upgrade advice

phantommenace2 · Apr 2, 2009, 12:18 AM

I need some advice...I'm a hardcore gamer and currently have an E8400 (non overclocked...I'm not into overclocking) along with 4 GB DDR2 and a GTX 260 ...I play current games such as Fallout 3, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, Crysis, Crysis Warhead etc and my system plays most of them at high resolutions just fine

but I'm tempted to upgrade to one of the new Core i7 CPU's...most likely the i7 920...would upgrading be worthwhile for my situation?...my opinion is that upgrading now would save me $$ in the long run because I read that Intel's next 32nm CPU's will also be using the same socket 1366 and upgrading now would be some sort of future proofing for at least the next 2 years or so

would upgrading benefit me in any way or would I still be limited by my GPU no matter what system I use (I'm not a fan of dual graphics card setups)?...$$$ is not an issue as I can afford to upgrade but I'm just wondering if it is worth it...any help/opinions?

nicnik · Apr 2, 2009, 07:12 PM

I'm not entirely sure it's worth you upgrading to the low i7 at the present moment with your rig, especially since u can play most stuff. If I were you i'd prolly jus jump on a socket 775 quad for a cheap price. It's worth waiting a little bit and see how it goes imo. Even then you will not see that much of a difference; only game where I've seen huge differences in dual v quad is gta4 and of course crysis.

CDsDontBurn · Apr 2, 2009, 07:57 PM

going from an e8400 to an i7 920 would be a significant jump in performance IMO. but like you said, you would still be limited by your GPU. You might see a small increase in performance though as your CPU probably has a small bottleneck on your GPU currently and going to that i7 would be the improvement you need. however, if you were to OC your e8400 though (the cheapest route since nothing is getting changed) to like say 3.8Ghz or 4Ghz, that would remove that bottlneck on your GPU the CPU has created.

but if you're still itching to just buy something new, then the overall cheapest route in terms of actual hardware upgrading though, would be to go through with a quad-core 775, such as the q9550 like nicnik said.

BlueMak · Apr 2, 2009, 09:20 PM

If you are happy with your performance, don't upgrade now. It will only be a waste of money.
yes, if you buy a i7 now you will get more future protection than with your current system, but since your system is fine for you, you will get even more future protection if you buy your next system in the future when you will actualy need the extra performance.

lepel · Apr 2, 2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

If you are happy with your performance, don't upgrade now. It will only be a waste of money.
yes, if you buy a i7 now you will get more future protection than with your current system, but since your system is fine for you, you will get even more future protection if you buy your next system in the future when you will actualy need the extra performance.

Agreed. The best 'future proof-ness' is waiting and saving. And you're current pc, is still pretty kick ass for gaming. Also I heard the e8400 is a killer overclocker....

Mac Daddy · Apr 3, 2009, 03:10 AM

Looking up I agree great system there I would wait

(On 8400 Gen has his O/Ced to over 5G with homemade LC.)

CDsDontBurn · Apr 3, 2009, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lepel

Agreed. The best 'future proof-ness' is waiting and saving.

that's what i said like 4yrs. ago

. back when the "newest and hottest" thing was the Athlon 64 3500 s939.

if anybody needs to upgrade, it's anybody who still runs a machine such as mine or less!

phantommenace2 · Apr 3, 2009, 04:58 AM

thanks for the advice...it probably is better to wait it out...plus I hear that a few new Core i7 CPU's are going to be released at the end of May which will bring prices down on current i7's so maybe then would be a better time

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nicnik · Apr 3, 2009, 11:33 AM

There's always something better round the corner and prices will always drop, but like everyone said if your current system can still cut it then it's not the right time. When the day comes when you have to set a few new games to medium at your preferred resolution then it's time.

Apr 2, 2009, 12:18 AM	#1
phantommenace2 hexa-core gamer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 266 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	upgrade advice I need some advice...I'm a hardcore gamer and currently have an E8400 (non overclocked...I'm not into overclocking) along with 4 GB DDR2 and a GTX 260 ...I play current games such as Fallout 3, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, Crysis, Crysis Warhead etc and my system plays most of them at high resolutions just fine but I'm tempted to upgrade to one of the new Core i7 CPU's...most likely the i7 920...would upgrading be worthwhile for my situation?...my opinion is that upgrading now would save me $$ in the long run because I read that Intel's next 32nm CPU's will also be using the same socket 1366 and upgrading now would be some sort of future proofing for at least the next 2 years or so would upgrading benefit me in any way or would I still be limited by my GPU no matter what system I use (I'm not a fan of dual graphics card setups)?...$$$ is not an issue as I can afford to upgrade but I'm just wondering if it is worth it...any help/opinions?

Apr 2, 2009, 07:12 PM	#2
nicnik In the Land of Snow Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 569 Rep Power: 46 System Specs	Re: upgrade advice I'm not entirely sure it's worth you upgrading to the low i7 at the present moment with your rig, especially since u can play most stuff. If I were you i'd prolly jus jump on a socket 775 quad for a cheap price. It's worth waiting a little bit and see how it goes imo. Even then you will not see that much of a difference; only game where I've seen huge differences in dual v quad is gta4 and of course crysis. __________________ Follow Me on Twitter Battlefield 3 \| youtube \| TwitchTV

Apr 2, 2009, 07:57 PM	#3
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	Re: upgrade advice going from an e8400 to an i7 920 would be a significant jump in performance IMO. but like you said, you would still be limited by your GPU. You might see a small increase in performance though as your CPU probably has a small bottleneck on your GPU currently and going to that i7 would be the improvement you need. however, if you were to OC your e8400 though (the cheapest route since nothing is getting changed) to like say 3.8Ghz or 4Ghz, that would remove that bottlneck on your GPU the CPU has created. but if you're still itching to just buy something new, then the overall cheapest route in terms of actual hardware upgrading though, would be to go through with a quad-core 775, such as the q9550 like nicnik said. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Apr 2, 2009, 09:20 PM	#4
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Re: upgrade advice If you are happy with your performance, don't upgrade now. It will only be a waste of money. yes, if you buy a i7 now you will get more future protection than with your current system, but since your system is fine for you, you will get even more future protection if you buy your next system in the future when you will actualy need the extra performance. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Apr 3, 2009, 03:10 AM	#6
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: upgrade advice Looking up I agree great system there I would wait (On 8400 Gen has his O/Ced to over 5G with homemade LC.) __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen

Apr 3, 2009, 04:58 AM	Thread Starter #8
phantommenace2 hexa-core gamer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 266 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	thanks for the advice...it probably is better to wait it out...plus I hear that a few new Core i7 CPU's are going to be released at the end of May which will bring prices down on current i7's so maybe then would be a better time Login to DIGITIMES archive & research

Apr 3, 2009, 11:33 AM	#9
nicnik In the Land of Snow Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 569 Rep Power: 46 System Specs	Re: upgrade advice There's always something better round the corner and prices will always drop, but like everyone said if your current system can still cut it then it's not the right time. When the day comes when you have to set a few new games to medium at your preferred resolution then it's time. __________________ Follow Me on Twitter Battlefield 3 \| youtube \| TwitchTV