[Upgrade - HD6850] I could use some advice again

[ArcherNemesis]

Hello guys!
If you remember, I was asking for help some time ago, but still haven't bought anything. That's because I've been wating for new Ati cards to see what happens.

My configuration:
AMD X2 6000+
2x1GB RAM 533Mhz DDR2
MB AsRock NF6gG-DVI (nForce)
Nvidia 8600GT
2xHDD
1xDVD ROM
400W power supply


So, I need to upgrade and I'm considering these 2 variants:

Variant 1: Upgrading video card only.
I'd go with Ati HD6850, but prove me wrong if you think Nvidia has a better offering.
Pros: saving $$$
Cons: severe bottlenecking issues because of CPU. For instance, I'm getting a huge chat log lag in Battlefield BC2 and I don't think new video card would solve this.

Q1: On top of that how do you think my nForce chipset would go along with this Ati card? I am a bit worried by that.


Variant 2: Upgrading video card, motherboard, CPU (and possibly memory too)
Here, I've got 3 questions:

Q2a: What motherboard and CPU would you recommend for Ati HD6850? (Don't want something too costly, but nor something that will be useless a couple of years from now either)
Q2b: What motherboard and CPU would you recommend for Ati HD6870? (In case I decide to spent more)
Q2c: Do you think that those RAMs should be replaced or supplemented?



Thanks in advance

...and sorry for my english.

[Kilauea]

What brand and model is your PSU, what would your budget be ?

I would think an upgrade wouldn't hurt. Depending on the platform, keeping your ram is a possibility.

[_dangtx_]

between gtx 460 and hd 6850 , 6850 any day. better power and thermal figures, performance.

yes, what was your psu again? at 1920x1080/1200 or above the gpu will do most of the work, below that your cpu will be morel imited

[ArcherNemesis]

Originally Posted by Kilauea

What brand and model is your PSU, what would your budget be ?

I would think an upgrade wouldn't hurt. Depending on the platform, keeping your ram is a possibility.

It's not really about budget, I just want to know whether you think that my CPU is much too outdated and how bad the bottlenecking would be if I just bought the graphic card alone.

If it's really necessary, I'll buy a new MB + I don't know.........AMD Phenom II 955 QUAD X4 BE AM3 C3 perhaps? And I don't know much about these new CPUs so I'd like to see your recommendation here.

Originally, I just wanted a small upgrade to be able to run games like Crysis 2 and Battlefield 3 at least on medium and then buy a completely new PC 1-2 years from now.

My PSU: COLORSit EN60950 400W

[_dangtx_]

i believe a good psu should also be thrown into the cart. unless yours is a good one that we havent heard about up here in ameri ca :)

[ArcherNemesis]

Originally Posted by _dangtx_

i believe a good psu should also be thrown into the cart. unless yours is a good one that we havent heard about up here in ameri ca :)

Not it's a garbage. I actually had to make a claim a couple of years ago. 3 condensators got toasted for no reason.
The replacement seems to be doing fine, although it rattles during cold starts when it's cold in my room. What the heck?

[_dangtx_]

k. thats the fan, probably needs oiling or some dirt got in there.

[OJX]

Get this bundle Great CPU and motherboard. Get some G.skill ripjaws for $50-60 and top it off with a 6850. Free shipping for the entire order, and your system is set. Oh, do get a heatsink like this one OC your CPU and you will have a AMD 955 for a fraction of the cost. P.S no need to update PSU this way, as the processor is 65w and the video card is I think 130W at peak.