Need HELP w/ deciding how to UPGRADE my system <$500

[jimithing2077]

Well after successfully installing D3 and playing it for about 15 minutes I wanted to rip my 9600 pro out and throw it through my window. So, its time to upgrade, and i thought id come here and get some input before i threw out some cash.

Current System Specs:

Epox 8rda+ Rev: 1.1
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
WD 80gb caviar
Kingston HyperX 512mb pc2700
LiteOn 52x24x52 CD-RW
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
Antec Case (350W PS)



Here are my options: My limit for upgrades is $500. Right now I was thinking about just using all of that money and buying a X800 Pro or a 6800GT, but i realized that my CPU would prolly bottleneck the vid card

however..i thought maybe I could just upgrade my processor to a 3000+ and get a regular 6800NU. What do you guys think?

 

[nick1985]

512 RAM is what is really holding you back, not the 9600pro IMO.

i think a $70 RAM purchase will be more worthwhile than a $500 graphics card.

 

[jimithing2077]

nick..

lets say i get another stick of 512 RAM, and either get a 6800NU or a XP 3000+


would i see better results with a stick of 512 and the new Video Card, or a stick of 512 and a new processor?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: jimithing2077
nick..

lets say i get another stick of 512 RAM, and either get a 6800NU or a XP 3000+


would i see better results with a stick of 512 and the new Video Card, or a stick of 512 and a new processor?

512, and the new video card.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

Processor is fine. Overclock it if you can.

Sell 9600 Pro, buy 512 mb of ram. Then you have $500 to pick out any video card you want.

 

[jimithing2077]

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
Processor is fine. Overclock it if you can.

Sell 9600 Pro, buy 512 mb of ram. Then you have $500 to pick out any video card you want.

i like how you think

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: jimithing2077

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
Processor is fine. Overclock it if you can.

Sell 9600 Pro, buy 512 mb of ram. Then you have $500 to pick out any video card you want.

i like how you think

Good, cuz i agree w/ him :beer:
The only thing id change, is get the 6800GT and spend the remaining $100 on a processor of 3 gigs or higher depending on prices.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Marsumane

Originally posted by: jimithing2077

Originally posted by: GeneralGrievous
Processor is fine. Overclock it if you can.

Sell 9600 Pro, buy 512 mb of ram. Then you have $500 to pick out any video card you want.

i like how you think

Good, cuz i agree w/ him :beer:
The only thing id change, is get the 6800GT and spend the remaining $100 on a processor of 3 gigs or higher depending on prices.

With the $100 he could get an Athlon XP Mobile 2500+ and overclock it to at least 2400mhz (faster than an A64 3200+; close to an FX-51). The 6800GT is definately the way to go here.

 

[jimithing2077]

well i think today i realized what im gonna do..

instead of paying the outrageous $400-$500 for a 6800GT/U or a X800 Pro i decided that im going to just get another stick of 512 RAM, and buy a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro....i think i might even upgrade my CPU to the 3000+ XP.


Thoughts?

Right now i can play Doom III pretty well on 8x6 med. quality w/ all eye candy on and 4xAA

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Originally posted by: jimithing2077
well i think today i realized what im gonna do..

instead of paying the outrageous $400-$500 for a 6800GT/U or a X800 Pro i decided that im going to just get another stick of 512 RAM, and buy a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro....i think i might even upgrade my CPU to the 3000+ XP.


Thoughts?

Right now i can play Doom III pretty well on 8x6 med. quality w/ all eye candy on and 4xAA

If you do that, you should be able to easily do all three.

Sell 9600 Pro. Should be able to get $100 on it easily. Use money to get another 512MB RAM. Allocate $300 to buy 9800 Pro (such as this one) or better. Use remaining $200 or so for new CPU and maybe even a mobo (especially if you can get one of 'em Fry's deals)

Probably what I'd do.

 

[peacemaker1ps]

I think CPU is fine.
Just get another 512ram and get 9800pro.

 

[Pilsnerpete]

Also, with pc2700, your fsb won't go as high as with saaaay...pc4000. IF you're sure your hyperx will do 200mhz+, keep it. Otherwise, consider taking it to FS/T. Then you can have a fresh start with a gig of pc3500 or something.

 

[Schadenfroh]

sell the 9600 pro and old CPU
AT LEAST an extra $50

total cash $550

Athlon XP 2500 mobile $88

Kingston 512mb pc2700 $155


Geforce 6800 $283, 6800 will kill the 9800 pro in every game and match/come close to the x800 XT in doom3

doom3 benchmarks

other game benchmarks

plus the 6800 offers DX9C, onboard video encoding chip, and other features over the 9800 pro.

total $526 of your new $550 budget

 

[jiffylube1024]

I agree with Schadenfroh - get a 2400+/2500+ mobile chip, overclock it and pair it with a 6800nu and 512MB more RAM.

I'd pay the extra hundred or so for a 6800 over a 9800 Pro right now.