Computer Upgrade

Ok so I was looking at upgrading my computer from the specs in my sig to the following...

Mobo - Asus M2N32 Deluxe
Processor - AMD X2 4200
RAM - 2 GB OCZ PC2-6400 Dual Chan

and I was looking at getting the 7950 GX2 but after looking at some benchmarks at Tom's Hardware Guide I'm not so sure I should get it. The thing that made me worry most about my choice in the 7950 is that my X800 XT meets or beats it in FPS for outdoor areas in Oblivion and that other cards absolutely crush it. The indoor FPS challange only the lower end cards so I'm not worried about that. On the other hand Hot Hardware found that the other top end cards far about the same as the 7950. So I am at a loss and figured that it would be a good idea to ask other's for their opinions before I did something stupid. Also for refrence my reasoning in choosing the 7950 was that A.) it is two cards in one, B.) it's new so future driver updates will make it work better, and C.) in the future when I need more graphical processing power I can add a second one and have quad SLi.

Oh and P.S. I won't even consider an Intel processor. I have my reasons.

Also can my PSU handle all that?

 

http://www.bfgtech.com/7950Gx2_1G_PCIX.html

No reason it can't handle one or even two in sli. Then again, the board you want is not SLI.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html?modelx=33&model1=517&model2=566&chart=211

I don't know what you read, but this comparion shows 7950 GX2 (strangly, it's not there, but should be somewhere above 7950GT) at 70fps & X800 XT (is it XTPE? that's the fastest sm2.0 card) at 45fps at 1600x1200 everything. at 1024x768, the gap is much larger.

Unless you play at over 1600x1200, you don't need top SLI. Or unless you have the money to blow.

 

Yes the M2N32 SLI Deluxe is SLI. I just forgot to put SLI in the name.
http://www.pagecomputers.com/store/...tegory_name=16g16c550s2213&product_id=1068367

Also the Oblivion benchmark I looked at at Tom's was this one http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html?modelx=33&model1=517&model2=566&chart=205

My X800 is just the XT not the XT PE

I game at 1024x768.

Thanks for the PSU info. That makes me rest easier.

 

I wouldn't recommend getting the 7950GX2 just to quad SLI it later, considering the first DX10 cards are here. By the time you'd need to quad you could do it with DX10 cards for maybe a slightly higher price. Besides, two 7900GTXs SLIed beat a 7950GX2 in most respects, although if you wanted to do that you might as well get a 8800GTX.
BTW, I have both the 7950GX2 and the Asus mobo. I didn't even realize the mobo came with wireless, so when I saw the Wi-Fi adapter I was like, "Uh...what's this round white thing?" This was before I found out about DX10 cards coming so soon. <_<

 

I would do 2 7900 GTXs in SLI but I don't have that much cash and the 8800 is a little too new for my taste.

 

IMO, you should get a factory-overclocked 7900GT. Especially if you play at 1024x768. High end cards only show at larger resolutions.

Also, I wouldn't get OCZ with ASUS boards as they don't mix well. You might get no post/video, like a lot of people. You'd have to get a cheap ddr2 to post & set up bios for OCZ, then swap ram. Crucial, Corsair & Kingston work out of the box.

 

I hate to break it to you but Aspire makes some of The Worst PSU's on the planet
Man, they are even worse than thermaltake

Here's a list of PSU's to avoid
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=974240

Recommended PSU's
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1000883

 

I gotta call ya on that one.
Prove it!

OCZ makes some great memory, they use the same chips as other Big name product.
OCZ also has some of the best Support/Customer Service in the business
They also have great support forum with reps on hand

 

I would like to see why those PSUs got on the list. But anyhow I am going to upgrade to a http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Ultra_X2_Titanium_UV_PSU,__16616837/search=Ultra+X

I don't see why OCZ and ASUS hardware wouldn't get along.

 

Don't take it out of context.

I built 2 AM2 rigs with ASUS mobos & OCZ ram. The 1st was a nightware: the mobo with old bios wouldn't post; we pulled an all-nighter; it only posted if we DISREGARDED the manual. The 2nd was stick head in the sand. The ram was cheap. It wouldn't post whatever slot it was in. Both forums & store confirmed they don't mix. Luckily the store refunded my money. I picked up a Kingston 1gig. Bang! It posted in a sec.

I'm not saying they won't post. I'm saying IF you take the time to do it, you can. OCZ uses higher wattage but AM2 boards default to lower wattage. Board makers & OCZ are pointing finger at each other.

My friend's rig is fine with OCZ AFFFFFTER bios update. It's catch 22 if you know what i mean. People don't expect it, don't buy 2 sets of ram just so they can set it up & swap ram. People EXPECT it to work out of box.

I'm talking about AM2, not 939, not 462, not 478, not 775. Don't talk to me if you're not talking about AM2.

 

And I didnt

______________________________________________________________
Just because you had a problem, doesnt doom everyone else or the product
nor does it make reason to say

You didnt prove anything, other than you had a problem, but I'm not going to question your abilities


"akhilles"
Good Luck with your system

 

Ugh those 8800 GTX benchmarks make the 7900 GTX I was looking at not look so good anymore. The only obvious pro to the 7900 is that it is about half the price. What is everyone's opinion?

 

If I were you, I'd go with a Radeon X1950XTX since it costs about the same as a 7950GX2 and has better benchmarks. Or, if you really want to do SLI, go with 2 7900GTs, but as stated above, if you only play games at lower resolutions (1280x1024 or lower) the 7950 GX2 is a waste of money.