In doubt of which upgrade strategy to chose.

[patashnik]

Hi, it's my first post - so be gentle!

Right now my system is based on a KT133A motherboard from Abit, a 1.2GHz T-bird and a GeForce2 Pro videocard. Oh, and 256MB of that jolly good SDRAM...

I'm currently looking at the upgrade options that I have and I've come up with these options (all the prices are local - I'm not in the US. I've also taken into account that I can sell off my old parts, so the prices I've stated is rough estimates of my net costs):

1) update my CPU to an XP1800+
256MB extra SDRAM
---> dirt cheap: about $100

2) XP1800+
256MB SDRAM
Radeon 9500Pro
---> $250

3) nForce2 motherboard
xp1800+
512MB PC3200 DDR Ram
Radeon 9500Pro
---> $320

4) nForce2 motherboard
Barton 2500+
512MB PC3200 DDR Ram
Radeon 9500Pro
---> $420

5) nForce2 motherboard
Barton 2500+
512MB PC3200 DDR Ram
... and upgrade my video card later - when I get some extra cash
---> $250


I would like some input from the Anand crew on which route to chose. Preferably I would like to keep this comp. for another 2 years. I play some games (not a lot, but I like UT2003, Sim City 4 etc.) Other than that - Photoshop, Macromedia Studio MX and ordinary office applications.

Thanks,

patashnik

 

[CurtCold]

You need revision 1.5. I think of that motherboard to support an XP. Make sure you have that revision, or the XP will be a no go. I read an article on HardOCP about upgrading.

From that I would say get a GF4 TI4200 as the Radeons have some problem with SimCity4
512MB of Pc133 and the 1800 would be nice.

If you really wanna go all out then go Nforce. Depends on how much you wanna spend, but keep in mind if you get 9500-9700, nForce and new processor, then you might have to have a new PSU.

I would say for what your doing the 1st option would have you set for a while, but if you think/want more p0wAr, then go for the Nforce.


Ohh crap I almost forgot Welcome to AT!

 

[techfuzz]

I'll take options 4 or 5 patashnik. You say you want it to last +/- 2 years so we're looking at something that could be upgraded at various times over that 2 year period. To allow for those upgrades, often the most recent hardware is best suited for that purpose down the road. nForce is definitely the way to go since it allows for a quicky and easy processor upgrade for at least the next year or more. Barton speeds will continue to increase well past the current 3000+ model later this year. Somewhere down the road you can take out your 2500+ and put in a 3400+ or whatever they have out at the time. Going with the nForce2, your memory, DDR is going to also last you for a very long time. Stick with PC3200 or higher like you said. Make full use of that 166 MHz FSB with the most agressive memory timings.

Video card, you said it best, maybe upgrade it in a few months. You could pick up a 9500 or 9700 somewhere down the road when your cash reserves grow. Definitely get a new one soon though, GF2 is too slow!

techfuzz

 

[Tristantan]

I was using the geforce 2 ulta (damn its old, but i dont play that much...)
I bought the 8500le 128mb oem....for some reason i didnt like that card (bought it for divx playback on my tv,
didnt notice any diff. from the ultra, so i am selling it.
now i am considering the ti4200 (which one is best the MSI?)

should i give the 9500 a try?

 

[BatmanNate]

#3 will get you about the most bang for a buck. Possible even cranck that proc up to 2100+ for not too much more green. Check in FS/FT too, good deals.

 

[KidChaos]

Upgrade it in stages:

1) nforce2 mobo, 256MB DDR333 memory $180

2a) AMD XP 2100+ TBred-B OEM, Thermalright heatsink and YS-Tech Fan $110

2b) Overclock the 2100+ to like 2800+ speed and beyond $0

3) 256MB DDR333 memory, ATi 9500 Pro $240

 

[Ophir]

I'd say #5, but change get the XP2100+ instead. The 2100 is right now tops in the Bang/Buck category, and it overclocks well. I'm not really sure how far you can push a Barton (preliminary reports show a modest 10%), but you'll want to push the FSB to 200 to match that PC3200 memory. Even if you lower the multipliers, 200 might still be a bit too taxing on these early revision Bartons. The newegg.com 2100's are coming out T-Bred B and have generally OC'd to 2400+ speeds, they have also shown they can do 200FSB consistently.

Also, if you can, hold off on the video card till the 9900Pro is released, this should bring a nice drop in prices. If not, pick up a 9500 Non-Pro and try one of the various soft-mods to get 9700 perfomance. If it doesn't work you still got a good card to game with.

 

[patashnik]

Thank you all for the fast and excellent answers you've provided.

And I'm really unsure about this one. I would like to put some life back into my rig, but at the same time I don't really think I need the high tech stuff. And the money I could save would go towards buying a laptop, so it would come in handy there.

But I can still remember buying that T-bird two years ago when it was top of the line. And it's amazing how long this setup's had me going strong, especially when you consider my previous PC (AMD K6-300). That one was the ultimate miss - I passed on the chance to get a Celeron 300A. Anyone remember that one...?

You guys have brought up some good points here, based on experience, and I sure appreciate it. Keep'em coming

patashnik

 

[human2k]

Originally posted by: patashnik
Hi, it's my first post - so be gentle!

Right now my system is based on a KT133A motherboard from Abit, a 1.2GHz T-bird and a GeForce2 Pro videocard. Oh, and 256MB of that jolly good SDRAM...

I'm currently looking at the upgrade options that I have and I've come up with these options (all the prices are local - I'm not in the US. I've also taken into account that I can sell off my old parts, so the prices I've stated is rough estimates of my net costs):

1) update my CPU to an XP1800+
256MB extra SDRAM
---> dirt cheap: about $100

2) XP1800+
256MB SDRAM
Radeon 9500Pro
---> $250

3) nForce2 motherboard
xp1800+
512MB PC3200 DDR Ram
Radeon 9500Pro
---> $320

4) nForce2 motherboard
Barton 2500+
512MB PC3200 DDR Ram
Radeon 9500Pro
---> $420

5) nForce2 motherboard
Barton 2500+
512MB PC3200 DDR Ram
... and upgrade my video card later - when I get some extra cash
---> $250


I would like some input from the Anand crew on which route to chose. Preferably I would like to keep this comp. for another 2 years. I play some games (not a lot, but I like UT2003, Sim City 4 etc.) Other than that - Photoshop, Macromedia Studio MX and ordinary office applications.

Thanks,

patashnik

Here's what I'd get:

1. XP2100 Tbred B $93 @ tcwo.com

2. SLK800 + YS tec 48CFM 80MM FAN $35 @ svcompucycle.com

3. Epox 8RDA $104.50 @mwave.com

4. Kingston 256MB PC3200 DDR400 x 2 $130 @ newegg.com

5. Radeon 9500 PRO 128MB $172 @ mwave.com