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OT Hardware Question

B

Baywing

Guest
As it specifically applies to OFF3, BHaH, would I see a gain by making the following upgrade.
Currently, running a Dell E521 upgraded: 450w PS, AMD Athlon X2 5600+ (2.8G) with a 8600GT vid card.
I can get a AMD Athlon X2 6400+ (3.2G) which will fit my Windsor socket for $90. (Power consumption +35W, which I think the 450W PS can handle fine as the vid card spec require a system 300W minimum)
Will the 2.8 to 3.2 get me a performance gain for OFF or is my video card the log jam?
Other system info, XP SP2, 4G RAM (Yeh, I know it only uses 3)
 
Baywing said:
As it specifically applies to OFF3, BHaH, would I see a gain by making the following upgrade.
Currently, running a Dell E521 upgraded: 450w PS, AMD Athlon X2 5600+ (2.8G) with a 8600GT vid card.
I can get a AMD Athlon X2 6400+ (3.2G) which will fit my Windsor socket for $90. (Power consumption +35W, which I think the 450W PS can handle fine as the vid card spec require a system 300W minimum)
Will the 2.8 to 3.2 get me a performance gain for OFF or is my video card the log jam?
Other system info, XP SP2, 4G RAM (Yeh, I know it only uses 3)
Click to expand...

You'll see an improvement, but whether or not it'll be $90's worth is entirely subjective. Personally I think you'll probably be disappointed.
 
If it has to be either, or, I would venture to say that a graphics card upgrade would help, especially if your 8600GT is 256Mb like the one I had. The 9 series Nvidia cards are dropping in price now, so you could get one with at least 512Mb relatively cheap.

CJ
 
Cameljockey said:
If it has to be either, or, I would venture to say that a graphics card upgrade would help, especially if your 8600GT is 256Mb like the one I had. The 9 series Nvidia cards are dropping in price now, so you could get one with at least 512Mb relatively cheap.

CJ
Click to expand...

The biggest issue I have regarding the vid card is physical space. The E521 has a hugh fan shroud and CPU heatsink that limit my choices.
 
How much clearance do you have with the 8600GT? The 9600GT looks like it's not much longer than the 8600, and how much room do you have in case the card takes two slots worth of space? Maybe before upgrading, change to a larger case. For the higher end cards, you'll more than likely need at least a mid tower. That's what I have and my 8800GTX only clears the hard drive rack by an inch.

CJ
 
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