Is there any point in getting new card

[Michaelius]

for this system
AMD XP 1700+ (crappy palomino
512MB@133Mhz
Shuttle mobo (KT266 chipset)
G3ti200@209/445
Will there be a big diffence if i get 9800np/5900nu? Or should i rather upgrade my mobo, cpu and ram first?

 

[RRAMJET]

If i was in that position i'd wait 6 months and do a upgrade on both mobo/cpu/ram and gfx card. But thats me. Alternatly get a 2400+ and a 9800np now.

If he doesn't die, he'll get help!!!

 

[Ion]

An ATi card from rramjet i am .

 

[Ion]

If the games you play currently run decent on your system, i would first upgrade the cpu/mobo/ram and upgrade video card at spring when new crops of video cards come out. More choices and lower price on the current cards.

PS. just make sure your PSU can support your upgrade path because new hardwares are power hogs.

 

[shadus]

If you are having perfomrance problems now I'd probally pick up the best card I could for a hundred or so dollars... maybe a geforce ti-4800se or a rad 9500/9600, those would provide better performance. I wouldn't spend alot though. Then next generation comes out do a full computer replacement.

Shadus

 

[cleeve]

If you can only afford to upgrade one component, you would get the fastest, most dramatic jump in gaming performance with a video card.

9800 Non-pro would be the card of choice.

If you can afford a CPU as well, get the fastest one your MOBO will allow.

------------------
Radeon 9500 (hardmodded to PRO, o/c to 322/322)
AMD AthlonXP 2400+ (o/c to 2600+ with 143 fsb)
3dMark03: 4055

 

[HardWareBoss]

9800NP hands down. Beats the pants off FX5900nu all day long. With DX9.

 

[Michaelius]

Thx for opinions I can get either 9800np or 9600pro with Athlon XP 2500+ but seems like getting good card will be better solution. Are the gigacube cards any good or should i invest a bit more and get a hercules?
PSU is not a problem as i have 400W one with autoregulated fanspeed

 

[shadus]

Go with the 9600 pro + ath 2500+. You'll get more performance than you would with just the 9800np... and will put the upgrade curve off a bit longer.

Shadus

 

[cleeve]

I disagree with Shadus here, respectfully.

The 9800 non-pros shaders are far more powerful than the 9600 PROs...

I've seen an AthlonXP 2000+ and a 9500 PRO kick the crap out of an Athlon 2600+ and a Radeon 8500...
If games are your thing, get the video card.

Plus, the video card will last longer if you get a 9800. A 9800 will run Doom3 very nicely... a 9600 PRO, decent probably, but not so nicely.

If you use your computer primarily fo other production type stuff (image editing, 3d modelling), you're probably better off with the CPU and video card though.

------------------
Radeon 9500 (hardmodded to PRO, o/c to 322/322)
AMD AthlonXP 2400+ (o/c to 2600+ with 143 fsb)
3dMark03: 4055<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Cleeve on 11/07/03 02:07 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[shadus]

The only reason I say cpu&vid over just vid is because it's such a large jump, the 1700+ and 2500+ are both good chips but unless he's going to clock the 1700+ up some he's going to be hurting badly on cpu. We're talking 800pr (pr was pretty accurate way back when) 800 is a good bit, over 1/3rd increase over what he had cpu wise.

I tend to play alot of single player games that have alot of ai, that eats up cpu. The mmp games I play are also pretty raw on cpu usage... so for gaming I'm inclined to balance between cpu/vid to some degree. If you are doing mainly fps or sp games with not alot of ai then definetly just the card would be faster.

Shadus

 

[Nights_L]

Maybe you can try to overclock your 1700+? even though it's a Palomino, but at the speed of 1700+, it's still give you some little space for overclocking

 

[Nights_L]

oh yeah..but I don't think that a KT266 chipset will run Barton at 166FSB