Should I Upgrade?

Bacon

Bacon

Member
So, I've been having this debate for a while. Should I upgrade to AM3 or GPU and I've also been considering getting a SSD, but there are a few questions I have that have been stopping me..

First off I'm running:

Phenom II x4 940 (OCd to 3.6)
4x 2GB DDR2 at 1066
PC P&C 750W
MSI K9A2 Platinum v2
4870 1GB
WD 640 GB Caviar Black

Now, it runs everything at mostly high settings, but as most of us know. Even if it runs well, you still want to upgrade :D

I don't really know how big of a difference it would be between what I'm running now and a AM3 setup and if its not much, would upgrading to say..a 5850? Be more effective. Myself I am concerned with the immaturity of the 5k series drivers, I haven't heard too good of things.

Now for my questions about an SSD. I don't know a ton about them, so I may make myself look stupid here.. Can I delete, format, etc with a SSD or is it that what I put on there is what should stay on there? I also understand that there are certain things you should do with windows to elongate the lifespan of an SSD as I also understand over time no matter what its performance degrades, is this true?

Not so much SSD orientated, but I have my entire system on one drive right now, would it be possible to move only the OS and a couple heavy applications without reinstalling, or is that not possible?


Thats all I can think of for now, thanks for any help in advance!
 
Last edited:
the best upgrade that I see for you would be the gpu. updating to a am3 setup would give you DDR3 ram over DDR2 but with your current setup, I don't see it being worth the money. With the SSD, you will have to reinstall your os if you do not already have it partitioned.

I think the best upgrade would be a gpu. 5850 or 5870. When you have a bit more money get an am3 motherboard, DDR3, and an SSD and reformat your computer.
 
Well considering money, going DDR3 it would be a processor/board and memory. Money and performance wise a 5850/5870 would be your best bet.
 
I don't see you need to upgrade to AM3.
I would say either get SSD or video card.
Since you have 790FX mobo, you can also consider get another 4870 to crossfire.
 
Alright, so the SSD idea is in, but I really don't know much about them. As far as I'm concerned they are nothing like conventional hard drives therefore I am lost.

What do I look for in a good SSD? My budget is probably about 170-200 and I'll most likely just put the OS and a couple games on it like I've seen other people do.

I've migrated well from Vista with a fresh install of win7 and figured out how to save all the annoying things like bookmarks, preferences etc.. So reinstalling won't be such a pain other than redoing steam games. AppData folder ftw.
 
Bacon said:
Looks like it has low write speed, as I'm seeing upwards of 200mb/s write on other SSDs for cheaper. Then again, I heard Intel SSDs are among the best.

Anyone else have any input?
Click to expand...

as a matter of fact I do. I use the ocz vertex 60gb ssd.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...27394&cm_re=ocz_vertex-_-20-227-394-_-Product

its cheaper and faster. it has trim support and is a very high quality ssd. I actually run it on my sata 3 port and it works better than on the sata 2 which is a plus because it is not a sata 3 ssd.
 
jarlmaster47 said:
as a matter of fact I do. I use the ocz vertex 60gb ssd.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...27394&cm_re=ocz_vertex-_-20-227-394-_-Product

its cheaper and faster. it has trim support and is a very high quality ssd. I actually run it on my sata 3 port and it works better than on the sata 2 which is a plus because it is not a sata 3 ssd.
Click to expand...

So, I looked up TRIM support and yea, definitely want that. I saw someone else on here got that same drive as well. Still would like some more input and thoughts though.


Edit: What about this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542
 
Last edited:
Bacon said:
So, I looked up TRIM support and yea, definitely want that. I saw someone else on here got that same drive as well. Still would like some more input and thoughts though.


Edit: What about this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227542
Click to expand...

DAMMMMMMMMMN!!!! OH SHIT. dude that ssd right there is ridiculous. 285/275 read write!! 60gb and for 190. god dammit I should have gone with that. But then again mine was 140 at microcenter after rebates so I guess its all good. But yeah definitely get that ssd.
 
Well, I only need to put Win7, GTA IV, Photoshop, and maybe world or warcraft. So 60 should be plenty.

I still wanna get as many opinions on this as I can. Probably going to order tomorrow since ordering today wouldn't make it arrive any faster compared to ordering tomorrow.
 
Now I have not looked into it but how many of the 60gb will be useable, 54? I dont have much on my system but I am near 50 already and I have not even loaded PS or Adobe Acrobat the full version. If I could not have applications on the SSD I cant see the point. I also would want a few games on it also just to speed things up. I would then have all of my photos and stuff on another drive. I am just saying this for your consideration, you should buy what you want though.
I am temped to get the Intel 160 version since it is $399 locally now. It is tough since I have seen both drives drop $100 in 6 months, it makes me want to wait...
 
Last edited:
Gabe63 said:
tough since I have seen both drives drop $100 in 6 months, it makes me want to wait...
Click to expand...

I've got the same feeling about getting a 5850, thats why I opted for the SSD over it, besides my 4870 is holding its own pretty well for now.

Win7 takes up about what? 25 gigs? Then GTA will probably take up about 15 gigs... I dunno. That brings me to a question, I've gotten GTA from steam, how's that going to work, do I need to install Steam on the SSD too or I could I install it on my other drive and tell it to install GTA to the SSD?
 
Bacon said:
I've got the same feeling about getting a 5850, thats why I opted for the SSD over it, besides my 4870 is holding its own pretty well for now.

Win7 takes up about what? 25 gigs? Then GTA will probably take up about 15 gigs... I dunno. That brings me to a question, I've gotten GTA from steam, how's that going to work, do I need to install Steam on the SSD too or I could I install it on my other drive and tell it to install GTA to the SSD?
Click to expand...

That is why I have pretty much decided my minimum is the 128g 2nd Gen Kingston or the Intel 160g. If it is a fight to make it work I just dont see the point.

I do like the 5850 but it does not beat my old 4890 by that much, oh well. If a 5890 comes out I will be interested...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top