Compy Overhaul

[Peelback79]

....but she just don't swing like she used to. I want to overhaul my computer a little bit.

Need some advice:

Athalon 3200+ (2 ghz)
MSI 6702
1 gig DDR 400
Geforce FX5950 <---- I believe is dying.
In Win 300 Watt PSU (Model # IW - 300A2 - 0)
Windows XP (SP2)

Recommendations for an AGP graphics card? I was looking at some of the Nvida 7 series possibly. Ram? I want to go at least 2 gig, maybe even max out to 3. Fans are pretty cheap for this baddy too, so maybe overclock an old processor? Hints, tips, snide remarks? Also and diag. programs I can download to test memory, processor, and psu for efficiency? Budget isn't really any biggy. I got this rig for 500 wompum a few years ago. My sister plays Guild Wars on it and I'd like to keep it up and going because I have just over 200 gigs of stuff I'd like to keep available. Plus it's my CS and BF2 compy. But it's been crashing so I'd like to nip and tuck it. Thanks to all who reply.

: Edit: I'm getting a new barebones mobo, processor and case when the new 7XXi Nvidia mobos come out. Then I'm going to build a new rig around that and make the new compy my Crysis, Bio, COD4, and UT3 machine. I want to keep the old one around to keep the younger trolls off my new baby. Now if I could find an easy way to block their bandwidth usage. Multiple computers (3) + DSL ftl.

 

[myocardia]

Because your motherboard has the VIA K8T800 chipset, your choices for overclocking are limited somewhat by the motherboard. For instance, you're gonna need to skip from 218 Mhz HTT, all the way to 233, because that chipset doesn't have locked AGP/PCI buses. Instead, it uses dividers, so it works like this-- at 200 Mhz HTT, the AGP & PCI buses are running at their proper speeds. The higher you raise the HTT, the more out of spec they get, until you hit 234 Mhz, then they are back at their proper speeds, and they get more and more out of spec, until you hit 267 Mhz, when they are both back to exactly where they are supposed to be. So, the AGP & PCI bus will be perfectly in spec @ 200 Mhz, 234 Mhz, and 267 Mhz HTT speeds. Got it?

edit: Oh yeah, the video card. I wouldn't waste my time with anything any slower than a 7600GT, these days. But, I wouldn't recommend that card, since for an extra $10, you can get one that's alot faster: X1950 Pro. Then again, you'd need a new power supply for the X1950 Pro, and might not for the 7600GT.

 

[IEC]

At this point I'd recommend you build an entirely new rig because it may be cheaper in the long run...

C2D E2140 = $65
Abit IP35-E = $70AR
2x1GB DDR2-667 = $45
X1950 Pro = $115AR
250GB SATA = $60
Antec Case w/Earthwatts PSU = $100

$455 Total.

If the rig has been crashing spending $200 to upgrade the video card and memory may be a wasted effort if something else is amiss...

 

[MarcVenice]

Yeah, your rig is in desperate need of another 1gb of ram, but for the same amount of money you can buy 2gb of ddr2 667/800mhz ram. PCI-e videocards are also cheaper, although I wouldn't spend 115$ on a x1950pro right now, when ati's new cards are to be released in 2 weeks, and WILL cost less then the 8800gt's. I'm guessing the 'cheapest' ati card will be going for 150$, and it will BLOW the x1950pro away.

Spartan niner's build looks good, except for the videocard. Case would be a antec sonata III.

 

[Roguestar]

I'd like to second Spartan Niner, and especially the video card seeing as the OP doesn't run at DX10 games on it - CS and BF will be no problem for the x1950 Pro.

 

[MarcVenice]

Ah I missed those games, but if he DOES do an overhaul, why not spend the extra 35-65$ to get a killer videocard? Then it could not only be his CS/BF compy, but also his Crysis, BioShock, UT3 and what not compy ?