Upgrading from x1950XT to....

[Twigglish]

Where should I go from here? I'm not looking to make a huge leap(not at all), but I'm wanting something a little better for gaming.
Where do I go from here?

[chuck4456]

Where should I go from here? I'm not looking to make a huge leap(not at all), but I'm wanting something a little better for gaming.
Where do I go from here?
What are your hardware specs?
I had a couple of those XTs.
An HD3870 is only 80 bucks with free shipping these days and that is a BIG leap up. Believe me.

[Twigglish]

Asus P5B
Core 2 Duo E4300, 1800 MHz
2048 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)

[jobrien2001]

Your processor is no good for gaming anymore :(

Get a 4770 for $100 bucks, huge upgrade for little cash... way better than dropping $80 on a 3870 IMO

Pick up an e8400 or e8500 for $150 on ebay...

While you are at it... buy a 4GB DDR2 kit for $35 bucks.

Grand total of $285 should buy you 1-2 years of playtime.

Sell your old CPU and Video Card on ebay for some cashback.

[CharlieCS]

did a quick search of that board , its a server board ? says 8x link on your on 16 x express slot which is not even 2.0 .


ummm get a new board and get a new video card , overclock that proc and u might have something .

what concerns VC's dont buy into 3000 generation go for 4000 series they consume less power while producing same or better results and often dont cost more , am not sure what your budget is so cant make a recommendation.

[jokers_greg]

Where should I go from here? I'm not looking to make a huge leap(not at all), but I'm wanting something a little better for gaming.
Where do I go from here?

you can find used 4850's on the classifieds here for $100, that'll be your best upgrade for the buck.

PS: Bengals will see you week 3 in the jungle!
WHO DEY!

[Twigglish]

Your processor is no good for gaming anymore :(

Get a 4770 for $100 bucks, huge upgrade for little cash... way better than dropping $80 on a 3870 IMO

Pick up an e8400 or e8500 for $150 on ebay...

While you are at it... buy a 4GB DDR2 kit for $35 bucks.

Grand total of $285 should buy you 1-2 years of playtime.

Sell your old CPU and Video Card on ebay for some cashback.

I guess I should let everyone know that I'm not looking to run every game on Max settings. I know my processor is a bit dated, but saying it's no good just hurts it's feelings. Lexington(Yes, that's my CPU's name) still does fine at pushing Crysis on Medium settings and he's damn proud of it! :)
I wil be upgrading it soon though, end of the week. I'll most likely have something along the lines of a 6400.

did a quick search of that board , its a server board ? says 8x link on your on 16 x express slot which is not even 2.0 .


ummm get a new board and get a new video card , overclock that proc and u might have something .

what concerns VC's dont buy into 3000 generation go for 4000 series they consume less power while producing same or better results and often dont cost more , am not sure what your budget is so cant make a recommendation.

Server board? Maybe you came across the wrong board?
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131045


you can find used 4850's on the classifieds here for $100, that'll be your best upgrade for the buck.

PS: Bengals will see you week 3 in the jungle!
WHO DEY!

Thanks for the info.
BTW, HA. You're funny :) Bengals.... Who watches them anymore?

[jokers_greg]

Thanks for the info.
BTW, HA. You're funny :) Bengals.... Who watches them anymore?

I hope thats how lightly the steelers, and the rest of the AFC takes the Bengals. Very very underrated this year, making some very under-the-radar moves. Actually come to think of it, we stole your back-up RB Gary Russell. If im not mistaken he got you the first TD in that superbowl game.

Im gonna go start a thread on this in the appropriate forum.


Anyway, back to the topic @ hand, the 4850 would be the best choice by far. Another option would be the 9800GTX+ which is basically on par with the 4850 and should run much cooler if im not mistaken

[White_Pawn]

4770 is fairly cheap. Otherwise 4850 or 9800GTX+ if you can find them for cheap are good cards as well.

[jokers_greg]

4770 is fairly cheap. Otherwise 4850 or 9800GTX+ if you can find them for cheap are good cards as well.

Not only that, but better cards :)

[Twigglish]

I'm looking for something ~ $75. The 4850 is a little bit out of my range.

[Neji415]

you shud be able to take your E4300 to 3.2Ghz+ ... I had a E4400 and took it 3.4Ghz easily on air... so i think u just need a decent motherboard and ur new Graphic card and u shud be able to enjoy =]

[don'tknow]

I'm looking for something ~ $75. The 4850 is a little bit out of my range.

The performance difference between $75 and $100 cards is a pretty big margin, unless you find a very good deal to get a $100 card for $75-. I'd say it's worth it to wait a little longer and save up an extra $25 so you can get a much better performing gpu, instead of buying a 'mediocre' one right now and being stuck with it for a while.

