CPU upgrade related to 8800GT

[requiem1]

OK here is the deal..this is my system currently:

AMD 64 3500+ Venice
1 GB Corsair Value-Pack AMD (512x2 in Dual Channel)
6600GT
Socket 939 MSI Neo NForce 4 Motherboard with PCI-E 16x slot
10k Raptor 75gb Western Digital HD
7.2k 200gb Seagate HD
7.2k 300gb Seagate HD

I want to upgrade it ($200) for a new game called "Hellgate London". I do not want to spend too much money and want to get the BEST BANG FOR BUCK. So should I...

1) Just Buy a 1950pro 512MB for $130, save the money now, and do a full upgrade in the future
2) Just Buy a 8800GT for $200 and upgrade to AM2 later
3) Buy a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (Socket 939) and a 8800GT

The reason I do not have a AM2 option for now is because I fear that is just too much money...grpahic card, cpu, and motherboard...so what do you think I should do?

PS: What is the cheapest/slowest speed a CPU can be NOT TO bottleneck the 8800GT?

 

[JustaGeek]

I would recommend 2 x 1GB of RAM ( apparently AMD CPUs handle 2 memory modules better than 4, otherwise you could get another 2 x 512MB sticks).

2GB of RAM is a must.

And a new Video Card - you can go for 8800GT, your CPU should be fine. For now...

Good luck!

 

[Denithor]

Found this benchmark, take it with several grains of salt as I don't know anything about the author, but it shows the 8800 series as the overwhelming champs for this game. Your 3500+ should still be enough to push it relatively well, especially if you OC it a bit.

EDIT:

If you're going to add DDR, buy it from the FS forum here, it's too expensive new these days (especially compared to DDR2). For what you would spend on upgrading your DDR to 2GB you could get half of a completely new C2D system. And the same goes for the 4200+ option you mentioned. Just stick with your cpu, maybe some cheap used DDR, add an 8800gt and see how it runs.

 

[requiem1]

hmm...oka...i forgot to add my "future" upgrade would be quite far away...like...6 months if not longer...so i was thinking maybe the 8800GT wouldn't be my first choice by than. but perhaps i will wait.

Edit: 2gb really needed? Will i see a huge performance change?

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: requiem1
hmm...oka...i forgot to add my "future" upgrade would be quite far away...like...6 months if not longer...so i was thinking maybe the 8800GT wouldn't be my first choice by than. but perhaps i will wait.

Edit: 2gb really needed? Will i see a huge performance change?

Absolutely! Especially for a new game like "Hellgate London".

 

[requiem1]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: requiem1
hmm...oka...i forgot to add my "future" upgrade would be quite far away...like...6 months if not longer...so i was thinking maybe the 8800GT wouldn't be my first choice by than. but perhaps i will wait.

Edit: 2gb really needed? Will i see a huge performance change?

Absolutely! Especially for a new game like "Hellgate London".

My mobo would use some old school ram i think...anyone want to suggest me some newegg ram? so i can get a total of 2gb...good solid cheap ram?

 

[daveybrat]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-42BV&ref=lmcd1

Definitely get the 4200+ Dual-core 939 processor. Dual-core is a nice boost in today's modern games.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820145440

$54.99 for another 1GB kit of Corsair value DDR ram is a good option as well.