$400, how would you upgrade this system

[andyperrine]

My current system looks like this:

INTEL(TM) PENTIUM-4 2.53 GHZ [533 FSB, NORTHWOOD, 512K] CPU
AOPEN AX45-8XN SIS CHIPSET WITH 10/100 LAN/5.1 SOUND/USB2.0/8X AGP MB
512 MB DDR-400 PC3200 MHZ CORSAIR DDR400 EXTREME SPEED HIGH PERFORMANCE MEMORY
ATI RADEON 9700 PRO 128MB DDR
WESTERN DIGITAL 80 GB 7200 RPM ULTRA ATA-100 8MB CACHE BUFFER
CREATIVE LAB SOUND BLASTER AUDIGY 5.1 W/IEEE-1394
STANDARD 420 WATT POWER SUPPLY

I want to be able to run current games, specifically Neverwinter 2 and Oblivion, and my graphics card is getting dropped from most 'supported' lists and it's getting harder and harder to get any new games to run on my system.... with $400 or less to spend, what would you upgrade?

-Andy

 

[Firsttime]

I would start off with a integrated graphics motherboard and then later upgrade the GPU, just because it would be pretty hard to upgrade all that in one shot. So maybe something like:
Motherboard-$85
CPU-$116
PSU-$90
RAM-$100

Total=$391+shipping

This setup would give you quite a bit of room for upgrades, and I would suggest selling your old hardware to start of a GPU fund. A good budget GPU would be the 7600gt or you could save some extra for the x1900xt. I have a hard time trusting old non-brand PSUs that's why I suggested you replace it. Although you would be able to play any brand new games right off the bat you would have a really easy upgrade path for the future.

 

[DaveSimmons]

At newegg.com:
Asus A8N-E $78
A64 3700+ $93
nvidia 7900 GS $190

Then add more PC3200 RAM when you can afford to, or after you sell the P4 and 9700.

If you're worried about the PSU, a FSP Fortron 450watt designed for higher 12volt loads from modern graphics cards is another $49 (link)

 

[dBTelos]

You can do better then a AX FSP for the money. If you want to keep the PSU for the while it's best to invest in quality right off the bat. I think a Enhance ENP 400W 80+ would be a much better choice, not to mention plenty of power.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Pentium D 805, $95
ASUS P5B P965 Express Socket T, $140
2x512MB Mushkin DDR2 667 5-5-5-15, $113 after MIR
eVGA 7600GTS, $105 after MIR
Total: $453

I know, it's a little over your budget, but it definately will be a huge improvement. You get a dual core processor (improved multi-tasking), a motherboard that will allow you to upgrade to Core 2 Duo in the future, 1GB of decent RAM, and a decent graphics card. All together, it should let you run anything current, and give you plenty of room for upgrading in the future. It's worth the extra $50, IMO.

 

[imported_pcguy2]

I hope you guys realize that he has a 8x AGP board. All your suggestions are PCI Express. Get a PCI Express motherboard is your first priority.

Firsttime's (first replier) suggestions make the most sense for you.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: pcguy2
I hope you guys realize that he has a 8x AGP board. All your suggestions are PCI Express.

Um, all of our suggestions included a new CPU and a PCI-E motherboard along with that PCI-E graphics card (or onboard video for Firsttime)

I'm not sure why you'd prefer nvidia 6100 graphics for gaming to the 7900GS in my post, but to each their own

 

[Firsttime]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I'm not sure why you'd prefer nvidia 6100 graphics for gaming to the 7900GS in my post, but to each their own

Well I tried to provide an upgrade path as opposed to the cheap 939 route so he could just get a new video card later and still be able to upgrade his other things later, but to each his own. If he just wants a cheap gamming rig for right now, you offered the better solution.

 

[andyperrine]

Well, Dave's picks seem to get me up and running right now, Firsttime sets me up for future upgrades. With your picks Dave, how long before I need to upgrade again? I got my system in March 2003, 3 and a half years is a pretty good run... however, how does on onboard 6100 run? Is it at least as good as my 9700 pro? I don't want to go backwards, even if it is only until after christmas when I can swing a decent GPU...

-Andy

 

[DaveSimmons]

A 3700+ is at 50% faster or more than your current P4 for gaming, and if you look at the CPU scaling articles at HardOCP and elsewhere it won't bottleneck any video cards from this generation.

That means it should be good enough for next year's $300 cards too, but possibly not the $500+ ones.

The 6100 is much slower than your 9700, so you won't be able to play NWN2 or Oblivion on it. My $400 setup will give you at least a year of good gaming, 2 years with a graphics card upgrade late next year. (You still need another 512 MB RAM though)

How much longer can you stand to wait, and how much money can you afford to spend then?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Welcome to AT.

I think Dave gave you a very good option.

You'll get a nice boost for gaming rather than going backwards with the 6100 solution. You'll have an upgrade path for your videocard, the component most crucial for better gaming performance.

In the mean time, a ram upgrade and a new PSU will be good steps to take to get a well rounded system.

 

[andyperrine]

Quick question, difference between the 3700+ san diego and the 3800+ venice? Any reason why I wouldn't choose the venice for a mere $7 more?

 

[DasFox]

andyperrine are you dying to upgrade now?

If you can hang tight for a month or two, I'd wait till Vista comes out then go from there, because for the future of gaming you're going to want to have cards and a PSU that can power what ever Dx10 is going to want.

So just hang tight for now, your system isn't that bad to play some games, enjoy what you have, because in a few months, hopefully by then people will be able to better judge what Vistas going to need.

ALOHA