Official "Upgrade Help" Thread

[Toi]

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

I actually had a look at both those yesterday, very interested. So upgrading my RAM would be worth it? Those looked good, I'm just not too clued up about latencies and all that **** so I'm not sure if they actually perform well.

How much better is the 4870 compared to the 4850? I'm not into playing Crysis BTW so I'm pretty sure that the 4850 will cut it but if there is a significant boost in favor of the 4870 and it's not a lot more dosh then I'd go for that.

[Frozenfireside]

4870 is really really good. It's quite a bit better then the 4850.

[Chevron]

4870 is really really good. It's quite a bit better then the 4850.

Except the pricing one them has shot up for some reason. Both prophecy and take2 have them for around R3800 when they used to be around 3000 a little while ago.

@Toi.

Don't you also need a new psu?

[Toi]

Except the pricing one them has shot up for some reason. Both prophecy and take2 have them for around R3800 when they used to be around 3000 a little while ago.

@Toi.

Don't you also need a new psu?

Nah I got a nice little 500W PSU thats seems to be doing alright.

[B4warn3d]

Well if you are considering a HD4870 that PSU is going to be pushed quite a bit. What brand is it?

I have a HD4870 and I am impressed! I'm loving this card!! But they recommend at least a 600W PSU.

I had a 530W Raidmax PSU, I suffered from random crashes and lock-ups. I changed to a 650W and haven't had a crash since.

[Chevron]

Well if you are considering a HD4870 that PSU is going to be pushed quite a bit. What brand is it?

I have a HD4870 and I am impressed! I'm loving this card!! But they recommend at least a 600W PSU.

I had a 530W Raidmax PSU, I suffered from random crashes and lock-ups. I changed to a 650W and haven't had a crash since.

4870 is out his budget. Like I said they increased in price. A 4850 though should be fine with a 500Watt.

[Drakus]

PC cooling suggestions, anyone???

[Chevron]

PC cooling suggestions, anyone???

Depends what you have already.

Generally a few 120mm case fans are fine for most people.

[Drakus]

ty, good sir.

[Toi]

PC cooling suggestions, anyone???

Your CPU running too hot or just system temp?

I had problems with my CPU's temp and invested in a CoolerMaster cooler for like R600.00 and my temp dropped by 20C.

If it's your systems temp then Chev's advice is sound.

[Chevron]

If it's your systems temp then Chev's advice is sound.

That's why my advice said "depends". If his system temp drops, his cpu temp should drop too. Not as much as it would have dropped with a better cooler obviously, but still.

[MonGooS]

I didn't want to make a new thread and this seems like a hardware or maybe a software problem, so I thought I would ask here since chances are upgrading will be the remedy.

My friends PC has started restarting randomly within the last say... 2 months. It doesn't do it as much when he is at home but when he brings his PC to one of us (for a lan) is starts restarting allot. It generally won't happen when inside a game but more when he is going through folders/opening programs etc. I first figured loose parts from moving but I made sure everything was snug inside same thing. I then did every possible thing I could think of. From defraging to registry cleaning to disk error checking. We even cleaned the inside of is PC. Same thing. The only thing we are yet to do is reformat which I am hoping to try maybe tomorrow.

[Chevron]

Honestly i think a power failure or power surge more likely, stuffed up his power supply.

You could lend him yours. If the problem goes away tell him to get a new power supply and a ups or surge protector to stop it happening again.

[biffman]

I didn't want to make a new thread and this seems like a hardware or maybe a software problem, so I thought I would ask here since chances are upgrading will be the remedy.

My friends PC has started restarting randomly within the last say... 2 months. It doesn't do it as much when he is at home but when he brings his PC to one of us (for a lan) is starts restarting allot. It generally won't happen when inside a game but more when he is going through folders/opening programs etc. I first figured loose parts from moving but I made sure everything was snug inside same thing. I then did every possible thing I could think of. From defraging to registry cleaning to disk error checking. We even cleaned the inside of is PC. Same thing. The only thing we are yet to do is reformat which I am hoping to try maybe tomorrow.

I had the same problem with my moms PC.
It turned out to be the PSU, something was folty in the PSU.
It turned out that dust caused it, we had the PC for 2.5 years and it had never been cleaned.
We took it back to Mecer and they replaced the part free of charge.
Is the PC very dusty if so give it a clean and take it to your local PC shop and either get a new PSU or try just replace the part.

Just my 2c worth.

[MonGooS]

Ok thanks guys, there is a PC shop near my house ill take him tomorrow to get a new one.

[biffman]

I am in the market for a new CPU so since I am not very clued up with the Intel CPU's I thought I would ask for some advice. I am looking for a mid-range core 2 duo, nothing too fancy.
I have my eye on the E4500 and E4600,
How do they compare to AMD's 64x2's
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[MonGooS]

I don't see anything wrong with either of them although I think your best bet if your looking in that range is maybe the E7500. Don't take my word for it though ;)

Do any of you happen to know how much a 250w - 300w PSU goes for ?

[biffman]

I don't see anything wrong with either of them although I think your best bet if your looking in that range is maybe the E7500. Don't take my word for it though ;)

Do any of you happen to know how much a 250w - 300w PSU goes for ?

Still to rich for my blood. :(

[MonGooS]

I would go for AMD then, but I can't help you there. I don't know AMD from a bar of soap.

[biffman]

I already have a Core 2 Duo board.The E4500 or E4600 should be fine for gaming.
Going AMD will work out more expensive.