Looking to upgrade E6400 and ATI 1950

[DNyholm]

I'm looking to upgrade EITHER my processor or my video card. I currently use my computer for games like Civ 5 and Everquest 2. I am thinking of either getting a GTX460 1gb or a 5850. Or I am thinking I might want to upgrade my processor. I am running my E6400 at 3.2 Ghz and have been for almost 3 years with my 1950 and it is getting my by, but starting to see the slowdowns (i also need to reformat and clean everything up since this build has been going for that long as well). I don't know what would be a better upgrade? I know my board can use the 1333 mhz processors with a BIOS upgrade or I can just throw in a quad core without a bios upgrade ( I would overclock it as well). If you could ONLY GET EITHER the processor OR the video card (under $200), what would you go for?

Lastly, would it just be better to go with a 5770 and maybe a cheaper processor and get by for another year or so?

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[mfenn]

Most definitely the GPU. An E6400 @ 3.2 is still plenty fast for gaming. Either the 5850 or the GTX 460 1GB is a good buy at $200.

 

[Davidh373]

Most definitely the GPU. An E6400 @ 3.2 is still plenty fast for gaming. Either the 5850 or the GTX 460 1GB is a good buy at $200.

Agreed!

 

[fffblackmage]

I upgraded to the HD4830 from the X1950XT just over a year ago and that made a bigger difference than my upgrade to a Phenom II quad core from an OC'ed E6320.

 

[Spectralwolf]

EQ2 is so poorly coded it thrives on proc clock speed and doesn't multicore well (at least when I was playing). Still, best bet is to get your vid card since it affects 'everything' gaming and maybe keep an eye out for someone getting rid of a proc dirt cheap you can clock higher if you are staying with eq2 primarily.

 

[DNyholm]

Cool, thanks for the suggestions. That was the way I was looking go, just asking the experts!