Gaming build upgrade?

Whats your budget? When you say you want to bring it a little current, is there a particular game in mind that you cant play now? Fps too low?

Also, there's another thread below that has a lot of current info already, I'd start reading through there too.

Quote from smsmcfarland : Hi guys, I've been a member on slick deals for awhile, but haven't really been apart of the community. I'd like to participate more often and offer advice I have as well but I'd like to get some opinions on how to upgrade my current build. Right now I have: CPU: unlocked dual core Phenom II X4 B55 (3.2ghz) not overclocked (I can't seem to overclock at all due to the unlock, the unlocked cores might be faulty I'm not sure, but would it be better to just keep it a dual core and overclock for gaming and document work?) MOBO: m4A88t-EVO/USB3 MEMORY: Wintec 8gb (4 x 2gb) dram freq is 669mhz? not really sure what I should be looking at HDD: 500gb hitachi 5400 rpm i think. CARD: Radeon HD 5770 (this is really what I need to upgrade) PSU: 550w ocz stealth Basically, I want to bring my build a little current, or would you guys recommend going the intel route? I see deals all the time for new cards, but I never know whats a worthwhile upgrade. I guess I could use an SSD. Thanks for any suggestions! -EDIT- I'd like to make my computer pretty quiet as well, right now it like to moan

I agree with the above posters questions. We need that info first.

I think you have two options, upgrade the video card for $200-$300 now and have a mid range pc for the next couple of years. Or you could sell the entire PC and build a new one that will last 5-10 years, but really it depends on your budget.

Sorry about that, that's some pretty important information.

My budget I guess could be around $300-500 to add to the current build (unless I don't have to and only need a video card), I don't really want to scrap it yet.

I'll take a look at that thread as well thank you!

Quote from smsmcfarland : Sorry about that, that's some pretty important information. My budget I guess could be around $300-500 to add to the current build (unless I don't have to and only need a video card), I don't really want to scrap it yet. I'll take a look at that thread as well thank you!

I'm an NVIDIA Fan and have used the GTX 660ti since it came out and LOVE IT. Great power and low power consumption (your PSU will work fine given you don't have a ton of drives). You would (of course) need to ensure that the AMD Drivers are cleared out completely but after that you will have a good running rig that will run most games exceptionally well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6814130810

I think your best bet is a 660 ti like the poster above said. That will be right around $300.

Then if you really do have a 5400rpm hdd.... get a 256 gb ssd for around $150 and put OS, programs and games on it. Use your 5400rpm for storage.

For the ssd I like both Samsung 830 and Crucial M4.

You should be set for awhile.

Also what is the native resolution of your monitor?

Quote from smsmcfarland : My budget I guess could be around $300-500 to add to the current build (unless I don't have to and only need a video card), I don't really want to scrap it yet.

You don't "scrap" it, you "strategically re-purpose" it as a file server or HTPC or...whatever. I think you should pony up for new guts and recommend the following:

When you add THIS COMBO [newegg.com] to your cart at newegg you get an i5-3570K, MSI Z77 Thunderbolt mobo and 1x8GB Corsair Vengeance RAM for $375, with a MIR for $15 bringing the damage down to $360. Add THIS SAPPHIRE 7870 XT [newegg.com] for $245 after another $15 MIR and you will have an incredibly capable gaming rig which should carry you well for a while. I realize this is a bit over your budget but the Intel chip and overclock-friendly GPU together are worth the extra hundred bucks or so as you won't get anywhere near this performance by upgrading the CPU or GPU individually.

Don't know if the RAM add-on is a fluke or not but it's a right fcuking decent deal for this setup outside of you driving your ass to a MicroCenter. Christ, at least spend the extra $60 on the CPU/MOBO/RAM before you drop $300 on a 660Ti, you'll get a lot more bang for the buck. Promise. But what the hell do I know. Go buy some overpriced POS Nvidia* card instead because that will make you happy.


*DISCLOSURE: I don't hate Nvidia. Well, yes, I do, but not out of any AMD fanboy-type bullshit. I hate their new stance on overclocking (essentially that there shouldn't BE any) plus they charge overly hefty margins because their software does indeed work much better than what AMD can muster. IMO there is only one worthy NV card - the 670 - and only at the ~$300 price point. Otherwise AMD just kills it with value and OC headroom. That 7870 XT costs less and should kick the teeth out of the 660Ti when properly tuned

Quote from smsmcfarland : Hi guys, I've been a member on slick deals for awhile, but haven't really been apart of the community. I'd like to participate more often and offer advice I have as well but I'd like to get some opinions on how to upgrade my current build. Right now I have: CPU: unlocked dual core Phenom II X4 B55 (3.2ghz) not overclocked (I can't seem to overclock at all due to the unlock, the unlocked cores might be faulty I'm not sure, but would it be better to just keep it a dual core and overclock for gaming and document work?) MOBO: m4A88t-EVO/USB3 MEMORY: Wintec 8gb (4 x 2gb) dram freq is 669mhz? not really sure what I should be looking at HDD: 500gb hitachi 5400 rpm i think. CARD: Radeon HD 5770 (this is really what I need to upgrade) PSU: 550w ocz stealth Basically, I want to bring my build a little current, or would you guys recommend going the intel route? I see deals all the time for new cards, but I never know whats a worthwhile upgrade. I guess I could use an SSD. Thanks for any suggestions! Cooler: some 35$ nothing special dual fan cooler Budget: $300-500+

i also want to be a member of this, but membership cost is high i think.