Edit: From skimming through prices I see you can get a 4670 for around $70-75, and then the next noticeable step up is a 4830 for $85-100 or 4770 for $100-110. Just save up a little longer, as the 'performance gaining value' of spending another $25 to get to the $100 mark is much bigger in this price range, than the difference between a $200 and $250 card for example.

[repilce]

agreed ^ Does that P5B not have any oc'n options at all .. those 4300's are pretty good clockers IIRC.

Save up an extra 25$ and get a better card , and juice that proc up a lil bit if you can and i think you'll be very happy even with your two gigs :D

[Twigglish]

The CPU is being replaced. It's not about the extra $25. There is no "saving up".
I can have thousands(well, thousands more) but it's still spending over $100 on something that isn't broken to my wife :)
We got other things to buy right now, I want a new video card, so I have to make due with ~ $75.

[Dapman02]

The CPU is being replaced. It's not about the extra $25. There is no "saving up".
I can have thousands(well, thousands more) but it's still spending over $100 on something that isn't broken to my wife :)
We got other things to buy right now, I want a new video card, so I have to make due with ~ $75.

Let me say this, and Ill put the issue to rest
with a 4770 you are running on a 40nm process. This means that is runs much cooler than a 3870, but still runs faster. As you know, the cooler a core is, usually the less problems you have for reliability. Now the 3870's ran very hot, and I have heard about overheating issues with them. With the 4770, they should prove to be a reliable, quiet, great performing card that you can find for close to the same price as a 3870.

Edit: also, for anyone that is trying to say "only 25 more dollars and you can get a much better card", there is a reson why people put a solid budget on things. You can always get a little more until you find yourself up to your waist in debt.

[Twigglish]

That was actually really helpful information dapman; not that there weren't other helpful replies. It's actually been suggested since the beginning, so I think that's where I'll wind up.
Also, to keep some of the unpickable suggestions out: I'm an ATI fan boy. Sorry haha.

[PhoenixOfChaos]

Edit: also, for anyone that is trying to say "only 25 more dollars and you can get a much better card", there is a reson why people put a solid budget on things. You can always get a little more until you find yourself up to your waist in debt.


That's true, but at the same time this marginal 25$ will be a good increase. It's important to set budgets that you need. And modify it[the budget] if you really feel it'd be a good choice. For example you're getting a lot more than 25$ for that card, like probably 25+FPS on some games. Whereas a 45$ increase from a GTX260 (for example) to a GTX275 wouldn't net you a 45 fps increase across the board.

I think it really doesn't matter if your budget is modified, provided it's for a good reason and not just going crazy impulse buyer mode :beer:

[Twigglish]

Well, what you think and what is true for my situation are two different things.
The $25 does matter, the 25 FPS, not so much.
Everyone is telling me how much I need to upgrade my CPU, and get a 48xx because my system is so out-dated. I can still play Crysis on medium-high(not highest) settings. Others say it's horrible, I say it's completely playable.
That upgrade from a 47 to a 48 is not as important as the $100 down to $75.

Anyhow, I thank everyone for their suggestions, input and help. I've got my next card lined up now :)

[Dapman02]

Well, what you think and what is true for my situation are two different things.
The $25 does matter, the 25 FPS, not so much.
Everyone is telling me how much I need to upgrade my CPU, and get a 48xx because my system is so out-dated. I can still play Crysis on medium-high(not highest) settings. Others say it's horrible, I say it's completely playable.
That upgrade from a 47 to a 48 is not as important as the $100 down to $75.

Anyhow, I thank everyone for their suggestions, input and help. I've got my next card lined up now :)

Exactly, who cares what everyone else thinks, if you like it than that is all that matters.

I say your cpu should be fine for the time being. It's not the latest and greatest, but it's yours and you don't have to go through the guilt trip of buying another one.
Good luck on your new card :beer:

[mollymoo]

The CPU is being replaced. It's not about the extra $25. There is no "saving up".
I can have thousands(well, thousands more) but it's still spending over $100 on something that isn't broken to my wife :)
We got other things to buy right now, I want a new video card, so I have to make due with ~ $75.

That is something I understand ..... we have a lot of spare money and 2 kids I find it hard justifying spending money on my PC that already does a job if not as well as I would like rather than spending it on my kids so I fully understand what your saying sometimes you have to stick to a budget for something thats considered a low priority ........... that said 4850's are cheaps for what they do and worth the extra push :)

[White_Pawn]

okay, if 75 is ur budget, then here it is:

HIS 4830 512mb for $84 but with MIR so $74.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161260

[repilce]

Yeh, basically i guess if absolute maximum is 75$ find whatever card you can get that's highest (in performance)in it's bracket for that price.... What "suggestions" are you really looking for.. as far as what's better than a 1900xt.. :shrug: about anything that's 75$ now and in the higher end of XXXX series for that price