Build Advice Another Hardware refresh

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by nimbu, 18 Nov 2010.

  1. nimbu

    nimbu Modder

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    Hey Guys,

    Just wanted on some opinions on what I should upgrade next. Ignore PC in sig its ages old.

    Current Spec

    Athlon II X3 435
    Some DFI Lanparty board
    8GB DDR2 Corsair XMS2-6400
    512mb 9800GT
    30GB SSD (Samsung 1.8" IDE ZIF)
    320GB WD Data Disk
    Antec P180 Mini
    Hiper Type-R

    Now Im thinking to upgrade the SSD to a 60GB Vertex 2E as the 30Gb is a little tight on space. Anyone got that particular drive?

    Next upgrade I was considering is the video card. I only really play WoW now a days. The recent patch reset all my graphics details to very high and it looked amazing, but my 9800 seems to be lacking a little grunt.

    Considerations are the following;

    Nvidia 450GTX
    Nvidia 460GTX
    ATI 6850

    I am trying to keep the cost down as much as possible.
     
  2. Guest-16

    Guest-16 Guest

    That 30GB IDE SSD will be incredibly slow. How old is it? Get us some benchmarks (ATTO/AS SSD)! The Vertex 2E is a very good upgrade, as is the Crucial C300 64GB.

    What's your budget for everything?
     
  3. Mattmc91

    Mattmc91 Minimodder

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    You'll notice a framerate boost in wow if you run a GTX460 with that 9800GT in PhysX :)
     
  4. Guest-16

    Guest-16 Guest

    WoW has PhysX?? :eeek:

    EDIT: Apparently not, so why bother? Disable it.
     
  5. Mattmc91

    Mattmc91 Minimodder

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    No, but other games do, there's no point chucking away one of the best PhysX cards around :D
     
  6. glan

    glan What's a Dremel?

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    I recently upgraded to a Vertex 2E 60gb, and it is a great disk. Windows takes no time at all to boot. Make sure you activate AHCI in the BIOS settings (if your mobo allows it, mine had a few issue that I resolved yesterday).

    You say you only play WoW; well I believe the whole of the WoW folder is ~22GB these days. So you could load that onto the SSD along with windows, and there will be no long loading screens.

    I think the 9800gt should be able to play wow at a pretty decent quality (though it will depend on the resolution of your screen); a 460gtx/6850 should be able to run at ultra quality up to 1920x1080. What screen resolution are you running?
     
  7. Mattmc91

    Mattmc91 Minimodder

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    Solid state drive's don't have disks :) they have chips!

    You've got to remember Cata is released soon, looking at 28GB imo, + screenshots :D

    WoW is nice on a SSD though
     
  8. nimbu

    nimbu Modder

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    Bindibadgi,

    The current SSD is a Samsung one that Dell supply. When I first got it I benched it and was getting solid 50Mb read and writes. Though I know thats not the best benchmark for a SSD.

    I dont think I would be playing with anything that requires PhysX and i would be selling the 9800 to part fund a newer card.

    Total budget is £250.

    I have a weird monitor setup,1 x Dell monitor 23" 2048x 1152 as main monitor and 24" 1920x1200 as secondary.
     
  9. glan

    glan What's a Dremel?

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    with £250 you could get both the 60gb Vertex 2E and a 460GTX/6850. Or depending on how much you get for the current card, and deals on the SSD/New Card; you might be able to squeeze a 470GTX/6870 from your budget.

    I run a Dual Screen setup, I have found if the second screen is only used for generally static applications such as Internet/Ventrillo/Teamspeak, it has minimal impact on the framerates of the main screen (although my main and second screen are 1680x1050 and 1280x1024 respectively, so quite a bit smaller than your combination)

    My system currently uses a 640mb 8800gts , and runs WoW in high (not quite ultra) with no issues (except for the Whelps in Onyxia's Lair, and before Sindragosa, which screw everyone over it seems). I would hope a 1GB 460GTX would be of a significant enough upgrade to allow Ultra settings even on your Dell Monitor.

    ooops, i meant: it is a great drive!
     
  10. nimbu

    nimbu Modder

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    Hmm,

    I dont really raid atm so dont see that kinda content very often. I currently have everything maxed in settings and see the odd bit of lag in cities. Could be more wow related then video.

    Scan have some offers on today so will prob order the SSD.

    They also have a nice offer on video cards, now im torn between the 6850 (XFX, not heard great things about their warranty) or lots of options on the 460 GTX. Also have seen digital copy of Hawx go for 12 so that would be a little cash back.

    Ahh decisions decisions....
     
  11. nimbu

    nimbu Modder

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    Hmm sorry another quick question, any ideas what the 9800GT would be worth? Its a Palit one.
     
  12. MaverickWill

    MaverickWill Dirty CPC Mackem

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    Same/similar as the 8800GT - I just sold one (XFX Alpha Dog) on the B-T marketplace for £35 inc postage. Custom cooling solution might net you a few more quid.
     
  13. nimbu

    nimbu Modder

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    Well.... I have purchased the OCZ Vertex 2E from Scan on yesterdays today only. Should be arriving tomorrow.

    Plan is to get my laptop up and running so I can use that, strip down the main rig, get the 9800GT sold and see what options I have then.

    Regards,
     

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