Gaming Rig (time to upgrade?)

[wigglez]

I had a friend help me build my gaming rig about 4-5 years ago when I was playing WoW. I've had to replace a couple of parts of the years, but it's been the same for the most part. I've actually had to downgrade from a 8800 GTS to a 9600 GT because my 8800 died on me I was thinking of just upgrading my video card if it was at all possible, but I'm not sure if my current rig will be able to handle it. I feel like my video card may be the only thing that is holding me back from playing the more newer MMORPGs that are out now, which is mainly when I use my gaming rig for besides surfing the web and watching movies. These are the specs:


Case: Antec Sonata (case is maybe 6-7 years old now from when I built my first rig) Has only one fan in the back

PSU: OCZGXS700 (don't see it on newegg anymore)

Mobo: ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131142

CPU: Intel Pentium E6600 Wolfdale 3.06GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80571E6600 (not sure if the link is correct. I know it's a Intel E6600 though)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-347-_-Product

HDD: WD 500 gig and Seagate 1tb

RAM: 2x CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X1024-6400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=cm2x1024-6400

Video Card: BFG Tech BFGE96512GTOCE GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143130

Monitor: Acer 21" (I think it's dead now. refer to this link as I created a thread about it: http://www.pcmech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215833 )
I was planning on upgrading to this if it really is my monitor that isn't work: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Asus-VH242...ReviewTitleBar



Ideally I'd like to just replace my monitor if it is the problem I'm having right now. It seems like my video card needs to be upgraded if I want to be able to play the newer MMORPGs. I was able to run WoW and even watch a movie (dual monitors) at the same time back when I use to play it. I hear these MMORPGs these days (even the free ones) require quite a bit more resources now compared to WoW which could run on almost any decent rig. Would I be able to run newer games like FF14 which will be coming out soon if I were to upgrade just my video card? I wouldn't mind shelling out the cash of upwards of $400 if it was just my video card which would need to be upgraded. I probably wouldn't want to spend more than $1200 on a new gaming rig if it came to it. I'd probably replace everything but my HDs as I would be donating my old PC to my brother.

 

[wigglez]

anyone? I'd like to just upgrade my graphics card if at all possible. I'm not sure if my current set up will last me the next few years and still be able to run MMO's mainly at average to higher end settings if I were to upgrade my graphics card. I'm not sure if upgrading to 4gigs of RAM (from my current 2gigs) will make much of a difference either.

 

[Sean W.]

what operating system do you have? WIndows XP?

 

[wigglez]

what operating system do you have? WIndows XP?

yes... My brother has that student version of windows 7 that I can upgrade to, which I plan on doing when I get a new monitor.

 

[Trotter]

Yeah, your monitor sounds dead, mate. The one you picked out looks to be a good one and at a good price... the same price at NewEgg after rebate. At least you should be able to walk out of Wally World with it.

As far as graphic cards go, the 5770 is a good card that won't break the bank. It has roughly the same performance as the 4870 but can run DX11. The card, coupled with the monitor, still comes in under $400.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

If you wanted to go for a CPU upgrade, your mobo can handle the following:
With BIOS 0117-
*BX80562Q6400 - Q6400, rev.B3
*BX80562Q6600 - Q6600, rev.B3

With BIOS 0608-
*BX80562Q6600 - Q6600, rev.G0
*BX80562Q6700 - Q6700, rev.G0

With BIOS 1403-
BX80580Q9505 - Q9505
BXC80580Q9505 - Q9505

 

[wigglez]

Yeah, your monitor sounds dead, mate. The one you picked out looks to be a good one and at a good price... the same price at NewEgg after rebate. At least you should be able to walk out of Wally World with it.

As far as graphic cards go, the 5770 is a good card that won't break the bank. It has roughly the same performance as the 4870 but can run DX11. The card, coupled with the monitor, still comes in under $400.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

If you wanted to go for a CPU upgrade, your mobo can handle the following:
With BIOS 0117-
*BX80562Q6400 - Q6400, rev.B3
*BX80562Q6600 - Q6600, rev.B3

With BIOS 0608-
*BX80562Q6600 - Q6600, rev.G0
*BX80562Q6700 - Q6700, rev.G0

With BIOS 1403-
BX80580Q9505 - Q9505
BXC80580Q9505 - Q9505

I appreciate the response! I'll probably go with that new monitor. As for GPUs, I was recommended by a friend to get the Radeon hd5830 Newegg.com - HIS iCooler V H583FN1GD Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/Eyefinity I'm not sure if it's more power than I need or what the difference between them is really. I have no idea what all the numbers mean =X I'd just like something that could run MMOs at the highest setting and still have decent to excellent FPS.

I also though about getting more RAM, but I'm unsure as to how it will affect my gaming if at all? Would a CPU upgrade be recommended? Please keep in mind that the most intensive thing I'll be doing on my PC is gaming. So this is with gaming in mind. I do surf the web and steam movies and such on my PC, but I don't think that's as intensive on my PC compared to playing FPS or MMOs.

I do appreciate the responses! I'll probably be putting my order at the end of this weekend =)

 

[Sean W.]

as far as radeon cards go, its ( from worst to best ) 5770 < 5830 < 5850 <5870 < 5970

so the 5830 is the 4th best card.


but there is no doubt the 5830 is a powerfull card and it will handle and MMO you can throw at it. i dont know anything about older processors, so i cant help you there.

 

[Trotter]

Either way, be it a 5770 or a 5830, go with XFX. HIS only have a two year warranty while XFX has a lifetime warranty. It is worth the extra $30.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-583X-ZAFV Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

 

[wigglez]

Either way, be it a 5770 or a 5830, go with XFX. HIS only have a two year warranty while XFX has a lifetime warranty. It is worth the extra $30.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-583X-ZAFV Radeon HD 5830 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

good call on that. I didn't notice that before. I'm surprised they offer a lifetime warranty as computer parts are bound to break!

anyone know if I should bother getting more RAM? Or is 2gigs still okay with even games coming out in the next year these days?

 

[wigglez]

going to put my order in tomorrow after work. anyone have any other suggestions? =)