New card or new computer?

[3dking3]

I have an old Dell PIII 850 with a Gefore256 (32). I have been told that any card above this would be wasted due to the age of the system. Nevertheless, I find myself wanting a faster card. I play an occasional game and this system has worked for so long. However, even the occasional game now has raised the bar so much that I feel I may be missing something. Can I get a new card (ATI 9200) and give this thing new life or should I bite the bullet and get a new machine?

 

[cleeve]

If you get a 9600 PRO or Geforce4 Ti 4200, you'll definitely see a performance increase.

Arcade style games that don't use much AI will get a huge increase, but AI heavy games that require tons of CPU cycles will still be bottlenecked by your processor, unfortunately.

New motherboard and CPU is the way to go though.

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

 

[Snorkius]

You will see some improvement, but I would buy a new system.

<font color=blue>If the <font color=yellow>laurel</font color=yellow> is to big for your head, it becomes a hoola-hoop, and you have to keep your butt really busy.</font color=blue>

 

[Crashman]

Your processor is (barely) fast enough that any improvement in cards will be noticed. The 9200 is a bit weak, you could get the 9100 (which is a renamed 8500LE), a 9000 Pro, or preferably a 9600 Pro.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[3dking3]

Ok, It looks like I need to bite the bullet and get a new system. I want to build this one so that means I need some help. How about some opinions here on the best equipment when considereing price/performance.....you have to have them. Price is the the more important factor..think more budget gamer I guess. Cases, power, cpu, video cards......the works. Now is your chance to shine. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[coolsquirtle]

Budget System time

CPU- Athlon 2500+
MOBO- ASUS A7N8X (deluxe if u want the features)
RAM- Kingston PC3200 2x256mb ram (HyperX if u want speed)
VIDEO- Radeon 9600pro
PS- Forton 430W (or else Crash will kill me) or Antec Truepower 430
CASE- i donno
HDD- WD 120Gb 7200RPM 8mb Cache
CD/DVD- Lite-on 16x DVD
CD-R/DVD-R- Lite-on 52x48x52


RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[Vimp]

Cool has it right. However to save a few more dollars you can get what I got:

CPU - Athlon 2500+
MOBO - Asus A7N8X X (unlike the deluxe this one dosn't support dual ram among some other things)
RAM - Kingston PC3200 1x512mb
VIDEO - NA(I recomend the Radeon 9600 Pro)
PS - 300W that comes with case(I dunno whats best or even needed here)
CASE - Cheapest one you can find thats at least 17" and comes with 300w power supply.
HDD - WD 80Gb 7200RPM 8mb Cache

 

[coolsquirtle]

Oh my bloody god, did u just tell him to get a GENERIC POWER SUPPLY?!

Crashman is going to ripe u apart right about........

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[Spitfire_x86]

I would buy ABIT NF7 v2.0 (NF7 v2.0 for all nForce2 features).

If he doesn't overclock, then he should buy AXP 2600+ (2.08 GHz, 333 MHz FSB) or AXP 2700+ (2.17 GHz). They should be much better than AXP 2500+ (1.83 GHz)

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<b><A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A></b>

<b><A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig & 3DMark score</A></b>

 

[3dking3]

Ok, I have some ideas. My biggest question was the mobo so I reposted over there. PLEASE take a peak and let me know what your opinions are. It is under budget game box. Thanks.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

I have a 'different' idea for you. What about an ATI IGP9100 MOBO. It gives you GREAT onboard graphics (well great for onborad graphics) and gives you a stepping stone to the next card (which won't disable the onboard AGP so you in effect have 2 card later). It won't be kickass or anything, but it is a nice way towards addressing both of your needs.

Just a thought.

Here's an old review comparing the IGP 9100 to cheapo cards like the ones you were originally thinking of;

<A HREF="http://www.ukgamer.com/article.php4?id=173&page=1" target="_new">http://www.ukgamer.com/article.php4?id=173&page=1</A>

Not great, but not bad for now. And it's an entery level board too.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

<b>-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</b>

 

[kinney]

I agree with cool on the athlon xp system and nforce2 setup but wanted to add in my case suggestion.
I'd recommend an Antec Lanboy (all aluminum with carrying strap) or one of the enermax cases (they have a built-in intake fan on the side with window, plus an exhaust fan at the top of the case which makes perfect sense).

I use an antec and my next system is going into the Super Lanboy, which is ****ing awesome, for a case.

----
I just tell it like it is and some can't handle it. If your experience is different, well congratu-fukulation.
<b>I’M NOT A ATI FANBOY, I’M NOT A NV FANBOY, I’M A STABILITY FANBOY</b>

 

[3dking3]

As I mentioned in the other thread. Thanks for your help. Got the Shuttle, 2500+, 256x2, and the Fortron 350. The video card, which started this whole thing, is still undecided.

 

[coolsquirtle]

Radeon 9600pro if u still have the money, otherwise..... if u can find a cheap FX5700 or 5600Ultra(note please ask about the models before u buy PLEASE!!)
if u're running outta money, Ti4200 is ur best bet

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[cleeve]

Whatever you do, do NOT gat a cheap generic power supply!

Stability issues will haunt your for the rest of your life.

Get a nice name brand, Antac, enermax, etc... at least 350 watts, over 400w preferrably.

Trust me on this one.

_______________
<font color=red><b>Radeon 9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<font color=red><b>AMD AthlonXP 2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ with 143 fsb)</i>
<font color=red><b>3dMark03: 4055</b></font color=red>

 

[HardWareBoss]

You said it. No el cheapo Psu.

 

[shadus]

and just in case two people reinforcing this thought isn't enough...: DON'T BUY A CHEAP POWER SUPPLY.

Shadus

 

[mrface]

hehe i wont say it again.

<A HREF="http://www.cameronwilliamson.com" target="_new">-={Apostalic Alcoholic.}=-</A>