Help with some Upgrading

[imported_Xavier]

Current Specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2500 "Barton" - Not Overclocked; To lazy
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro -Card has started to show signs of aging after 2 years
Maxtor 40GB 7200rpm HDD
1024mb Kingston "HyperX" Ram
Asus A7N8X Deluxe Retail Motherboard
Antec True430 PSU - 20-pin connector


I am now looking into the process of upgrading.

This is pretty much what I am wanting to buy:

MSI nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB DDR3, 128-Bit, DVI/VIVO, AGP 8X,

DFI "LANPARTY NFII ULTRA B" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU

Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM Drive Only

AMD Athlon 64 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor

Only problem is my PSU. I, like some others, have the Antec True430 PSU.

I was reading how I don't really need the adapter, but I've heard the 6600 GT does NOT have an alternate power cord that hooks straight up to the card itself; which from reading, if I dont have the 24 power connector than the video card essentially needs this connector to the card.

So, is there a card that has an alternate power supply, or is it actually on the card and I am missing it? Or, do you think my Antec 430 will be able to support this system without the card having a power connector to it?


I am a college student and can't really afford to buy all this at once.

I will probably buy it in this order, considering my video card is still in pretty good shape:

1. 1. DFI Motherboard and the A64 Processor
   2. Save up a little more money and get the 36GB Raptor
   3. Then a 6600 GT or 6800 GT (It will be a long while before I have the money for a new card)

 

[imported_Xavier]

Also, since money is an option, do you think I should just order a new video card now and order a PCI SATA Card and then the Raptor, then just overclock my 2500 Barton to 3200 speeds?


I bought this PC mainly for overclocking but never messed with it. I really want to push my Barton to see what kind of speeds I can get out of it without just replacing everything, if that would be a good way to go.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well, for 1 thing, that motherboard is for socket A, not socket 754 or 939 that A64 needs.

If I were you, I'd buy a better videocard than a 6600gt. It's better than the 9800pro, but you'll see a bigger difference if you step it up to a 6800gt or X800XL.

I also think a raptor is a bad deal for this price range. You'll have better gaming performance overall if you don't buy a raptor and use the money to get a better videocard instead.

 

[imported_Xavier]

Sorry about that, I ment the DFI "LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D" NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939


I found a 36GB Raptor, which is good space for me, for $90. I would want a new HDD anyway because mine is so old. The other one I would get is $60, which is a Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm which is way to much space for what I need, but is only a 30 dollar price difference. I also am not going to spend $500 on a new card. I would maybe spend $300, but since the price difference is only $30 I would say the speed difference would be worth it, but I have never used a Raptor though.

 

[l Xes l]

if you already have 9800pro... i wouldn't pay a penny for 6600gt... i wouldnt upgrade it unless it's around 6800gt... just wait a bit.. 6800gt price will drop even more...
9800pro will do you fine... if money is an issue.. i wouldn't go for a raptor..

 

[imported_Xavier]

Well the reason I am considering another card is because I have had my 9800 Pro for 3-4 years and it is starting to show its age. The graphics are starting to get progressively worse of which I can tell when I play my games. CS:S and FS2004 have a lot more jaggies than it used to, as well as all my other games.

 

[ohnnyj]

As others have said, the 6600GT isn't much of an upgrade from the current card that you have, and the other cards that were mentioned are not $500. I have seen the PCIe 6800GT for as low as $370 and the X800XL goes for $299 MSRP. Both of these cards are roughly equivalent depending upon the games you play and would be a much better upgrade path. The other items you have chosen would make for a fine gaming computer.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Xavier
Well the reason I am considering another card is because I have had my 9800 Pro for 3-4 years and it is starting to show its age. The graphics are starting to get progressively worse of which I can tell when I play my games. CS:S and FS2004 have a lot more jaggies than it used to, as well as all my other games.

That's funny... considering the 9800pro wasn't even out yet 3 year ago
AT 9800pro intro article

As a videocard gets older, its performance shouldn't degrade afaik.

If you know that you're not going to use more than 36gigs, then the raptor is a fine idea. Usually people are getting a raptor and then another larger drive. If you can get by on 36 gigs, then it's probably a good option for you.

An X800XL is under $300 in PCI-e flavor and is an excellent card for the money.

 

[imported_Xavier]

Thanks for the replies so far.


Alright, well I couldn't remember the exact date. I got it about 2-3 months after it came out.

I don't use a lot of space. I have a 40GB Maxtor now and I have 17gb of it free. I don't leave stuff on my PC that I don't use. I always keep it very clean and fast.


Also, does a 6800GT PCIe have a power connector to it?

I have the Antec True430 with the 20 pin connector and am worried about enough power being supplied to my PC with a card like that.

Also, would a 6800GT hook up to a Asus A7N8X Deluxe motherboard?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

As long as you got an AGP version, any of these cards should work fine in your current motherboard.

EDIT: you can check specific boards for their power needs by the pics on newegg.

 

[imported_Xavier]

So do you think I should just get:

A PCI SATA Adapter
Western Digital 36GB Raptor HDD
6800GT


I would probably wait a while on the video card and just overclock my CPU during summer. Im towards the end of my semester and have to many essays and stuff on my PC to take the chance to have a crash.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well... naturally it would be best to do both A64 and a new videocard, but if you wanted to just do one for now, a 6800gt would be a good option.

 

[l Xes l]

i hardly doubt that ur videocard is degradin or anything...
i have a geforce3 card from 4 years ago.. and it still works like a charm.....
perhaps it's time for u to clean up that computer and reinstall the os and drivers..