Official "Upgrade Help" Thread

[Wesley]

By the time you wanna upgrade the new PhenomII quads and tris will be out.

Look here if you really want a dual core:
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?op...10921&Itemid=1

Yeah I know, but consider that a new AM3 cpu and motherboard will cost me quite a bit, and by the time Feb rolls around I might not have enough money to go AM3. But its still something to consider.

[Chevron]

Yeah I know, but consider that a new AM3 cpu and motherboard will cost me quite a bit, and by the time Feb rolls around I might not have enough money to go AM3. But its still something to consider.

Who says you need to have AM3 for the new PhenomIIs? They are getting released first for Am2+ and only a while after that will the AM3 version come out.

[Predator]

By the way, is anyone upgrading anytime towards the middle of next year? I'm looking to buy some second-hand parts if I cant afford some stuff brand new. I'm most likely going to have most of my money in February, so I'll start a thread then and see what happens. Until then, if anyone in the Western Cape, Eastern cape, or KZN is selling any of the following next year, please keep this in mind and let me know. I'm looking for:

Dual-core CPU (preferably any newish AMD Athlon x2, but I'll also give tri-cores some consideration)
4GB DDR2 800 RAM
Nvidia 8800GT 512MB (will also consider 9600GT, 9800GT, as well as HD3870 and HD4850)
Antec Lanboy casing
19inch LCD screen (wide if possible)
Thanks a bunch.

That sounds like a good solid rig, but you need a mobo and psu. I've owned an amd dual core 5200+ before my pc was stolen, and one thing I must say is that they run hot so I highly reccomend that you get a better cpu cooler if you are going to get a 6000+. I would also suggest the gigabyte setto for a case they have good air flow and a dust filter for the 120 in the front. I have a setto and it cools my gigabyte 9600gt 512 at 44 degrees celcius Idle and 56 degrees while playing games and my intel E8500 runs at 33-34 degrees. What os are you going to be running?

[Wesley]

Who says you need to have AM3 for the new PhenomIIs? They are getting released first for Am2+ and only a while after that will the AM3 version come out.

But as I recall, the AM3 version supports DDR3 memory, which I really really want to try out. And besides, what price point are the Phenom ll chips supposed to fall under anyway? I'll have to wait until a certain range makes itself known for some good overclocks, like Intel's E2180, and then I'll start planning for that.

If, however, there is a budget dual-core Phenom cpu and motherboard that together falls under R1800, then I'll give it some thought. After all, 4GHz+ on good air cooling is a really tempting prospect.

[Wesley]

That sounds like a good solid rig, but you need a mobo and psu. I've owned an amd dual core 5200+ before my pc was stolen, and one thing I must say is that they run hot so I highly reccomend that you get a better cpu cooler if you are going to get a 6000+. I would also suggest the gigabyte setto for a case they have good air flow and a dust filter for the 120 in the front. I have a setto and it cools my gigabyte 9600gt 512 at 44 degrees celcius Idle and 56 degrees while playing games and my intel E8500 runs at 33-34 degrees. What os are you going to be running?

I know about the motherboard and psu, I'm going to buy those new because obviously I'd like the motherboard to work well with whatever else I've got, and as for the psu, well...I'd like to get a shiny new one thats only beginning to start sapping up its projected lifespan ;-) I worked with the Setto a while ago, and while its a great casing, I'd prefer something lighter and more portable, and the Lanboy fits the profile perfectly. Plus, I like the manly carry-strap XD As for the OS, well its Windows XP 64-bit, going to wait and save up for a copy of Windows 7.

[FoX]

I'm looking for a site to compare the HD4850 to some other cards, know of some sites?

[Wesley]

I'm looking for a site to compare the HD4850 to some other cards, know of some sites?

Go to google, search for 'Sapphire 4850 hexus', and you should find the first hit will be for the stock-standard HD4850 tested by Hexus.net a few months ago. Put simply though, the HD4850 is stronger than Nvidia's 9800GT, but weaker than the Nvidia GTX260. You should also look at the HD4830, it falls in the same price category as the 9800GT, but still manages to kick some ass.

[Chevron]

I'm looking for a site to compare the HD4850 to some other cards, know of some sites?

Just use the chart luke.

[Wesley]

Wow, thats pretty useful! I see the old 2900XT still manages to leave its mark.

[Predator]

I know about the motherboard and psu, I'm going to buy those new because obviously I'd like the motherboard to work well with whatever else I've got, and as for the psu, well...I'd like to get a shiny new one thats only beginning to start sapping up its projected lifespan ;-) I worked with the Setto a while ago, and while its a great casing, I'd prefer something lighter and more portable, and the Lanboy fits the profile perfectly. Plus, I like the manly carry-strap XD As for the OS, well its Windows XP 64-bit, going to wait and save up for a copy of Windows 7.

I was going to get a lanboy but the insurence company, would not let me get stuff from anyware else besides rectron. So I chose the setto. What is your budget.

[Chevron]

I was going to get a lanboy but the insurence company, would not let me get stuff from anyware else besides rectron. So I chose the setto. What is your budget.

He's budget will properly change. Did you miss the part where he said he's only upgrading in a few months?

