How much of a difference will I see in this upgrade?

[50]

Okay, If you see my rig specs, is it worth it to upgrade now? I'm thinking of...

2.8 ghz P4 800 fsb, 257 bucks
New mobo (can someone reccomend me one w/HT, S-ATA, 800fsb)
New RAM (I can't stand all the problems I have with GEIL value RAM), about 512 mb pc 3200, I would like some VERY reliable (relatively cheap) RAM.

Maybe....
Radeon 9800 pro(probably not, not much of a hardcore gamer)
80 gig Barracuda V (I want a quiet system)
HDTV card (probably not gonna get one, I'm not very fond of my win tv go card)
A quiet Heatsink to replace the stock combo.
1800fp(I highly doubt getting one of these, I don't like the results my cornea has been producing though)

What do you guys think I need?

 

[TheBDB]

A 2.4B to a 2.8C? How much money do you have to blow on pointless stuff?

 

[Twista]

Originally posted by: TheBDB
A 2.4B to a 2.8C? How much money do you have to blow on pointless stuff?

and plus a 9800 for a 9700 pro wth?

 

[randumb]

Unless you're looking for bragging rights, don't upgrade.

 

[XeoBllaze]

Originally posted by: TheBDB
A 2.4B to a 2.8C? How much money do you have to blow on pointless stuff?

The 2.8C is just as fast as a 3.06B, and he can get an oc of a guaranteed 3.2Ghz on that 800FSB chip w/ some good ram which is about around a 3.4B... Therefore, if he's a overclocker then the cpu upgrade is a great choice. BTW, my 2.8C is on it's way (fedex)

 

[50]

...Someone told me the extra 400 mhz and HT and 66mhz+ in FSB would make a HUGE difference! Well I guess I should'nt listen to him, just wanted to double check with you guys. Thanks, can someone reccomend me some reliable RAM that is somewhat affordable (DDR400 is what I want, no OCing will be done, just occasional games, WMP9, word proccessing).

 

[XeoBllaze]

Get some Crucial or Corsair Value then if you wont be overclocking...

 

[JackHawksmoor]

I don't get this occasional games thing either. I mean even if you buy 10 games a month I wouldn't upgrade from a 2.4Ghz P4 or a Radeon 9700 unless you're like Bill Gates rich.

Geez, I've still got a 64MB Geforce 2 with a 1GHz P3 Coppermine in one system (512MB CL-2 RAM), and it runs modern games nicely. (Like my main system with a 128MB Geforce 4 and a 2.4Ghz P4 runs more smoothly, with a bit better graphics, but honestly even that big a jump isn't THAT big a jump).

EDIT: Oh yeah, about the RAM. I always just by Crucial. You know it'll work, and be a pretty reasonable price (IMO).

 

[Corporate Thug]

the video card is a very frivolous upgrade.

if u can get $200 or so for the current chip and mobo, a new CPU and mobo upgrade can be justified

 

[jim1976]

I agree with everybody. Pointless upgrade... I have 2.8c and i have seen from my friends meaningless differences regarding performance.
A new mobo though could be a good asset for future upgrades cauz ddr400 and 865pe and 875 will be on surface for quite some time yet.

 

[50]

Originally posted by: JackHawksmoor
I don't get this occasional games thing either. I mean even if you buy 10 games a month I wouldn't upgrade from a 2.4Ghz P4 or a Radeon 9700 unless you're like Bill Gates rich.

Geez, I've still got a 64MB Geforce 2 with a 1GHz P3 Coppermine in one system (512MB CL-2 RAM), and it runs modern games nicely. (Like my main system with a 128MB Geforce 4 and a 2.4Ghz P4 runs more smoothly, with a bit better graphics, but honestly even that big a jump isn't THAT big a jump).

EDIT: Oh yeah, about the RAM. I always just by Crucial. You know it'll work, and be a pretty reasonable price (IMO).

I think I want to keep upgrading only because as of february of this year, I had a 200mhz Compaq, which I had been using for the past 5 years, and I have become addicted to speed (no pun intended).

I think I am going to get some corsair RAM, I found a pretty good deal on some.

 

[sandorski]

I'd wait.

 

[StraightPipe]

what are you running that you think you will notice the difference?
if you are benchmarking games you might see a slight difference in FPS, but this really would be wasteful, I would like to do the same upgrade (wishing i had 800mhz FSB), but i dont have $200-300 for an upgrade i wont feel.

what programs do you run?

you might try upgrading some of the parts on your PC that are slow (because your CPU and vid card are both very fast, although not the fastest on the market)

usually storage slows load times for apps , consider getting a RAID drive system, or gett SCSI if you've got cash to blow. those Raptors are pretty sweet.

 

[bob4432]

i usually won't upgrade until there is a significant performance increase. my last system was 1GHz Athlon, my newest system is a Athlon XP 2000, i will upgrade it when the XP 3200s come down in price. video card upgrade was the same or more of a performance increase -> old video card = 3000 3dmark02, new video card = 12000 points.

this is just my opinion, but i guess that is what you want and i tend to agree with everyone else, it will be a waste, and since you only "occasionally" game, i think your current system will be more than adequate for some time.

i can understand changing the ram because of reliability problems, i would think that would be money well spent. if you are by a frys, i just noticed in AZ that they have 1GB of crucial for $180 after mir.

there is no way you will see a "HUGE" difference with the mods, honestly since you don't game, and even if you did, i don't think you would see any....

everybody throws around all this misinformation, the numbers sound a lot larger like 400FSB -> 800FSB, but if your computer doesn't currently get stressed close to its maximum, you will not gain anything.

 

[Slogun]

Yes, as people have said, your system is more than adequate now.

You should stick with it for a while because there are some very big upgrades that will be available in 6 months to a year from now for a revolutionary change and (hopefully) improvement.

1)New CPUs from both Intel and AMD that will likely not be compatible with today's mobos.
2) PCI Express will replace the existing PCI bus on new mobos.
3) AGP will be eliminiated on new mobos with PCI express rendering today's top $400-$500 video cards useless and a relatively poor investment at this time (for someone who currently has a great vid card like you).

So, major upgrades right now are for those with money to burn or who can find other uses for their comps as they become obsolete (eg. my son puts my hand-me-downs to good use).

If you need a quieter, more efficient HSF than what you have now for a mere $30 or so, check out the Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu
Easy to install too: No removing-the-mobo to install baloney and none of those crappy, difficult spring clips.

 

[OmegaRedd]

Your system is fine more storage is always good. If money is burning a hole in your pocket get water cooling. :Q