Some early Christmas shopping

[Dunehunter]

Planning to do some hardware upgrades this year, and I've been looking at couple of different things:

GPU: currently, on this rig I use a 8800GTS 640mb, which is fairly old but still keeping up well. However, on my brother's computer, which I put together too, I went for a cheaper 8600GT, which is not holding up that well So I was thinking of doing him a favour, and moving the 8800GTS to his computer...but then I'd need a new GPU here. I was reading through a pc gaming magazine I like to read, and they had some nice things to say about the new AMD HD5850. However, it's been ages since I last had to update my hardware knowledge, so I'm a little bit rusty...anyone know something good/bad about this card that I should know? I was looking at the 5770 as it's a nice bit cheaper, but apparently it doesn't really pack that much punch...but I'm assuming that it still wouldn't exactly be a downgrade?

Computer screen: I'm using a SyncMaster 226cw which I'm pretty happy with, but again my brother got the short end of the stick, with a 19". I've been contemplating getting a 24", moving the 22" to him, and using the 19" as a secondary screen for me. Any good, and affordable, 24"s you guys would suggest? Doesn't exactly have to be top of the line, just decent and cheap

Keyboard: his keyboard is just about busted, so we're looking for a decent wired one. Again, suggestions?

[MonkeySoldier]

Could you post the rest of the specs of your pc, Dune? Because your profile only says: "Windows 2000", which I think is slightly *cough* outdated.

Regarding keyboard; just get one from Logitech, or equivelant. For ~€20,- he should be settled with a good keyboard, with some multi-media buttons.


Oh, and it'd be nice to know your budget, Dune.

[Dunehunter]

Manufacturer:
Put it together myself
Processor:
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory:
4094MB RAM
Hard Drive:
500 GB
Video Card:
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
Monitor:
SyncMaster 226CW,SyncMaster Magic CX226CW(Digital)
Sound Card:
Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Speakers/Headphones:
Sennheiser Headset
Keyboard:
Microsoft Laser Keyboard 6000 v2
Mouse:
Razer Diamondback
Mouse Surface:
Sharkoon mousemat
Operating System:
Windows 7

Quoting xfire with some fixes. And a couple of hundred euros.

[VoXiNaTiOn]

5850 is a good card but has some reported issues, but not owning one myself I can't give any more info. 5770 would still be a good upgrade from the 8800, the 5770 is roughly 4870 performance but with extras like DX11 and Eyefinity.



For screens, a Samsung 24" would be alright, got a T240 here and its great, am only going to replace as I want an IPS panel as opposed to TN, and unless you plan to do graphical work or need very wide viewing angles, IPS isn't needed.

T240 might be out of your budget, but the SM2443BW has the same panel in afaik.



Keyboard is based on use, for gaming then check out the Logitech G11 or G15, both very good and have decent multimedia controls.


Also, for a speed boost, grab an after market CPU heatsink and OC that Q6600, should be able to hit 3Ghz with something like a Arctic Freezer 7 Pro, however there are better ones out there if your budget permits.

[Dunehunter]

Already have an aftermarket cooler, but I used to have problems with my CPU overheating, so I don't really want to push it unless needed (and it's not needed for now ). It does give a pretty blue light ^^

[MonkeySoldier]

Already have an aftermarket cooler, but I used to have problems with my CPU overheating, so I don't really want to push it unless needed (and it's not needed for now ). It does give a pretty blue light ^^

Then you have used too little/ too much cooling paste and/ or didn't mount the CPU cooler correctly. Me thinks you got a Thermaltake Blue Orb?

[Dunehunter]

I think it's a Zalman, but it doesn't matter much. Overheating problems are fixed, but I still don't really need to OC it.

[Tim270]

I would honestly wait until the 58xx are cheaper. The 5770 as said is roughly the same as 4870's so I would hold your money until the new year, I think the market will be a little more favourable.

[Dunehunter]

Hm, k, can wait with that upgrade for a bit then...monitor wise, I'm probably going to get another Samsung, as I'm pretty happy with the one I have atm.

Links (In Dutch, but the specs shouldn't be hard to understand)
Samsung 24" 2494LW 16:10 1920x1080 5ms DSUB/DVI - LS24KILKBQ/EN - Samsung - Monitors - Codima
Samsung 24" 2443NW 16:10 1920x1200 5ms DSUB - LS24MYNKBB/EDC - Samsung - Monitors - Codima
Samsung 24" 2443BW 16:10 1920x1200 5ms DSUB/DVI - LS24MYKABCA/EN - Samsung - Monitors - Codima

Edit:

http://www.iiyama.com/nl_BE/Product/cat ... 7#showtab2

This doesn't look too bad either, a bit cheaper too.