Possible to breathe life back into my system?

[predaking]

Old computer, not sure if its worth upgrading or trashing.

a7v8x mobo
3000xp amd cpu
1 gig of 2700 ram
6800 128meg agp 8x
ide hdd
430 psu with 16A on the 12v rail


So looking to give it a bump up before trashing it.

It looks like ram is around $45 for 512 or $80 for a gig.

not sure what video card would be a good upgrade but I was looking to spend $120 or so.

Basically $200 to last me a year.


but then i get to thinking maybe a new computer would be better
400 for a 8800 gts
150 new mobo
200 new cpu
100 new psu
175 2 gig ram

So I figure around 1100 to upgrade, i'll keep the atx case, and the cd burner and hdd.

or i can throw in a sata hdd for around 100.


third option is to spend a little more on the agp graphics card and also purchase a strong PSU that will last me when i upgrade to the 8800. This will give me more options but will end up costing me around $300-$350

 

[GentlemanJK]

Normally I would recommend the new build...but. This year, especially the first half is going to have a lot of changes. Between evolving core quantity, multi-threaded games, new smaller nm processes & most importantly DX10. By extending the life of your current rig, you can avoid the bleeding edge and get the best of both worlds.

So, add the 1GB. If you have 2 open slots, I have some Kingston PC3200 to sell (512x2). Runs great at PC2700 speeds and 1/2 price of new.

I would recommend this XFX 7600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150210 - a little more than $120 ($145 AR), but a great "bridge-card" to get you to the end of this year.

Lastly, you could maybe OC your 3000+ to get a little more oomph.

 

[deusex]

I would get an eVGA card this/next month, and then, (by evga stepup program) ,Upgrade to the G80 Revisions in April/May.

 

[predaking]

i was thinking about the evga stepup but this is the fastest card i could get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130076

a 7600gs, would that be much faster than the 6800?

but there is still this

Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amp Amps.)

I'm 2 amps short so I'd need a new psu.

it looks like for the xfx 7600gt i would not need a new psu.

--------------------------------
edit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103437

here is a nice one for $120, it has 36A on the 12V rail. Wouldn't be able to do SLI with it tho.

 

[deusex]

7600 GS should be slightly faster than a 6800 - it should also take less power to power it.

 

[nvalhalla]

I would think a new video card would produce very little improvement. What version of 6800? If it's a "vanilla" 6800 then an upgrade could help. If it's a GT or an Ultra or something then the improvement won't be that noticeable, that CPU will really be holding you back. I would save for a new computer after R600 launch in that case.

 

[alcattle]

7600 GS should be slightly faster than a 6800 - it should also take less power to power it.

Quick check of Tom's chart show the board even in 2 and the 6800 faster in 2. Both are near the bottem on the new game bench marks

 

[predaking]

here is the board http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA/Products_Overview.aspx?ClassValue=VGA&ProductID=1198&ProductName=GV-N68128DH
nice because it doesn't have a fan.

It has 128megs of ddr1 ram, and I had to use a hack to unlock 2 or 4 pipelines(i can't remember).


Maybe it would just be better to purchase the 512 or 1 gig of ram and just hold off on anything else.

 

[predaking]

Here is the info for the board from rivatuner

Graphics core : NV40 revision A1 (16x1,6vp)
Hardwired ID : 0041 (ROM strapped to 0041)
Memory bus : 256-bit
Memory type : DDR (RAM configuration 06)
Memory amount : 131072KB
Core clock : 324.000MHz
Memory clock : 351.000MHz (702.000MHz effective)
Reference clock : 27.000MHz


I could probably bump that stuff up, but with passive cooling on the chip i'm not sure how far i could go before adding more fans to my case.


The nv40 on toms charts have a 350mhz core with 1000 effective memory core. plus the ddr3 vs the ddr ram.

 

[predaking]

sorry, but its umm a bit old.

if you know where i can get a socket a processor for really cheap let me know.

looks like a faster processor a 3200+ would run me over $200 http://www.pricewatch.com/cpu/athlon_xp_3200.htm

even ebay has it for over $75.

Tho it looks like I may be able to sell my old computer for a bit

 

[predaking]

all new egg has is 2800+ for $66 since i have a 3000+ not really an upgrade.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104206

heck i can't even select the socket or the core that my mobo accepts from new eggs search engine. i had to put 'socket a' in quotes to even show those processors.