What to upgrade?
By
Gamma_Guardian,
Posted on: 2009-11-23 06:19 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
First of all, I would "upgrade" your OS to a 64bit version so that you utilize all of your 4GB of RAM.
The next question is how much of a budget are you talking about?
The Phenom2 X4 965 is an AM3 CPU, while your Phenom 9950 is an AM2+.
Will you be needing to upgrade your mobo if you went this route?
Depending on your budget needs, upgrading your GPU may be the easiest and most cost effective way to increase your performance at this time.
If you were considering a GTX 275, I'm going to assume you have a budget of at least $250-$300, given the current prices of said card, which is unfortunately not enough to cover one of the newer Radeon 5800 class cards, assuming you could actually find one in stock.
Yeah Ive got the ASUS m4n82 Deluxe which is an am2+ socket but can support the AM3 socket. I just updated its BIOS to latest version which supports the 965. My budget is right around 250-300 so is the suggestion still the gtx 275 even though I wont need a new motherboard?
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As has been suggested, move to a 64-bit OS to fully utilize your full memory complement.|
Originally Posted by Mjolnir875
Ok so Ive got a little bit of money burnin a whole in my pocket and can't decide what to buy. Right now Ive got a Phenom 9950, a gtx 260 (no extra shaders), 4GB of RAM in Vista32, and my resolution is at 1920x1200. Would upgrading to the Phenom II 965 or GTX 275 give me a bigger boost in performance?
This isn't just for CoX but for gaming in general. Also, please no suggestions for switching to intel I have no plans to buy another mobo atm. |
Other than that, I'd wait to upgrade and just save up some cash (get a fire extinquisher for the burning). The only caveat is if some insanely great deal happens by on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving in the US, this coming Friday the 25th) or Boxing Day (the day after X-Mas).
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Windows 7, and a Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT.
This thing devours Max settings graphics like nobodies business 
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
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Right that would be a graphics card downgrade....|
Originally Posted by Techbot Alpha
Windows 7, and a Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT.
This thing devours Max settings graphics like nobodies business |
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Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
As has been suggested, move to a 64-bit OS to fully utilize your full memory complement.
Other than that, I'd wait to upgrade and just save up some cash (get a fire extinquisher for the burning). The only caveat is if some insanely great deal happens by on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving in the US, this coming Friday the 25th) or Boxing Day (the day after X-Mas). |
I do hesitate to upgrade to 64bit because of that whole annoyance with unsigned drivers, have they changed that lately?
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Currently running Win7 64-bit. Haven't really had any issues with drivers.|
Originally Posted by Mjolnir875
Right that would be a graphics card downgrade....
How about getting the phenom II 965 for $165? I do hesitate to upgrade to 64bit because of that whole annoyance with unsigned drivers, have they changed that lately? |
As to the CPU upgrade. It might give you a SMALL boost in some games that are CPU-limited. But overall, it's probably not going to add all that much. Your current 9950 is already pretty ballsy.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
I would wait until next spring before you go for any upgrades. We'll know more about the specific hardware requirements for Going Rogue, there will be new stuff out, and today's top-end hardware will have come down in price.
@macskull, @Not Mac | XBL: macskull | Steam: macskull | Skype: macskull
"One day we all may see each other elsewhere. In Tyria, in Azeroth. We may pass each other and never know it. And that's sad. But if nothing else, we'll still have Rhode Island."
"One day we all may see each other elsewhere. In Tyria, in Azeroth. We may pass each other and never know it. And that's sad. But if nothing else, we'll still have Rhode Island."
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This is true, and the only valid reason to wait.|
Originally Posted by macskull
I would wait until next spring before you go for any upgrades. We'll know more about the specific hardware requirements for Going Rogue,
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| there will be new stuff out, |
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| and today's top-end hardware will have come down in price. |
P.S. I will NOT be waiting. My life (and computer usage) doesn't revolve around one game so the schedule for Going Rogue doesn't determine when I buy (or build, in my case).
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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Actually, it is. If he's playing stuff (not just CoX) at an acceptable resolution and quality level currently, he has ZERO reason to upgrade. And, by waiting, he can maximize his bang for the buck and system longevity by purchasing closer to the debut of Going Rogue.|
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Additionally, as he doesn't KNOW what the specs are for GR, he runs the risk of buying something inappropriate for his wants (being able to run Ultra mode) if he buys now.
In short, it's called "making an informed purchasing decision".
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| P.S. I will NOT be waiting. My life (and computer usage) doesn't revolve around one game so the schedule for Going Rogue doesn't determine when I buy (or build, in my case). |
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
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Originally Posted by Ironblade
P.S. I will NOT be waiting. My life (and computer usage) doesn't revolve around one game so the schedule for Going Rogue doesn't determine when I buy (or build, in my case).
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Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
That's great and all. It's nice to be able to upgrade whenever the whim takes you. However, some people here are on budgets. Therefore they set certain milestones for themselves to justify purchases.
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The rest of your argument about waiting because computers will be more powerful in a few months is still absurd. That's not "making an informed purchasing decision". It's called being unrealistic about computer technology. It will ALWAYS be more powerful in a few months.
Sure, there ARE valid reasons to wait. As you say, if Going Rogue *IS* his main interest, then wait until we know more. If he doesn't have the money available, then wait and save. But "computers will be more powerful"??? Not a reason.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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In other words, when the system isn't fast enough for your wants anymore, you upgrade. That's, essentially, whim.|
Originally Posted by Ironblade
Did I say anything about upgrading whenever the whim takes me? No. I said my upgrading isn't scheduled around Going Rogue. What it *IS* scheduled around is the age and current performance of my computer.
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| The rest of your argument about waiting because computers will be more powerful in a few months is still absurd. That's not "making an informed purchasing decision". It's called being unrealistic about computer technology. It will ALWAYS be more powerful in a few months. |
I'm not simply saying "computers will be more powerful in a few months". That's already known. What I'm saying is, if you don't have a TRULY compelling reason to buy RIGHT NOW, don't. You'll see better bang for the buck and greater system longevity by purchasing closer to the target date of your milestone.
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| Sure, there ARE valid reasons to wait. As you say, if Going Rogue *IS* his main interest, then wait until we know more. If he doesn't have the money available, then wait and save. But "computers will be more powerful"??? Not a reason. |
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Ok so Ive got a little bit of money burnin a whole in my pocket and can't decide what to buy. Right now Ive got a Phenom 9950, a gtx 260 (no extra shaders), 4GB of RAM in Vista32, and my resolution is at 1920x1200. Would upgrading to the Phenom II 965 or GTX 275 give me a bigger boost in performance?
This isn't just for CoX but for gaming in general. Also, please no suggestions for switching to intel I have no plans to buy another mobo atm.