upgrade or build anew?

[Bioapb]

Hi folks,

I'd like an opinion about whether I can squeeze more life out of my current rig by updating the CPU and GPU or if it would be better to build a new setup.

Current rig: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz
GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
GIGABYTE GV-R485ZL-512H Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD322HJ 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
Antec NeoPower 650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire
Ready Modular Active PFC Power Supply
SILVERSTONE SG03-B Black Aluminum MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I want a decent, but not enthusiast level, rig that will run some modern games like the Witcher 2. I'd prefer to stick to AMD/ATI for my GPU and intel for the processor. If I am going to upgrade only those components I'd like to keep the budget to $400-500.

Thanks,

APB

 

[bart1975]

You could always grab a hd 6870 or 6850 now and upgrade the rest when it starts to feel slow in newer games. From a price/performance point of view it is not worth upgrading the cpu. You could try overclocking the current cpu a bit. You could probably get it to 3.4Ghz easy on that board possibly even 3.6Ghz.

Figure $200 for just the video card or
$500 to replace existing parts with the following
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view
reuse your case, psu, hdd's.

 

[Zargon]

you will see come benefits from a GPU upgrade.

but that machine has a few key outdated parts.

seems like most newer games are starting to come out and use more than 2 cores.

anything that would level well with a future system build is going to be monster overkill for cpu.

that HDD is pretty old and probably pretty slow too.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

If you insist on upgrading anything right now, do the video card like a 6950 as AMD's Bulldozer and the "enthusiast" Intel chips are around the corner.

 

[mfenn]

Shameless theft from another thread:

Just for fun:
$278 Mobo + i5 2500 -$10 rebate
$140 Sapphire 5850 with $20 coupon code: FPY30190
$40 G.skill 2x4 GB RAM

$458 - $10 rebate = $448

This assumes your case, PSU, and HD's are all ok. Getting Win7 would put you over the top, unless you can get a .edu discount.

**edit**
E8400 vs 2500

You can grab a $45 500GB HDD like this WD Blue if you're comfortable being closer to $500.

 

[fffblackmage]

If you insist on upgrading anything right now, do the video card like a 6950 as AMD's Bulldozer and the "enthusiast" Intel chips are around the corner.

+1