Advice

I have a DELL machine XPS™ 430 - (D03X303) (Well actually my boyfriend does)


Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Core Processor Q8200 (2.33GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB cache), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 Bit) - English
Base Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Core Processor Q8200 (2.33GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB cache)
Memory 3072MB 1067 MHz Tri Channel DDR3 SDRAM [3x1024]
Keyboard Dell Multimedia USB Keyboard Black - UK
Monitor 23in S2309W WIDESCREEN UK Black (1920 x 1080)
Video Card 512MB ATI® Radeon™ 4850 Graphics card



I has suggested this
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=499586&view=detailed#ProductTabs
and he suggested this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-148-XF

Could I upgrade to this card? (he wants it as an xmas present)
Money isn't an issue at all
I just wondered would it be compatible

Komplett-Tech: Ryan

Both cards are compatible with your current system.

AlmightyCushion

The one you suggested is a waste of an upgrade. The 1GB 4850 will give no or at the most very little improvement over your existing card.

leninbenjamin

Coolsmileygirl wrote: »

I have a DELL machine XPS™ 430 - (D03X303) (Well actually my boyfriend does)


Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Core Processor Q8200 (2.33GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB cache), Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 Bit) - English
Base Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Core Processor Q8200 (2.33GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB cache)
Memory 3072MB 1067 MHz Tri Channel DDR3 SDRAM [3x1024]
Keyboard Dell Multimedia USB Keyboard Black - UK
Monitor 23in S2309W WIDESCREEN UK Black (1920 x 1080)
Video Card 512MB ATI® Radeon™ 4850 Graphics card



I has suggested this
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=499586&view=detailed#ProductTabs
and he suggested this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-148-XF

Could I upgrade to this card? (he wants it as an xmas present)
Money isn't an issue at all
I just wondered would it be compatible

your suggestion is basically buying another of the same card.

your boyfriend is on the money, 5850 is the way to go (if you can find it in stock...)

unseen

Two 4850 in crossfire mode are giving around the same results as one 5850.

My suggestion is to sell the 4850 he already have and upgrade to 5850.

Keep in mind that Q8200 is the real bottleneck in his system. Maybe upgrade to a faster cpu is a better option.

AlmightyCushion

unseen wrote: »

Keep in mind that Q8200 is the real bottleneck in his system. Maybe upgrade to a faster cpu is a better option.

Surely they aren't that bad. I have a q6600 and the only thing my computer struggles with is gta4 and I'm not gonna be critical of a piece of hardware for not being able to max that out. Seeing as the q6600 and q8200 are quite similar in performance (or at least I always thought so) I can't see it bottlenecking them.

Anti

iirc the Q8200 has horribly low L2cache

PogMoThoin

The Q8200 has less cache (half), but better FSB. The Q6600 is more OC'able and will hit higher speeds. The Q8200 runs much cooler.

unseen

guys q8200 is only @ 2.33ghz

For 200 pounds he can get q9650 which a lot better and he will notice difference not only in games but also in everyday use.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-Quad-Q9650-3-GHz-1333-mhz-12-mb-cache_W0QQitemZ220510825982QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motherboards_CPUs?hash=item3357782dfe

Effluo

The cpu is not the main problem with this machine!

The 4850 is just no good at 1080, granted the 2.33ghz proc might hold the 5850 back a wee bit but the gpu is what needs to be upgraded!

I'd almost be inclined to go for a 4890 rather than the 5850 though for price/performance. And something which is pretty important too... Availability!