What should I upgrade first?

ReDeeMeR · 07-23-10, 10:47 AM

Hello, I'd like to run Empire Total War and Napoleon smoother. And maybe Mafia 2 when it comes out <3

Atm it works pretty well, but there are stutters are it slows down a lot with huge troop numbers or numerous ships on screen.

My spec:

Xeon X3220 @ 2.40Ghz
4gb ram
Xfi-fatality sound card
Geforce 8800 GTX

I'd like to keep upgrade to minimum as it's only few games I play and short on cash :P

ViN86 · 07-23-10, 10:55 AM

Moved to the proper forum.

frenchy2k1 · 07-23-10, 01:04 PM

have you tried overclocking your processor? This should help you quite a bit.
Reports are that those hit 3GHz+ very easily.
If you are still experiencing slow downs, an upgrade to a Geforce 460 1GB (about $200) should do great things for your graphics.

ReDeeMeR · 07-23-10, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchy2k1

have you tried overclocking your processor? This should help you quite a bit.
Reports are that those hit 3GHz+ very easily.
If you are still experiencing slow downs, an upgrade to a Geforce 460 1GB (about $200) should do great things for your graphics.

Alright, I'll try, any new cooling solutions available I have a very old zalman and I'm not sure if it's keeping me down or mo/bo Gigabyte EP35-DS3R.

JHC · 07-23-10, 03:39 PM

I would upgrade the 8800gtx, its getting a little dated. You can find really great deals on GTX 200 series cards right now.

**john19055** · 08-04-10, 04:35 AM

you cpu should do 3gig to 3.5gigs with no problems with a small voltage increase and a good CPU cooler and you could get a HD5770 for around $150 and it would be a nice upgrade if you don't have a lot of money to spend.If you want nvidia then I would get a GTX 460 for around $200 and it would be better.

stncttr908 · 08-04-10, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john19055

you cpu should do 3gig to 3.5gigs with no problems with a small voltage increase and a good CPU cooler and you could get a HD5770 for around $150 and it would be a nice upgrade if you don't have a lot of money to spend.If you want nvidia then I would get a GTX 460 for around $200 and it would be better.

Just moved from an 8800GTX to a GTX 460 with wonderful results. Easily 2x faster, especially in situations with complex shaders, PhysX, etc (aka the things you want!)

07-23-10, 10:47 AM	#1
ReDeeMeR The Guy Next Door wink Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 605	What should I upgrade first? Hello, I'd like to run Empire Total War and Napoleon smoother. And maybe Mafia 2 when it comes out <3 Atm it works pretty well, but there are stutters are it slows down a lot with huge troop numbers or numerous ships on screen. My spec: Xeon X3220 @ 2.40Ghz 4gb ram Xfi-fatality sound card Geforce 8800 GTX I'd like to keep upgrade to minimum as it's only few games I play and short on cash :P __________________ Profesional web graphics design(gaming and corporate).

07-23-10, 10:55 AM	#2
ViN86 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 15,486	Re: What should I upgrade first? Moved to the proper forum.

07-23-10, 01:04 PM	#3
frenchy2k1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 446	Re: What should I upgrade first? have you tried overclocking your processor? This should help you quite a bit. Reports are that those hit 3GHz+ very easily. If you are still experiencing slow downs, an upgrade to a Geforce 460 1GB (about $200) should do great things for your graphics. __________________ As the universe is curved, there cannot be a straight answer...

07-23-10, 03:39 PM	#5
JHC Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 4	Re: What should I upgrade first? I would upgrade the 8800gtx, its getting a little dated. You can find really great deals on GTX 200 series cards right now. __________________ Wilmington NC Painting Contractor

08-04-10, 04:35 AM	#6
john19055 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: GREENVILLE,TX Posts: 3,851	Re: What should I upgrade first? you cpu should do 3gig to 3.5gigs with no problems with a small voltage increase and a good CPU cooler and you could get a HD5770 for around $150 and it would be a nice upgrade if you don't have a lot of money to spend.If you want nvidia then I would get a GTX 460 for around $200 and it would be better. __________________ Intel i7-3820+Corsair H-100+ASROCK X79-Extreme4+16gigs G.Skill PC1600DDR3+2-ASUS DirectCU II GTX-670 in SLI+Crucial 256g-SSD+2- Samsung 1-TB+2-WesternDigtial 640g+LG-12x Blu-Ray Burner+1100w CoolerMaster+Antec-P280 case+50" Plasma PM6700+Logitech Mouse+Keyboard+Pioneer VSX-1020+Polk Audio Speakers