tconnect

Hello,

I'm looking forward to upgrade my computer so it can play all high end games with a decent amount of fps for the next 2 years. I'm pretty noobish on computers, so forgive me.

Here are my specs.

Mobo: P5K SE/EPU
Ram: 4GB
OS: Vista 64bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 @ 3GHz OC'd to 3.8GHz
Graphic Card: nVidia 9600GT
Case:

It's pretty old and it runs games decently, but it's getting out of date.

I want to upgrade my computer so it could play a MMORPG called Aion with 200+ people on screen. Currently, 9600GT can handle 70-80 players on screen~ with 20-30FPS but only 10-15FPS with fraps on.

I'm looking for something like a 260 Black Edition - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150330

I heard it's a good card, but I'm not sure where to even start upgrading. It seems like I'll need a new power for the pins, and a new motherboard. Is that it? How big is the 260 compared to 9600GT in size? I'm not sure it'll fit in my case. Would there be any heat problems? My case currently has a fan on the side/back and that's about it.

Thanks! Suggestions, comments, and opinions are greatly appreciated.

wrench97

P5k and a E8400 are still a recommended gaming build the P35 chipset is from last summer.

I think all you need is to add the video card and possibly a power supply.
What Power Supply do have currently? there will be a label on the side of it inside the case.
What case do you have?

Tyree

If you decide to go with the 260, I'd suggest a different brand than XFX.

tconnect

Thank for replying guys.

I heard XFX 260 Black Edition Superclocked was really good, runs as smooth as a 280. I thought I could save money, and I could maybe cool it somehow if it overheats.

I'm using Raidmax. http://www.lucomputers.com/product_p...&parent_id=113

And my Mobo is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131278
This mobo doesn't support 2.0x16 so... I thought I needed a new one.

My power supply is Speed 600ATX. 600W. That's what it says on the label.

Net Jockey

64 Bit operating systems are not what one wants for gaming...They are better suited for multi tasking.

Raidmax power supplies are a recipe for disaster. they are junk.

What one needs to know about...the relation of the negative effects of heat on the computer...That can be caused by the power supply.

Manufacturers test their PSU's at a set temperature...from this their rating is determined... for most this No. is 25 degrees Celsius...which falls short of the temperature that most computers are capable of achieving.

Given that a PSU will actually lose 2-5 watts per one degree of heat above the 25 Degree Celsius testing temperature...coupled with the fact that computers tend to run at 10 degrees higher than room temperature... In the summer time when the room temperature can easily reach 80 degrees F... your computer will be running at 33 Degrees C. or 90 Degrees F.

So the...math can make...your 500 watt power supply into a 460 watt unit.

In addition to this...what needs to be taken into account is that each degree that your computer components are operating at...under powered...adds more heat to the equation.

Consider also...the possibility...that ratings given by the manufacturer of single components...such as graphics cards...need to be treated with skepticism... Manufacturers may minimize support issues and under rate the power required...in order to make a larger profit.

The above has not taken into account...the issue of high quality vs poor quality units...Power supplies convert voltages from wall outlets to lower levels used by the PC. During this conversion, some power is lost as heat. The efficiency level of the PSU determines how much extra power must be put into the power supply to run the PC. A high quality PSU can help reduce the noise and heat generated within a computer system. The higher the efficiency rating the less heat the PSU has to deal with.

Therefore heat is the computers enemy...The hotter the temperature your PSU is forced to run at...the poorer the supply of power the rest of the components will receive...which has been known to lead to such things as crashes, freezing, rebooting, BSOD’s, and video distortion, as well as partial and complete failure of other components.

The fact is very few PSU’s are capable of producing the wattage that the companies advertise.

For a very good comprehension of recommended brand names, wattage, and models in listed categories...Plus much more...check out this link. Power Supply Information and Selection

Tyree

My experiences with XFX, hardware and service, have been less than favorable.
Definitely get a quality PSU.
2.0 X16 is backwards compatible.
For an Nvidia card, I would look at EVGA (Nvidia's flagship Co.) -MSI-Sparkle. They have good products and good customer service.

tconnect

Thanks for the great help guys.

I just need to confirm that is my mobo strong enough to handle a GTX260 or higher? I'm assuming it's able to fit a GTX260+ now.

According to you guys, my E8400 should be okay.

I'll change the PSU, maybe I'll use corsair, unless you guys have a suggestion.

As for my Raidmax http://www.lucomputers.com/product_p...&parent_id=113

I'm still not sure if GTX 260-295 will fit in the case, help would be greatly appreciated. Are there really a difference in GTX260/295 besides the performance? As in, my mobo can handle both right?

As for Windows Vista 64Vit, yes, I completely understand why Vista isn't for gaming. It was recommended, but I haven't had an issue with Vista so far, runs great. I'll look forward to Windows7 rather than switching to XP now.

Net Jockey

Corsair is one of the top brands.

wrench97

I don't think you'll have a problem with a GTX card in your case depending on the brand they are between 12" and 13.25" long in some midtower cases you need to move the hard drive up or down.

blinkk

If its not to late.

I have always like this card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102809

I have one now. And I get about 400 fps on CoD 4/5.

Its a dual GPu card so its like 2 4850's. I know it costs alot. But its def. worth it. Also I run a corsair 850 psu. So I would say ATLEAST a 750 with that card.

Good luck.

tconnect

I'm not a Radeon fan at all. I really really would get 4850 x2, but the game I want to play doesn't support SLI.

I found this graphic card site useful.
http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f76/gr...nkings-139202/

Comparing the prices, GTX 295 is really expensive... GTX 260 seems to run almost all games fine, I don't really play high-end FPS games, so I don't need GTX 295/SLI.

GTX260 Superclocked. I live in Canada, so I can't get what www.newegg.com offers. :(

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814130433

Normal
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814130370

PSU Cosair 750W
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...%20SLI%20Ready

These 2 should do it right?

I'm just worried about cooling, but maybe I can just increase the fan.

My mobo

Expansion Slots
PCI Express x16 1
PCI Express x1 3
PCI Slots 2

GTX 260

Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16

According to your posts, Corsair+GTX260 Super OC'd/Normal should be okay. I still need a confirmation if my mobo works with GTX 260. It doesn't have a 2.0x16, but Tyree says 2.0 X16 is backwards compatible.

wrench97

It will work fine with the GTX260 the only real difference is in the bandwidth of the connections, more of a future card type thing the 295 is the first to even get near the top of the 1.1 PCIe_x16 spec.