that actually limit the power of the cards in most cases. If you can find me an equivalent nVidia card, go for it. I have one PCI Express and one PCI Express x16 slot.


That's about $235 (with OEM Win 7). Don't drive the price up to $300 just because you can :tongue: (I'll spend some of what is leftover on RAM, and if I have any after that the rest can go towards a game or two I'd like to pick up.)
Logged

Lenophis

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,688
  • Gender: Male
  • I sad
    • View Profile
    • Slick Productions
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2010, 03:17:35 PM »
I don't have a link, but if iCore7's have dropped in price, you could consider getting one of those. If not, then disregard. :isuck:
Logged

119 bugs fixed and counting.

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2010, 04:57:10 PM »
Quote from: Dragonsbrethren on January 28, 2010, 03:14:15 PM
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023
I know almost nothing about PSU's; this is part of a combo with the video card I've chosen below. Reviews make it sound pretty good; I am a bit concerned about the comments on short cords though, since I do have a fairly big tower.

I think you could do better, especially if you can get the 80 Plus PSUs on the cheap... especially if you have concerns about power efficiency and power savings...

Quote
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103279
This is the second cheapest socket AM2 CPU I saw, and the cheapest when you factor in shipping. It certainly outperforms the Sempron 3800+ I have in here now, but I have to admit I lost track of what a good processor was years ago. If I can get something better than this for about the same price, post a link.

Are we reusing mobos here? It seems to be a missing component... because it assumes your current mobo can support it... which is not what I can tell. If your mobo does support it, then at least tell us what it is.


Quote
Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150390
This was the best price vs. performance video card I could find. I've never owned an ATI card though, and I've heard their drivers are garbage that actually limit the power of the cards in most cases. If you can find me an equivalent nVidia card, go for it. I have one PCI Express and one PCI Express x16 slot.

I think you can find better garbage than that. 64-bit mem bus is a warning sign for craptacularness. There's nothing really wrong with ATI, unless you are running OpenGL sensitive apps (GZDoom comes to mind).

Quote
That's about $235 (with OEM Win 7). Don't drive the price up to $300 just because you can :tongue: (I'll spend some of what is leftover on RAM, and if I have any after that the rest can go towards a game or two I'd like to pick up.)

Clearly there are heavy constraints... with some time, I'm sure we can find better options.
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

Dragonsbrethren

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,820
    • View Profile
    • Dragonsbrethren Industries
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2010, 05:08:12 PM »
Quote from: Deathlike2 on January 28, 2010, 04:57:10 PM
Are we reusing mobos here? It seems to be a missing component... because it assumes your current mobo can support it... which is not what I can tell. If your mobo does support it, then at least tell us what it is.
This is my mobo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135074

Re: the video card, most of the stuff I play regularly does use Open GL, so it is a concern.
Logged

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2010, 06:03:58 PM »
Try the following...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143153 - NVidia 9400GT, 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187037 - Same thing, except 1GB version (although, I doubt you'll need that much mem with this low end crap)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500143 - NVidia 9500GT, 512MB, should be faster since I believe this is old mid-rage slottage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131178 - better version of your ATI selection, ATI 4650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127456R - NVidia GT 220, it's still low end, but it's the most current and it has DX10.1 support

Did you check to see if your mobo supports the CPU? You may want to consider flashing your BIOS before even attempting to replace the CPU if it doesn't already support it.

You might be better of linking your combo deal... because I can't seem to find yours... the closest match is this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315542

The one that looks more appealing is this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.319504
« Last Edit: January 28, 2010, 06:13:35 PM by Deathlike2 »
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

Dragonsbrethren

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,820
    • View Profile
    • Dragonsbrethren Industries
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2010, 06:15:36 PM »
The mobo specifications say it supports Athlon 64 X2. This is the combo deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.315329
Logged

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2010, 07:01:39 PM »
Hmm... well I suggest you look over the other options as they are far more appealing.

