|
|||||||
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | Rate Thread | Display Modes |
12-05-2005, 06:31 PM
|
#1 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Upgrading my pc
Well i play alot of fps games like bf2 and cs:s and as more new games and expansions come out, the system requirements keep on going up also. My computer is pretty good for what i do right now, but i am looking ahead to the future. Next Christmas i am going to make a completly different system and give this to my brother. I am wondering do i really need to upgrade (i want to make it through the year without having to buy more parts) and if so, what should i get.
Here are my computers Specs: AMD Athalon 64 3200+ (2.22ghz) Soltek Sl-K8AN2-GR socket 754 w/Nvidia NForce3 250Gb 512Mb Pc3200 Ram Seagate 120gb 7200Rpm HD ATI Radeon 9600XT (500ghz) Things seem to be running fine now, but will they be running strong through the rest of the year? I am thinking about getting a Gig of Memory but i am not sure if its needed. Thanks in advance for the help! 
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 06:35 PM
|
#2 |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Owosso, MI, USA
Posts: 1,283
|
Get a gig of ram (~$80), upgrade your video card ($150-250) and you should be more than good for another year. You might not run EVERY release on the highest settings, but you should get very acceptable gameplay.
__________________
DFI Infinity 975X/G, Intel C2D E6600 (@3.4Ghz), 2 Gb DDR2 800 GSkill HZ, Powercolor X1900XT, 74 Gb Raptor SATA, 250 Gb Seagate SATA, Audigy 2 ZS, FSP Epsilon 600 watt PSU, NEC 3540 DVD-RW, ASUS DVD ROM, Thermalright SI-128, Thermalright HR-05, Lian Li PC65 case, Samsung 940B 19" LCD |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 06:35 PM
|
#3 |
|
Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
|
How much do you have to spend?
Definitely get more RAM... For $350 X800XL - AGP ~ $275 2 x 512MB - Corsiar ValueSelect RAM DDR400 (PC3200) ~ $75
__________________
"It is the way of man to make monsters and it is the nature of monsters to destroy their makers." |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 06:41 PM
|
#4 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
well i can probably spend up to $350, but anything within $25 is okay.
But i dont need a Monster like this ATI Radeon X1800XT 100-435705 Video Card - Retail Also i am thinking about getting another graphics card next year so i dont really wanna spend THAT much on it Last edited by CrazyPenguinDude; 12-05-2005 at 06:43 PM. |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 06:45 PM
|
#5 |
|
Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
|
I've got that video card and it plays BF2 at max settings fine (1280x1024)...
Oops, that motherboard only has two RAM slots? |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 06:47 PM
|
#6 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Yes. Next year im getting an UBER motherboard so i can keep it for years. Also is it really necisary to upgrade my vid card, because i am planning on getting an awsome one next year. I still wanna play with great graphics though.
What about this : SAPPHIRE 100600-Red Radeon X800PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM for only $190. Last edited by CrazyPenguinDude; 12-05-2005 at 06:50 PM. |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 06:49 PM
|
#7 |
|
Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
|
I'm thinking, you could just get one 512MB RAM module (should help loads in BF2).
Yeah, you don't want to pour too much $$ into this system if you are going to replace it in a year. Whoa, just remembered, what kind of power supply does this have? (brand and wattage rating) |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 07:01 PM
|
#8 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Im not sure about my Power Supply but i know that its over 400w....
Anyway i can find this info without opening up my PC |
|
|
|
|
12-05-2005, 07:08 PM
|
#9 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Found it. A Dynex Mid Tower case Black
500w PowerSupply 
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 03:24 PM
|
#10 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Kingston ValueRAM 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail $79.99
Now do i really need a new graphics card or will this one last me the year with good game settings. My Graphics card has a core clock of over 500mhz and its better than alot of them on the market. |
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 03:42 PM
|
#11 |
|
Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
|
Hold on there...I'm pretty sure that motherboard only has two RAM slots...you'd be replacing that one stick with another of the same thing. But you very well may not be able to take advantage of dual channel with two different sticks. I suppose you could sell the old stick to help fund a new video card.
That X800Pro you posted won't work - it's PCI-E interface, and your motherboard has the AGP interface. I've heard the X800 GT and GTO (AGP of course) are very good cards in terms of bang per buck. |
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 04:34 PM
|
#12 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Well right now i have 2 sticks, which i will either sell, or give to a brother/sister for their pc's. Yes my mobo only has 2 slots of ram
 so next year im going to grab one with like 4 slots. Anyway back to the graphics cards, is the x800 gt/gto really worth the extra money. My graphics card has a pretty high core clock and are these ones much better? |
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 04:44 PM
|
#13 | |
|
Member (11 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Owosso, MI, USA
Posts: 1,283
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 05:04 PM
|
#14 |
|
Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
|
Yeah...I think the GT/GTO would be a major upgrade, and would hold you off till next year.
Just to give you your options: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubmit=Property The X800GT AGP is $170 www.tomshardware.com has VGA comparisons where you might be able to compare your options. As jfk said, clock speeds don't mean much...Sounds like your core clock is about the same as mine, but mine performs way better. I went from a 9600SE to a X800XL, and wow, what a difference. I could play all my games on max settings. I think a $250 upgrade should bring some good life into your system for another year or so... (Of course your jump won't be so big...but I know I didn't regret the upgrade) Last edited by blue60007; 12-06-2005 at 05:16 PM. |
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 05:38 PM
|
#15 |
|
Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: brooklyn, ny
Posts: 920
|
is that a good brand of PSUs?
__________________
"Young people everywhere have been allowed to choose between love and a garbage disposal unit. Everywhere they have chosen the garbage disposal unit." Guy Debord Last edited by nicolaus corelius; 12-06-2005 at 05:41 PM. |
|
|
|
|
12-06-2005, 05:40 PM
|
#16 |
|
Wx geek
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6,638
|
Sapphire's are excellent cards...Not a bad idea...but the video card needs to be AGP, and the new computer will be PCI-E.
|
|
|
|
|
12-07-2005, 03:29 PM
|
#17 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Ok guys thanks for all the help!
I think i will get the GT and sell my current memory/video card on Ebay. Thanks again!(but p.s. i can run BF2 right now with NO lag and on neraly the highest settings, and haven't had a meltdown... YET..) |
|
|
|
|
12-07-2005, 03:37 PM
|
#18 |
|
Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a box under the bridge
Posts: 191
|
Are there anybetter cards with more than 8 pixel pipelines
Last edited by CrazyPenguinDude; 12-07-2005 at 03:39 PM. |
|
|
|
|
12-07-2005, 03:53 PM
|
#19 |
|
Member (9 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: pittsburgh pennsylvania
Posts: 329
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bookmarks |
| Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
| Display Modes | Rate This Thread |
|
|
Linear Mode
