Upgrading from the 4850

[impruv]

Current Rig:
MOBO - Asus P5Q
CPU - E8400 [stock 3.0ghz]
CPU Cooler - stock =(
GPU - Palit 4850 512mb
Ram - 4gb OCZ Vista Performance Platinum
Case - NZXT Alpha
PSU - OCZ 600w

So I want to upgrade my setup a bit, hopefully keeping to upgrades to less than $300.

So I was thinking my best option would be to:
1) Upgrade the GPU to a 4890 1Gb?
2) Buy a CPU cooler and OC the CPU to about 3.4/3.5 ghz?

Would this be the best option?

[aviduser]

what size monitor do u use?

if its a 22" monitor I would just get a corsair h50 then oc as much as possible.

I had a 4850 with my previous monitor 22" and it was no slouch, actually did pretty decent with my 24" too.

[impruv]

Um, it's a 22inch running 1920x1080

[Zero82z]

NCIX has a deal on a 4890 for $150. That would be a good way to go.

Link: NCIX.com - Buy Powercolor Radeon HD 4890 850MHZ 1GB 3.9GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDTV Video Card - AX4890 1GBD5 In Canada.

[jdm89]

if you're Asus P5Q is crossfire-able you could find a cheap 4850 and xfire them..
just make sure you have a crossfire connector
NCIX.com - Buy XFX Radeon HD 4850 625MHZ 512MB 1.99GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDCP HDTV Out Video Card - HD485XYDFC In Canada.
then spend the rest on a cpu heatsink like a hyper 212+
NCIX.com - Buy Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus Direct Touch 4 Heatpipe Heatsink AM2 AM3 LGA1366 LGA775 LGA1156 120MM - RR-B10-212P-GP In Canada.

[miggs78]

Both suggestions are solid.

I'm not entirely sure if a 600w would be enough for a 4850 crossfire (it should be, not sure though).. a 4890 is also a nice card, although a 4850 CF would be a good setup..

You could also get a Cooler Master Hyper 212+ would a very nice cooler for a good overclock. Also might look into getting a better case..

[Zero82z]

Originally Posted by miggs78

I'm not entirely sure if a 600w would be enough for a 4850 crossfire (it should be, not sure though)..

It would be, although just about all of OCZ's 600W PSUs are crap so I probably wouldn't risk it.

[impruv]

Ahh, my p5q can't support xfire =(
So I guess my best bet is to grab the 4890 once it hits a big sale this holiday and pick up a CPU cooler. So this brings up 2 questions:

1) Which CPU Cooler? Corsair H50 / OCZ Vendetta 2 / CM 212+?

2) How can I measure weather the ocz/cm will fit in my case since my case is not too big. [will I have to buy a new case]?

Thanks for all the great responses so far :d

[jdm89]

no point spending 90 on the corsair when you're on a budget I say.. + the e8400 doesn't run that hot.. I oc'd mine to 4.27ghz stable but i dropped it to 4 ghz since there wasn't much increase in fps from what I saw..I actually had a Xigmatek HS-1283 which is pretty much the same as the ocz vendetta but I changed it because I hated the mounting system of the fan.. Also any of the cpu heatsinks should work.. I fit a scythe ninja in an nzxt apollo and it has the same dimensions.. There is also the option of getting a 5770.. it performs like a 4870 but dx.11 ready

[impruv]

Well I've decided to this:

1) Upgrade CPU Cooler [thinking the CM 212+ /OCZ Vendetta 2]
2) Grab a 4890 [granted it fits in my case]

Do I grab the XFX HD-489X-ZSFC 1GB or Sapphire Vapor-X 1GB

p.s. of course I'll be waiting on the x-mas sales to pick the cheaper one, but given the same price?