Help me upgrade please

[R@nger]

Hey I'm not new here but I haven't posted in a LOONG time. I've gotten behind the times in computer technology lately(hehe all you have to do anymore is blink your eyes and its feels like your behind the times...crazy)

I'd like to upgrade my cpu, mobo, videocard and ram and I would like to know what my best bet would be without breaking the bank. It doesn't have to be bleeding edge technology just faster and better than what I have now.

I will be using it for games mainly but I also do alot of work in photoshop and premiere pro.

Here's my current setup. Although it runs fine I've had this same stuff for years now and it just feels time to upgrade.

CPU - Pentium 4 2.80Ghz PGA-478 with HT

Mobo - Asus P4C800D

RAM - 1gig(2x512MB)of Crucial 184 Pin DDR PC-3200 8T (I bought the sticks separate so they are not dualchannel)

Video Card - SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 256MB DDR

I'll be keeping my Thermaltake Xaser III Super Tower case, Thermaltake 420 ps(Unless I need to go with a bigger better one such as an Antec), HDs, all my Lite-on Drives, and my soundcard.

Just for added info, I'm not partial to any brands i.e. ATI over NVIDIA, INTEL over AMD. I'm always open to suggestions.

Any help would be awesome, thanks

[786ARS]

well, the first q is amd or intel, if intel, wait a while, they are bringing out their new core/core duo lines in a couple of months. AMD i think are planning to upgrade a while after intel, but could be wrong. But if you have to do it now, give us a price range. but you can keep your ram, but will need a new gfx card and prob new psu. but tell us the price range and well get back to you.

[blue60007]

You've got a pretty decent system already. You might want to just consider a video card upgrade. The 7800GS is the top AGP card. Otherwise you are looking at a new computer. Since that's still a pretty good system you might as well keep it together (you could put it in a basic case).

[R@nger]

Originally Posted by 786ARS well, the first q is amd or intel, if intel, wait a while, they are bringing out their new core/core duo lines in a couple of months. AMD i think are planning to upgrade a while after intel, but could be wrong. But if you have to do it now, give us a price range. but you can keep your ram, but will need a new gfx card and prob new psu. but tell us the price range and well get back to you.

Well all I've used is Intel so I wouldn't know how AMD compared for things like photoshop and premiere.

Price range...up to 800...maybe a little higher if I don't buy everything at once.

[R@nger]

Originally Posted by blue60007 You've got a pretty decent system already. You might want to just consider a video card upgrade. The 7800GS is the top AGP card. Otherwise you are looking at a new computer. Since that's still a pretty good system you might as well keep it together (you could put it in a basic case).

If I just upgraded the video card to that 7800GS will my processor be good to go for a while(keep up with the new games coming out)? That's where I wish I had a better graphics card, with the newer games out my fps tends to be low. I'd like to have all the video settings real high and still get awesome fps.

Again I'm always open to suggestions.

[flanzig1]

The 7800GS cards are running around $300. If you were looking for the bleeding edge in video cards, PCI-E high end are in the $400 to $600 range.

[R@nger]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 The 7800GS cards are running around $300. If you were looking for the bleeding edge in video cards, PCI-E high end are in the $400 to $600 range.

Yeah I figured the high end stuff would all be PCI-E...that's where video cards are headed right?...doing away with AGP?

How big a performance difference would that 7800GS be to the 9800pro I have now?

[blue60007]

I cant' find any direct comparisons, but here the 9800Pro scores a 2600 in 3dmark05 and here the 7800GS scores a 6000. Not the best comparison, but it gives you an idea.

[R@nger]

Originally Posted by blue60007 I cant' find any direct comparisons, but here the 9800Pro scores a 2600 in 3dmark05 and here the 7800GS scores a 6000. Not the best comparison, but it gives you an idea.

I've been reading some reviews that it's a way nice card. My only problem is I hate upgrading to an AGP card because when I do want to upgrade my cpu and stuff I have to buy another videocard in PCI express. It's kinda like, well...do I want to put off the inevitable for another year or should I just jump ship now, do you see what I'm saying. I'm not against just upgrading my videocard because I do like my system and it runs great but then I remember that AGP is coming to an end so I know I will have to switch to PCI e . Sorry I'm rambling here...just trying to make up my mind. I really appreciate the help.

[glc]

Well, you are going to be looking at a new motherboard, processor, ram, power supply, and video card if you upgrade to PCI-E now and want to do it right. If you want a strong gamer, that's gonna push that $800 figure pretty hard.

[786ARS]

to be honest, the first priority would be a pci-ex mobo, then a gfx card, and if there is any cash left, a processor, but a new motherboard is crucial, as agp wont be here in a few years.

[R@nger]

Originally Posted by glc Well, you are going to be looking at a new motherboard, processor, ram, power supply, and video card if you upgrade to PCI-E now and want to do it right. If you want a strong gamer, that's gonna push that $800 figure pretty hard.

Well I've been thinking about it and for the time being I think I'm going to do what Blue60007 suggested and just upgrade my videocard.

I started pricing stuff for a totally new setup and glc your totally right for the strong gamer it's gonna be above 800 that's for sure. And since I don't want to drop that kind of cash right now the video card is really gonna be my best bet.

Although I think I will upgrade my ram as well..it's great for the stock system but if I'm going to keep my current system around I think I'll play around with overclocking...and the ram I have now refuses to be overclocked.

Any suggestions on ram?

[glc]

Overclocking is going to cost you more money to do it right than it's worth - just put your present ram on a divider.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by R@nger Well I've been thinking about it and for the time being I think I'm going to do what Blue60007 suggested and just upgrade my videocard.

I see what your saying, it's kinda a hard decision wether to just upgrade the video card and squeeze some more performance out, or just go ahead and start fresh with PCI-E and whatnot. I suppose it's going to be up to you how you spend your money.

[R@nger]

Originally Posted by glc Overclocking is going to cost you more money to do it right than it's worth - just put your present ram on a divider.

Whats a divider?

[glc]

Adjust the ram timings down to keep it stable.