BFG 6800 still a good video card?

[tigersty1e]

I don't know all the technical terms with computers, so I may not be totally accurate with my descriptions.

I'm running a Nvidia (BFG) 6800 card with a single core Pentium 4 2.4 GHZ computer with 512 MB DDR ram. My motherboard stopped working so I'm thinking of upgrading. Is my CPU the bottleneck for my overall rig? That is, am I not utilizing the video card to it's true potential? I know RAM is low.

All I need is a motherboard and CPU.

Is the 6800 card still a decent card. I don't need all the bells and whistles.

What motherboard and CPU would I need to get inorder to fully utilize my video card? upgrading a video card is out of the question as they are very expensive.

Thanks.

 

[Sniper82]

best thing you can do is drop another 512mb memory in that. Upgrading the CPU,mobo would be pointless because then the 6800 will be the bottleneck. Only having 512mb memory is the bottleneck in your case not the CPU.

You can have a $600 video in the fastest computer out there. But if you only have 512mb in it games will run as if it was a 5 year old system.

 

[tigersty1e]

I need to upgrade my motherboard anyway because it is broken.

Since I'm upgrading the motherbaord, I'm thinking of just upgrading the motherboard and CPU to a dual-core processor with the intent of upgrading the video card in the fuuture (it doesn't feel right to buy another video card because I paid 200 for the 6800 2 years ago).

How much can I expect to pay for a top of the line motherboard/CPU combo?

What about mid-tier combo?

How is this CPU?

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4893650

 

[brencat]

Awesome chip. Overclocks like a champ. With the right mobo, you can run 400 - 450 FSB easy at the default 8x multiplier for 3.2 - 3.6 ghz.

FYI, if you can hold out one more month, prices are going to drop on the C2D line. That chip will be selling for ~ $180ish and the E6600 with the 9x multi will cost what the E6400 costs now.

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: tigersty1e
I don't know all the technical terms with computers, so I may not be totally accurate with my descriptions.

I'm running a Nvidia (BFG) 6800 card with a single core Pentium 4 2.4 GHZ computer with 512 MB DDR ram. My motherboard stopped working so I'm thinking of upgrading. Is my CPU the bottleneck for my overall rig? That is, am I not utilizing the video card to it's true potential? I know RAM is low.

All I need is a motherboard and CPU.

Is the 6800 card still a decent card. I don't need all the bells and whistles.

What motherboard and CPU would I need to get inorder to fully utilize my video card? upgrading a video card is out of the question as they are very expensive.

Thanks.

If you have pc 3200 (ddr 400) ram I'd get this board. It supports core 2 duo cpu's and agp cards (also has a pci-e x16 slot for future video cards). It also will support ddr ram.-- 59.00$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157107

A e4300 cpu will fully utilize your 6800 card and then some. There about 170.00$

You could easily sell you cpu and video card for 100.00$ Then buy yourself a 7900gt pci-e
card for 150.00$ and another stick of ram for 50.00$ You will easily double your performance for a total of 320.00$ or so.

 

[Zardnok]

I have to second the suggestion for the Asrock dual board. It is perfect for your situation. It allows you to upgrade component by component at your own pace. I also think you need to stick another 512 stick in there.

As for whether your 6800 is enough, that depends on what you are doing with the machine and at what resolution. I jumped from a 6800 up to a 7600gt-oc when I got my Asrock dual. It was $100ish and had much better performance than my $200 6800. Save up $200ish and you can spring for an 8600gt when they come out.

SO... Asrock Dual and e4300 (prices falling soon) >> either another 512 stick ram ($40ish) OR 2X1gb ddr2 RAM (120-150ish) >> New video card 8600gt?