Graphics card upgrade


  1. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 x64
       #1

    Graphics card upgrade


    I'm looking to upgrade my PC for higher performance in games. Currently I play games such as Starcraft 2, Mafia 2, World of Warcraft, Left 4 Dead 2. I might buy the new Call of Duty when it's released as well and play that.

    These are my current specs:
    CPU: AMD ATHLON II X4 620 2.6GHZ
    Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-M720-US3
    Memory: CORSAIR DDR2 XMS2 PC6400 1024 MB x4
    Graphics Card: ATi Radeon HD3850 512 mb
    PSU: Zalman ZM600-HP, 600w

    I'm thinking the graphics card is currently the weak link in my system and what I should look into upgrading, is this a correct assumption?

    The card I have been looking at buying is XFX ATI Radeon 5850 1024MB HD-585X-ZNFA XFX ATI Radeon 5850 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
    It looks to me like it would be a good upgrade and the price tag fit my budget very well.
    Any comments/suggestions on this? Would this be a good idea or should I look into upgrading something else instead? Also, will my PSU be enough with that graphics card?

    Thanks in advance!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,807
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
       #2

    I would go for this....(if you can afford it)

    GTX 470 (Fermi FTW)

    Newegg.com - EVGA 012-P3-1475-AR GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) SuperClocked+ 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

    Eventhough I am a die-hard NVIDIA fan there is no denying th raw power of this card. EVGA is also top of the line and have had ZERO issues from them

    It is at 320 after mail in rebate and a lifetime limited warranty
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,018
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #3

    That's not a bad upgrade idea with the Radeon HD 5850. Another suggestion would be a GTX 460 if you can find the version with a 256-bit Memory Interface at a decent price. Either way, you'd be very satisfied with the performance you'd get.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 25
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Darician said:
    That's not a bad upgrade idea with the Radeon HD 5850. Another suggestion would be a GTX 460 if you can find the version with a 256-bit Memory Interface at a decent price. Either way, you'd be very satisfied with the performance you'd get.
    How close are they performance wise? Looks like they have pretty much the same price tag.

    How about my PSU, will it struggle to power the machine with a new graphics card? Link: Zalman ZM600-HP
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,606
    Windows 7 Pro X64 SP1
       #5

    Tervel said:
    How about my PSU, will it struggle to power the machine with a new graphics card? Link: Zalman ZM600-HP
    It'll be more than adequate. Four 12V rails, each rated at 16A. (The maximum total draw on the 12V lines is 504W, or 42A.)

    Examples, with requirements:

    EVGA | Products 400 Series Family&sw=

    (450W, 24A at 12V)

    SAPPHIRE- HOME

    (500W)
      My Computer


 

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