Upgrading an old comp. What is my bottleneck?

[tylerthedruid]

I currently have a very old and derlict (sp?) compaq.
1.6 Ghz socket 478 intel processor
256MB PC2100 & 256MB PC2700
Geforce FX5500 256MB AGP4x
Some strange stock motherboard with only 100Mhz FSB! Mobo supports up to AGP4x
windows xp

Lately I've been playing black and white 2, and have had some problems when my city gets too large with graphics lag. I normall play all games on the lowest graphics settings.
Which of these parts should I consider upgrading? I've been thinking that the processor is way too slow, but maybe the graphics card is the bottleneck? How often is the RAM a bottleneck?
I know, I know, this system stinks. Hopefully, I'll be able to buy a whole new one some day.
Budget 250 ... but I will crack under pressure if I'm convinced that a 350 dollar increase will give me more value.

 

[hashv2f16]

Well I didn't know that intel made socket 754 processors... i take it you mean a pentium 4/celeron 1.6ghz. if its a celeron then ditch it cos its a no-hoper. if its a pentium 4 then the faster the better, as much as the board can take.

get xp for it if you're not already running that.

and get an ATI radeon 9600/9800 256mb card

and i believe that both your memory modules are running at 2100 speed, so take out that PC2100 256MB and get one that is PC2700 so they both run at PC2700

Well I'd say that the whole darn thing is a bottleneck, the CPU is pretty ghetto, you should upgrade that and the vid card plus the pc2700 memory so you will have less lag.

 

[Rugger]

What's your budget?

 

[Dave99]

Most noticable upgrade will be memory. If you can take it to 1gig, you'll be very pleased but really i wouldn't waste money on it at all.

Start saving, check the budget post here, pretty good machine for the money.

All depends on your budget.

 

[WilliamT]

RAM is only a bottleneck when Windows starting hitting your hard drive for virtual memory. Look at the recommended specs for the game. If it asks for more memory than what your motherboard will allow, then you may still have problems.

Your graphics card is probably ok. It isn't that old so its probably already optimized for DirectX 9.

To really get the biggest bank for your buck, you need a machine specialized for running games like an XBox, XBox 360, or PS2.

After going through mutiple PC upgrade cycles, I gave in and purchased an XBox. Now, I never use my PC for gaming because the XBox is so much better for this. If you get a VGA adapter, then you can run games in hi-res that rival PC graphics. The adapter costs about $80.

With the XBox 360 out, a standard XBox + VGA Adapter + Black and White 2 will probably cost less than upgrading your PC. You'll get better frame rates on the XBox.

 

[linux_0]

I would suggest replacing the motherboard, CPU and RAM if you can afford it.

 

[Rugger]

Biggest performance increase would come from better vid card, but large maps will continue to hurt some from lack of RAM/slow RAM. The 9800Pro would just shift the bottleneck to the RAM/CPU. It really is time for a new build if gaming is a big priority. That being said I have an AMD 1500+, that I upgraded from a GF2 GTS to a 9800 Pro and have been able to extend the systems life a little bit (12 months). It just sucks that I won't be able to use the vid card in my next build, but it will work well as a hand me down in the family. If he can save up to about $600, he should be able to piece together a good build...

 

[bourgeoisdude]

"IF" the mobo supports PC2700. Based on FSB speed it is *highly* unlikely...

 

[tylerthedruid]

Sorry for the late response, I caught the flu and have been vomiting in bed the past few days.

Thanks to everyone for the excellent replies. I think they've helped me gain insight into my situation. Sorry about the '754 pin' error, it was 478. my bad!

There is something strange about this motherboard that makes me think bourgeoisdude is right about the RAM not working on this impossibly slow FSB. It's as if the manufacturer cut all corners to give the motherboard JUST ENOUGH to keep the ship afloat without any extra. I don't think I trust compaq at all now. When I ordered my second PC2700 memory module (I think from 4allmemory.com) I had to return the first one for another because, they explained, that the motherboard was 'special'.

I had been hoping I could find a cheap miracle cure that would boost my computer for maybe another year before I was forced to upgrade. However, it looks like I need to build a new one and leave this one for word processing.

Unfortunately, I don't make alot of money and can't afford a new computer without sacrificing U of A classes (they are effing expensive these days!!!). But I live with the folks, and keep getting job offers that double or triple the measly 7 bucks I make right now, - and if a scholarship comes through, I'll be home free to build a new one.

And what are these VGA adapters that were mentioned? You can play PC games using the xbox hardware? If so, that's truly amazing, tell me more!

Thank you so much everyone for shedding light on my issue and giving me an outside perspective. I'll definitely try to find a way to build anew... and will head to the budget threads right now for research. I do go to newegg alot and shop around, but never buy, and have assembled two computers so far (Although I'm no computer techie) so it shouldn't be too tough to build a new one.
Thanks again!

 

[linux_0]

Grab yourself an inexpensive Athlon 64 939 and an nForce4 or VIA K8T890 or K8T800 motherboard, at least 512MB PC3200 and a cheap PCI-E VGA you'll be all set!!!!

You can pretty much keep everything else you currently have

An nForce4 will run you 90 bux maybe,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569

or

get this board and keep your AGP VGA for now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131541

plus

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

a nice 6600GT will cost you about $120 if you decide to get the nForce4 board.



MOBO: nForce4 with PCI-E 94.50 or K8T800 with AGP 82.99

CPU: AMD64 3200+ RETAIL 162.99

RAM: 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit 81.06

VGA: 6600GT PCI-E about $130 delivered [OPTIONAL - only if you use nForce4]

Total damage:

$327.04 delivered for the K8T800 with AGP

$468.55 delivered for the nForce4 with PCI-E and 6600GT :-D

Not bad at all :-D

Good luck!

 

[the_guru]

Grab yourself an inexpensive Athlon 64 939 and an nForce4 or VIA K8T890 or K8T800 motherboard, at least 512MB PC3200 and a cheap PCI-E VGA you'll be all set!!!!

Why not a Asrock DualSATA? It's cheaper and pretty good.

 

[linux_0]

The Asrock is ok for someone on a budget however, I would recommend the ASUS A8V or A8N5X if you can afford it.