At the cusp of technology

[edincitatus]

Hi all. I am looking for advice.

I own the following system

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Magnell
System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS: Rev 2.00
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+, ~2.0GHz
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 150MB used, 2310MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Card name: RADEON X800 PRO
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON X800 PRO AGP (0x4A49)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4A49&SUBSYS_00021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1776 x 1000 (32 bit) (30Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6458 (English)

Component out to a Sony 65" Rear Projection TV

This system is used exclusively for gaming.

I have been around the block on this and since I just oredered Gothic 3 I need to figure out what I am doing.

When playing Oblivian, the performance was right on the edge. With great detail, it got choppy. With Gothic I suspect that the performance will be unacceptabe. So: Rebuild, AGP X1950 and get a new system in a year or so or ... what.

The idea of getting a new MB seems like it involves a whole lot of moving parts that I am not really comfortable with therefore I am gravitating to the x1950 solution as an interim step.

or ... should I simply upgrade the entire mess now?

What are your thoughts?

or

 

[Munky]

Depends on your budget. If you can swing a new build, get a C2D system, with a decent pci-e video card for around $200-300, and you'll have significantly improved performance. If you want to keep the spending to a minimum, then your processor is still decent, and 1024 MB of mem is still ok for modern games at medium-high settings. The agp x1950pro would be a good fit for your rig if you can buy it for under $300.