New CPU/MoBo/Memory or video card

[ziscwg]

What will give the most "Bang for My Buck"
My PC is used mostly for games, like Halo, UT2003, Serious Sam.

Should I replace my CPU/MB/Memory or get a new video card? Unfortunatley, I can't do both right now.

I want to stay in the USD $450 price range on the CPU/MB/Memory set up and around $ 300 on the video. (I can't see spending more than $320 on a video card)

Currently, I have an Athlon 1.4 ghz OC to 1.533 an abit kt7a MB with 512 MB of SDRAM.

My video is Gforce4 4400 128 mb OC a little.

Any Thoughts?

 

[Fern]

Since it's for gaming, my 2cents worth is vid card. Even a used G4 Ti 4200 is a pretty good step up (maybe $80 used). Could also get a 9800 pro for about $220 (been on sale lately), probrably a little over the top for that rig. But then you got a good vid card for when you upgrade the rest.

 

[Arcanedeath]

A Geforce 4 Ti 4400 OC'd a little is still a respectable gaming card, I'd say your CPU and Mobo / Memory is holding you back more than your vid card and would upgrade your CPU / Mobo / Memory, My litte bro has a rig very simlar to yours cept he has a Tbird 1.33 @ 1.466, 768mb of PC2100 and an Epox KT266 Board which doesn't perform much better than your Sdram board. He's prolly gonna be upgrading to a Gig of PC3200 and an A64 3000+ fairly shortly as that seems the best bang for the buck at the high end atm. Just my 2 cents and hope this helps.., w/ $450 you could prolly do 512mb of PC3200 an A64 3000+ and a mobo or a P4C 2.8-3.0 Ghz + mobo instead of the A64 if you'd rather go intel for the $450 although if it were me I'd prolly get the A64 since I use my PC mostly for gaming and the A64 seems to be the "gaming" chip atm. once again hope this helps

 

[Neyd3400]

This is a real easy question in you go to the 3dmark 2003 website and compare difference in the upgrades.

The results of people running 1.4 ghz with a 9800 radeon pro
from a ti4200 is is `1200---->5000

Running a ti4200 from a 1.4 ghz to a 2200mhz xp processor
1200---->2000

I would upgrade soon, get HL2 and 9800pro. I seen a few on sale in the last month 200-240.


People upgrading thier video card see a tremendous impact and later on in the year if you want your could get a good deal in a 64 chip and a agp board. PCI express should drop the prices down for agp MBs. Do keep in mind that there are lot of variables in 3dmarks scores.

 

[Bonesdad]

You can get all 4 for $450 or so. $200-220 for the 9800 Pro (sapphire), $80 for a Athlon 2500+ and another $85 for 512 MB PC3200 DDR. That leaves $85 for a mobo. There are plenty of great NForce2 mobos around for 90 or less. Check the NF7from Abit or the AN35N from SHuttle. Plus, if you wanted to sell your 4400, you could get a decent price for it on FS/FT forum or Ebay.

Edit: Welcome to AT!

 

[TheVyper88]

I agree with bonesdad considering that 9800pro is 8x agp and your board is not. Kinda like buying a vette and taking the plug wires off 4 cylinders. Upgrade the entire kit and for your price and get all the benefits. Not to mention you "can" have problems running an 8x agp in a 4x agp slot.