Need help Deciding: Quad Core, GFX Card, or RAID0

J

Jdog

New Member
So I have around $150 for computer upgrades. My current setup: motherboard: Asus M2N-E, processor:AMD 5200+,
a Western Digital 160gb 5400rpm SATA 150, and a bottom of the line radeon x1600. Also 2gb OCZ Platinum.
My setup so far has cost me $220 total. So don't bash.
My current idea's on what to get :
EVGA 9800 gtx+, or AMD Phenom 9750, or 2 of these setup in RAID 0 (my mobo supports it) : WD 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0
I do moderate gaming, video editing and encoding, lots of photoshop, and music. What do you think?
 
get the 9800gtx+.

But here is what I would do: I would get something along the lines of just a 9800gt, and then sell ur current proc, and use that money combined with the remaining cash from and get a faster proc, like the amd 64 x2 5800+/6000+ :)
 
This is what I would do:D

Asus 9600 GSO for $55 ($35 after mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121319

Western Digital 500GB 7200 RPM for $55 and free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136178

****EDIT****

If you are going to upgrade the processor...might as well wait and save money for a triple core. your motherboard will support the AMD Phenom 8750 Toliman 2.4GHz Triple core. You will need to upgrade the BIOS to 1401. You can get a good price from Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103252

Here is the processor support page for the Asus M2N-E motherboard.
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=NFlvt10av3F7ayQ9&content=download
 
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Scout-
Do you you have experience with that GFX card?
I've upgraded my BIOS to 1701.
It supports all AM2+
I've heard of the Nvidia 570 U MPC not recognizing/utilizing 3 cores in windows.
Saving $30, is it worth it vs. performance?

Daisymtc-
The GTS 250 is a re badged 9800gtx+ that costs $20 more so that nVidia looked like they were keeping up with ATI. (Check the specs)
Will that 32MB cache be as fast as raid0?

OK my opinion is-
This is not the last time I upgrade my computer. I would rather get good components one at a time than settle for mediocre parts all around.

And shit. I forgot about my free, shitty, dying, 300w PSU.
PSU calculators say I will need 309w. Nice. Perfect. So another $60 for PSU before gfx card.
 
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Jdog said:
Scout-
Do you you have experience with that GFX card?
I've upgraded my BIOS to 1701.
It supports all AM2+
I've heard of the Nvidia 570 U MPC not recognizing/utilizing 3 cores in windows.
Saving $30, is it worth it vs. performance?

Daisymtc-
The GTS 250 is a re badged 9800gtx+ that costs $20 more so that nVidia looked like they were keeping up with ATI. (Check the specs)
Will that 32MB cache be as fast as raid0?

OK my opinion is-
This is not the last time I upgrade my computer. I would rather get good components one at a time than settle for mediocre parts all around.

And shit. I forgot about my free, shitty, dying, 300w PSU.
PSU calculators say I will need 309w. Nice. Perfect. So another $60 for PSU before gfx card.
Click to expand...
Well, what is your overall budget for upgrades? This is around $150:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121253
 
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OK PSU, but only $10 less for that much of a performance downgrade... ( 200mhz slower memory, a little slower core clock, worst cooling)
 
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Jdog said:
OK PSU, but only $10 less for that much of a performance downgrade... ( 200mhz slower memory, a little slower core clock, worst cooling)
Click to expand...
Than what, a GTS250? Actually the 4850 has an aftermarket style cooler on it that is better than that of the gtx250, and core clock you cannot compare between ati and nvidia. The ati card is actually faster in some benchmarks, as is the gts250. Once you start turning AA/AF up the 4850 pulls ahead though.
 
Sorry, I shouldn't of said worst cooling, I meant higher temperatures (reviews, reviews, reviews) This GPU looks like it jumps ahead on the higher resolutions, but my current monitor only supports up to 1024x768.
 
Jdog said:
Sorry, I shouldn't of said worst cooling, I meant higher temperatures (reviews, reviews, reviews) This GPU looks like it jumps ahead on the higher resolutions, but my current monitor only supports up to 1024x768.
Click to expand...
Well, the temps really depend on the case and whatnot, and at 1024x768 its not like the GTS250 would give a giant advantage. If your worried about the cooler though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161259
 
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