Upgrade from 7600gt?

[Rufus12]

I currently got my old gaming rig back up and running, and I'm wondering if there's anyway I can upgrade the gpu without bottlenecking the cpu. I don't have enough money at the moment to do a full upgrade, so I'd like to be able to get as much out of this rig as possible. Specs are below. If possible I'd like to get a card that's less than $80. If the PSU isn't good enough I'd be willing to upgrade that too.

2ghz AMD 3200+
2GB DDR
400W psu 12v1=10a 12v2=15a
DFI lanparty ultra-d nf4 mobo

 

[Face2Face]

Look on Craigslist for some good deals on some used cards.

New I would consider ATI 4670
Nvidia 9600 GT

Both would do great with your current config

 

[happy medium]

Go on ebay and grab yourself a x2 3800 for 65$ and overclock it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMD-ATHLON...5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Then grab this 8800gts 512mb (g92) for 75$ used.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Good upgrade for 145$

 

[happy medium]

dp sorry

 

[RussianSensation]

4670 for $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127415

or 9600GSO for $40:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121320

will more than max out your processor. Sell your 7600GT for $20 and get either of these cards. Then start saving for a whole new system.

 

[faxon]

tbh i would just upgrade your entire system at once when you can honestly. you need a complete CPU/mobo/ram/GPU upgrade, and while you can do this pretty cheap these days, intel is currently launching mainstream nehalem based offerings (though they shouldnt be out they are for sale in asia lmao) in the $100-$500 price range for CPUs, with boards starting at $100 as well. dual channel DDR3 kits should run about $80 for your platform based on newegg pricing right now, and then you will be able to get a good DX11 GPU for $150 @ launch which will be comparable to a die shrunk/overclocked 4890. so basically get like $200+150+150+80 and another 80 for a new 500w~ psu. alternatively, you could go 150+100 at the start and get a cheaper CPU and motherboard if you need to save money

 

[Jacen]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
4670 for $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127415

or 9600GSO for $40:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121320

will more than max out your processor. Sell your 7600GT for $20 and get either of these cards. Then start saving for a whole new system.

+1 For Russian's idea.

Honestly you should just save for a new system overall but if you are going to try and make do I would go the 4670 route for the time being.