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  Upgrade CPU or GPU
Posted by MJaoune on Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 10:48 - 10 Comments
 
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MJaoune Jordan

 
Hey guys, so I was thinking, what shall I upgrade in my computer? The CPU or my weak GPU?

My CPU: Intel Pentium 4 650 3.4 GHz + HT
My GPU: Nvidia Geforce 8400GS (256 MB VRAM, Model Shader 4.0 )

GPU frequencies:
GPU Clock: 459MHz
GPU Memory Clock: 333MHz
Shader Clock: 910MHz

This GPU gets hot without even overclocking:
Without playing a game: 65 C
While playing a game: 76 C

As for the GPU Bus interface: PCI-E 1.1 x16 (NOT AGP)

I got 3 GB of DDR2 system RAM if you need to know



The CPU is good enough for compiling my codes at great speed and it doesn't get hot, I also could play Skyrim and Fallout 3 using this CPU. (The problem in these games was the graphic card making them 18-20 FPS at lowest settings)

My computer FSB: 800MHz


I got about 100 Dollars (Or a little more) to spend on the upgrade, so what do you think? :S



BTW can I buy a good graphic card using 100-120 dollars?

Since my current GPU costs only 30-40 dollars..

I just want a graphic card to be able to play DotA 2,RaceDriver GRID, and Skyrim at Medium settings with full speed.

Best,
MJaoune

This post has been edited by MJaoune, Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 11:06

Reason: fix


 
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#1
 
Kiekoes Netherlands

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 11:12
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As a matter of fact, I went to the 'Media Markt' yesterday and saw that they had a couple of Nvidia GPU's for around 90€. I'm sure I saw the Geforce GT520 for around 110€ which is roughly 140$.

EDIT: I've got the Geforce GT 560 and I can play Skyrim on ultra settings.

This post has been edited by Kiekoes, Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 11:14
 
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#2
 
MJaoune Jordan

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 11:40
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Great :) I can pay up to 140 dollars no problem.
 
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#3
 
sarkwalvein Argentina

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 12:36
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GT520 is weak (IMHO)
Go for something in the line of GT560, GT460 or along the GTx60 line. If you find an old GT460 cheap then go for it.
I have a GT630M (aka GT540 with new name) in my Notebook, and even if it's a little week, it's passable, it can run Skyrim nice with somewhat low settings.
I had an AMD Radeon HD6870 in my old desktop, it ran great but was expensive (not the best card and too expensive for me)
In my older desktop I had an 9800GT, that card was later a little bumped up and renamed to GT250 and after that I don't know what happened to it. That card was great in the aspect of it being cheap as hell and having a great performance (for its price), I think that one performs around the same or better than my GT630M and ran Skyrim pretty good, it's way better than a GT520. The GT250 is an old card that doesn't support DX11, but I'll go with that over a GT520 anytime.

What I'm trying to tell is, if you're going to change your card, look for on that performs nice and at good price. I don't recommend GT520.
I don't know the prices right now, but I would go for a GTx60 (GT460, GT560, whatever) for good performance/price and for a GTx50 (even a GT250 today. But remember, old card, no DX11 support) for good price.

I've been not into gfx cards for some time, so my info may not be the best, you should better look around in google for benchmarks and reviews before deciding.

This post has been edited by sarkwalvein, Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 12:40
 
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#4
 
Kiekoes Netherlands

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 13:28
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My GT560 was around 210€ which is roughly 260$
 
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#5
 
sarkwalvein Argentina

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 13:50
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I think you should go for some used card...
Maybe this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZOTAC-NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-460-ZT-40402-10P-/180955197354?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2a21c52faa
Or something like that. That would be the good performance card (and certainly cheap)

This is the other one I was talking about:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EVGA-Corporation-NVIDIA-GeForce-GTS-250-/110937649346?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item19d46630c2
That is the cheap, old, no DX11 but way better than a GT520 card. Good enough, but considerably inferior than a GT460.

PS: Nvidia cards (specially performance ones) always run hot in my own experience, and that goes from ~55ºC idle to ~99ºC at full load.
It shouldn't be a big problem (again, in my own experience) but if you want a card that doesn't get hot, buy an AMD/ATI.

PS2: I would buy Nvidia, all works nice, less headaches.

This post has been edited by sarkwalvein, Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 13:58
 
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#6
 
MJaoune Jordan

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 15:50
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I don't want the most powerful graphic card... But I need a good card that matches the money I have (120 dollars).
I don't want to play Skyrim on Ultra settings.. Just Medium settings with 1024x786 resolution is fine (With full FPS of course). I also don't want it used.

For example, the GT520 is more than enough for me (And good price)

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-520/specifications

Anything similar to GT520 or better, with good price?

Thank you all for your help

Best,
MJaoune
 
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#7
 
sarkwalvein Argentina

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 16:38
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Both cards I suggested you are standard entry cards for gaming.
No one of those are powerful, if you want to know what a powerful card is like or costs, look for a GTX 690.
Anyway, the thing here is that GT520 is weak, really.
I don't think you will get noticeable better results with a GT520 than with a 8400GS. If you're gonna get a GT520, better stay with your actual card.
Look for Skyrim benchmarks on both of these cards if you don't trust me.

Anyway, both (used) cards I suggested are below 120 dollars.
If you want something not used that will work great for that price, then look for a GT250 as I told you before.

Don't look at specs, look at benchmarks.

PS: Trust me when I say this, don't go below a GT250. It's better to keep your actual card than to go for anything below a GT250.
Remember that nVidia numbering system is like (Family)(Performance Grade), and GT520 is Family 5, Performance Grade 20 (the lowest performance grade)
It sucks.

GT 440 is better, GT250 is better...
and 8400GS (old numbering), even being a really old family, is one step over the lowest performance grade (for its time).
GT520 is better than the old 8400GS, but not that much.

PS2: I've just looked, and here in Germany you can find a GT440 new for 66€.
Not a card that I would recommend, but get that over a GT520.
Look for benchmarks in google, look for tests running Skyrim. Don't look a specs, those don't really tell what you want to know (fps, performance in games, etc.)

This post has been edited by sarkwalvein, Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 16:53
 
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#8
 
MJaoune Jordan

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 17:17
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Yeah, I believe you now, you have really great experience ;)
You said a very logical thing about the numbering system. (http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gt-440-channel/performance)

OK I can increase my upgrade money to 150 dollars (Max), look what I want:
GPU with Shader Model 4.0 or 5.0
512 VRAM or above
Good clocks (More than 800 MHz Core and memory, and good shader clock too)
Medium Benchmarks

Which cards of the ones you gave me (Not used) have Shader Model 4.0 or 5.0?

Give me a non-used (Good priced) good graphic card :S

This post has been edited by MJaoune, Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 17:32
 
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#9
 
sarkwalvein Argentina

  Sun, August 19th, 2012 at 21:11
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