Help noob upgrade his p45 platform

[damage424]

My monitor (1440x900) samsung is going to die soon and figured now would be a good time to start upgrading.

My system is an:
-Gigabyte EP45-DS3L mobo
-HIS 4850 IceQ Turbo
-C2Q 9550 (min OC) w/ Megahalem heatsink and 2 noctua fans
-Corsair 650 Watt PSU
-4 gigs of ram ddr2
-Windows Vista 32 bit
-Onboard sound card


I mainly want to get a monitor since the current one is on its last legs, and most likely will get a video card to go along with it. I don't game to much; mostly been Civ, NFS, and waiting for D3. Budget is nothing crazy. Would like to spend under 500 for monitor + video card. Thank you

 

[s44]

LG IPS236v (on sale at Best Buy) and a 560ti or 6950.

 

[damage424]

Ty s44. I like the monitor you posted since it's an IPS monitor for great value. My current samsung is a TN panel with a small resolution so a monitor with a larger resolution as well as a better screen would be a welcome change.

I've been looking to the 6850 as it is about 100 bucks cheaper then the 6950. Does the 6950 with the extra cash for it? I know I stated my budget but I'd Always prefer the bang for the buck value; unless that it is worth the 100 premium. Ty

 

[GoStumpy]

I have a HD6850, and I say get the 6950. ESPECIALLY if you're going to use 1080p or higher resolution... I like my 6850, but it can't do ultra settings even at 1680x1050 on some games :thumbsup:

 

[damage424]

Been doing more research and I found an HIS ICEQ Turbo 6850 that matches up pretty well with the 6950. With the OC, do the two cards match up better with each other? I don't game as much as I use to think and think the HIS OC wouldn't be a a bad purchase as a consumed.

 

[biostud]

6850 or 460 1Gb is fine for casual gaming @ your resolution, you might not be able to run everything at ultra settings, but you can definitely still have some great gaming experiences.

 

[s44]

If you want an OC midrange card, the MSI Hawk 460 (should be still $130 at NCIX US) is probably the better option.

I'd still spend the $100 difference, though - specifically on getting 64 bit Win 7, if you don't somehow already have a 64 bit Vista somehow (or qualify for a cheaper academic Windows deal). With a new 1gb video card, your 32 bit RAM limit will translate to even less useable space.

 

[damage424]

Yes I am stuck on vista 32 bit. I am a full-time student and maybe can find windows 7 through my school for a discount. But if the price isn't right for the new OS. Sorry for the poor typing on previous post; I am using my iPod at work lol. I was under the impression if my system is at 32bit then I must stay the course even if I upgraded to windows 7 I still have to get the 32 bit version

 

[s44]

There's a $30 student deal for Win 7 from MS. Google it (on my phone right now myself).

Upgrade can be to 64 bit - but it will have to be clean (wipe current install). You can just install the upgrade version over itself anyway...

 

[damage424]

Oh wow reAlly? 30 bucks for wins 7 is a great deal to me. And awesome to hear I can go from 32 bit vista to 64 bit wins 7. Now I can utilize the full 4 gigs of ram. Ty very much

 

[mfenn]

Been doing more research and I found an HIS ICEQ Turbo 6850 that matches up pretty well with the 6950. With the OC, do the two cards match up better with each other? I don't game as much as I use to think and think the HIS OC wouldn't be a a bad purchase as a consumed.

There is no way that a factory overclocked 6850 will ever get close to a 6950 2GB in performance. The 6950 chip has too much raw power for the 6850 to catch up on clock speed alone.

That being said, I agree that a midrange card like the 6850/6870 will be fine for the games that you have listed. SuperBiiz has a 6870 for $138 AR, which is a very good deal (thanks DominionSeraph!).

 

[s44]

Well crap, the general student price for W7 is up to $65. Your school may have a better price (some even give it free) -- see if it's part of the MSDN-AA program here. At least it's the Pro version...

 

[damage424]

Well crap, the general student price for W7 is up to $65. Your school may have a better price (some even give it free) -- see if it's part of the MSDN-AA program here. At least it's the Pro version...

Provided link works like a charm. I can Win 7 Pro for free or get it mailed for $23.95

 

[damage424]

There is no way that a factory overclocked 6850 will ever get close to a 6950 2GB in performance. The 6950 chip has too much raw power for the 6850 to catch up on clock speed alone.

That being said, I agree that a midrange card like the 6850/6870 will be fine for the games that you have listed. SuperBiiz has a 6870 for $138 AR, which is a very good deal (thanks DominionSeraph!).

Your right I meant the 6870. Your link comes up $157.99 AR and FREE shipping and the HIS IceQ X Turbo 6850 is $159.99 AR + $7.56 Shipping. Should be an easy decision right?

 

[mfenn]

Your right I meant the 6870. Your link comes up $157.99 AR and FREE shipping and the HIS IceQ X Turbo 6850 is $159.99 AR + $7.56 Shipping. Should be an easy decision right?

The price must have went up $20 since I posted it. Oh well. For such a small difference either is fine. Just don't expect a factory overclock to get you close to the next tier of cards.

 

[damage424]

I ended up going with this monitor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236123

and got this deal http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882021128

The website you provided to get Windows 7 I have to email a faculty member who has to give me a login apparently. So that is gonna take some time.

I Liked http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-6870_1G
I'm just worried if my Corsair 600 watt psu has the right cables for it. I know the 6850 only needs 1 and I'mpretty sure I have that

Edit: find the link to my psu has 2 6 pin connectors which is perfect

 

[mfenn]

Looks fine. I was gonna say that any name brand 650W PSU should definitely have at least two PCIe power plugs.