New PC (finally)

[seireikhaan]

Andres, you're Vista won't be taking full advantage of your RAM because the 32 bit Vista only works up for up to 3 G of RAM.

However, granted, you're computer seems quite good otherwise.

1$ = 1€ when talking about computer hardware, and probably some other things as well, in some cases the number in € is even higher than in $...

Thanks, didn't realize that.

[Andres]

Casts resurrection spell on thread.

Ok, 3 years later, and I'm still using this:

This is what I ordered:

Processor - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6400+ - AM2 - 3,20 GHz - with Original AMD Cooler
Mainboard ATX Asus M2N-SLI (AMD AM2, nForce 560, USB 2.0, gigabit lan, SATA, audio 8 channel, firewire, ...)
Memory DDR2 Dimm 2Gb 800 mhz (PC6400) (x 2)
Harddisk 320GB - 7200rpm - PATA133
ATI Radeon HD4850 PCIE 512 MB
DvD Writer Dual Layer 16x black front - DVD +/- R(w) & CDr(w) - IDE
Case Antec Sonata III Low Noise + 500 watt power supply
Microsoft - Windows Vista32 Home Premium NL oem
+assembling.

I'm a satisfied customer; no upgrades whatsoever and I can still play all games, but I'm starting to feel that my machine can't handle everything at higher settings anymore.

Ergo, I'm looking out for an upgrade.

So, here I am, looking for some advice, seeing as the advice I got here the previous time was most excellent.

I want to upgrade my processor and graphics card.

I've had my eyes on this processor: Processor - AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE - AM3 - 3.4GHz 8Mb Cache
And on this graphcis card: Videocard PCI-E ATI Radeon HD 4870 - 1GB DDR3

Questions:

1) Can I put those on the mainboard I currently have (if I need to change my mainboard as well, I might as well wait a bit longer and buy a new pc all together;
2) Do you think processor/graphics card are still good enough and I should only replace one of them (and go for something better in that category then);
3) Can I get better value for money with another CPU / graphics card.

I'm a complete idiot when it comes to these things. I assume it would be wise to wait until after Christmas/New Year before spending money (less expensive outside holiday season?).

What I want with the upgraded machine: be able to play games à la Skyrim and Deus Ex Human Revolution at better than medium settings. If you think my current machine can do just that, then please say so to; then I'll just not spend money on upgrades.

[Lemur]

Doing a little Google-fu, and I find your board can support that processer after a BIOS update, which you can grab here.

Not sure why you would want to jump from a 4850 to a 4870. Yes, you get more frame buffer, but newer cards have better efficiencies; staying in the same generation of GPU seems a little bit silly. Why not step up to a 6950 or something like that.

Last thought would be that you should upgrade to a 64-bit version of Win7. Better security, stability, able to address your full 4 gigs of RAM ... seems like a no-brainer to this lemur.

[Andres]

I take it the 6950 is better than the 6870, but more expensive? Is the difference in performance worth the difference in price?

Will my 500 watt power supply still be powerful enough after the upgrade?

[Lemur]

As for power supply, AMD recommends a 500w or more, so you meet the minimum spec. None of your other components sound like huge power drags, so you should be just fine.

As I understand it, the 6950 is the top-of-the-line with a few pipes turned off. Supposedly an excellent bang-for-buck card. Here are some recent framerate comparisons that include both cards. From the look of it, the 6870 is also a great deal.

[Andres]

Thanks for the feedback, Lemur. Much appreciated

I'll probably wait until next year before upgrading (won't have much time to play games the next few months anyway, it would be a shame to spend money and then not being able to enjoy your purchase for several months) and I think I'll settle with the 6870 and the AMD Phenom II X4 965 BE.

[Andres]

I think my PC died. When I start up, I get a black screen, no bleep sound, no POST.

I opened the case last night and I noticed two red lights flashing on my graphics card. All fans seem to work and all cables seem to be connected. I started it up with only the power cable and the monitor cable plugged in, still no joy. Blowing of the dust, didn't help either.

I'm guessing the red lights on my Graphics card mean it's dead? Or should I try something else first, before deciding to replace it? Would a hard reset of the BIOS do anything good?

[CBR]

Are there any number codes for the red lights?

One post in another forum says:

D1601 - Shows overheating

D1602 - Power connector #1 removed

D1603 - Power connector #2 removed

D1604 - GPU fail

[Andres]

Where should I see those number codes? On the card itself ?

[CBR]

I guess the numbers should be on the card.

[naut]

If you're worried that it's the graphics card most mobos have an integrated one. Remove the GPU, reboot and see what happens.

[Andres]

I tried that, but still the same, so I guess it'll be the motherboard after all. PC is now at a local PC store, since I don't have any spare parts at home. Hopefully it won't take too long before they fix it. I have a ton of new games to play.

[Andres]

It was the motherboard.

Got a new motherboard and since my old CPU didn't fit on the new motherboard, I used the opportunity to get a new CPU, an AMD FX 4100 Quad Core (3.6 Ghz) and a new Graphic card, the ATI 6950 Lemur recommended