Official "Upgrade Help" Thread

[Toi]

Hey guys, I want to upgrade to a LCD screen soon. Could you recommend me a decent quality but affordable one ? My friend has a ViewSonic VA1912wb that he says he might be able to sell me. Is it any good or are there better ones for decent prices ?

Yes buy mine.

[G8crasha]

Hey guys, I want to upgrade to a LCD screen soon. Could you recommend me a decent quality but affordable one ? My friend has a ViewSonic VA1912wb that he says he might be able to sell me. Is it any good or are there better ones for decent prices ?

I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 22inch Widescreen. In fact, that's very entry level for a gaming screen.

Take 2 has a Samunsung for R2489 according to jump.

Monitor

I've been running mine for ages and I love it.

[biffman]

I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 22inch Widescreen. In fact, that's very entry level for a gaming screen.

Take 2 has a Samunsung for R2489 according to jump.

Monitor

I've been running mine for ages and I love it.

The only problem with a 22'' is that you have to have a PC to match. If you have a slow processor with an out of date graphics card I don't see the point in getting a 22.
But if you have decent parts they are really nice monitors.

Personally I am thinking of 19 or 20'' wide mostly because I don't have the pocket for anything bigger.

[Chevron]

The only problem with a 22'' is that you have to have a PC to match. If you have a slow processor with an out of date graphics card I don't see the point in getting a 22.
But if you have decent parts they are really nice monitors.

1680*1050 isn't that big of jump over 1280*1024.

When it comes to monitors, rather save up more cash. If you get a decent monitor it'll out last anything else in your pc by a fairly large margin.

[G8crasha]

The only problem with a 22'' is that you have to have a PC to match. If you have a slow processor with an out of date graphics card I don't see the point in getting a 22.
But if you have decent parts they are really nice monitors.

Personally I am thinking of 19 or 20'' wide mostly because I don't have the pocket for anything bigger.

I would still suggest you get a 22 inch at the least! You don't have to run the monitor at the highest resolution (& really 1680*1050 ain't to high), but when you eventually upgrade your PC, you'll be glad you were willing to forkout the extra cash! I moved up from a 17 inch CRT about two years ago and I have not looked back. It adds a whole nother dimension to gaming. And really, 1024*768 is adequate for gaming. If possible the driver will automatically resize for a 16:10 aspect ratio, although admittedly there will be image scaling.

[MonGooS]

Well I want to upgrade my CPU/MoBo also to C2D so that's why I didn't want to spend to much on my monitor. If I spend R2400 on a monitor its cutting y budget quite a bit. Think I should just go for the Monitor and leave the CPU ? Else ill have to find a 2nd hand / cheaper monitor.

[biffman]

Well I want to upgrade my CPU/MoBo also to C2D so that's why I didn't want to spend to much on my monitor. If I spend R2400 on a monitor its cutting y budget quite a bit. Think I should just go for the Monitor and leave the CPU ? Else ill have to find a 2nd hand / cheaper monitor.

What CPU do you have?

[MonGooS]

Pentium D 3.4Ghz

[biffman]

Pentium D 3.4Ghz

That should last.
I have a Pentium D 1.6ghz, and it seems to be holding its own, it's not ideal and I would not recommend it but a 3.4 should last a bit longer.
Maybe just buy the 22'' and go AMD instead of intel primarily for price to performance ratio of the AMD.

[kolle_hond]

That should last.
I have a Pentium D 1.6ghz, and it seems to be holding its own, it's not ideal and I would not recommend it but a 3.4 should last a bit longer.
Maybe just buy the 22'' and go AMD instead of intel primarily for price to performance ratio of the AMD.

seems your a bit confused, yours uses the new type of core used by the core2duo cpus, his pentium d uses a core used by the old pentium4 cpus, stupid intel and their naming...

[Chevron]

But still. 3.4 should still be ok. Even if it's the equivalent of a 2.4core2(just a guess).

I say leave the cpu just get the monitor. Next year amd will have the phenom 2s out anyway.

[MonGooS]

tbh I don't think the Pentium D's even match up to to C2D's. But I think I will probably go for the monitor then get the CPU next year. Ill come back then for advice on a CPU and mobo :P

[biffman]

seems your a bit confused, yours uses the new type of core used by the core2duo cpus, his pentium d uses a core used by the old pentium4 cpus, stupid intel and their naming...

Dam intel is confusing. I have never quite been up to tabs with Intels CPU's. Why have two Pentium D's it makes no sense.

[Toi]

Yippee, after years of watching these threads in envy it's finally my turn. I sold that brick of **** PS3 of mine and I'm putting that money to better use now.

Ok so I have R3000 for a GPU. Recommendz me PC guyz.

Ok then I have some questions, would I benefit if I spend a grand on 2GB RAM and replace my cheapy generic RAM? If so, please recommend some RAM for me (2 x 1GB) @ R1000.

Last, I have a 4800+ Duel Core AMD, would it be worthwhile upgrading to a 6000+? I don't want to restrict my new GPU with my 4800+.

Kthanxbye.

[Chevron]

Yippee, after years of watching these threads in envy it's finally my turn. I sold that brick of **** PS3 of mine and I'm putting that money to better use now.

Ok so I have R3000 for a GPU. Recommendz me PC guyz.

Ok then I have some questions, would I benefit if I spend a grand on 2GB RAM and replace my cheapy generic RAM? If so, please recommend some RAM for me (2 x 1GB) @ R1000.

Last, I have a 4800+ Duel Core AMD, would it be worthwhile upgrading to a 6000+? I don't want to restrict my new GPU with my 4800+.

Kthanxbye.

It won't be worth getting a new cpu. If you really want to, get a Phenom II next year. Otherwise you'll be fine. If you get a 4870 you might get some bottle neck, but your framerates will still be higher than if you get a 6000+ and a 4850.

So let's see what we can get.

Prophecy:

Force3D HD4850 (ATI Reference Design), 512MB DDR3, 256Bit R2079.36

Take2:

OCZ Fatal1ty Edition Memory - DDR2-1066MHz - 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) Price: R 664

Total: R2743.36

[MonGooS]

Is the Phenom II going to be better than the C2D ? Sorry I only really know Intel.

[Chevron]

Is the Phenom II going to be better than the C2D ? Sorry I only really know Intel.

Yes, not sure about Nehalem though. Either way doesn't really matter. With pricing the way it is now, even the Phenom Is are worth getting if you're not into overclocking.

[no_fear]

I've got 2gb DDR2 667 ram at the moment, now based on what's been said, that DDR2 800 is a lot faster I am pretty keen to invest in some.

BUT will they fit in the same slots?Ie. will they be compatible? I am actually thinking of getting the DDR2 1066?

[Chevron]

I've got 2gb DDR2 667 ram at the moment, now based on what's been said, that DDR2 800 is a lot faster I am pretty keen to invest in some.

BUT will they fit in the same slots?Ie. will they be compatible? I am actually thinking of getting the DDR2 1066?

They will fit. Also if your board doesn't support 1066 it'll revert to 800.

Have a look at the set I posted for Toi.

[Drakus]

I'm looking at over clocking, but I first want to get a decent cooling system. Any recommendations?