Geforce2 MX 400 to a ATI Radeon 9600..??

[Geraint]

Hi, I was planning on updating my system over Christmas (1600 Athlon, Geforce2 MX 400) in order to be able to play the newer games (Call of Duty, Deus Ex 2 ect).
I'm thinking on changing my Geforce2 MX 400 to a ATI Radeon 9600 for more gaming speed, but then I wondered whether it would make much of a difference....???? Will it increase speed? Should I just update my CPU?
Thanks,
Geraint.

 

[ytoledano]

You're right about upgrading the graphics card and not the CPU. Consider though the Radeon9600 Pro as it's more future proof and faster than the 9600np. Be sure to check before you buy that your AGP 4x or 8x, it should, but check to be sure.

I know what everyone's been wondering - 2^33634943-1 IS NOT PRIME. Now, wasn't that worth running <A HREF="http://www.mersenne.com" target="_new">Prime95</A> for a month to know?

 

[tombance]

I know someone whos just done almost exactly the same upgrade as you and he has seen massive increases in performance. Your graphics card is definitely the weak point in your current system.

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6752830" target="_new">Yay, I Finally broke the 12k barrier!!</A>

 

[Spitfire_x86]

Both Radeon 9600 (non-PRO) and Radeon 9600 PRO will be much faster than your GeForce2 MX400. I recommend getting a Radeon 9600 PRO, because of it's a better value for money.

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[BirdRobin]

I have a slightly better cpu then u (AMD 1700+) and up graded to a R9600pro...I had a GF4 MX440 SE had the difference is like err... u get my point. woohoo...

Who is from singapore? I am.

 

[Geraint]

Thanks for all of the replies, I just phoned up a hardware dealer and they said not to bother updating my Geforce2 MX400 without updating my processor, because my current processor would be such a bottleneck, it would make the effect of the new 3D card negligible - which could mean a new motherboard seeing as the Epox 8K7A only goes up to 2200+.
Any thoughts?

 

[ChipDeath]

Ignore the guy. By FAR your biggest boost for gaming will be to change your gfx card.

If you can only afford either the card or to upgrade the CPU/Motherboard, then definitely go with the graphics card.

What exactly are the specs of the rest of your system? after a quick check I see you Do have DDR support, but how much RAM do you have? You'll need a realistic minimum of 512Mb to play the new games that are nearly here without lots of annoying paging to and from disk.

<b>Wusy</b>: IIRC they didn't make t-bred XP1600+, which means it must be a palomino core, and therefore a bad overclocker. Plus I don't think the mobo's going to prove too great, so I don't think Ocing is a realistic option here really.

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<font color=red>The preceding text is assembled from information stored in an unreliable organic storage medium. As such it may be innacurate, incomplete, or completely wrong</font color=red>

 

[cleeve]

Your hardware dealer is a chump with no experience.

Get the 9600. You will not regret it.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[silverpig]

I've got a better suggestion. Instead of going to the hardware dealer and spending a little money on a new GFX card, give me $2000 and I'll build you an entirely new system.

That's what that guy was thinking. Upgrading the graphics card will do great things for you. I had an xp 1800+ with a GF2 GTS which was great for me for a long time. Newer games came out which killed the card, so I got a 9800 Pro and everything became playable. I've since upgraded to a 2500+ at 3200+ speeds and my frame rates haven't changed much (although other things are much faster).

Some day I'll be rich and famous for inventing a device that allows you to stab people in the face over the internet.

 

[Snorkius]

Guys like your hardware dealer really piss me off. It's the same guys that recommend Celerons.

I think most forum members will agree that the dude is a sh¡thead. The Gf2 mx is horrible! ANY new card will make a huge difference, and a 9600pro... I'll just say get yourself a new card, you'll be very happy with it!

<font color=blue> Look steadfastly into the slit, pinpointed malignant eyes of reality as an old-hand trainer dominates his wild beasts.</font color=blue>

 

[Crashman]

Your CPU will KICK ARSE in games when you install a good card. Those who say otherwise fall into one of two catagories:
1.) Con artist trying to make a quick buck selling a CPU upgrade
2.) Idiots who fall for those tricks

The 9600 has 2/3 the performance of the 9600 Pro, but at 9/10 the price. Therefor I recommend the 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>

 

[AZPirate]

I have a 1.3 Duron, 448 MB PC100 RAM and i upgraded from a Geforece2 MX400 64MB to a ATI 9600xt. It is all my system needed to play games with smooth frame rates. I scored a 7100 and 3200 on 3dmark01 and 03. You also receive half life 2 free when it comes out, which is the game youre friend wanted this upgrade for in the first place.

 

[endyen]

Yes the 9600pro is great. I would also suggest a cpu upgrade if you have the $. I went from an 1800+ to a 2400+ and could really see a big difference. Then I oced that puppy, and was amazed. With a "b" core you should be able to get a 50% speed increase over your current cpu. Just stay with your mobo until you can get into an athlon 64.