Is it worth it for me to just stick with AGP?

[Azndude51]

What I'm running now:
AMD 64 3200+ Winchester
MSI Neo2 Platinum S939
2x1GB DDR400
256MB 6800GT AGP
OZC Modstream 450W PSU

The main reason I want to upgrade because I really need dual core as my CPU usage is often constantly maxed when i multi-task. I would also like better performance in games like FEAR, GRAW, Company of Heroes. I just want games to run decently at 1280x1024 with at least Med. settings.

I was thinking about going with the AMD X2 4600+ ($200) and X1950pro AGP 256MB ($235). My PSU only has 26A on the 12v rail, so I would have to either sell it and get a better one or just get this 5.25 Drive GPU PSU ($50). Do you think it's worth it? I don't really want to spend more than $450, which I probably would if I upgraded to PCI-e.

I could go PCI-e, but I would have to get a new mobo and probably, RAM (depending on which socket) along with GPU, CPU, and PSU.


EDIT:
Okay, so I've thought my options over, here's what I'm thinking:
C2D E4300 - $179 Hopefully I can get a decent OC with the MOBO an RAM I'm prob going to buy.
2x1GB DDR2 800 - $190
Biostar TForce 965PT LGA775 - $110
HIS X1950XT 256MB PCI-e - $235 AR

I can probably get about $200 back if I sell my CPU, RAM, Mobo. I prob won't sell my GPU as I am currently having some problems with it.

This means about $500 after I sell the parts, which I can afford. This way I can upgrade to Core 2 Quad in the future if I want and just drop in a new DX10 card when they become more affordable.

What do you think about that?

 

[Blain]

Does your MSI MB support dual core 939's?

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Blain
Does your MSI MB support dual core 939's?

With a BOIS update, yes

 

[Blain]

If you're running your components at default speeds, I'd...
1. Upgrade to the X2 Toledo core CPU.
2. Run the CPU for a while and see how the system operates.
3. If it's up to snuff for you, hold there.
4. If it's still not running what you need, bump up to a new video card.

The Truth About Graphics Power Requirements V2

 

[MustISO]

I'm kind of in the same boat.
I have a 3500+ Winchester, 1GB of PC3500 and a 6800GT. I've considered getting a cheap NF4 mobo so I can keep everything but the video card. That's probably one of the cheapest upgrades or just getting a x1950 AGP card which runs around $230.

 

[Blain]

An Asrock 939Dual-VSTA will allow you keep your CPU/RAM while bumping up to a PCI Express card.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: Blain
An Asrock 939Dual-VSTA will allow you keep your CPU/RAM while bumping up to a PCI Express card.

I have this board. Good board. I purchased it when I wanted to move to A64 but keep my video card. Works great. The SATA controller is flaky though... could just be my board though.

 

[SickBeast]

What resolution do you run?

Only the most demanding games require more graphics power than you have. This coming year a ton of amazing PC games are coming out...you might want to upgrade depending on your monitor (and DX10).

 

[Steve]

"I just want games to run decently at 1280x1024 with at least Med. settings."

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: sm8000
"I just want games to run decently at 1280x1024 with at least Med. settings."

:thumbsup:

In that case, the OP should keep his hardware and "stick with AGP", for now at least. DX10 and Crysis may change things. It will be a large investment though.

 

[Boyo]

If you want an AM2 X2, then you have to upgrade your mobo, in which case I would upgrade tp PCI-E in the meantime. It will give you what you want for gaming. Get the 1950PRO.

 

[Farmer]

I agree, if you just wanna stick with the current mobo (a swap to a S939 PCI-E mobo would probably be another $50-$100), then get the X1950PRO AGP. The X1950PRO PCI-E is nothing to brag about, unless you have a strict <$200 budget (or, there are better cards for that neighborhood of money).

BTW, there is also news of an X1950XT AGP coming out from Powercolor, however, I would expect the price to be near $300. For that much, might as well move to PCI-E and get an X1900XT or X1950XT PCI-E.

 

[engiNURD]

I just wanted to throw this option out there. Keep your ram and buy the following:

$180 - Core2Duo E4300 1.8Ghz 800Mhz FSB (OC to 300*9=2.7Ghz... i wonder if your ram will hinder this OC)
$165 - X1950Pro PCI-E $175 - $10MIR)
$60 - AsRock 775Dual-VSTA AGP8x/PCI-E4x(16x sized slot)/DDR/DDR2
$52 - XClio 500W Goodpower
====
$458 + tax and shipping (after rebates)

Anandtech did several reviews on that board:
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2810
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2813
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2814
They basically concluded that DDR400 is still good for todays applications, and that high end gaming suffers only a 10% performance loss with the 4x PCI-E slot (16x - sized).

You could even keep your AGP card and see if the CPU helps at all, then just upgrade the vidcard later.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Blain
An Asrock 939Dual-VSTA will allow you keep your CPU/RAM while bumping up to a PCI Express card.

