How's this for a $150 upgrade?

[Motavian]

When I built my current computer I was pretty conservative, because it was my first self-built computer and I didn't want to spend a lot of money. So now I want to upgrade it a little. I'm a pretty light gamer, mostly I play strategy and a few racing games.

Here's what I got now...

Epox 8KHA+
Duron 950
512 MB Crucial PC2100
VisionTek Xtasy GTS-V 32MB

I think my motherboard and memory look fine. So here's what I'm thinking of getting...

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ ($75 newegg)
SAPPHIRE Atlantis RADEON 9000PRO ($75 newegg)

The 2400+ looks really nice. Not sure about the video card though. This article makes it look like a Gigabyte RADEON 9200 128MB DDR 128bit would be a good alternative in that price range.

Since I don't really play any new games, I don't want to spend a lot on a video card. But since I bought an LCD panel earlier this year, I'm wanting to upgrade to something with a DVI port.

 

[Markfw]

CPU is fine, but go with the 9100. It is faster than the 9000 I think.

 

[MadRat]

9100 is big jump from 9000 pro in synthetic benchmarks but NOT IN REAL GAMING tests. See Xbit review

Think (9000 = 9200) < (8500 = 9100)

 

[Lyfer]

Will the Epox 8KHA be able to recognize a T-Bred cpu? My two old MSI/Shuttle KT266A boards didn't boot up at all with my T-Bred 1700. Might wanna double check it or search for a plamino based core.

 

[Motavian]

I have the 8KHA+ which is KT266A I think. I'm sure it supports T-bred. I'm not sure if it officially supports Thorton, but some guy posted that he got a Barton running on it, so I guess it will work.

 

[dguy6789]

9100 is the 8500, however, the clocks are so low, like 250/200, that it is a great deal slower then the 9000 pro.

 

[dguy6789]

one more thing. The 9000 Pro is ALOT faster then the 9200. All the 9200 is, is a 9000 non pro with agp 8x. Only get a 9000 Pro, or 9200 pro.

 

[Sid59]

another vote for 9100

 

[HalfCrazy]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Will the Epox 8KHA be able to recognize a T-Bred cpu? My two old MSI/Shuttle KT266A boards didn't boot up at all with my T-Bred 1700. Might wanna double check it or search for a plamino based core.

I'm using the very same mobo that he is using. The Epox 8KHA+ came in two version's 1.3 and 2.0. The version 2.0 can handle upto a XP 2600+ (266) processor. You just need the newest bios update to run the 2600+ stable.

I'm using a XP 2400+ T-Bred in my system. It is a old mobo compare to newer ones that are out. But why throw out a old dog when it can still do what you need it too. As for the upgrade question I say that a good upgrade you are looking at getting. You will see a nice proformance increase by going to the 2400+.

 

[venk]

How's This, sell your current chip and video card for say $50 total.

Buy a Duron 1.6 ($40ish) and a 9600 Pro ($150 at the most, might find it cheaper). Thats $140 for one heck of an upgrade.

 

[PraetorianGuards]

Vote for the 9100 and 2400+ upgrade.

 

[MadRat]

I don't mean to start anything, but the 9100 <> 8500. The 9100 and 8500 perform similar but the 8500's are built on a larger process and kick out ridiculous heat for their performance by today's standard. On the other hand, the 9200 is a 9000 that supports 8X AGP. The 9000 PRO is nice and cool running, too. If you need 8X then get it, but its no real difference,