Looking to upgrade my "old" machine

[patentman]

Ok all, I'm pretty savvy with computer hardware, but I need some outside opinions so that I don;t go crazy/overboard buying thge latest and greatest of every component when I don;t really use it. In other words, I need a voice of reason to convince me not to spend 3000 bucks on a new rig when I could get everything I want out of a sub $2000

That said, I'm looking to upgrade my old intel based machine. I use my computer 90% for gaming, 10% for actual work related activities. Case in point is I want a good gaming system that also functions are as a business workstation.

Ok, here is my old system:

3GHZ Intel P4
Asus P4P800 deluxe
2Gb corsair XMS DDR 400
SB X-FI X-treme music
GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB
Lightscribe DVD burner
48X Plextor Cd-Burner
550W antec "true" power supply

I'm looking to replace my processor, motherboard, and video card to use an AMD processor, PCI-E base Mobo, and either a GeForce 7800GTX or ATI 1900XT.

I'd like some "bang for the buck" opinions for the high end AMD processors out there. Basically I can't decide between the FX-60, FX-57, the 4800+, or simply to wait for the next gen processors to roll out (which according to AT sounds like it should be soon). I thought with the announcement of the FX-60 that the FX-57 prices would drop significanlty, but that hasn;t ben the case.

As for motherboards, does anyone know if there is a "true" dual PCI-16X mobo out for AMD yet? I know Asus recently put one out for Intel based platforms, but I haven't seen one for AMD. I've never truly understood what makes some Mobos better then others (aside from certain obvious difference), so I'd like some suggestions as to which Mobo I shoud look at.

As for the vidoe card, I'm not trying to start an ATI v. NVidia debate here. I've used both types of cards and been satisfied with both. I'm leaning towards the ATI because of the 512 MB of memory, but I can't decide. Can anyone provide an opinion as to which manufacturers (e.g. EVGA, POwercolor, BFG tech) put out the best card?

As for memory, its my understanind that my DDR 400 is the fastest that AMD platforms currently support. THus, I plan to keep what I have. PLease correct me if I'm wrong.

OK, I know I recited off the "best" or "fastest" components currently available above, but if anyone has any other suggestions I'd certainly welcome them.

Thanks.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

First off your current system is pretty nice, what games are you playing that aren't up to par?
And I'm pretty sure your PS is a 480w true blue, don't think antec makes a 580w model

What monitor are you using? This should determine the GPU that you need. If your using a 17-19" monitor it would be silly IMHO to get a 7800gtx or 1900xt.

The CPU's that you list are the three most expensive that AMD makes, and totally overkill for a gaming rig IMHO, gaming is 90% GPU and 10% CPU. And you can buy much cheaper CPU's that will overclock to the same levels and yield the same performance for 1/3 the price, I would be looking at Opty 165, X2 3800+, and SD3700+

I would say

Upgrade to a 23-24" monitor
epox 9NPA+ Ultra
7800 gtx
SD 3700+

and reuse everything else

Asus does make a 2x16pcie board, its called A8N32-SLI

 

[Fern]

Regarding this remark:

What monitor are you using? This should determine the GPU that you need. If your using a 17-19" monitor it would be silly IMHO to get a 7800gtx or 1900xt.

I'm using a 17" monitor with a 6800GT. Rez is set to 11x8 (or 10x7 if 11x8 not available). I've suffered slow-downs in games like COD2 & Q4 etc. So, I'm not so sure a 7800GTX etc is overkill anymore.

Fern

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Good point! I haven't played with the newest games, but I'm not a big fan of AA/AF so my video requirements aren.t as high as most

 

[RussianSensation]

I wouldnt touch a thing. Yes the new cards are very fast and will give you 2x more performance than 6800Ultra with x1900xt series for example. However, your system is still pretty good and getting a new system now for $2K to get 2x faster performance is hardly worth it.

Wait for AM2, DDR2, and G71 or possibly till G80 and R600 roll around. 6800Ultra is still a very fast card and unless you insist on playing at high resolutions, I wouldn't touch anything yet. If you do though, I would consider:

Opteron 165 and overclock it
DFI or Asus board
keep everything else (including ram)
Get X1900XT

Try to sell your old components.

 

[lxskllr]

My rig is very similar and I can't justify upgrading yet. If you want a bit more performance I'd give overclocking a try. Now would be great time to overclock since your thinking of building a new machine. If you screw something up, nothing much is lost since you were going to replace the computer anyway.

 

[patentman]

I can't overclock this machine at all. Even going to 3.1 causes it to hang, and even with a Zalman cooler.

As for my monitor: I'm using a 21" Viewsonic G810 CRT, its very nice, although its HUGE! I haven't bought into the whole LCD craze yet for gaming, as I am very picky about motion blur, and the super fast lcds just don;t look quite right to me yet. As is, I typically play my games at 12890X1024, and my current system is fine for most of the games that came out in the early part of this year at that rez, but most of the newer games (e.g. Call of Duty 2, Fear, Battlefield 2, etc) are starting to give my machine some heartburn at that resolution.

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions!

 

[gotsmack]

http://usa.asus.com/products3.aspx?l1=3...=NVIDIA%20nForce%E2%84%A24%20SLI%20X16

 

[essasin]

If you really want a voice of reason...you do not need an upgrade. If anything i say you get a 24 or 30 in lcd first to take advantage of the monster machine that you will be putting together in the future.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: patentman
I can't overclock this machine at all. Even going to 3.1 causes it to hang, and even with a Zalman cooler.

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions!

Well, given taht 90% of your PC use is FPS games, OCing your CPU is NOT gonna do much IMHO (nor upgrading the cpu, the current would seem fast enough).

Its your gfx card that needs upgraded. EVERYTHING else seems fine to me.

Know What? Welcome to the club! I'm referring to the club of "we've got strong rigs, but are screwed by the lack of AGP upgrade cards". See Apoppin, myself and others have been b!tching for a while now that we can't upgrade cuz we're on the AGP platform like you. In order to upgrade our gfx cards, we'd have to get a new mobo & cpu. Even though we feel those are perfectly fine ATM.

There seem to be only three options for those of us caught up in the AGP > PCIe change- over:

1) (I'm putting this first cause it may be your best bet) Wait for a new/more powerful AGP card. IIRC I've read that nVidia will be releasing a 7800GS in agp flavor next month. Perhaps ATI will follow suit.

2) Switch mobo's, and for many the cpu's too, to get to the PCIe platform where faster gfx card options are available. This is too expensive for many of us. I don't know if there is a PCIe mobo available for your CPU (I don't follow Intel much these days), which would mean only replacing the mobo to be able to get a PCIe card.

3) Live with it as long as you can. Meaning playing newer games at "medium" settings etc. Given a 21' monitor, I would think you're already doing this somewhat.

Sorry bro, I feel your pain. Here's hoping for some new fast agp cards :beer:

Fern