[Predator]

He's budget will properly change. Did you miss the part where he said he's only upgrading in a few months?

I belive I did.

[Drakus]

i have a question:

i have a gigabyte geforce 7600gs 256mb graphics card.
is it worth the effort to buy another 7600gs and run them in sli or should i just save and buy a whole new system?
i'm slightly reluctent to buy a better graphics card that what i have now simply because if i have to get a new one i want it to be pci-e2 and that would mean upgrading my whole system anyway.

Any suggestions?

I replaced my two 7600gt 256mb with a 9600gt 1Gb on Friday. It is ten times better than both the 7600 put together.

[Repline]

Okay so here I am, I've got about R 2000.00 in spare cash and I want to go out and buy myself a great new graphics card. Unfortunatly I have no idea what to buy. My prefrence is Nvidia so leave the Asus Graphic cards out.

I'vbe been looking at the "Forsa 9600GT 1GB DDR3" which I can get for about R 1 900.00
but if I look at some of the other 9600's they are all above the R2000 mark. So now I'm getting cold feet because of the cheap price.

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated!?

[Wesley]

Okay so here I am, I've got about R 2000.00 in spare cash and I want to go out and buy myself a great new graphics card. Unfortunatly I have no idea what to buy. My prefrence is Nvidia so leave the Asus Graphic cards out.

I'vbe been looking at the "Forsa 9600GT 1GB DDR3" which I can get for about R 1 900.00
but if I look at some of the other 9600's they are all above the R2000 mark. So now I'm getting cold feet because of the cheap price.

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated!?

Look at the previous page for reference, but get the 9600GT, it runs superbly. If you can find one second-hand, go for a 8800GT or 9800GT, both are just a tad faster and stronger.

[KFC]

Good Day
Im thinking about buying myself a TV Card for Christmas, and this would be the one to select:
Its the Gigabyte - P6000 for R550
This shop is located near me and only sells 1 other card:
Compro Videomate U890F External USB TV Tuner + remote with FM for R740

Obviously I was aiming for the first one. Now this is what It features:

1. Watch Analog TV (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
2. FM radio receiver
3. Remote control for Gigabyte PVR and MCE
4. Instant and scheduled TV program recording
5. Support recording Analog TV in the formats of MPEG1/ MPEG2/ MPEG 4 / IPod / PSP
6. Video capture function - 'S-video in', 'Composite in' and 'Audio in'
7. Support Video Editing function, free Power director 6 inside !!
8. Support world-wide SAP and Stereo sound
9. Support Teletext and EPG system
10. TV Time Shift Viewing - Pause the Live TV programs or go back to the previous section without missing a second
11. Capture snapshots of TV images
12. Support HDTV
13. Compact/low profile design - can be used for consumer electronics cases
14. Support Microsoft Windows? 2000, XP, MCE and Windows? VISTA MCE

NOW my question is, is the quality good and all worth the price?

[Predator]

Good Day
Im thinking about buying myself a TV Card for Christmas, and this would be the one to select:
Its the Gigabyte - P6000 for R550
This shop is located near me and only sells 1 other card:
Compro Videomate U890F External USB TV Tuner + remote with FM for R740

Obviously I was aiming for the first one. Now this is what It features:

1. Watch Analog TV (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
2. FM radio receiver
3. Remote control for Gigabyte PVR and MCE
4. Instant and scheduled TV program recording
5. Support recording Analog TV in the formats of MPEG1/ MPEG2/ MPEG 4 / IPod / PSP
6. Video capture function - 'S-video in', 'Composite in' and 'Audio in'
7. Support Video Editing function, free Power director 6 inside !!
8. Support world-wide SAP and Stereo sound
9. Support Teletext and EPG system
10. TV Time Shift Viewing - Pause the Live TV programs or go back to the previous section without missing a second
11. Capture snapshots of TV images
12. Support HDTV
13. Compact/low profile design - can be used for consumer electronics cases
14. Support Microsoft Windows? 2000, XP, MCE and Windows? VISTA MCE

NOW my question is, is the quality good and all worth the price?

I would personely go for the gigabyte one, for it is a trusted brandname when it comes to quality computer components.

[Chevron]

Okay so here I am, I've got about R 2000.00 in spare cash and I want to go out and buy myself a great new graphics card. Unfortunatly I have no idea what to buy. My prefrence is Nvidia so leave the Asus Graphic cards out.

I'vbe been looking at the "Forsa 9600GT 1GB DDR3" which I can get for about R 1 900.00
but if I look at some of the other 9600's they are all above the R2000 mark. So now I'm getting cold feet because of the cheap price.

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated!?

For R2000 there's nothing better than the 4850. You could probably get a 9600gt for R1400 though.

Just wait for prophecy to open again or check some other online etailers.

[Bazo]

Probably wrong thread to ask this, but does anyone use iburst? And how big cap and how does it rate for online gaming like cod4/5?

[Chevron]

Probably wrong thread to ask this, but does anyone use iburst? And how big cap and how does it rate for online gaming like cod4/5?

They've got varying caps. R450 for 3ig.

Wouldn't recommend them for gaming though, let alone fps gaming. If you want to game cod4/5 you'll need adsl or wimax.