New CPU debuts should allow for better options to trickle down... though you're spending towards the further lowend...
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

Dragonsbrethren

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,820
    • View Profile
    • Dragonsbrethren Industries
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2010, 07:32:42 PM »
Leaning towards the GeForce 9400 GT right now (the 1 GB card; the reviews mentioning the 512 MB card's fan melting does not inspire confidence in that one... the latest review mentions it has been redesigned, though.). Really, everything posted in this thread will be a nice upgrade over what I have now. I know I'm being kind of cheap with this upgrade, but I don't do enough on here to really justify anything more expensive.
Logged

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2010, 07:55:43 PM »
Ok, there are a bunch more 9400GTs.. I only referenced the cheapest.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069633099%201305520548%20106792522&name=GeForce%209%20series - low end 9000 series...

Personally, I have concerns over a fan-less card (nowadays, you can't be too careful).. here's a seemingly better 9500 GT (with better reviews) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162019

Going from a 9400GT to 9500GT double the # of stream processors...

The GT 220 has triple the # of stream processors than the 9400GT... this is all relative to shader performance for games....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069633099%201305520548%20106793264&name=GeForce%20G%2fGT%20series - GT 200 series or so...

This could work...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127456 - GT220 with some reviews

Better options than the 9000 series... the GT220 series...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130521 - eVGA version.. I've used eVGA w/o issue... (512MB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143210 - BFG version (1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121347 - ASUS version (1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125295 - Gigabyte version using faster DDR3 instead of DDR2 (1GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134089 - ECS, same as your mobo manufacturer... (512MB)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162042 - One of the cheaper GT240 cards...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127465 - MSI version of the GT240 with some benefits after rebate, 1GB version

« Last Edit: January 29, 2010, 06:23:17 PM by Deathlike2 »
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2010, 09:09:11 PM »
I still think you could spend a tad more to get a bigger difference. Having old tech when even the newer crap is better is a bad idea IMO.
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

assassin

  • Bane of Retards
  • *
  • Posts: 1,033
  • space bears are not gentle!
    • View Profile
    • My Barren Webpage
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2010, 02:40:19 AM »
i know nothing about modern hardware, but www.pricewatch.com is a great site to compare prices.
Logged

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #11 on: January 29, 2010, 06:18:21 PM »
At this moment, I think suggesting the GT220 is the best option... because having the additional DX10.1 benefit (which its primary goal is having extra speed) and it does have the latest HDMI hardware for NVidia is probably worth it. The Gigabyte one is the most attractive because it has a lower cost (especially if you use the rebate) and it uses faster memory.
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

Dragonsbrethren

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,820
    • View Profile
    • Dragonsbrethren Industries
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2010, 06:50:31 PM »
Okay, I'll go with that for now. I'm at just over $300 with the same PSU I got in that combo deal and 2GB RAM, which is acceptable. Any more on the PSU, though, and I'll have to lose the RAM (have prices gone up or something? Nearly $50; I swear it was about $10-20 cheaper when I was looking a few months ago).

 :edit:

Accidentally sorted them backwards.  :blush: There's the cheaper stuff - got it down to $40 now.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2010, 06:58:12 PM by Dragonsbrethren »
Logged

Deathlike2

  • FF4 R&D Master
  • *
  • Posts: 3,538
  • I'm looking at you, bitch!
    • View Profile
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2010, 06:56:57 PM »
Well, the combo deal I linked to is still pretty good... I didn't like your first PSU combo choice (the video card makes me go bleh at your secondary requirements)... and I didn't exactly like the Gigabyte GT220 reviews...

 :edit:
I don't think you could do much better with the CPU, given that the faster option is also a more power hungry option///
Logged
Working on the next Yet To Be Named FF4 "Hardtype" Hack Download Latest: v1.48

Video Demos: #1 #2 #3

Dragonsbrethren

  • Forum Overlord
  • *
  • Posts: 1,820
    • View Profile
    • Dragonsbrethren Industries
Re: Upgrade time
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2010, 07:00:10 PM »
It is rated poorly, which is why I was avoiding it originally. You're the one who insisted, though, I thought maybe you might know better than me or something. :tongue:
Logged
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
« previous next »