Only a 6800GT or [a 6800NU AND a new CPU]?

[anindrew]

Hi everybody!

My current system is a little older. I've been able to play some modern games just fine on it like UT2k4 and the Far Cry demo. Of course, that might be because my video card is older, too. I'd like to be able to play Doom 3 and Half Life 2 at 1024x768 with as much eye candy as I can. I don't mind not using Anti-aliasing because I don't use it that much now. Look at my system specs below (try not to laugh). Then please give me advice on whether you think I should get only a 6800GT (256MB) OR a 6800NU (128MB) AND a new CPU (XP 3200+ probably). Either way, it looks like it will cost about $400 and that's the maximum (give or take a couple bucks) that I'd like to spend. Thank you for responding! This should be quite helpful.

Abit KR7A-RAID
Athlon XP 1800+ (1.53Ghz; 266FSB)
512MB Mushkin PC2100 DDR
Geforce3 Ti 500
SB Audigy 2 ZS
60GB Maxtor HD
PAL Alpha cooler on the CPU with a HUGE/fast fan on it
Samsung 997DF 19" CRT

 

[PrayForDeath]

Your CPU isn't that bad (look at my signature ), but it will bottleneck your GT if you buy it, so you'd better buy a 6800NU with a new CPU, but you have to keep in mind that if you wanna buy an Athlon XP 3200+ you'll most probably need a new mobo, which will cost you around 160$ I guess (CPU+Mobo), then you can either buy another stick of 512Mb DDR 266Mhz or 1024Mb of DDR 333Mhz, the latter will cost you more of course, unless you ebay your current system.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Get the 6800NU. Sell your CPU M/B and Memory and get new one.

If you need a budget M/B but want it fast get the Shuttle AN35N Ultra. If your not get either Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe, the NF7-S V2.0, or the DFI Lanparty Infinity.

Then pick up a mobile 2400+ and OC it to 2.5ghz

Get a SLK-947U HS and a Panaflo L1A fan from SVC.com

An get 1gb of memory (2x512mb) DDR400.

Or if you want to spend a little more money

Pick up a K8N Neo Platinum M/B (Sckt 754)

Pick up an AMD Sempron Processor

Pick up 1gig of memory.

But dont get the GT unless you have enough money to go around.

-Kevin

 

[anindrew]

Thanks for the replies!

Hmm...both of those options sound like way more than I want to do at the moment. I'm not sure what the maximum CPU my mobo will take. I think it could take the 3200+ as long as it will get the multiplier high enough (16.5 x 133). What if I get the 6800 GT now...AND then move it to a newer system a few months down the line? Then it wouldn't be so bad to have that card. I'm still conflicted about what to do.

I tried OCing my system a little last night. I'll have to do that old unlocking trick to my CPU because all I could do was raise the FSB up a little. That didn't gain me very much speed. I got it up to 1900+ levels, but that was like 60Mhz difference. With that giant HSF I have, I should be able to OC pretty damn well! Any advice on easy ways to close those bridges on the CPU?

Keep the advice coming please!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If that 1800+ is a t-bred and not a Palomino then you can set the fsb to 166mhz, up the CPU voltage, and get a serious speed boost. Just use a divider to keep your ram in spec. BTW, here's some benchies I ran using different clock speeds with nF2 and nF3 platforms link You could be happy with a 1800+ for games that are more dependent on the GPU@the res and settings indicated, but games that need more CPU power will drag it down IME.

 

[anindrew]

Hi DAPUNISHER!

Your link is pretty impressive. Nice work. I have a few questions if you don't mind. How would I tell if my 1800+ is a T-bred? What do you mean by "use a divider?" And what voltage should I set the core to if I do have a T-bred?

Thank you!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

There is an overclocking basics guide in the CPU forum you should have a look at that will help you get a handle on voltages, dividers, fsb, ect. You can just download and install CPU-z and it will tell you if it's a tbred or Palomino core. Palominos didn't overclock too great while an 1800+ t-bred B should hit 1.9ghz+ with little trouble.

BTW, your board has everything you need to juice some more from that CPU, it's a good older overclocker's board

 

[anindrew]

Hiya again!

I just used that handy CPU-z and it's a Palomino. Oh well. I still ought to be able to OC it decently if I can close those L1 bridges (or whatever they are). I'll definitely read up in the CPU pages to see what I have to do. Thanks, man!

 

[anindrew]

bump

Back to the original question: just a 6800 GT or a 6800NU and a new CPU?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I'd go GT and buy a used 2400+/2500+ and plop it in if the pally won't overclock to at least 2400+ speed.

 

[anindrew]

I've thought about it for a while.

I think I'm going to just go ahead and get the 6800GT now. After a while, I may upgrade the CPU. If not, then I'll upgrade the whole system a bit down the line, anyway.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Good choice, I just don't think the 1800+ will cripple you for most games as long as you use higher res and settings so the GT has a heavy load to bear. At least that's what my limited testing has lead me to conclude.

 

[anindrew]

All right! I (back) ordered an evga Geforce 6800GT. It's supposed to come with Farcry as well. I should have it sometime next week. That will be nice because I will be able to see the card working on a modern DX9 game. I'll let all of you know how my speed is on that. And of course I will buy Doom 3 soon.