2500XP @ 3200 speed vs AMD 64 line

[datwater]

Hi-

I'm currently running an AMD XP 2500 barton at 3200+ on an Nforce2 Ultra platform. I'm considering a number of different upgrades and trying to decide which would be the right one for me. I am primarily into games. I am wondering specifically how much impact I would see by changing to an Athlon 64 platform. 754 or 939? What processors from those lines OC good? Is it worth my time to do this upgrade or should I focus more on Vid Card (currently 9800XT)? Sorry for such a general question but I need to decide if I should leap to the 64-bit generation or hold off for awhile.

thanks!

 

[classy]

Actually most reviews would that a video card upgrade would be your best avenue. Your platform is still solid and the video card upgrade would be better bang for the buck. Look here you'll see the XP getting swamped with no AA and all the eye candy on in Half Life 2. But when that stuff is turned on the gap closes considerably. Down to a few frames actually. Half Life 2 The video card way is probably cheaper to.

 

[classy]

Also keep in mind you could do a video card go with a mobile XP 🙂. Most people are running at 2.4 or better. At that speed those mobiles really up the ante.
Half life 2 with 2.4 XP
Overclocked Mobile

 

[Artanis]

Only one reason, i'm sure you'll find thounsands 🙂
http://hardware.fr/articles/496/page12.html

 

[dklingen]

Actually your system is really pretty strong overall. I would wait and go the PCIe path.

Check out this X-Bit Labs HL2 CPU comparison (the video card was an X800 XT): http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...splay/29cpu-hl2_8.html
I am currently running a 2500XP (@ 2800 speeds - non ultra mb, so I can't get 200mhz to work) and a 9700Pro. My framerates went from 28-121 (typically around 57) during play at 1280x1024 (no aa). I also ran HL2 and Far Cry with a 6800GT OC and the difference just was not worth $399.

Good Luck.

 

[datwater]

Thanks ... sounding more like I should just leave my system as-is and maybe spend the money on external storage for my GD show archive hehee.