$200 upgrade: CPU vs. GPU

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Sifl

Junior Member
Jan 25, 2005
2
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My current system runs pretty well, but I had to buy it last summer when I didn't quite have all the funds I would have wanted to do a better build.

So I can easily do a $200 (US) upgrade, and wanted opinions on whether I should go with a GPU or CPU. I mainly do some gaming (e.g. UT2004, Quake4), with the usual websurfing and office work.

Based on my current CPU that is overclocked from 1.8GHz stock to 2.3GHz, I was thinking that I would get a better jump from something like a 6800GS GPU for ~$200. The other one I considered was the newest OCZ 2x1GB memory that has 2-3-2-5 timings for ~$200.

Athlon 64 3700+
6800GS
OCZ 2x1GB

Other thoughts?
 
K

kpb

Senior member
Oct 18, 2001
252
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0
For gaming performance you'd definitely be best served by getting a 6800gs or xt800gto type card. Your not likely to see that big of an increase from a processor overclocked futher and may not even be able to match that over clock with a new processor. Unlikely but still possible. Having only 512mbs of ram may slow down loading some and limit you some but a 6600 just doesn't have what it takes to drive a 1280x1024 res (what I assume your lcd runs at) very well. A memory upgrade would be the second thing to go after I'd say. Maybe sell your 6600 after the upgrade and spend that money on a 1gb kit.
 
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ND40oz

Golden Member
Jul 31, 2004
1,264
0
86
Man, it's between the memory and the video I'd have to say. I bet your 6600GT is holding you back more then your memory though. Maybe pick up a gig in FS/FT forums cheap and then sell your video card for 90-120 (I don't know how much they're going for used) and buy a video card. I definitely wouldn't spend the money on the OCZs with DDR2 right around the corner for M2, that is unless your trying to make this system last another 2-3 years.
 
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MBentz

Golden Member
Jun 8, 2005
1,049
0
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Video card first... then maybe some RAM if you can get it really cheap. After that, wait and save for M2 or your next overhaul.
 
thecoolnessrune

thecoolnessrune

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2005
9,673
583
126
In gaming, always the Vid card. Heck, and XP 2200+ is probably enough to play any game especially with a little overclock.
 
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duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
6800GS or equivalent ATI card for $200, then sell your 6600GT and use the $100ish dollars for an addiitonal 1 GB RAM. I bought 2x512mb PC3200 used for $50. If you only have 3 DIMM slots you'll have 1.25GB ram, otherwise with 4 you can have 1.5GB ram. 1GB or over is acceptable for gaming though.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
61
Sell 6600 GT and buy 7800 GT. I cannot believe you are even considering a cpu upgrade over a video card upgrade in your situation. I run a 7800 GTX with a Pentium 630 for Pete's sake.
 
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dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
8,558
3
76
Memory first, then video card. I suggest upgrading to 1GB via purchasing a 512 stick for $35-40, then save up for a bit longer and buy an X800GTO2.

Even with a 7800GT level card, 512MB of system ram will make your gaming unpleasant. You will consistantly have pauses, hitches, and hiccups all throughout your gaming even with a high end video card because of your ram.
 
cKGunslinger

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
Originally posted by: dguy6789
Memory first, then video card. I suggest upgrading to 1GB via purchasing a 512 stick for $35-40, then save up for a bit longer and buy an X800GTO2.
Click to expand...
I agree. You can get a 512MB stick of RAM for $50, the sell your 6600GT for $80. Now you have over $200 you can spend. The Sapphire X800GTO2 would be a perfect high mid-range card for that system. Unless you want to save a bit longer and get a 7800GT.
 
Lasthitlarry

Lasthitlarry

Senior member
Feb 24, 2005
775
0
0
Definately do not upgrade from a 6600GT to a 6800GS, worst move you could do.

I am a cheap guys myself, but I still recommend getting a 7800GT, it makes much more sense for long life and performance.
 
Malladine

Malladine

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2003
4,618
0
71
Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Originally posted by: dguy6789
Memory first, then video card. I suggest upgrading to 1GB via purchasing a 512 stick for $35-40, then save up for a bit longer and buy an X800GTO2.
Click to expand...
I agree. You can get a 512MB stick of RAM for $50, the sell your 6600GT for $80. Now you have over $200 you can spend. The Sapphire X800GTO2 would be a perfect high mid-range card for that system. Unless you want to save a bit longer and get a 7800GT.
Click to expand...
:thumbsup: The 6600gt should sell nicely at that price. That's $230 for a pcie card. You'd be looking at the x800gto2 if you want to overclock/unlock or perhaps the x800xl? Another $45 for the 7800GT...not much $ :)
 
0roo0roo

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
Originally posted by: Lasthitlarry
Definately do not upgrade from a 6600GT to a 6800GS, worst move you could do.

I am a cheap guys myself, but I still recommend getting a 7800GT, it makes much more sense for long life and performance.
Click to expand...



depends on the resolution he runs at. if its higher then he needs a new card now.. but yes, if he can hold off its best to wait while he gets more ram and for his 6600 to get more obsolete. and don't buy those obsolete gto's that don't support shader model 3.0..better to wait than buy those
 
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Wall7486

Senior member
Sep 29, 2004
475
0
0
You got great RAMS and a very overclockable 3000+. You should try to get an after-market Heatsink, say a Thermalright XP-90, and try to see if you can hit 2.3-.5 ghz on that venice. The Platinum Rev 2 you have are already one of the best overclocking RAMs out there. The 6800GS is the way to go. You can always unlock it to 16 pipes, even at a stock 12 pipes it'll be fine. Of course it would be best if you can pay 289 for a evga 7800GT in newegg, after rebate is 269. But if you can't dish out that extra 90 bucks, then the 6800GS is the way to go.
 
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Sifl

Junior Member
Jan 25, 2005
2
0
0
Hey, guys, original poster here. First, let me say that you guys ROCK !! I love Anandtechie's. AT'ers? Thanks for making me feel so welcome on my first post.

Anyway, some details to fill in that will help paint the picture:
-- love all the advice
-- I am glad that everyone agrees the GPU before the CPU
-- and, yes, the RAM needs to get better than 512MB, just depends on $$

LCD: 1280x1024 max res
RAM: NOT the Rev.2 -- just plain old Platinum
OS: WinXP Pro SP2
Arctic Silver 5 between CPU and stock HSF

Goal: upgrade current system to better, and hopefully longer term, have possibility of running MS Vista in the distant future as a 2nd PC. MAYBE a year or so from now, build a whole new 2nd PC on socket AM2 and Vista.

Now back to GPU: I like that NVidia is relatively "easy" to figure out right now:
$120 = 6600GT
$200 = 6800GS
$300 = 7800GT
$400 = 7800GTX
and just choose your price point since performance approximately scales with price for NVidia cards. But I haven't followed ATI as closely. If someone could provide a rough list like the one I just wrote, that would be cool.

As for a 7800GT, I have 2 questions: 1) I've heard that 7800's have some subtle display quality issues, and 2) would there be any difference between the $270 eVGA that ends in -N515-AX vs. -N516 at $300? I couldn't tell.
 
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