Need Advice for Upgrading CPU, MOBO, RAM

[PeddlerTY]

Hi,

I just downloaded the Asheron's Call 2 beta and am finding out that my computer (933 P3, 128MB Ram, GeForce2) no longer cuts the mustard. I have about $300 to spend and was wondering if anyone might have some suggestions as to what components (CPU, MOBO, RAM) I should buy so I can play AC2 without every gfx, sound, and effect feature hobbled.

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CPU -
Motherboard -
Ram -
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I am gong to be getting a complete new system most likely in April 03, I just need something to tide me over until then. Any suggestions, would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Actaeon]

I recently spend about $275 on a new CPU, Mobo, Memory, and Cooler. Maybe you are interested in my purchase.

CPU - AMD AthlonXP 1600+ AROIA-Y Core - $60 shipped
Mobo - Epox 8K5A2 - $95 Shipped
RAM - 256MB Kingmax DDR400 - $72 shipped
Cooler - Alpha PAL 8045 w/ 52CFM Variable Speed Fan, Arctic Silver 3 - $49 Shipped
Total - $276 Shipped

You can purchase the CPU from newegg.com for $55, but no guarantee you are going to get one of the good steppings for overclocking (AGOIA/AROIA). I got mine off the For Sale/Trade Forum. Mine runs at 1.9ghz stable.

Motherboard is great, good OCer, great features. Has USB2.0, and pretty good (IMO) Onboard sound. If you are willing to spend more, you can get the + version which includes RAID and Onboard Lan.

I've seen mixed reviews about the memory, but I'm pretty happy with it. I'm running Turbo Settings, but CAS is at 2.5, at 181 FSB. I dunno if its my RAM or CPU thats holding my OC back, but either way, its good price, does not run hot at all.

Cooler - One of the best coolers on the Market. There are a few better ones for more. But no problems with it here. I average 48-49C Full load, running SETI@Home. Not bad for 500mhz OCed AthlonXP.

Believe it or not, This rig should last you well into 2003.

In 2003, instead of buying a whole new rig, which is awfully expensive, you could purchase some more Memory, and a new GPU, and it'll last you until 2004! In 2003, AMD's Barton should be released, and this KT333 board will support it, therefore, you won't have to need to buy a whole new rig for clock speeds, and everything else is performing well.

Thats what I plan on doing in 2003. Getting a Barton, a new GPU, and some more memory. It'll be sufficent for upgrades until 2004.

 

[apoppin]

Instead of upgrading everything right now a simple $100 for a Radeon 8500 or GF4 4200Ti will allow you to play the latest games . . . It's your GF2 that is really old in the tooth. 😉

That should easily last you until April, '03. Save your $200 for the upgrade then (or get some new games) . . . you might also consider O/C'ing your CPU to over 1.13Ghz.

EDIT: Welcome to the forums. You might also consider another 128MB PC133 - check out Hot Deals, there is a lot of free-after-rebate RAM.

 

[MIGhunter]

The MB won't help. It is only an issue if you can't upgrade your CPU to something else.

Unless you don't have any memory then I don't think that you will get much of an increase from that.

Your best bet is the CPU. What MB do you have? Are you limited to this CPU speed or is your MB good enough to go higher. Since you have $300, you could go with either a 2.4 or 2.5 P4 and a new MB. The ECS combos are $242 and $295 respecively on pricewatch. www.newegg.com has a 2.4 ghz P4 for $202. They recomend the ASUS P4S8X Motherboard for Intel P4 478 Retail. It is $146 which is a little more than you want but I bet you could settle for something a little cheaper.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MIGhunter
The MB won't help. It is only an issue if you can't upgrade your CPU to something else.

Unless you don't have any memory then I don't think that you will get much of an increase from that.

Your best bet is the CPU. What MB do you have? Are you limited to this CPU speed or is your MB good enough to go higher. Since you have $300, you could go with either a 2.4 or 2.5 P4 and a new MB. The ECS combos are $242 and $295 respecively on pricewatch. www.newegg.com has a 2.4 ghz P4 for $202. They recomend the ASUS P4S8X Motherboard for Intel P4 478 Retail. It is $146 which is a little more than you want but I bet you could settle for something a little cheaper.

He is stuck with PIIIs - max about 1.2Ghz with O/C'ing. No matter if he gets a P4 at 3.0Ghz and RDRAM, that ANCIENT GF2 is going to really hold back the gaming. 😉

Since he is doing the major upgrade in April, an 8500 or Ti4200 should make ALL his games playable - plus the 8500/4200 will still be a decent videocard in his NEXT system. Of course, some more PC133 will help (especially if it's XP).

 

[ai42]

I agree with these other guys your system isn't excessivly slow. I'd say slap another 256MB memory (BTW PC133 is $25 at OfficeDepot after rebate), and get a Radeon 8500. Perhaps in another year you might want to upgrade the system but I honsetly don't see the real incentive at this point.

 

[PeddlerTY]

My Motherboard is an ASUS CUSL2 and I have a 933 P3 in it now, does anyone know the fastest CPU I can use with my MB?

I didn't even think about upgrading my GFX Card, ... I guess slapping in some more ram, a new video card, and maybe a faster CPU would be the way to go.

Thanks

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: PeddlerTY
My Motherboard is an ASUS CUSL2 and I have a 933 P3 in it now, does anyone know the fastest CPU I can use with my MB?

I didn't even think about upgrading my GFX Card, ... I guess slapping in some more ram, a new video card, and maybe a faster CPU would be the way to go.

Thanks

Have you tried O/C'ing your CPU? If it is a fairly recent 933 it should hit well over 1Ghz. Just raise the FSB a little at a time until iyour system is unstable and then back it back down to where it is. A 10% voltage increase is usually considererd "safe".


But more RAM and a 8500/ti4200 is the cheapest way to get maximum performance from your current system.

EDIT:
Here is a review of your MB

 

[Acts837]

I can't add much that hasn't already been said above:

a) get a different video card
b) bump up that ram to at least 256

I realize that 2+ GHz chips are on the market, but what in the world is wrong with a stock PIII 933? I have the Asus CUSL2-C and that 815 chipset is mighty fine. Won't support a Tualitan processor but it will handle 512MB SDRAM if you wanted to get two 256MB sticks from Crucial for less than $60 shipped (linky).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: PeddlerTY
My Motherboard is an ASUS CUSL2 and I have a 933 P3 in it now, does anyone know the fastest CPU I can use with my MB?

I didn't even think about upgrading my GFX Card, ... I guess slapping in some more ram, a new video card, and maybe a faster CPU would be the way to go.

Upgrade the memory (256 more should be plenty) and vid first, that may be all you need.

You can't go much faster than 933 on a CUSL2 since it doesn't support Tulatins, so if the RAM and vid aren't good enough you really do need a new CPU / mobo combo too. But (if so) in your shoes I'd just play something else until the April upgrade -- lots of good "offline" games out there, including some cheap classic RPGs like Fallout 1 & 2, Planescape Torment, etc. and Dungeon Siege if you want the 3D eye candy.