swotr @ 2560x1600 what would you upgrade?

[Deleted]

Hi guys!

Im playing swtor on the following setup:


CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz Q6600 (no overclocking)
Video card: Gainward GTX 260 1792MB "Golden Sample"
RAM: 2x2GB OCZ Platinum DDR2 800
Mobo: Asus Striker Extreme
Screen: 30" HP
Resolution: 2560x1600
OS: win7

And I get somewhere between 20 and 30 fps. It's ok and playable but I would like to update.
I suppose a new graphics card (nvidia 570 or 580) will do the trick, but i'm not sure if the rest of the hardware will be up to pace. On the other hand maybe I should invest in more ram. I can't really afford a new board with an i7 and a new GPU. So what are you guys thinking?
My budget right now is around 400$ What's the best move here?

Thanks!!

[Nerph-]

Im no expert, but I'd personally save until you can upgrade all your parts.

[philefluxx]

Drop your resolution and see how much your FPS increase. If you get a significant increase Id say get a new video card because its having trouble with the size of your monitor.

I have a similar system, 19" dual screen on a 460GTX and I get 60fps most of the time in raids and 20-30 in fleet and WZ's while playing in fullscreen windowed.

[hai2ufrand]

The entire computer.. Did you buy that thing from Christopher Columbus?

[Redblade]

The entire computer.. Did you buy that thing from Christopher Columbus?

Except the monitor. :P

[philefluxx]

The entire computer.. Did you buy that thing from Christopher Columbus?

Dont listen to these yahoo's, there is nothing wrong with your machine other than the size of your monitor is making your video card work extra hard. When mommy and daddy buy all your toys, its easy to forget how far along hardware is from software. You dont need the latest and greatest, its not like your running a P4HT or something.

[Synche]

I would recommend just dropping the res to 1080p for now as there are multiple bottlenecks for your system currently at 2560 so you would need multiple upgrades.

Not to say your Comp is terrible by any means, but it is definitely aged.

[hai2ufrand]

I buy all my toys. Thanks though.

[philefluxx]

I buy all my toys. Thanks though.

Oh Im sure you do and you clearly know what your talking about. Oh and the Christopher Columbus comment was especially cute =)

[xannax2780]

Your gfx card is honestly really out of date. You would more than likely see a significant improvement if you were to upgrade to something more current, say a GTX 570 or 580, like you mentioned.

[hai2ufrand]

Oh Im sure you do and you clearly know what your talking about. Oh and the Christopher Columbus comment was especially cute =)

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[rijn dael]

Another two of those delicious monitors, and a replace the core with something including SLI?
I use 2*nv460's at 5760x1080, so you don't need to go crazy to pull it off

So much potential!

[xannax2780]

Another two of those delicious monitors, and a replace the core with something including SLI?
I use 2*nv460's at 5760x1080, so you don't need to go crazy to pull it off

So much potential!

I love your resloution. 5760x1080 is glorious.

[TJ]

Get an i5 rather than an i7.

[jaakkeli]

The Ivy Bridge processors are going to come out very soon and plenty of enthusiasts who upgrade and sell every time will be selling lots of perfectly good i5s and i7s.

That's what I'd do if I were on a budget. (I'm not so I'm waiting to see how IB turns out for my upgrades.)

[ZeroWashu]

Only the video card, I was fine at 2560x1440 with a 6970 backed by a 2400s (i5 quad).

Didn't know people had computers with only 4g memory

[OhpUldum]

In most MMO's CPU's control your minimum FPS, while the GPU controls your potential maximum FPS. For optimal performance you want a CPU that will compliment your GPU. In this situation your CPU and GPU are both several generations old now however we're about to experience another generation change with Intel CPU's. I would personally upgrade the GPU now to an HD7XXX series if you can afford it then upgrade the CPU/MOBO/RAM once the new Ivybridge chips hit.

[Profyrion]

While you're in there, add some RAM. RAM is stupid cheap. No reason you shouldn't be running at least 8GB on that rig.

[Deleted]

Hey guys!

Thanks a ton for the replies
The reason I have the big screen is because I work as a graphic designer. The past years the machine has given me all the performance I wanted and more. The only game I played was wow and as a RL for 25mans the big screen and res have been a real joy, gaining very nice FPS at high settings. For my work this rig still does all I need done, but SWTOR needs more.

So reading all your replies I have decided to save up a higher budget and get a new Ivy Bridge based setup when it's available.

Thanks again to all of you!

[jaakkeli]

Hey guys!

Thanks a ton for the replies
The reason I have the big screen is because I work as a graphic designer.

You know, it would be a cheaper "upgrade" to buy a smaller resolution display for gaming.