I was considering the ASRock DUAL-VSTA boards, but was turned off because of the PCI-e 4x slot instead of the full 16x. However, after seeing this, I might still consider it as it doesn't seem to hold back the graphics too much. If I do get the ASRock mobo though, I'd go with the 775 instead of the 939 as engiNURD suggested as I would rather have a C2D for the generally better performance and overclocking potential.

 

[Blain]

Sure you could do a total rebuild. $1500 would set you up with a sweet ride. :laugh:
I thought you were looking for a reasonable upgrade on the cheap.

 

[bob4432]

just as a reference point for coh i run it all @ high @ 1280x1024 and very rarely notice a hiccup. can't speak for the others and not sure how the 1950pro agp compares to the x1800xt but this is a reference you can look up if you want to

the other game i am/was into was bf2 and really didn't notice a difference with current rig compared to a p4 2.8 / x800xtpe or opty 144 (stock & 2.5) and x800xtpe. i can however turn everything up to max in stead of of med now, but i really don't see the difference while gaming. i might if i take a screen shot, but gaming, i am/was over 40fps either way, and with the x800xtp i could keep the d@mn thing under 1GB of ram :|

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Blain
If you're running your components at default speeds, I'd...
1. Upgrade to the X2 Toledo core CPU.
2. Run the CPU for a while and see how the system operates.
3. If it's up to snuff for you, hold there.
4. If it's still not running what you need, bump up to a new video card.

The Truth About Graphics Power Requirements V2

I'm sure I have enough wattage on my PSU, but I'm worried about the amps on the 12v rail. X1950pro's usually say they require 30A and I have 26A. A lot of people on other forums have had problems with their cards, but some of them upgraded their PSUs and the problems went away.

 

[SickBeast]

What kind of CPU does the X1950Pro need to drive it properly?

I have an Athlon XP 3200+...would it work?

 

[Farmer]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
What kind of CPU does the X1950Pro need to drive it properly?

I have an Athlon XP 3200+...would it work?

What do you mean by drive it properly? You mean, to be not bottlenecked by it? Well, the 3200+ will be a bottleneck, but it doesn't mean you'll see massive improvements in graphics quality over whatever your current card may be.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Farmer

Originally posted by: SickBeast
What kind of CPU does the X1950Pro need to drive it properly?

I have an Athlon XP 3200+...would it work?

What do you mean by drive it properly? You mean, to be not bottlenecked by it? Well, the 3200+ will be a bottleneck, but it doesn't mean you'll see massive improvements in graphics quality over whatever your current card may be.

The thing is, I want to double my gaming performance if I'm going to bother upgrading this rig. If I can do that with the 1950Pro, I'll get one.

 

[Twsmit]

Put your money to better use, pick up an nforce 4 board and a real PCIe video card. That way you will get the most benefit from the upgrade and be able to keep the card in the future. Games are mostly video dependent anyways. If you must have a faster CPU, OC 200-400mhz and you will have a nice free upgrade.

 

[Azndude51]

Okay, so I've thought my options over, here's what I'm thinking:
C2D E4300 - $179 Hopefully I can get a decent OC with the MOBO an RAM I'm prob going to buy.
2x1GB DDR2 800 - $190
Biostar TForce 965PT LGA775 - $110
HIS X1950XT 256MB PCI-e - $235 AR

I can probably get about $200 back if I sell my CPU, RAM, Mobo. I prob won't sell my GPU as I am currently having some problems with it.

This means about $500 after I sell the parts, which I can afford. This way I can upgrade to Core 2 Quad in the future if I want and just drop in a new DX10 card when they become more affordable.

 

[Azndude51]

Crap, I forgot that I'll probably have to get new PSU, so it'll be more like $550.

 

[crimson117]

I would buy a used socket 939 x2 processor and wait a while to upgrade your entire system. The 6800GT really isn't that bad, and I bet you're mostly processor limited with your current rig.

Checking the FS/FT forums I found (none of these are mine or anything):
- X2 3800+ with ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU for $140 shipped
- 4200+ with stock heatsink/fan for $150
- 4200+ with stock heatsink/fan for $160


If you're going to do any more than upgrade with a used duial core processor, then yeah go with a new core2duo pcie rig, but it'll cost ya.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: crimson117
I would buy a used socket 939 x2 processor and wait a while to upgrade your entire system. The 6800GT really isn't that bad, and I bet you're mostly processor limited with your current rig.

Checking the FS/FT forums I found (none of these are mine or anything):
- X2 3800+ with ZALMAN CNPS7700-CU for $140 shipped
- 4200+ with stock heatsink/fan for $150
- 4200+ with stock heatsink/fan for $160


If you're going to do any more than upgrade with a used duial core processor, then yeah go with a new core2duo pcie rig, but it'll cost ya.

I really don't think the 6800GT is enough for me. If you look here for example, the 6800GS, which is essentially the same as the 6800GT, can't even do 30 FPS at 1280x1024 on Company of Heroes. They did test with SM3.0, but the rig is running a C2D E6700. Also, I haven't seen a single review or benchmark where someone can get 30+ fps on 1280x1024 with a 6800GT or equivalent card on even low settings in GRAW.