Should I upgrade my video card?

[KrisPwnz]

I really need a new processor (its an amd phenom x4 1.8ghz), I thought that's why my games weren't running very well, but a friend told me that GPUs do like 80% of the work, no matter how good you CPU is, so my first question is, is what he saying true? If so, would I really need a new processor? Why not just get a new GPU? I know my processor is horrible, but would I notice a difference if I went from my 9800gt to a GTX480 or HD6950 ? Or would the processor hold the new card back and I'd be getting about the same FPS as I am currently with my 9800gt?

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

That board is a AM2 board EBAY will be the best solution to find a better CPU....if....it's BIOS will accept a higher clocked CPU....so to upgrade that you will need motherboard, ram?, CPU, and a retail copy of Windows7....

You will be bottlenecked with any of those cards.....but your frames will still go up....

Some games are more CPU dependent than others so 80% will not hold true in all cases...

 

[KrisPwnz]

That board is a AM2 board EBAY will be the best solution to find a better CPU....if....it's BIOS will accept a higher clocked CPU....so to upgrade that you will need motherboard, ram?, CPU, and a retail copy of Windows7....

You will be bottlenecked with any of those cards.....but your frames will still go up....

Some games are more CPU dependent than others so 80% will not hold true in all cases...

Well, the highest this motherboard can handle is a Phenom x4 9600 at 2.3ghz, I doubt that'd be worth the money... I might just try to get a whole new PC.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

Here is a site to play withiBUYPOWER Gaming PC: Custom Gaming Computers and Laptops Excellent configurator...can give you a good ideal what the old budget can afford...but NewEgg generally has better prices....sometimes Wal-mart will put halfway decent systems on steep discount, but check for PCI-E slot, case size, and ability to upgrade the power supply....

 

[KrisPwnz]

Here is a site to play withiBUYPOWER Gaming PC: Custom Gaming Computers and Laptops Excellent configurator...can give you a good ideal what the old budget can afford...but NewEgg generally has better prices....sometimes Wal-mart will put halfway decent systems on steep discount, but check for PCI-E slot, case size, and ability to upgrade the power supply....

I tried iBUYPOWER, but I like how Dell lets you pay monthly, instead of all at once... too bad all those dells are overpriced :/

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

Dell support is terrible.....Instead of that:http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/135087-planning-upgrade-your-graphics-card-read-first.html
1st I would buy a very good power supply...about 700 watts or so I've had no problems with the higher end Rosewills or the budget Corsairs
2nd the stock HP case will probably not take a very long card so find a case....I found a very nice used, if somewhat tacky case at a local computer shop for $40 (my son loves it)
3rd a retail copy of Windows 7
4th get video card and the great case swap.....
5th motherboard and cpu and ram look for combos if buying from NewEgg....be sure to sign up for the Email specials
6th say bye to the HP stuff...Instal your Windows7, instal MSE enjoy your junk/debt free system....